World's first remote services centre developed in ChilePublished: July 15, 2009
This pioneering initiative, developed by ABB with InvestChile's support, will provide real time diagnostic services and remote solutions for the highly sophisticated technology used in the mining industry.
The Swiss engineering and technology giant, ABB, chose Chile to set up its First Remote Services Centre in order to provide real time supervision, diagnostic services and assistance for the equipment and vital assets in the mining sector.
The 'ABB Remote Services Control Room' was supported by the Chilean Economic Development Agency's (CORFO) InvestChile Program, which provided subsidies for the launch of the project and human resources training. The centre is designed to improve the productivity of mining companies and increase profit margins in the sector by optimizing the operation of vital processes. By providing permanent supervision and preventative maintenance, the risk of equipment failure, and the loss of millions of dollars, is reduced.
"We are very pleased by ABB's decision to set up this cutting edge technology project in Chile. With the implementation of this remote services centre, the country is consolidating its position as a platform to export services, mainly associated with strategic, highly technological sectors, such as mining," explained the executive vice-president of CORFO, Carlos Álvarez.
The 'ABB Remote Services Control Room' currently has five highly specialised Chilean engineers. The main platform, called the 'Extended Operator Workplace' (EOW), is comprised of integrated hardware, software and design. This provides the best platform and response capacity to monitor the performance of a plant, or highly sophisticated piece of equipment, in order to improve its operation.
Country Manager of ABB in Chile, José Paiva, indicated that "the opening of these facilities demonstrates our competitiveness with leading process and manufacturing companies. By taking responsibility for the factors which affect productivity, energy efficiency and safety, we help our clients to focus on their core business."
Currently, large private mining companies, such as Minera Escondida and Collahuasi, are working with ABB on a service to envisage the vital signs of their processing plants and provide reports to facilitate decision-making.
Source:
www.abb.cl