For better Operations & Maintenance outcomes in asset intensive companies, maximize the effectiveness of Maintenance and Supply Chain (MRO) business processes. The weakness is often in the supporting master data. MRO material identities, the combination of the descriptions, key specifications, and manufacturer’s part numbers (where applicable), are usually the weakest point. Ad hoc nomenclature standards are the root of the weak MRO material master identity problem.

Applying a structured identification taxonomy gives comparable items so the clutter can be removed. Using the taxonomy post cleanse keeps it that way. A good taxonomy must be rational. It has one appropriate template for each key noun and its synonyms (as opposed to many possible templates). Most spare parts cleanse systems use a library of old parts descriptions with insufficient rationalization. The Service provider says “we have millions of sample descriptions” as if that is a benefit. A pipe insulating block may be named INSULATION, CLADDING or even BLOCK. Similar legacy items may be assigned to different classes because the taxonomy is not rational. Confusion remains for users.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are used in data cleansing. If the data the system learned from was not rational, the ML model is not rational. Garbage in, garbage out applies. Results will not be comparable and catalogue clutter will exist and grow like pre-cleanse, giving the same low productivity and frustration.

SPC Results has developed a rational fit for purpose MRO material identity taxonomy. It simplifies noun mapping in two ways. It rationalizes synonym nouns, AUTOLUBER maps to LUBRICATOR. This prevents the infinite possibilities problem many catalogues suffer from. The templates are resolved from study of real MRO items. The frequency of actual use was designed into the structure. Not surprisingly GASKET and VALVE are the most common nouns.

Secondly generic templates are provided for many common lower value items. For example, EYTHLENE GLYCOL uses the chemical generic template, and a description might be EYTHLENE GLYCOL, 30% 1000L TOTE.  It’s a real-world taxonomy fit for purpose.

If improved O&M performance is the goal, improve the business foundation it runs on. Message Conrad and we can discuss your situation. An MRO health assessment is the usual first step. It gives the facts needed to plan action in your company’s context. That may be an outsourced cleanse using the SPC Results taxonomy, an inhouse cleanse assisted by an RPA tool (like Winshuttle), a single or multi domain MDM system implementation?

There are many IT experts for MRO material transformation, SPC Results is your guide to where the value is lost or gained in the business, in the nomenclatures and use of industrial MRO materials.

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