"IT company that offers engineering services" is how Ashok Adhikary, associate director (Systems), Aker Kvaerner describes his company. In a tete-a-tete with Biztech2.0, Adhikary shares the IT vision, the company’s infrastructure and the future deployments at Aker Kvaerner.

IT infrastructure

"At Aker Kvaerner, we need to have an infrastructure that allows constant secured access. IT is the key enabler in our enterprise, and we need to constantly make sure that all systems have been integrated, so that our employees are connected and ready to collaborate," believes Adhikary.

Aker Kvaerner’s current IT infrastructure consists of hundreds of networked PCs and workstations running on either, Windows Server 2003, or Windows XP. The IT system is connected to a worldwide virtual private network (VPN) called AKNET. This global network connects 25,000 PCs across 30 countries.

"Our broader IT goals involve leveraging IT efficiently in all functions of end to end business and also to facilitate global collaborative engineering, and knowledge sharing," said Adhikary.

"AKNET allows us to enable a global collaborative program, through which we can address our entire employee base with a single click. Our company processes are streamlined on this network, enabling employees to easily get in touch with HR, IT helpdesk, travel desk, discussion forums, etc. thus cutting down drastically on the time factor, usually involved with such requests," explained Adhikary.

The company has also implemented a Microsoft Sharepoint based Knowledge management system called Employee Self Service (ESS). This system allows employees to login, and keep a tab on processes like leave requests, travel applications, etc.

E-net, which is the primary office network, is a highly optimized LAN network. Computers are connected on this network, using fibre optic lines, and run on a common operating environment, Microsoft. E-mail is taken care of by an MS Exchange server, with databases running on SQL.

Streamlining through IT

Though Adhikary believes in the e-way of life, a paper less environment is still not feasible. He remarks, "At this point, an organization cannot function without paper, however, paper usage can be minimized. IT should be used to streamline as many functions as possible. However, in some cases paperwork becomes a necessity," said Adhikary.

In order to cut down on active paperwork in his company, Adhikary uses Documentum 5i, a document management application. It must be noted that the Documentum system has been standardized globally in all the 30 countries Aker Kvaerner operates in. This allows resident engineers all over, to access documents such as plant blueprints, project details, etc. for future reference. The document database is updated periodically, with new project information.

Aker Kvaerner also offers engineering consultancy services to many other firms, looking to streamline processes in a similar way.

Apart from using generic software, Aker Kvaerner also uses a lot of graphics software. The company’s business also encompasses plant design. Keeping this in mind, the company uses PDMS (Plant Design management Software) to facilitate plant design; HYSIS, an analyst software for the engineering function; PROII, HTRI, CAESER II, CODECAL, for process simulation, SACS, for underwater structure designs, and ANSOIS for finite element analysis.

IP based video conferencing on the anvil

Adhikary spoke about some new initiatives being taken at Aker Kvaerner. "We are looking at IP telephony, and have implemented Cisco’s iPhone, which is an IP enabled service, that enables us to make calls over our intranet. This saves us immense costs, and makes life much more convenient. We are currently using the iPhone to communicate with our offices in Australia."

The company also hopes to implement an IP based video conferencing service, besides harbouring ambitions to implement Wimax in the near future.

"Implementing a technology like Wimax would be a great boon, considering that it allows much easier connectivity across our local offices. It will also greatly reduce costs," said Adhikary.

Adhikary also added that a SAP ERP is being looked at globally. However, the project is still under various evaluations.