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KiwiRail selects Maximo in $3 million deal

IBM and KiwiRail have announced a $3 million (NZD) software and services deal to update asset maintenance systems and improve the reliability and safety of its rail service.
Certus Solutions has partnered with IBM throughout the sales process and will contribute specialist Maximo asset management software and infrastructure implementation and process consulting services.

Maximo, IBM’s enterprise asset management software, which features linear asset modelling, condition monitoring and advanced asset condition monitoring capabilities, will support enhanced management of KiwiRail’s assets and optimal lifecycle performance. The KiwiRail network infrastructure includes 4000 km of track, 6 million sleepers, 1800 bridges, 150 tunnels and 12,000 culverts as well as signalling and communications equipment and railway level crossing arms.

KiwiRail maintenance crews will have access to up-to-date information on their assets, job plans, work-order tracking and service requests across the network. With greater visibility of the state of its assets, KiwiRail will be able to deliver better preventative maintenance and speed up repairs before they impact on operations.

KiwiRail’s general manager, Rick van Barneveld, said that freight volumes were predicted to increase by 75% over the next 20 years. KiwiRail needed to invest in its infrastructure to ensure the company could take advantage of opportunities to expand its role in New Zealand’s transport system. The director of IBM’s Global Rail Innovation Centre, Keith Dierkx, said, “With rising fuel prices and congestion on the roadways, railroads have emerged as a fuel- and cost-efficient means of moving goods and people.”

The Maximo project began in July and is expected to roll out through the organisation over the next 18 months.