News 6 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk August/September 2025 Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital twins are rapidly transforming enterprise asset management (EAM), according to the latest Maintenance Trend Report from Ultimo. Yet despite this technological shift, the research underlines that effective maintenance remains fundamentally a human-led activity. The global survey of more than 200 maintenance professionals shows a sharp rise in interest in advanced technologies compared with the 2023 edition of the report. When asked which innovations would have the greatest positive impact on maintenance and business practices, 68% of respondents pointed to contextual intelligence — up from just 8% last year — followed by automation and robotics (49%) and machine learning (41%). Interest in digital twins has also more than doubled, now reaching 40%. However, alongside enthusiasm for new tools, organisations continue to face pressing workforce challenges. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents cited an ageing workforce as the most significant factor shaping maintenance strategy, emphasising the need for knowledge transfer and workforce planning. Recruiting skilled staff also remains a concern, with 50% saying it had been the primary source of operational disruption in the past year. “From global instability to changing regulations, socio-economic and political shifts are creating uncertainty across industries. In this environment, agility is critical,” said Berend Booms, Head of EAM Insights at Ultimo, an IFS company. “EAM can also serve as a catalyst for innovation. Internet of Things (IoT), AI, ML, digital twins, and predictive analytics are rapidly transforming industrial businesses. They unlock smarter decision-making, greater efficiency, and a sharper competitive edge.” The report highlights how real-time data insights from IoT devices and predictive modelling — whose perceived value has tripled since 2023 — are helping organisations unlock new opportunities in maintenance planning. Yet, almost half (49%) of respondents identified a lack of in-house expertise as a barrier to adopting these advanced tools. The findings also emphasise that while AIenabled platforms are reshaping maintenance practices, people remain central to driving success. Modern EAM systems have evolved from static data repositories into predictive tools, helping teams shift from reactive maintenance towards proactive strategies. By combining AI with operational data, these systems can identify recurring failures, optimise workflows, and minimise downtime, effectively becoming a strategic adviser to asset managers. As the report concludes, the future of maintenance will depend on a balance of human expertise and digital intelligence. Produced in collaboration with Verdantix, TwinThread, ABS Consulting, and MaxGrip, the report is available for download at: www.ultimo.com/report Report finds emerging technologies are reshaping asset management, but people remain key Remote monitoring specialist Omniflex is celebrating its 60th anniversary, having been founded as Control Logic (Conlog for short) by John Moshal and Alan Murray in 1965 in Durban, South Africa. The duo were inspired by the potential of the newly-invented transistor. Throughout its history, the company has delivered technologically innovative solutions for key industries, including mining, nuclear, petrochemical, and oil and gas, for notable clients like Sasol, Sellafield, New South Wales Ports and Port of Melbourne. In 1965, Moshal and Murray founded Conlog leading the way in replacing bulky wiring intensive, power-hungry mechanical relays with small, elegant, electronic modules. Their secret weapon was an octalbased transistor logic module that slashed complexity and boosted maintenance performance in industrial systems. This is what caught the eye of renowned Anglo American chairman Harry Oppenheimer in the early 1970s and inspired him to provide the funding that kickstarted the company’s growth in South Africa. “Since its inception, Omniflex has been about listening, designing, tweaking and delivering exactly our customers need, even when it means pushing the boundaries of technological capabilities or going against the industry consensus,” explained David Celine, managing director of Omniflex. Flexibility and reliability became Conlog’s core principles and remain an integral part of Omniflex’s culture today. This saw the company earn the respect of engineers across key industry sectors and helped to establish the firm as the leading experts for complex, high-stakes industrial automation. The company is sharing its highlights from each decade of its history in a series of blogs on its LinkedIn account. Omniflex celebrates 60th anniversary
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