Case Study: Transnet Freight Rail

Project Duration: 2007 2008

IMPERIAL Logistics Operating Company: e-Logics
Client Background
Transnet, South Africa`s national provider of rail transport, has a rail network that consists of
approximately 21,000 km of track. The maintenance of its Infrastructure Assets is a critical element
to ensure a reliable and affordable rail logistics operation. The rail infrastructure is a complex
system with a vast number of maintainable items that are distributed over an extended geographic
area. The optimal identification of maintenance work and allocation of maintenance budget can be
realised through advanced conditional assessment and performance analysis. This can only be
achieved by integrating various data sources, maintaining data relationships when asset
configuration changes occur and analysing data in a structured and effective manner.

Key Challenges
A number of challenges exist in implementing an asset performance analysis, work identification
and planning system. In the rail infrastructure environment these are:
The integration of a huge quantity of infrastructure management data that relates to the asset
configuration.
Ensuring that data is current and up to date for relevant decision-making.
Integration to enterprise systems (ERP) to support an end-to-end process.
Ability to effect changes in the underlying data structures through meta-data.
Applying complex data analysis algorithms to assist in decision making.

Intervention / Deliverables
e-Logics developed the IAMM system for Transnet Freight Rail. The system provides an asset
repository integrated with multiple infrastructure management data sources. The system further
integrates into the SAP R3 system that facilitates work execution. Our delivery to Transnet
included:
Configurable Asset repository.
Infrastructure Management Data integration tools.
Linear schematic graphical viewer that provides engineering analysis ability.
Data editing and auditing tools with data re-alignment ability.
Reporting tools.

Key Outcomes/Benefits
The system has realised the following benefits:
It is the central source of all infrastructure asset configuration data for the enterprise.
The system facilitates consistent fact based management decision making.
The decisions enabled by the system results in improved maintenance spent.
Safety critical defects are made visible quicker.

Contact Details

About IMPERIAL Logistics

T: +27 12 667 3231

F: +27 12 667 3262
E: benita.visagie@eLogics.co.za
W: www.e-Logics.co.za

IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry
through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Its service delivery comprises fundamental logistics
and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every
industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an
extension of its customers business, building its customers brand alongside its own.