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Sentinel PRO is Petrotechnics' web-based, electronic integrated safe system of work
What features & benefits Sentinel PRO can offer your workspace
Proven implementation in diverse locations, languages and operating environments; presently installed in 11 countries worldwide, by 19 different operators including Shell and BP
Typical Objectives of Sentinel PRO Implementation:
- Minimise number of incidents
- Increase efficiency
- Cost savings
- Standardisation of process
[PDF] Shell Exploration and Production in Europe
[PDF] BP Sentinel PRO Case Study
Web-Based Solutions for Hazardous Work Management: A Case Study
Author: Mike Neill, Petrotechnics Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Operations Control and Reporting System (OCRS)
The Petrotechnics Control of Work solution transforms the way work gets done
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Is Sentinel PRO just a Permit
to Work System?
A: The production of a “Permit to Work” is
the final output from Sentinel PRO. It is a fully integrated “Safe
System of Work” which manages the whole process from the issuing
of a work order through to the main safety critical processes of risk
assessment and isolation control before the issuing of a permit. You
have the ability to schedule start dates of permits, hence for a major
shutdown that is planned for the future, all the necessary permits can
be prepared in advance.
Sentinel PRO incorporates “Lessons Learned”, electronic authorisations
and auditability through a state of the art web-based graphical user
interface. It effectively enforces rigour and improves communication
to provide an enhanced safety management system and safety aware culture
at reduced operational costs.
Q: Which companies use Sentinel
PRO as their “Safe System of Work”?
A: Among our clients are some of the world's largest oil
companies including Shell and BP. In addition, many other major and independent companies
working in hazardous industries are using Sentinel PRO.
Q: Is Sentinel PRO saving companies
money?
A: Petrotechnics’ systems will deliver
Shell UK Expro direct savings of £5million per annum. Other case
studies can be found on this web site - (read more >)
Q: What is the typical payback
of a Sentinel PRO installation?
A: We have seen examples of ROI inside six
months.
Q: Safety is already my company’s
number one priority, and we already work to the highest standards. So
how can Sentinel PRO make any difference?
A: With all processes there is a need for
continuous improvement. It is likely that with your current high standards
of safety practice translated into a system that facilitates safety process
rigor, improves communication, integrates all aspects of safety management
in a standard commercially available system, there will be further improved
safety performance and significant work management cost savings.
Q: Surely the introduction of
more safety solutions/business processes will reduce my operational effectiveness
and efficiency?
A: Just the opposite. Users have found that
the system enhances both operational effectiveness and improves efficiency.
Q: We already have a permit process.
Do we have to change it to deploy Sentinel PRO?
A: Sentinel PRO is configured to customer
requirements to reflect business processes; hence it will work in the
way you want it to. However, we have considerable experience in all areas
of Safety Management and Best Practice and will advise you on any beneficial
changes that could be made and adopted by you as a standard.
Q: What is the biggest challenge
we might face in moving to Sentinel PRO?
A: A significant percentage of your staff
will adopt an improved way of working that will require change management.
Q: How will a Petrotechnics solution
apply across a global corporation that has many locations operating in
different ways?
A: The configurability of the solution means
that different operating procedures and different locations can be accommodated.
Of course there is also the option of adopting Sentinel PRO as a corporate
standard which gives you the opportunity to define a functional standard
for the whole organisation.
Q: Does Sentinel PRO need to
be customised for each user?
A: No. We have designed the software so that
the core is a stable, fully supported code that is common to all users
and subject to regular enhancements and updates. Each customer then builds
a configuration on top of this core, using the latest XML technology,
unique to its own business, (e.g. graphics). This brings benefits of
standardisation and harmonisation across users without compromising unique
requirements.
Q: How long does it take to implement
Sentinel PRO?
A: This is dependent on the size and complexity
of the implementation. Based on the many years of successful use of Sentinel
PRO, Petrotechnics has designed an implementation methodology that delivers
effective adoption of the system in an efficient timescale. Key stages
in this are Business Process Modelling; Design, Build and Testing; and
finally Training. Depending on size, complexity and number of users,
a single site can complete an implementation in typically 3-4 months.
But once the Business Process has been defined, site roll out can be
rapid. For example Shell completed the roll out to 24 sites over a period
of 9 months from contract placement to completion.
Q: How much does it cost to
implement Sentinel PRO in an organisation?
A: Sentinel PRO is licensed based on the
number of users/number of sites with significant economies of scale.
