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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Arrow Is Sentinel PRO® just a Permit to Work System?
Arrow Which companies use Sentinel PRO® as their "Safe System of Work"?
Arrow Is Sentinel PRO® saving companies money?
Arrow What is the typical payback of a Sentinel PRO® installation?
Arrow Safety is already my company's number one priority, and we already work to the highest standards. So how can Sentinel PRO® make any difference?
Arrow Surely the introduction of more safety solutions/business processes will reduce my operational effectiveness and efficiency?
Arrow We already have a permit process. Do we have to change it to deploy Sentinel PRO®?
Arrow What is the biggest challenge we might face in moving to Sentinel PRO®?
Arrow How will a Petrotechnics solution apply across a global corporation that has many locations operating in different ways?
Arrow Does Sentinel PRO® need to be customised for each user?
Arrow How long does it take to implement Sentinel PRO®?
Arrow How much does it cost to implement Sentinel PRO® in an organisation?
Arrow Can the application be configured to my business requirements?
Arrow Who typically uses Sentinel PRO® in an organisation?
Arrow How much training is required to ensure the system is used effectively?
Arrow How does Sentinel PRO® integrate with my other Operational Systems?
Arrow How does Sentinel PRO® relate to my enterprise management system eg SAP?
Arrow Can I link Sentinel PRO® to P&I drawings?
Arrow Is Sentinel PRO® only used when a site becomes operational?
Arrow Many users are Exploration and Production operations. Can Sentinel PRO® be used onshore?
Arrow How does Sentinel PRO® conform to the guidelines laid down by OIAC?
Arrow Can Sentinel PRO® be configured to operate in different languages?
Arrow What standard packages does Sentinel PRO® require for configuration?
Arrow Do I need to install specialised software or hardware as part of the implementation of Sentinel PRO®?
Arrow How will Sentinel PRO® cater for the need for the worker to carry a permit to the workplace?
Arrow How are electronic authorisations and auditabilty catered for?

Q: Is Sentinel PRO® just a Permit to Work System?
A: In short no. The production of a “Permit to Work” is the final output from Sentinel PRO®. It is a fully integrated “Safe System of Work” which manages the whole process from the issuing of a work order through to the main safety critical processes of risk assessment and isolation management before the issuing of a permit. Sentinel PRO® includes the capability to schedule planned start dates, hence for major shutdown and engineering campaigns, all the necessary permits can be prepared in advance.
Sentinel PRO® incorporates “Lessons Learned”, electronic authorisations and and has a built in auditing function, all linked via a state of the art web-based graphical user interface. It effectively enforces rigour and improves communication to provide an enhanced safety management system at reduced operational costs.


Q: Which companies use Sentinel PRO® as their “Safe System of Work”?
A: Among our clients are some of the world's largest oil companies including Shell, BP, Chevron and Exxon Mobil. In addition, many other major and independent companies working in hazardous industries are using Sentinel PRO®.

Q: Is Sentinel PRO® saving companies money?
A: Sentinel PRO® has been proven by Shell Expro to reduce the costs associated with carrying out work safely. Our clients have utilised the planning capabilities within the system to plan and control major engineering shutdowns, and have reported saving on average 1 million US Dollars per campaign through eliminating downtime waiting for permits. Other case studies can be found by clicking here.

Q: What is the typical payback of a Sentinel PRO® installation?
A: We have seen examples of ROI inside six months.

Q: Safety is already my company’s number one priority, and we already work to the highest standards. So how can Sentinel PRO® make any difference?
A: With all processes there is a need for continuous improvement. It is likely that with your current high standards of safety practice translated into a system that facilitates safety process rigor, improves communication, integrates all aspects of safety management in a standard commercially available system, there will be further improved safety performance and significant work management cost savings.

Q: Surely the introduction of more safety solutions/business processes will reduce my operational effectiveness and efficiency?
A: Just the opposite. Users have found that the system enhances both operational effectiveness and improves efficiency.

Q: We already have a permit process. Do we have to change it to deploy Sentinel PRO®?
A: Sentinel PRO® is configured to customer requirements to reflect business processes; hence it will work in the way you want it to. However, we have considerable experience in all areas of Safety Management and Best Practice and will advise you on any beneficial changes that could be made and adopted by you as a standard.

Q: What is the biggest challenge we might face in moving to Sentinel PRO®?
A: Making the business decision to deploy Sentinel PRO® within your organisation will be viewed with both fear and excitement; fear of the unknown, fear of change and excitement at the improvements in Work Execution and Control. The system will initiate a huge positive change in the behavioural patterns of the users, as they start to realise the improvements that Sentinel PRO® can bring to their daily work practices.

Q: How will a Petrotechnics solution apply across a global corporation that has many locations operating in different ways?
A: The configurability of the solution means that different operating procedures and different locations can be accommodated. Of course there is also the option of adopting Sentinel PRO® as a corporate standard which gives you the opportunity to define a functional standard for the whole organisation.

Q: Does Sentinel PRO® need to be customised for each user?
A: No. We have designed the software so that the core is a stable, fully supported code that is common to all users and subject to regular enhancements and updates. Each customer then builds a configuration on top of this core, using the latest XML technology, unique to its own business, (e.g. graphics). This brings benefits of standardisation and harmonisation across users without compromising unique requirements.

