Cloud solutions can help energy companies overcome current challenges, says industry expert

Global energy providers are embracing new means of digital differentiation, such as the cloud, to retain their industry-leading positions in the face of rapid changes in the speed and complexity of data, according to a top integrated enterprise solutions expert and industry executive.

“The change in speed of data has substantially impacted the energy sector and the cloud is a great resource tool to help complement these changes,” Vince Dawkins, CEO and president of Enertia Software, told Energy Connects in an interview.

Enertia Software is a leading developer of integrated enterprise solutions for the upstream oil and gas industry.

According to Dawkins, some of the biggest challenges facing the energy industry today can be overcome by using cloud-based solutions. “We’re definitely seeing a lot of transition into cloud software. A cloud-based setup makes it easy to maintain and use the ERP, and equally easy to get data in and out while sharing information freely within your organisation,” he said.

The oil and gas industry has always been at the forefront of embracing technology, and data storage and cloud computing have opened a new avenue for the industry to benefit from data analytics in a cost-effective manner, Dawkins said.

“Cloud offerings meet the complex accounting needs of most oil and gas enterprises at a reasonable cost and with a high level of reliability. Backing up and recovering data in the cloud, for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance purposes, has had a tremendous impact on the industry,” he said.

According to Dawkins, reliable and timely data transmissions are also critical for operators today – from field measurement instruments and flow to land titles/contracts, or regulatory documentation.

The rush for energy companies to transition into cloud software, said Dawkins, was primarily driven by the fact that a cloud-based set up makes it easy to maintain and use the ERP, and equally easy to get data in and out while sharing information freely within an organisation.

Enertia, whose original founder was a petroleum Landman immersed in the experiences and day to day of the oil and gas industry since the 1980s, has had a long and successful run since then to grow into a leading architect of full integration in the industry – remaining ahead of the technology curve.

“Not only has the software changed but so has the industry as a whole; from regulatory changes to improved best practices and of course, enhanced technology,” Dawkins said.

“These changes have naturally influenced and encouraged the advancement and development of Enertia Software and continues to push our ERP to ensure we are providing the tools and resources necessary for our customers to thrive in their evolving environments,” he said.

The key factor for energy companies to fully embrace the digital future and be ready for the energy transition, Dawkins said, was full integration.

“If your ERP is not communicating with other divisions prior to being cloud-based, it most likely won’t do so after. Companies can expect to save time, lower costs, engineer efficiencies, and integrate systems more efficiently with a fully integrated cloud solution,” he said.

With scalability being imperative for the upstream oil and gas industry, it is also important for multiple employees to be able to access vital data and analytics from remote locations. “Ensuring data and information is accessible includes scalability and can help with being more flexible in terms of quickly reacting with approvals and decision-making,” Dawkins said.