Cape-headquartered PRAGMA Holdings, SA`s leading asset performance management company, has embarked on an international drive to take its software and services into world markets. It already has a strong presence in Australia and now has plans to expand into Ireland, Europe, the US, Canada and the Middle East over the next two years.
The company is building a network of distributors and value-added resellers so as to establish a presence without incurring the costs associated with a direct presence.
PRAGMA has identified a clear opportunity for itself as one of only four companies in the world whose design of asset performance management systems (APMS) integrates maintenance with performance monitoring.
"With world economies under sustained pressure, there is an increased emphasis among manufacturers on retaining and maximising rather than replacing assets," says Adriaan Scheeres, CEO of PRAGMA Holdings. "The ON KEY APMS focuses on increasing asset performance and optimising cost. Manufacturers are more concerned than ever about product quality, on time delivery and increased production throughput, and they are looking directly to the shop floor to realise gains in these areas."
PRAGMA`s strategy in its international drive is to establish a foothold in developed countries and then secure contracts with multinational companies in emerging countries.
"Many companies in First World countries are moving their manufacturing operations to developing countries where labour and operating costs are substantially lower. Ownership and decision-making remain, however, in the First World. By positioning ourselves in specific developed countries, we can establish a reputation of consistently high quality and reliability, with sound references across a diverse geographical spectrum," adds Scheeres.
PRAGMA has developed a software package, ON KEY APMS, in support of its asset performance management consulting practice. This software is in line with current trends in global markets in that it supports the MES (machine execution system) concept, which emphasises the importance of shop floor-to-business integration.
"Where ERP addresses a company`s information management, it neglects the real-time data required from the shop floor. MES addresses not only asset performance but the entire supply chain - from raw materials to finished product," says Scheeres.
PRAGMA`s ON KEY APMS supports the MES philosophy and can be integrated with ERP to provide a holistic enterprise solution geared towards optimal production.
PRAGMA has implemented ON KEY APMS at more than 120 local and international companies, including Nampak, AngloGold, Tongaat Hulett, Parmalat SA, McCain and Tetrapak.
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