No Time for Downtime

Some of the most complex mining machines have up to 8,000 sensors streaming data; and our engineering and service teams, and our customers need access to that essential information. Through our JoySmart Solutions offerings we provide customers the ability to work with our experts to analyze data from all connected mining machines, compare operating data to identify any abnormality in machine performance, and help prevent costly downtime while optimizing performance.

Given the criticality of this information to both Joy Global and our customers, the IT function has to implement “high availability” technology in all components of the overall solution, and invest in DevOps technology to allow systems upgrades to be performed without any downtime. When you are serving multiple customers on a global basis, there is never a “convenient” time for a system outage, and our customers have an expectation of zero down time.

Industry needs

As an essential provider to the global mining industry, we work hard to make sure we have a world-class service operation that is up and running at all times so clients do not face downtime. The mining industry runs 24/7, and we need to know our products and networks can meet that challenge. Safety is also a primary concern for our customers, which is why it is important that we help provide information that leads to increased safety at all times. Today’s mining machines are equipped with smart sensor technologies, such as collision avoidance, that are contributing to higher levels of safety. Longer term, the objective is to remove all mining employees from harm’s way and operate machines remotely. Routine equipment checks and preventative maintenance programs ensure that equipment and vehicles used at the mines are performing properly and reliably, and do not pose any dangers to their operators or workers nearby. Lifecycle management solutions such as our JoySmart offerings allow customers to know immediately which machine needs a safety upgrade or immediate attention.

Understanding the mining industry’s needs and primary concerns is essential to providing the best services and solutions. I would encourage CIOs to get “to the coal face” whenever possible; visit a mine, ride in a truck with the workers; find out how the IPs are really used. The Undercover CIO!

As products become increasingly connected to their manufacturers after the point of sale, the role of the CIO becomes increasingly connected to the end customer. The CIO needs to function in the expanded enterprise that includes vendors and customers, and now products. By understanding our customers’ ever changing requirements, and by crafting IT strategies that can deliver product and after-sales services that address those requirements, the CIO can make the IT function more relevant than ever in the increasingly digital world.