From paper to digital: LORIN is making work on the field easier with digital tools

Could you please explain in a few words what LORIN is?

LORIN is the ENGIE Flexible Generation digital toolbox for field activities. It was developed internally by our department to answer a need from our colleagues working in the power plants and industrial sites. They wanted to have a solution to work digitally and improve the processes.
Let me give some examples of use cases of LORIN, for instance a tool for digital inspection rounds.
When an operator had to check each equipment physically and then write down remarks on paper, then archiving, all this took a lot of time and was also not very transparent. Now we have an application that visitors at Viva Technology will be able to see and test where you can just capture all the data, even from the sensors,  and review it and then create a ticket with a photo, video or a voice recording. This is synchronized directly with the control room with his team and also SAP and a PI historian system as well. The application is also adapted for a hands-free interface with Realwear devices. 
So our workers are now more connected and have more transparency on their communication.
This is just one example, we are also digitalizing other processes, mainly paper processes which used to be a lot of work until we reduced them to a few steps via our digital tool.

Does this inspection tour tool work with a smartphone or a tablet or do you need a specific device?

We have developed the tools to be as flexible and supportive as possible. So mainly, there's always a web application for the computer, and if it's for use on the field, there will be a mobile version which is compatible for any Android smartphone and Android tablet.
We also made an adaptation where it's compatible with the Realwear headset, so it's like augmented reality as well.

Is this what you will showcase at Vivatech? 

We will present  a mix of our solutions, because work reality is not just in the power plant with the machines. We support a wide scope of our colleagues on topics like health and safety, logistics or maintenance. We will be giving demos so you can test all of the applications: from a digital contractor management platform, inventory stock count, operator’s logbook, flexible forms, and more!  We want to show how you can take any manual process from pen and paper to a digital way of working where you can just use your voice to insert data.
And of course, we'll also have the Realwear headset, so you can also see the augmented reality use case.

How specifically would you say that your solution is the most innovative?

The way we look at it, it's a lot on new ways of working and connections. Instead of repetitive, duplicative manual tasks, we are streamlining the process and making the lives of our colleagues better and simpler.
The solution  is connected with different systems, so it makes work more seamless, but it also enables ENGIE to use data analytics and process the reports much more efficiently. That's also a really big plus point.

Will this be the first time you will be showing the solution in a big technological fair like vivatech?

Yes, it's the first time and we're very excited.
Our team actually participated as a visitor to see the ENGIE booth in the past and it was like our big goal to be part of this. It's really a great opportunity that we have this year.  
And of course being in the same place as other big companies doing exciting technological activities is also a nice environment to learn and exchange.

Is LORIN used only internally within ENGIE Flexible Generation Europe or is it more widely spread?

It's used internally within ENGIE, not only at ENGIE Flexible Generation Europe, but also by ENGIE Flexible Generation in South America and the Middle East. Other ENGIE entities are also using the tools such as ELENGY and STORENGY.  In the past we also had external clients such as Nike  Logistics Center here in Belgium.
So we're not closed off to any opportunity. We always want to help, so if our tools are helpful for someone, we'd be happy with the contact. 

What do you expect from Viva Technology?

We're really excited to be part of the ENGIE Booth this year. Hopefully it will be interesting for our colleagues to come and see our solutions and test out our apps. 
Our expectation for Vivatech is really to meet ENGIE colleagues, make new contacts, discuss and share thoughts on digitalization in the industrial sector. I think Vivatech brings together a very broad spectrum of technology. We've always been happily surprised and pleased to see other tools and technologies being used.

To which innovation throughout history do you most relate?

I think a historic innovation that I could see some comparison to is the printing press.
With our tools we're not creating a new “physical” product, it’s more about the way of doing things. We've taken time, we've observed: ” OK, this is the process. How can we make it more scalable and user friendly, more efficient?” What we do is democratizing digital tools and making them scalable for everyday use to improve and facilitate the task on the field in the power plants.
So, actually a bit like the printing press: of course humans were already able to write, and then make manuscripts and transcripts, but with the printing press, it was way faster and it allowed to spread literature and knowledge.

What would be your next challenges?

I think that generative AI will be the next challenge to incorporate and also work with, for our existing and also new solutions to come.  Right now, we have some initiatives, but it's in the early and pilot stages. We’ll be excited to share the news with everyone very soon.

Can you tell me a few words about yourself?

I started at ENGIE six years ago as a digital analyst trainee. Over the years I've learned that working on new ideas, change management and the connection with people are what motivate me and bring me joy. So I became a digital product manager, and I'm now leading the Digital Growth and Innovation.

We are based in Linkebeek (Belgium), but our teams are supporting all of Flexible Generation, so this is not only in Europe, but in South America and the Middle East as well. If we and our tools can help, we are open to any collaboration at ENGIE. 

Watch how it works