Optimal at the AFBE Gala & Awards 2025: Celebrating Inclusion and Impact
Last night, Optimal was honoured to attend the AFBE Gala & Awards 2025, hosted at the stunning P&J Live in Aberdeen. The event, themed “Tapestry of Impact,” brought together some of the most inspiring talents and industry leaders to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and innovation within engineering. The evening began with a warm welcome drinks reception, […]
From Cost Centre to Competitive Edge: Transforming Manufacturing IT with SAM
Unleashing the Potential of Software Asset Management in Manufacturing In today’s hyper-competitive manufacturing landscape, where efficiency, compliance, and innovation are paramount, software has quietly become one of the most valuable, and vulnerable, assets on the factory floor. From CAD tools and ERP systems to machine control software and cloud-based analytics, the digital backbone of manufacturing […]
From Cost to Catalyst: Transforming Education IT with SAM
Unleashing the Potential of Software Asset Management in Education In today’s digital-first academic landscape, universities and colleges are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality education while managing tight budgets, complex IT ecosystems, and evolving student expectations. Yet, one of the most overlooked opportunities for transformation lies in Software Asset Management (SAM), a strategic service that […]
The AI Revolution in Software Asset Management: What You Need to Know
Software Asset Management (SAM) has long been a cornerstone of IT governance, helping organisations stay compliant, optimise costs, and manage risk. But in 2025, SAM is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. AI is no longer just a buzzword. It’s actively transforming how businesses manage their software estates, from automating […]
The Untapped Asset: Optimising Software Value in Mining
Unleashing the Potential of Software Asset Management in African Mining Across Southern Africa, the mining industry is the lifeblood of regional economies—from the goldfields of Gauteng to the copper belts of Zambia and the diamond mines of Botswana. As mining operations modernise, a digital revolution is quietly transforming how these enterprises extract value from both […]
Software as an Asset: Rethinking Digital Value in the North Sea
Across the North Sea, where offshore platforms, subsea systems, and supply chains define the rhythm of industry, a quiet digital revolution is underway. While physical assets such as rigs, vessels, and infrastructure have long been the focus of strategic management, a new class of asset is rising in importance: software. From advanced simulation tools to […]
Accelerated Asset Interventions (AAI): Rethinking Inspection, Access, and Maintenance
In asset-intensive industries, inspection and maintenance are essential, but they’re often slow, disruptive, and reactive. The traditional approach to asset integrity has long relied on manual access, shutdowns, and invasive techniques. These methods aren’t just inefficient, they’re increasingly incompatible with the demands of modern operations. The Hidden Cost of Delay Corrosion, especially under insulation […]
Phase in Vibration Analysis: Theory, Applications, and Examples
This article is intended to help the reader develop an understanding of Phase in Vibration Analysis, the concept of phase as it applies to vibration and signal analysis. Simple examples are presented to demonstrate the basics of phase relationships; then machinery diagnostics and troubleshooting examples are presented. The idea of a complex spectrum is discussed, and various […]
Harnessing Digital Twins for Predictive Maintenance
Leading with Insight In industries where every minute of downtime translates directly to lost revenue, from energy and mining to manufacturing, the promise of Predictive Maintenance has long been transformative. But digital transformation is opening a new frontier: the Digital Twin. A living, virtual replica of a physical asset, a Digital Twin brings operational clarity, […]
What Is Licence Harvesting and Why It Matters for Cost-Savvy Organisations
Many organisations invest heavily in software, particularly specialist engineering tools or technical suites, but too often those licences remain under-utilised. Licence Harvesting changes that: it’s the process of reclaiming idle software licences and reallocating them to active users. This not only trims IT spend, it transforms licence management from static ownership into dynamic optimisation. […]