Established in 1901, Enerfab, an industry leader in engineering and fabrication services for the energy and industrial sectors, now finds itself confronted with maintaining competitiveness in a fast-paced industry obsessed with digital innovation. Rajesh Kapoor, vice president of information technology at Enerfab, speaks with ERP Today to shed light on how his company is leveraging SAP and Microsoft technologies to drive innovation for their smarter projects.Kapoor reflects on the challenges faced during Enerfab’s S/4HANA migration process, highlighting the complexity and dedication required for success -unlocking a range of benefits, including real-time data insights, enhanced scalability and simplified IT management."We started the program, a six-month project." The migration wasn't without challenges, as Kapoor recalls: "As a six-month project, and like every other project, it has its own fair share of complexities. It was a long process and long nights, but overall it worked out."Despite hurdles, Enerfab successfully implemented SAP's Commercial Project management module along with other tools.The company made the decision to complement SAP RISE private cloud edition with Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing platform offering a wide array of services for SAP solutions - including computing, analytics, storage and networking. Kapoor underscores the seamless integration between SAP’s cloud platform and Microsoft Azure as facilitating secure network connectivity, robust cybersecurity measures and enhanced data management capabilities."Our non-SAP servers were already on Microsoft," Kapoor notes: "So it made a natural choice for us to then go with SAP RISE private cloud edition with our existing Microsoft platform." This strategic decision aligns with Enerfab's public commitment to maximizing its existing investments. Cloud-based solutions offer the flexibility to adapt to evolving project needs, providing a robust foundation for innovation and growth. From project managers to field workers, the cloud democratizes access to critical information, ensuring that stakeholders remain connected and informed throughout the project lifecycle.SAP's Digital Supply Chain solutions, integrated with Microsoft Azure IoT (Internet of Things) capabilities, enable Enerfab to create virtual replicas of physical assets, products and processes. These digital twins serve as dynamic digital representations, offering insights into optimization opportunities across the supply chain.Kapoor emphasizes the significance of this digital innovation: "For us, the important part is that we exchange a lot of information with our customers." He elaborates: "So when we are building a pressure vessel for a customer, it means they would come back."With optimization, in these days, naturally leads Enerfab to AI and automation ambitions. Kapoor discusses the transformative potential of AI and automation in project management. Leveraging SAP's embedded analytics and Microsoft's Azure AI capabilities, Enerfab can derive actionable insights from vast amounts of data, enabling informed decision-making and predictive analytics.SAP's Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions, integrated with Microsoft Power Automate, automate repetitive tasks and improve process efficiency across Enerfab’s various departments."The new S4 has something called embedded analytics. So your transactional layer and analytical layer become one - that is the most important part in my opinion."Initiative: Smarter ProjectsSmarter Projects is an initiative by Enerfab aimed at enhancing its project efficiency, safety and quality through the strategic integration of advanced technologies and innovative practices. By leveraging cutting-edge solutions such as SAP's ERP system, Microsoft Azure, digital twins, IoT, AI and automation to make data-driven decisions.Smarter Projects represents a strategic approach to construction management that harnesses the power of technology to revolutionize traditional practices. From communication and change management to predictive planning and vertical integration, Smarter Projects encompasses a range of principles aimed at delivering superior outcomes for stakeholders."Right now we have a product delivered on AI but not on SAP's platform where we take all these estimates from our historical data and try to give a better estimate." This utilization of AI-driven insights from historical data not only enhances forecasting accuracy but also empowers Enerfab to develop these smart projects by optimizing resource allocation and project timelines.In construction, technology has long been viewed as a catalyst for progress. However, the industry has often lagged behind in terms of embracing technological innovations. Smarter Projects seeks to change this narrative by championing the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across job sites, back offices and field operations. From tracking technology and cameras to sensors integrated into personal protective gear, the possibilities are vast.One of the key challenges Kapoor identifies is the seamless integration of disparate technologies, such as 3D scanning, laser scanning and specialized construction software within SAP and Microsoft ecosystems.Kapoor elaborates on this challenge: "Our leadership has this concept of delivering smarter projects because that's what we do for a living - how do you combine laser scanning and 3D schedules and SAP and very specialized construction software and then how do they all work together."Kapoor envisions AI playing a crucial role in addressing this challenge: "I think AI is gonna help us solve that."One of the hallmarks of Smarter Projects is their focus on predictability and proactive planning. By leveraging data from advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning and asset tagging, construction companies can anticipate maintenance needs, optimize resource allocation, and minimize downtime. This proactive approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also instills confidence in customers regarding business continuity.Furthermore, Kapoor emphasizes the importance of real-time analytics in project management, stating, "We are 71 percent through that contract so far, customers know that they have to bring more money or move the money between their projects, that becomes extremely important." Leveraging in-memory analytics and enhanced capabilities, Enerfab can provide stakeholders with timely insights to facilitate informed decision-making and resource allocation.A central tenet of Smarter Projects is the recognition that effective communication is key to overcoming resistance to technology. Construction culture, with its deep-rooted traditions and practices, often presents challenges to the adoption of new technologies. By fostering open dialogue and clearly articulating the benefits of technological advancements, companies can address fears and misconceptions, paving the way for smoother implementation.As Kapoor reflects on Enerfab’s progress, he expresses satisfaction with the incremental strides they've made in implementing SAP and Microsoft technologies. He remains optimistic about the future benefits they will continue to realize, emphasizing the tangible improvements in visibility, efficiency and collaboration across their projects.Enerfab's cloud transformation efforts and its Smarter Projects initiatives epitomize a holistic approach, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as AI, automation and IoT seamlessly into project management processes. Crucially, Enerfab's emphasis on real-time analytics and data-driven decisions by harnessing the power of SAP's embedded analytics and Microsoft's Azure AI capabilities, pushes the company towards a culture of continuous innovation.
Enerfab is leveraging SAP and Microsoft technologies to innovate and enhance project efficiency through its Smarter Projects initiative, focusing on real-time data insights and advanced analytics.
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The migration to SAP S/4HANA, complemented by Microsoft Azure, has enabled Enerfab to integrate cloud-based solutions, facilitating better data management, cybersecurity, and streamlined processes across departments.
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AI and automation play a crucial role in Enerfab's strategy, allowing for predictive analytics and improved decision-making, ultimately enhancing resource allocation and operational efficiency in construction management.
Enerfab’s Rajesh Kapoor speaks with ERP Today to shed light on how his company is leveraging SAP and Microsoft tech for smarter projects.
