Integrated IT Develops Innovations for Agro Processes

Changes include modules that streamline the evaluation of harvest results and a system that manages all details related to ethanol loading

At Odebrecht Agroindustrial, the phases range from soil preparation to sugarcane harvesting and processing and involve different teams working synergistically, from those responsible for purchasing the raw materials for soil fertilization to those dedicated to transporting sugarcane to the Agroindustrial Unit, where it is transformed into sugar, ethanol and electric energy.

On-board computers, planters with GPS equipment and harvest simulators that train members to operate harvesting machines are some examples of how technology needs to work together with the activity in the field, especially in a business of this magnitude. Each year, Agro produces more than 28 million tons of sugarcane.

To make these processes even more efficient, Odebrecht’s Information Technology area (Integrated IT) installed four new modules in March for the Agroindustrial Unit Operations Portal. “These new modules are available for the 2017/18 Harvest and allow leaders to streamline the evaluation of the results, more easily monitor the Action Plan, and consequently, make more confident decisions,” explained Eduardo Maricato, responsible for the project.

The modules serve four areas: Maintenance; Agricultural; Industry; and Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (SSMAQ). The Agricultural Module, for example, offers segmented indicators, such as planted area, how many seedlings were consumed during the last harvest, and how much sugarcane was milled. The SSMAQ Module provides data such as the number of accidents, severity rate, and water and energy consumption. All four modules thoroughly examine the activities, giving users more control over each one of the indicators and a more detailed vision of how to improve productivity indexes.

Ethanol Loading

It was with productivity in mind that Integrated IT also identified another improvement for the Agro processes, this time in partnership with the Engineering and Business Logistics teams. To enhance the assertiveness and safety of ethanol loading procedures, the Business implemented Fuel Facs, a program that manages ethanol loading and is already in place at the Água Emendada and Morro Vermelho units in Goiás, and Costa Rica unit in Mato Grosso do Sul. The Santa Luzia unit, also in Mato Grosso do Sul, and Alto Taquari unit in Mato Grosso, have been using the system since 2013 and simply upgraded it.

It works like this: whenever there is an ethanol sale at these units, the order sent via Oracle – the program already used internally – will be integrated with Fuel Facs so that data such as tank capacity, cargo quantity, and driver and destination information is aligned to ensure that the load is automatically released.

“The system offers benefits such as ethanol inventory control, order tracking, streamlined operation, minimized operational errors, and controlled loading, preventing waste or possible excesses,” emphasized Guilherme Moraes, Project Leader and member of the Integrated IT Specialists’ Team.