In this digital age, how do businesses further improve their efficiency with new technologies?

Offices are already integrated with digital systems and networks; while machines and automation are the norm both on sites and in the factories.

Digital solutions providers take it a step further by conducting server and software maintenance remotely. Can machinery be maintained the same way?

Until recently, technicians relied on recommendations from sellers and associates to narrow down possible lubricant candidates, and later performed trial-and-error testing across several service intervals to determine which brand or product works best. It is a tedious process.

Shell Malaysia aims to ease this process by introducing Shell LubeChat, a unique chat tool with all the necessary information for customers who are seeking lubricants and oil products for machinery, vehicles or equipment.

The system can be utilised anytime, anywhere with mobile connectivity. One simply needs to go online to chat with Shell's online persona, Shelly, and tap into the knowledge of over 700 of Shell's lubricant experts globally.

How can Shelly help?

Customers can interact with Shelly through a chat box on Shell Malaysia's official website, where she will respond to keywords by offering suggestions for the next course of action. Shell LubeChat also provides a list of frequently-asked-questions that enables customers to get instant answers to queries.

One of Shelly's best traits is Shell LubeMatch, which allows her to recommend the perfect product to suit any mechanical equipment and guide users to the nearest authorised distributor, when needed.

Additionally, Shelly is also well-versed in the characteristics of all Shell products, inclusive of technical data sheets as well as material safety information. Moreover, the tool provides a list of Shell alternatives to non-Shell or old Shell products as well.

Significant savings with the right oil products

Some operators assume they can save cost on lubricants, under the premise that it is fine as long as they pass the minimum requirements underlined in the equipment manual.

On the contrary, using incompatible products usually results in higher maintenance costs in the long run. For any equipment to perform at its best, precise lubricants are required, and this would not necessarily be the most expensive ones.

Drilling that point home is Shell's Demonstrated Value Records (DVRs): a database of Shell case studies underlining annual cost savings of companies operating with the right products that is available on Shell LubeChat.

Through the DVRs, Shell helped a Thai-based auto parts manufacturer solve a costly issue of unplanned downtime for a one-year-old pipe bending machine due to the type of hydraulic oil used.

Shelly helped the Thai manufacturer choose the product - in this case, Shell Tellus high- performance hydraulic oil - which saved US$71,300 (RM293,292) annually by allowing the company to avoid unplanned maintenance and lost production time.

In Turkey, a construction firm switched to Shell Gadus to grease its excavator parts, after a previous brand did little to curb high levels of wear and tear.

The result was eight times less greasing to 3 tonnes/year from 24 tonnes/year previously. This saved the company some US$50,000 (RM205,675) annually.

Improved lubrication and maintenance of your equipment and vehicles, will significantly increase productivity, limit downtime and, ultimately, provide you with a competitive advantage.

In a nutshell, Shelly is designed to help business owners and end users choose the right lubricants through a huge database of information on lubrication for their reference to achieve maximum machine lifespan, operating and cost efficiency.

Shell LubeChat has been available in Malaysia since September 2018.

Simply visit https://www.shell.com.my/lubechat via mobile or desktop and key in an equipment model or a product.