“I am convinced that for SAAM Towage and for all of its associates there will be a before and an after Tripanko”

The Department of Systems and Communications Management seeks to be a strategic partner for our company leaders by offering effective technological services which are efficient and highly secure. Claudio Aguilera, Chief Information Officer said, “We should be proactive in leading and streamlining the improvements required by our companies’ business systems through technology and innovation.”

Claudio -who studied Computer Engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, has a Diploma in Software Project Management from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and a Masters in Information Technology from the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María- dedicates his day-to-day work in planning management activities, evaluating results, leading the working team, controlling the  advance of projects and initiatives and observing the functioning of services, amongst others. All of this is done in accordance with the objectives of senior management.

Below, he tells us how the Tripanko project is aligned with the initiatives of digital transformation and innovation, which are essential today.

What role does digital transformation and innovation play in a company such as SAAM and its affiliates?

Our companies are immersed in a constantly changing environment and in a business which is highly competitive and demanding. Not only does technology change, but also the habits and tastes of our clients, the capabilities of our competitors, the market regulations in which we operate, ethical standards, health conditions, etc. From this perspective, digital transformation and innovation allows us to better compete in this constantly changing environment, improving the way in which we do things, transforming and improving our service, anticipating the needs of our clients and discovering new opportunities or sources of income.

In what way does Tripanko align with this approach?

Tripanko is very much aligned with digital transformation and innovation, because it is, in essence, a project which is transformational. The principal purpose of Tripanko is to transform and standardize, from a viewpoint of integration and efficiency, the form in which SAAM Towage addresses key processes aligned with its strategy of growth and consolidation. These key processes are operational management and asset management and maintenance.

In 2021, what are the principal challenges which a project like Tripanko could face?

There are many challenges as transformational projects are not easy. For now, I will highlight the issue of time, because as a team, we have made it our goal -and we have made a commitment to the Board- to complete the implementation this year. Another factor is related to people and culture, because to change processes, the way in which we do things and the tools which we use on a day-to-day basis, is always complex. There is also the issue of the pandemic which hinders us from, for example, directly helping our operations in person to implement the changes. All of the above is especially challenging in the context of an operation such as SAAM Towage, which does not stop and which keeps growing.

What will the implementation of projects such as Tripanko mean to the daily tasks of our associates, in the context of the digital transformation which we are living worldwide?

I am convinced that for SAAM Towage and for its associates there will be a before and an after Tripanko. The transformation and standardization of key processes in an integrated manner, as well as using common and modern technological tools, will permit our associates not only to simplify their daily tasks, but also to be more efficient, more collaborative, share experiences, make use of better information and take better decisions.

How will these projects have an impact in the short, medium and long term?

In the short term, digital transformation and innovation projects will lead to greater efficiencies and cost savings in our operations. It will also lead to a greater visibility and transparency of our operations and to taking better decisions, resulting from more timely and better quality information.

In the medium term these projects will have an impact on developing a workplace which is more collaborative, agile, and with better internal communication. It will also lead to more efficient management processes and systems, identifying new and better business opportunities and revenue, and lead to a better experience for our clients.

In the long term we are talking about impacting all aspects of our operations, generating competitive advantages and capabilities which differentiate us in relation to our competitors, making our business more sustainable.