Catering to the vast Atlas Copco installed base of oil-free, oil-injected, nitrogen and oxygen compressors across Sub Saharan Africa, Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique Service division (CTS) is focussed on cultivating lifetime partnerships with customers.

“We strive to take customers beyond purely service and repair of their machines to a holistic service to assist them in making their processes more efficient, effective and productive,” states Ian Ainsworth, CTS Business Line Manager.

“It is our aim to be first in mind and first in choice with our customers not only in product choice but also in service and after-sales service. We are therefore channelling our service drive towards gaining an in-depth understanding of our customers’ needs by looking across the board at how we can assist them to save on total cost of ownership.”

Ainsworth affirms that by leaving service and repair in the capable hands of qualified Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can result in savings up to 25% of the current cost to run the compressed air system.

Service is a key element of Atlas Copco’s Smart AIR Solutions which feature product and component innovations, advanced processes and Industry 4.0 compatible control and monitoring systems such as Optimizer 4.0 and SmartLink. These advancements deliver optimum reliability for extended mean time between failure (MTBF) and hassle-free component replacement that minimise service-related downtime.

To keep in step with these smart solutions, CTS is centred on enhancing their overall service experience by augmenting its service capabilities. According to Ainsworth, service falls into a number of categories ranging from simple routine maintenance to complete service solutions during shutdowns.

“Every initiative that lessens the pressure losses on a compressed air solution by 1.0 bar reduces energy consumption by 7%. So we encourage customers to take routine maintenance into their own hands by training them on how to regularly check for faulty distribution systems and air leaks and how to make the necessary repairs which will lead to substantial energy and cost savings.”

Further simplifying service processes for customers, CTS has appointed technically experienced people in their spares and service planning division who have been trained to ask the right questions. Customers can rest assured that their challenges are being handled by specialists. This pre-emptive approach can identify whether it is a simple fix that the customer can attend to themselves without requiring the need for a technician call out. If the situation requires specialist attention, the technician will arrive on site, fully briefed and with the correct components and tools to keep service downtime to an absolute minimum. 

CTS is constantly developing innovative ways to improve its tried-and-tested systems, technology and procedures by aligning with Industry 4.0 and IOT (Internet Of Things).

A prime example is the centrally located online system MAM2, a calendar view that allows paperless service schedules and project management. Ainsworth points out that the system is particularly beneficial for customers on Atlas Copco’s Service Plans as they enjoy prioritised, quick support in the event of a machine breakdown.

“As we consider the protection of our machines as a partnership, our Service Plans are a preferred approach to establishing relationships with our customers,” notes Ainsworth. In addition to keeping customers vigilant to potential issues, the Service Plans enable Atlas Copco to keep track of routine maintenance requirements. “This efficient teamwork enables extended product life cycles and reduced total cost of ownership.”

Moving to control and monitoring solutions, the Optimizer 4.0 and SmartLink are built into Atlas Copco’s latest range of compressed air systems. Replacing the ES controllers, Optimizer 4.0 encompasses the same basic functionalities with added features including Industry 4.0 connectivity, data collection, and monitoring and analysis options.

This advanced central control and monitoring system can connect and manage up to 60 compressors from a single unit with up to three different operating pressure bands; financial, maintenance and utilisation reports are automatically generated directly from the data collected.

SmartLink is a monitoring and communication system that aids machines to monitor and self-diagnose their conditions. The system tracks machine performance and enables enhanced predictive maintenance. The data which is automatically uploaded onto Atlas Copco servers on the cloud is readily available for analysis and interpretation by customers and Atlas Copco technicians.

To assist customers in optimising energy usage of compressors, Atlas Copco also offers SmartLink Energy. This system generates customised reports on the energy efficiency of the compressor room, thereby identifying energy saving opportunities and reducing operational costs across the plant.

To better utilise the data from Atlas Copco machines in the field, CTS has also implemented a strategy whereby technical specialists analyse, interpret and summarise data from connected machines to pre-empt on site issues.

Wrapping up, Ainsworth says, “It’s all about going back to the fundamentals - trust, reliability and superior quality service and after-sales service offerings. Service is our passion and we remain relentless in our efforts to keep on enhancing our service portfolio as we partner with our customers along their business growth journey.”