Last week I spent some time looking at some interesting data management and reporting software from a company called Intov8.  Intov8 are focussed primarily on solutions for the mining industry, so I thought it would be worthwhile checking out what they’ve got in case it’s of any use to Mining Man’s readers.

As someone who likes my morning production report to be full of graphs, numbers and trends, I was keen to see what their software could do that would make it different from the rest.  The guys from Intov8 were good enough to invite me along to see their software in actual use at Idemitsu Resources – who run three coal mining operations here in Australia. 

Intov8’s software, called Corvus, basically brings together all the data from right across a mining and processing operation.  No matter what form the data comes in, how it is captured, or what current system it comes from, the Corvus software apparently can handle it.  The main aim of the software is to capture, assemble and report data on things as diverse as production, operating hours, delays, machine conditions, water flows, power, and conveyors.  It will even capture and display rail and port data.

There are four main strengths I see in this software:

1. Data from Anywhere

The Corvus Axiom database is able to pull in data, numbers and information from nearly any source you can think of.  It already matches in with most of the common monitoring and information systems on site, and they say they can tie it in to nearly any type of system.  It can also accept manually entered data from shift reports etc.  Idemitsu even have their rail information coming in from their external supplier at one of their sites, and are looking at extending this to include data from the port.  The system can also link in with tablets etc for real time data entry in the field to support the automatic data gathered from equipment.

 

2. All in One Place

The beauty of having the one central database is that everyone can access the same data at the same time, and only have to go to the one place to get it.  Because the database software can gather data from any source, you should (hopefully) only have to go to the one place to find every type of report and graph you need.

 

3. Dashboards and Reporting

The Corvus software’s interface system is setup to look like a “dashboard” (and is fittingly called Corvus Dashboards).  Each different manager on site can have their own custom dashboard showing the data and trends relevant to their area.  The dashboards can run on desktop computers, portable tablets, or on monitors in public areas around the mine.  The dashboards can show graphs, dials, coloured lights, sliders, clock-faces and many other types of visual displays – whatever is best suited to the type of data being displayed.

Custom PDF or printed reports are setup within the system, and can be scheduled to get sent out at the same time each day or week to specific people or groups on the site.

The first step in much of the productivity improvement work that I do with mine sites is to make sure they understand what is really happening in their operation, and the best way to do that is to have accurate, clear and well displayed data and information.  Not too much that it is overwhelming or confusing, but enough to get a clear picture of where there are things that need to be fixed or improved.  One of the ways we commonly do this (once the data acquisition is sorted out), it by using performance boards which a team will look at each shift, day or week to see how they are tracking against their own targets.  I think the Corvus digital dashboards showing live data would be a great addition to these performance board meetings.

 

4. Mine Photo Overlay

One nice feature of the software is a tool to overlay information on to a mine aerial photo.  Things such as hazard reports can be shown on the map of the mine to display where the "hot spots" are.

My Thoughts

The Corvus software from Intov8 presents quite well in the dashboard and report formats, and in the way it can bring all of a site's data together.  Lots of different display options means I would be able to setup the dashboard for my department just the way I’d like it, and then be able to see all of my data in one place in real time.

The future for this technology will see it extended out more and more to tablets and handheld devices, which will reduce the time lag from having to manually enter data from written reports, and also mean I can view my data from anywhere.

But be warned – if you’ve got something to hide, or if you’re the kind of person who likes to fiddle and adjust the data before you report it, you’re not going to like this system!!  Everything is there for people to see, and with such clear information displays, it’s easy to pick up small issues and address them before they become big problems.

Overall, the Corvus database looks like a very useful tool for mining operations who have loads of different systems reporting data on different things.  It would allow them to bring everything together in one place, and then display it on the dashboards and reports.

Find out More

Intov8 Homepage
Intov8 YouTube Channel - some nice videos of the software


Disclaimer – I went and checked out this software at Idemitsu's office in Brisbane with Lisa from Intov8, but I don’t get any kickbacks or commissions from the sales of this software (unfortunately!), nor have any relationship (business or otherwise) with the company that sells them.  I just thought it was a good product you might be interested to know about!

 


- Jamie Ross

Mining Man - Practical Safety, Leadership and Productivity Ideas for the Mining Industry

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