ILMA Compoundings February 2018 - 12

INDUSTRY RUNDOWN

International Insight
Lubricant Business Benefits from IT
By Lam Lye Ching
The role of information technology (IT) in the lubricant
industry is growing. Many global lubricant players are
investing in joint ventures and startups, while others
are harnessing the expertise of specialists to develop
information systems for their business needs.
Late last year, ILMA member Tulco Oils Inc. had an
enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution implemented.
"Upgrading our technology was an important part of our
growth strategy as we look to increase our international footprint and expand our contract manufacturing business," said
Don Stanton, vice president of Operations for Tulco Oils.
The solution enabled Tulco Oils to manage distribution
and manufacturing workflow seamlessly, with real-time
visibility between its four facilities for different stakeholders.
Using a single piece of software, sales orders are communicated to related departments, including production and
logistics. With all data kept within the system, developers
are able to create an interface to sync formula changes and
international compliances such as those required by GHS,
OSHA and REACH, helping blenders to meet the needs of
different markets.
More companies are expected to use IT solutions. The
big-data and analytics software market is expected to grow at a
five-year compound annual rate of 10.6 percent. This is a result
of the rapid growth of data management software, the shift to
public cloud and an increase in automation that is boosting
demand for artificial intelligence (AI) software, according to
Chandana Gopal, research manager of International Data
Corp. (IDC), an IT-focused consultancy based in the U.S.
To allow for more insightful data analytics, "ERP software
is transitioning to the cloud as enterprises embrace digital
transformation initiatives. Intelligent systems are also a huge
driver as businesses recognize they can finally start optimizing across all resources of people, process and technology,"
added Mickey North Rizza, program vice president, Enterprise Applications and Digital Commerce, of IDC.
A cloud or internet system allows businesses to store large
volumes of data on the internet and to retrieve them for
analysis, offering new insights into business opportunities.

FEBRUARY 2018

| COMPOUNDINGS | ILMA.ORG

Big data is also disrupting the management of blending plant operations. In November 2017, global additive
producer Chevron Oronite installed pervasive sensing
infrastructure in its Singapore plant. The wireless smart
platform uses big data and sensing capabilities to improve
the efficiency of plant operations. The company said its
implementation of a personnel management solution
is expected to save 30,000 man-hours each year.
Sensors provide real-time data including lab analysis and
connectivity with the "internet of things." The data is more

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ILMA Compoundings February 2018

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