It does require significant commitment to undertake such a project as
it impacts the whole operation. However increased operational effectiveness
and safety performance can be achieved with reduced workplace management
costs and an acceptable ROI as evidenced from our case studies of operational
users.
Q: Can the application be configured
to my business requirements?
A: The initial phase of an implementation
involves agreeing the definition of a company’s business requirements.
Petrotechnics will configure Sentinel PRO to those and configure the
application to each site’s geographic layout and management structure.
Q: Who typically uses Sentinel
PRO in an organisation?
A: All personnel who have a direct or even
indirect impact with work taking place are potential users. Roles and
authorities are defined by the Company Business Process and typically
involve the person carrying out the work (Performing Authority), through
various validation and authorisation levels and supervisory control,
to Operations Management. However, it is designed to give visibility
to all personnel involved so that, for example, an Asset Director can
easily access information on all work taking place on all sites within
an organisation.
Q: How much training is required
to ensure the system is used effectively?
A: As with all application software, value
comes with efficient usage and hands on experience improves efficiency.
Training is assessed, scheduled and delivered to ensure maximum benefit
over the “go-live” period and beyond. A full Training Needs
Analysis is carried out as part of the implementation. Advanced user
courses are typically two days in duration and can be supplemented with
Computer Based Training as a refresher. Basic Training courses and Systems
Administration courses are also utilised and individual training programmes
can be developed to suit. Petrotechnics' trainers are experienced operations
personnel who have considerable vocational experience of Permit to Work
systems.
Q: How does Sentinel PRO integrate
with my other Operational Systems?
A: Sentinel PRO is designed to seamlessly
interface with other vendors’ packages to give a fully integrated
Safety Management System. Hence integration with ERP/CMMS packages, Document
Management systems, Asset Information Management Systems, Real–Time
databases are all possible.
Q: How does Sentinel PRO relate
to my enterprise management system eg SAP?
A: The generation of a “work order” from
an ERP system is typically the starting point of a request to generate
a “Work Control Certificate” or Permit in Sentinel PRO.
Q: Can I link Sentinel PRO to
P&I drawings?
A: Links to any external electronic system
can be incorporated, whether document management systems, external databases,
web sites etc.
Q: Is Sentinel PRO only used
when a site becomes operational?
A: Sentinel PRO can be used for all aspects
of work throughout the entire life cycle of a project, from construction
to operations to decommissioning.
Q: Many users are Exploration
and Production operations. Can Sentinel PRO be used onshore?
A: Of the numerous offshore customers who
use Sentinel PRO on a day-to-day basis, many of their operational sites
are onshore based. For example BP has 24 offshore and 5 onshore facilities
in the UK using the product. Shell similarly has 19 offshore and 5 onshore.
There are no technical or operational reasons why Sentinel PRO cannot
be used onshore.
Q: How does Sentinel PRO conform
to the guidelines laid down by OIAC?
A: Petrotechnics has worked closely with
the Step Change group and the drafting of the OIAC Guidelines. This relationship
has been in progress throughout the design, development and implementation
of recent ISSOW Harmonisation Models. All the requirements of the Guidelines
are already within the configurability of Sentinel PRO and any updates
or amendments will be similarly incorporated.
Q: Can Sentinel PRO be configured
to operate in different languages?
A: Sentinel PRO can be implemented in any
common international language. In addition, options are available for
dual language functionality to be configured within the software.
Q: What standard packages does
Sentinel PRO require for configuration?
A: Oracle database server and Web Logic application
server.
Q: Do I need to install specialised
software or hardware as part of the implementation of Sentinel PRO?
A: No. The Sentinel PRO architecture is based
around leading edge J2EE technologies, the industry leading Application
Server, and builds upon existing standards providing reliability, scalability
and adaptability. Desktop access to the application is via a standard
web browser eliminating the need for client software to be installed.
Precise recommendations depend on the number of users and bandwidth availability
but no need for specialised hardware or software is anticipated.
Q: How will Sentinel PRO cater
for the need for the worker to carry a permit to the workplace?
A: Sentinel PRO provides for a paper output
to be carried to site that contains all of the necessary details from
within the electronic system. It also provides the facility for printing
isolation tag labels.
Q: How are electronic authorisations
and auditabilty catered for?
A: Each user who interacts with the system
has a unique log-on user name and password that is recorded in an electronic
signature. Any request, change, validation or authorisation carries with
it this signature to provide complete auditability and to give full security
without the need for a paper trail.
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