Keyrus Delivers Automated Stockpile Reporting for Grindrod

Background

Grindrod can now accurately report on the size of the stockpiles throughout its southern African terminals. This was another module delivered by Keyrus in an ambitious, multi-phase development project that has achieved complete digitalisation of the logistics giant’s Terminal business. Keyrus specialises in helping enterprises leverage their data to enhance performance. It made sophisticated use of progressive technology to design the stockpile management solution, including Microsoft Azure cloud-based services and Tableau Embedded Analytics.

Challenge

Grindrod Terminals needed reliable measurements of each of the stockpiles held within its Richards Bay and Maputo terminals. This, however, is arguably the most difficult metric within its operation to track with total accuracy. The commodities handled by Grindrod enter the terminals by rail or road and are stockpiled before being loaded onto vessels for export. The stockpiles must be monitored so that Grindrod can report tonnages to its clients. In the past, data was manually extracted from various third-party systems that tracked operations in the terminals and recorded in various Excel spreadsheets. These figures were used to work out what was left in the stockpiles. This information was supplemented by calculations based on physical measurement of various parameters. “The consolidation of this data from various sources was time-consuming and prone to human error,” explains Bronwyn Burdis, Data and Analytics Manager at Grindrod’s Terminal business. “There was always therefore some delay in feedback to clients about their current stockpile levels.”

Approach

Data is now obtained from the different systems at the exact time the commodity enters the terminal. This is integrated and consolidated in a customised, centralised cloud-based solution to deliver timely stockpile reports. The solution precisely tracks the commodities in every wagon on every train that enters and leaves the terminals, as well as in every vessel hold loaded. The result? Accurate stockpile reporting that gives a simple view of what comes into—and goes out of—every stockpile. Tableau’s powerful drill- down capabilities allow users to view this information at extreme levels of detail. “We consulted extensively with Grindrod to fine-tune the rules governing stockpile measurement,” explains senior consultant at Keyrus, Craig Andrew. “We considered every scenario to ensure we came up with consistent rules to define stockpile events.” The solution is flexible, however, and includes audited stock adjustment capability should integrated systems fail or go offline for maintenance. A full audit trail of adjustments is recorded as part of the overall solution.

Key results

Benefits

“Grindrod now benefits from accurate, highly detailed, real-time stockpile level reporting,” notes Vishal Deeplaul, CEO of Grindrod’s Terminals business. “We have achieved complete visibility into the commodities that enter and leave our premises.” The stockpile measurement module helped Keyrus and Grindrod to fine-tune the entire, end-to-end digitalisation solution. This has significantly increased the efficiency of Grindrod’s operations by connecting its workforce and systems in real time across distances.

What our clients say

“Grindrod now benefits from accurate, highly detailed, real-time stockpile level reporting. We have achieved complete visibility into the commodities that enter and leave our premises.”

Vishal Deeplaul, Chief Executive Officer, Grindrod Terminals

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