Q: How long does it take to implement Sentinel PRO®?
A: This is dependent on the size and complexity of the implementation. Based on the many years of successful use of Sentinel PRO®, Petrotechnics has designed an implementation methodology that delivers effective adoption of the system in an efficient timescale. Key stages in this are Business Process Modelling; Design, Build and Testing; and finally Training. Depending on size, complexity and number of users, a single site can complete an implementation in typically 3-4 months. But once the Business Process has been defined, site roll out can be rapid. For example Shell completed the roll out to 24 sites over a period of 9 months from contract placement to completion.

Q: How much does it cost to implement Sentinel PRO® in an organisation?
A: Sentinel PRO® is licensed based on the number of users/number of sites with significant economies of scale. It does require significant commitment to undertake such a project as it impacts the whole operation. However increased operational effectiveness and safety performance can be achieved with reduced workplace management costs and an acceptable ROI as evidenced from our case studies of operational users.

Q: Can the application be configured to my business requirements?
A: The initial phase of an implementation involves agreeing the definition of a company’s business requirements. Petrotechnics will configure Sentinel PRO® to those and configure the application to each site’s geographic layout and management structure.

Q: Who typically uses Sentinel PRO® in an organisation?
A: All personnel who have a direct or even indirect impact with work taking place are potential users. Roles and authorities are defined by the Company Business Process and typically involve the person carrying out the work (Performing Authority), through various validation and authorisation levels and supervisory control, to Operations Management. However, it is designed to give visibility to all personnel involved so that, for example, an Asset Director can easily access information on all work taking place on all sites within an organisation.

Q: How much training is required to ensure the system is used effectively?
A: As with all application software, value comes with efficient usage and hands on experience improves efficiency. Training is assessed, scheduled and delivered to ensure maximum benefit over the “go-live” period and beyond. A full Training Needs Analysis is carried out as part of the implementation. Advanced user courses are typically two days in duration and can be supplemented with Computer Based Training as a refresher. Basic Training courses and Systems Administration courses are also utilised and individual training programmes can be developed to suit. Petrotechnics' trainers are experienced operations personnel who have considerable vocational experience of Permit to Work systems.

Q: How does Sentinel PRO® integrate with my other Operational Systems?
A: Sentinel PRO® is designed to seamlessly interface with other vendors’ packages to give a fully integrated Safety Management System. Hence integration with ERP/CMMS packages, Document Management systems, Asset Information Management Systems, Real–Time databases are all possible.

Q: How does Sentinel PRO® relate to my enterprise management system eg SAP?
A: The generation of a “work order” from an ERP system is typically the starting point of a request to generate a “Work Control Certificate” or Permit in Sentinel PRO®.

Q: Can I link Sentinel PRO® to P&I drawings?
A: Links to any external electronic system can be incorporated, whether document management systems, external databases, web sites etc.

Q: Is Sentinel PRO® only used when a site becomes operational?
A: Sentinel PRO® can be used for all aspects of work throughout the entire life cycle of a project, from construction to operations to decommissioning.

Q: Many users are Exploration and Production operations. Can Sentinel PRO® be used onshore?
A: Of the numerous offshore customers who use Sentinel PRO®on a day-to-day basis, many of their operational sites are onshore based. For example BP has 24 offshore and 5 onshore facilities in the UK using the product. Shell similarly has 19 offshore and 5 onshore. There are no technical or operational reasons why Sentinel PRO® cannot be used onshore.

Q: How does Sentinel PRO® conform to the guidelines laid down by OIAC?
A: Petrotechnics has worked closely with the Step Change group and the drafting of the OIAC Guidelines. This relationship has been in progress throughout the design, development and implementation of recent ISSOW Harmonisation Models. All the requirements of the Guidelines are already within the configurability of Sentinel PRO® and any updates or amendments will be similarly incorporated.

Q: Can Sentinel PRO® be configured to operate in different languages?
A: Sentinel PRO® can be implemented in any common international language. In addition, options are available for dual language functionality to be configured within the software.

Q: What standard packages does Sentinel PRO® require for configuration?
A: Oracle database server and Web Logic application server.

Q: Do I need to install specialised software or hardware as part of the implementation of Sentinel PRO®?
A: No. The Sentinel PRO® architecture is based around leading edge J2EE technologies, the industry leading Application Server, and builds upon existing standards providing reliability, scalability and adaptability. Desktop access to the application is via a standard web browser eliminating the need for client software to be installed. Precise recommendations depend on the number of users and bandwidth availability but no need for specialised hardware or software is anticipated.

Q: How will Sentinel PRO® cater for the need for the worker to carry a permit to the workplace?
A: Sentinel PRO® provides for a paper output to be carried to site that contains all of the necessary details from within the electronic system. It also provides the facility for printing isolation tag labels.

Q: How are electronic authorisations and auditabilty catered for?
A: Each user who interacts with the system has a unique log-on user name and password that is recorded in an electronic signature. Any request, change, validation or authorisation carries with it this signature to provide complete auditability and to give full security without the need for a paper trail.
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