CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
10 April 2007
Implementation Investments
HatchT Implements Open Text Livelink ECM Solution For Global Document Management and Control Standards
Open TextT Corporation announced that Canadian global engineering firm Hatch T is implementing a document management and control system using a Livelink ECM solution from Open Text. The Web-based system creates a virtual collaborative environment in which Hatch's employees can share documentation and knowledge on projects with contractors and clients from anywhere in the world. The ECM solution provides the company with a competitive advantage in the engineering business by enabling it to deliver more cost effective and controlled risk solutions to its clients.
Hatch supplies process and business consulting, information technology, engineering, and project and construction management to the mining, metallurgical, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure industries. The global organization, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005, has a network of 7,000 employees in 80 offices on six continents. Open Text's ECM solution has improved work sharing, and provides timely and comprehensive analysis and reporting to Hatch's project teams and clients to streamline operations and procedures.
"One of the most important assets we have to offer to our clients is our wealth of knowledge from past projects. Some of this knowledge is stored in written documentation, such as drawings, reports, specifications and catalogue data, either in digital form or on paper. More information is stored in databases, where it can wither away unless the database lives beyond the project and, more importantly, beyond the immediate user or creator," said Glenn Sakaki, Managing Director, Execution Technology at Hatch. "To fully utilize this resource it needs to be easily accessible and retrievable by the appropriate people on our global project teams. The critical factor in our decision to choose Open Text was the effective combination of its collaboration and document management solution and the system's ability to integrate to our SAP application."
The Livelink ECM solution, which Hatch has branded "workSHARE," helps the company manage its engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) projects by delivering a single, secure system that enables the control and management of critical documentation between Hatch clients, vendors, and joint-venture partners. Collaborative teams in different global locations have immediate online access to project documents. Designs can be worked on around the clock to speed up the design effort using information exchanged and synchronized in workSHARE.
"Manual and paper intensive methods no longer scale to support the business productivity demands and handling of large volumes of documents and communications," said Sakaki. "The workSHARE solution is a key business enabler for Hatch." The Livelink ECM solution allows teams to collaborate on documents, while retaining a full history of the edits by each person. An integrated Livelink ECM module for transmittal management ensures that Hatch can manage its controlled documentation within the Livelink ECM interface while also providing for audit trails of what has been issued to a recipient in support of the document control reports. This helps ensure document control, reduces risks, and eliminates project rework, delays and added costs.
Hatch's workSHARE solution enables the ongoing handover of project and engineering documents in real time, versus post-project completion handover in the past.
The Open Text document management system has also helped Hatch address legal requirements and government regulations, including the quality standard requirements of ISO 9001. Hatch was the first major engineering firm in North America to have its management systems certified on ISO 9001-94 standards. The Livelink ECM solution also ensures compliance with internal business policies related to safety, permits, warranties, contracts, and client and internal audits.
Accessing project information is made easier with Open Text's Web-based solution, according to Sakaki. "The ability to have a single repository of working and published documents, such that all intellectual property for a project is captured within the project environment, gives people easy access to accurate, secure information. In addition, we can reduce the size of email messages by sending links to documents stored in workSHARE as opposed to emailing the attachments. It is a complete electronic system for the entire document control process."
"Organizations today recognize that in order to support successful business processes they need to take a holistic view that combines people, well defined practices, and efficient technology," said John Wilkerson, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Services and Support at Open Text. "Hatch's business and technology teams, in conjunction with Open Text, have developed a market proven, Web-based engineering document control and management system that is deployed around the world. It provides the firm with a unified, real-time solution to help track, manage, report and collaborate on documents, improving productivity with bottom line results."
For more information about Hatch's Livelink ECM deployment, read the Open Text customer success story at: Hatch Case Study .
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.