Rio Tinto Limited

Rio Tinto Limited

Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Expansion Projects group (RTIOEP), manages multi billions of dollars invested in strategic expansion projects across the Western Australian Pilbara iron ore operations. RTIOEP has an ongoing alliance with a number of engineering, procurement, construction and management consultants (EPCMs). These EPCMs, along with other large contracting organisations, design, build and deliver the complex projects required by Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations.

Rio Tinto is a diversified mining company holding a portfolio of world class interests in aluminum, copper, diamonds, gold, coal, iron ore and industrial minerals. Rio Tinto has operations spanning 6 continents and is the third largest mining company in the world. The US$1.4 billion Dampier Port upgrade project instigated the search for a life-cycle contract management solution that used leading edge technology, was scalable, robust, adaptable and easy to use and, importantly, fast to implement.

Key Objectives For Omnicom

The Contract Management solution was integral to getting the port upgrade built ahead of schedule and on budget. Omnicom had to be up and running fast to achieve this goal.

In a single database, Omnicom had to reflect purpose built RTIOEP processes with EPCM input from the lead consultant. RTIOEP wanted system controlled processes and wide visibility e.g. closeouts and approvals, cost schedules, people. Also governance across all consultants and the project group itself was a major objective. Simple data entry and streamlined business processes were essential, as were proactive notifications - when consultants have the tools to promote efficient outcomes, this translates to less cost to the project group.

Other objectives included using historical data to produce project and business reporting on contracts which in turn support improved resource planning, accurate forecasting and risk mitigation. The solution initially had to support 20 – 30 users (which subsequently grew to over 400).

Timescale and Operational Solution

Time was of the essence. Omnicom was in production in just two and a half months after RTIOEP first contacted Omniware’s Global Development Centre in Perth, Western Australia. Omniware matched RTIOEP’s large project experience and demonstrated the ability to listen to, and deliver on, complex business concepts.

Omnicom provides for:

Purchase Orders
  • Line Items, Approvals, Quotes
  • Facility and Commodity Codes
  • Expediting, Materials Receiving, Materials Issued to Contractors
Contracts
  • Site Instructions, Claims, Variations, Package Growth
  • Package Forecast and History
  • Schedules (Unit, Equipment, Labour Rates)
  • Contract Schedule (Dates)
  • Contract Documents

Reports, a multitude of reports, both simple and complex.