INSIDE THE SMARTASSET INTELLIGENCE ECOSYSTEM: REAL-TIME MONITORING, REAL-WORLD RESULTS

In an era of complex operating conditions, unpredictable energy supply, and increasing scrutiny on operational efficiency, mining and industrial companies across Sub-Saharan Africa are under pressure to rethink how they manage asset reliability. Downtime is no longer just a maintenance issue but a strategic risk.

DGC AFRICA has responded by developing its SmartAsset Intelligence platform, a comprehensive, AI-powered reliability ecosystem designed to convert live plant data into predictive insights and optimised decision-making. Built with scalability and real-world functionality, the platform enables industrial leaders to monitor asset health in real time, anticipate failures before they occur, and align maintenance interventions with business performance objectives.

This blog deeply delves into how the SmartAsset Intelligence platform operates, from sensor integration and AI-driven diagnostics to CMMS workflow alignment. It explores the real-world results it delivers across the continent.

 

THE FOUNDATION: REAL-TIME DATA CAPTURE THROUGH INTELLIGENT SENSORS

SmartAsset Intelligence begins on the ground, literally. A distributed network of advanced IoT-enabled sensors captures critical parameters such as vibration, temperature, lubrication condition, pressure, and electrical load. These sensors are installed across high-risk, high-value assets, including mills, smelters, crushers, and processing systems.

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Wireless connectivity for data collection in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas

• Seamless integration with existing SCADA, DCS, and PLC infrastructure

• Live synchronisation of asset condition data across centralised dashboards

This infrastructure provides a high-resolution, continuous stream of asset health data, forming the foundation for advanced analysis and intervention.

FROM RAW DATA TO INTELLIGENCE: AI-DRIVEN ANALYTICS AND PREDICTIVE CAPABILITY

Once data is captured, SmartAsset Intelligence deploys advanced analytics engines and machine learning models, including decision trees, neural networks, and anomaly clustering algorithms, to derive actionable insights.

THIS AI-DRIVEN PROCESS SUPPORTS:

• Anomaly detection: Identifying early signs of failure modes and performance degradation

• Failure pattern recognition: Pinpointing historical correlations that signal likely future breakdowns

• Maintenance prioritisation: Aligning interventions with risk, criticality, and business impact

This analytical framework enables plant operators and reliability engineers to transition from reactive or time-based approaches to a predictive and proactive maintenance model that enhances uptime and asset lifespan.

 CLOSING THE RELIABILITY LOOP: CMMS INTEGRATION AND WORKFLOW EXECUTION

SmartAsset Intelligence is powerful in its ability to integrate seamlessly with Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). When the platform identifies a potential fault or risk indicator, it initiates work order generation, parts requisitioning, technician scheduling, and shutdown planning automatically and in real time.

THIS ELIMINATES DELAYS AND MANUAL BOTTLENECKS, PROVIDING:

• Reduced downtime through timely and targeted maintenance

• Optimised MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) planning and inventory control

• Accurate root cause tracking and maintenance history retention

• Enhanced alignment between operations, maintenance, and planning departments

Mobile-friendly dashboards ensure technicians, supervisors, and executive stakeholders can view asset condition and intervention data in real time, facilitating cross-functional collaboration.

SCALABLE BY DESIGN: TAILORED IMPLEMENTATION FOR AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE

African industrial plants operate with varying levels of infrastructure maturity, skills capacity, and digital readiness. Recognising this, DGC AFRICA deploys SmartAsset Intelligence in a phased, scalable model to accommodate each client’s specific starting point.

THIS APPROACH ENABLES:

• Entry-level diagnostics for high-risk assets through thermography and vibration analysis

• Modular rollouts aligned with capital availability and resource readiness

• Integration with existing workflows and technologies to minimise disruption

• Rapid ROI through prioritised quick wins and targeted risk mitigation

Each deployment is preceded by a diagnostic evaluation that assesses current maintenance maturity, asset performance data, and workforce capability. A tailored roadmap is created to shift the client from reactive to predictive and ultimately to proactive reliability.

STRATEGIC OUTSOURCING: A WORKFORCE MODEL THAT SUPPORTS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

To ensure effective on-site execution, DGC AFRICA pairs its digital platform with strategically deployed workforce solutions. These outsourced technical teams are trained in SmartAsset Intelligence workflows and embedded within client sites to manage execution, track results, and reinforce a culture of data-driven maintenance.

BENEFITS FOR INDUSTRIAL DECISION-MAKERS INCLUDE:

• Flexibility to scale labour resources based on production cycles

• Immediate access to cross-functional reliability and asset integrity expertise

• Reduced fixed overhead costs and training burdens

• Accelerated implementation of reliability strategies with minimal disruption

This model enables clients to focus on core operations while DGC manages the full asset performance lifecycle, from diagnostics to digital intervention and on-site execution.

TANGIBLE BUSINESS VALUE: MEASURABLE RESULTS FROM REAL-TIME RELIABILITY

SmartAsset Intelligence is already driving significant operational gains for DGC AFRICA’s clients.

DOCUMENTED RESULTS INCLUDE:

• 20–30% increases in plant availability in high-priority asset areas

• 15–25% reductions in overall maintenance costs in year one

• Up to 60% reduction in unplanned downtime, extending equipment life and improving throughput

• Enhanced compliance with environmental and safety regulations through early detection of critical failures

These outcomes are particularly valuable for mining companies navigating volatile commodity prices, stringent safety regulations, and increasing demands for ESG accountability.

THE SMARTASSET ECOSYSTEM AS A COMPETITIVE DIFFERENTIATOR

SmartAsset Intelligence is more than just a monitoring tool; it is an ecosystem that bridges the gap between raw data, operational action, and strategic value creation. With its AI-powered analytics, CMMS integration, and workforce execution model, the platform delivers real-time monitoring that translates directly into real-world results.

As African industrial operations accelerate their digital journeys, DGC AFRICA offers a scalable, results-driven solution that adapts to the continent’s unique challenges and delivers measurable business outcomes.

TURN DATA INTO RELIABILITY GAINS

Looking to enhance your plant’s performance and reduce maintenance risk?

Partner with DGC AFRICA and experience how SmartAsset Intelligence transforms raw data into strategic reliability gains. Schedule a tailored consultation to identify key opportunities in your operation, see the platform in action through a live technical demo, and unlock the next level of asset performance and cost control.

Visit www.dgc-africa.com or contact our team directly to begin your journey toward predictive excellence.

 ABOUT OUR COMPANY, HISTORY, AND PARTNERS

Dickinson Group of Companies (DGC) was founded in 1910. Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Our Company – History, Vision & Values, Strategy, Global Alliances, Africa Footprint, Commitment to Safety, Anti-Corruption Policy, References, and Industrial Solutions.