Manage linear assets such as roads, rails,

pipelines, and power lines with our enterprise

software
Boost reliability, efficiency, maintainability, and safety of linear assets including roads, rails, pipelines, and electricity
transmission lines using linear asset management software from SAP. Focus on the specific needs of your industry
and integrate data and processes with your enterprise resource planning (ERP) application.

Improve operational performance and adherence to stringent safety standards

Gain tighter control over costs and improve reporting

Implement an effective maintenance strategy with improved planning and scheduling processes

Increase customer satisfaction through improved information, communication, and collaboration

What's Included

Asset Infrastructure Management

Manage network assets to optimize performance of the total system while making sure that assets are
available for operations.

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Facilitate and connect day-to-day and big-picture asset management activities

Manage asset safety and performance across the infrastructure lifecycle
Involve all key stake holders in asset management across your organization
Evaluate operational status of assets more accurately

Asset Lifecycle Management

Deliver assets at safe, reliable levels while meeting customer needs. Improve infrastructure according to
ongoing customer and compliance requirements.

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Automate asset lifecycle management with real-time monitoring

Improve compliance and risk management processes for assets
Improve decision support and resource management
Meet customer requirements for responsiveness and satisfaction

Operations Management
Control network service quality. Schedule maintenance and dispatching. Manage emergency response and
incidents. Schedule investigation and performance reporting.

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Maintain overall asset network service quality at a high level

Manage emergency responses and incidents with full follow-up
Schedule and confirm investigation and performance reporting
Minimize impact of asset upkeep with scheduled maintenance

Linear Asset Management with SAP

Several asset intensive industries, like the railways, oil and gas, shipping and power transmission, struggle with
managing their massive assets. Having a complete view on all assets, their utilization, fault detection and
maintenance is imperative to get an effective return on investment in these capital intensive assets.
Currently, the assets are managed by a variety of discrete systems that dont talk to each other. SCADA systems for
industrial control and automation, legacy GIS systems and Excel work logs and even handwritten maintenance
schedules are widely used. Several process efficiencies are possible if linear assets are treated differently than nonlinear assets. Non-linear assets are defined by their location and position in a specific asset hierarchy, e.g. facilities or
delivery fleet. Linear assets, on the other hand, have linear properties and are defined by their associated length
dimension, given by a starting and ending point. Using SAP Linear Asset Management (LAM), these can be
segmented dynamically along their length and treated as discrete sub-assets. Linear reference patterns and markers
enable modelling both linear and non-linear assets in a single network.
A fully integrated linear asset management system can combine data from GIS, legacy software and sensors to
analyze and graphically represent geographically referenced information about assets spread of hundreds or
thousands of kilometres. This can be further combined with a mobility platform to wirelessly transfer information about
maintenance schedules and workflow information straight into the hands of field technicians. Essentially we are
talking about several layers of data and unconnected platforms coming together to provide a seamless view of asset
distribution and utilization in real time with actionable insights and visualizations at anyones disposal.
This integrated SAP asset management framework can maximize ROI and enable dynamic segmentation for linear
assets, provide effective visualization and analytics to support decision making and optimally integrate even existing
legacy GIS systems. In addition, SAP Geo.e and SAP Syclo can optimize spare part planning, maintenance
schedules and also help in field force optimization leading to improved efficiencies and better safety and compliance.
In essence, a complete solution to managing large assets both linear and non-linear.
What are the challenges that your organization faces with managing a mix of linear and non-linear assets?

The 10 most challenges in Linear Asset Management and solution

options
Maintenance of linear assets (A kind of networks) is completely different from maintaining non linear assets like a
fleet, machine. They through lot more challenges in modelling and executing the maintenance work compared to non
linear assets. The ability to model and execute the maintenance these assets is what can tap the huge market
potential in this segment.
Assets can be broadly divided into two categories namely Liner and Non linear. If we underrated non linear assets, it
is easy to understand linear assets. Non linear assets are like Plant, equipment, Machine, fleet etc., they are confined
to a size and specific location etc., Maintenance of them is relatively easy. Linear assets are not specific to single
location. Linear assets can be like roads, runways, gas pipe lines, electrical transmissions, rail tracks, telecom lines
etc., where they are not specific one single location. They more or less represent a network. Many linear asset
networks cross over with other networks and can also be a place holder of many non linear assets. For e:g one

railway track can connect to other railway track and also holds many non linear assets like traffic control systems,
stations, power generating equipment and more importantly other parallel linear asset like power cables etc.,
Maintaining these assets requires much more capability than maintaining non linear assets.
There are many challenges that will surface in maintaining these assets. All these challenges need to be addresses
adequately by any ERP to realize the benefits. Again the challenges will be different for different industries and this
blog lists these challenges a generic manner.
1. Modelling of the linear assets: As the linear assets are not confined to a single location but widely spread across
some geographies, modelling of these assets is the first most challenge for any ERP. This modelling can be either
engineering or visual in nature. For e.g. a metro rail network is spread across a city. Typical asset hierarchy may not
work here.
2. Assigning the non linear assets to the linear assets: Every linear asset can be a place holder for many non
linear assets. For e.g. a national highway contains traffic signals, light posts at definite locations also requires
maintenance.
3. Parallel networks: There are some networks that work in parallel. A metro rail network requires a parallel power
lines. Failure of any of them can result in stoppage of the services. Modelling of such networks is a challenge.
4. Intersecting networks: Networks that cross over. Typically can operate independently but the shutting down of
one network can result in shutting down of other network. A metro rail network and a road network can operate
independently but the shutting down of one network can result in shutting down of other network due to cross over at
some places. This requires additional tag out processes.
5. Planned downime of the network: The linear assets or networks does not offer too much of a time for planned
down time. They need to be scheduled typically on a weekend or public holidays by virtue of their connection to the
public life. At times they need to be scheduled in summer only. This leaves additional challenge for the ERP systems.
6. Increased load on other networks: At times when one network is down, the traffic is to be diverted to the other
network. This mean, some networks can't be planned for maintenance in parallel. Higher load on other networks
means more usage that could result in breakdown as well.
7. Skilled personnel in performing the maintenance: Maintaining the linear assets needs a crew (group of
technicians) from different departments to work at the same time. e.g. technicians from civil and electrical
departments.
8. Special equipment in performing the maintenance: Maintaining these assets needs at times needs special
crew. For e.g. a crane or excavator and their operators would be special equipment in executing the maintenance of
these assets. Also arranging the required consumables to complete the maintenance work location requires initial
assessment and planning.
9. Work orders planning and execution: Work order planning and execution requires much more co-ordinated
process than non linear assets. For e.g. arranging the crew from different departments, approvals from other
departments even though the other department is not involved in the maintenance work. At times the maintenance of
all networks is to be combined due to geographical constraints and same crew members. This also requires
additional tag out processes.
10. Maintenance analytics: Apart from planning and executing the work, the ERP should generate the required
analytics like down time trend, cost of maintaining the network, allocation of the costs to different networks etc.,
requires additional features.
Any ERP that can beat these challenges is sure to tap the huge market