A massive flange tree, right in the middle of the exhibition floor at Ahoy Rotterdam. Not exactly your everyday crowd-puller, but during Maintenance Next 2025, this industrial training object drew all the attention. Surrounding the flange tree, Smart Asset Integrity Solutions (Smart AIS) – a sister company of KH Engineering – and four other companies jointly showcased their contribution to an integrated inspection chain. ‘Thanks to the innovation platform iTanks, this collaboration wasn’t just visible, it was tangible’, says Mark Oosterveer, operations director at iTanks.
At the so-called iAsk Plaza, a large joint stand featuring 28 participating organisations, iTanks dedicated a special section to the inspection chain. Smart AIS, SPIE, Gemba, Viewport.ai and Airvision demonstrated their combined expertise, with each company handling a different part of the inspection process.
Inspection with ai
Smart AIS kicked off the event with a high-tech inspection of the flange tree using drone technology, ultrasonic wall thickness measurements and 3D laser scanning. This combination of technologies produced a detailed and complete visual of the asset. The collected data was converted into a digital point cloud – an accurate 3D model – and analysed using Airvision’s AI-powered software. The AI models, developed on behalf of Smart AIS, automatically detected and classified potential damage, such as corrosion or insulation issues, and enriched the dataset with relevant asset information.
This enriched dataset was then integrated into the Viewport.ai environment. Within Viewport.ai, all documentation – from work permits to maintenance history – is linked to the visual model, giving users full context and easy access to information. Gemba Service used this comprehensive data set to set maintenance priorities in Maximo (Enterprise Asset Management), provided substantiated advice and generated work orders. Finally, SPIE Nederland turned this advice into action in the field – from repairs to updates of the as-built situation. Together, Smart AIS, Airvision, Viewport.ai, Gemba Service and SPIE Nederland formed one digital inspection chain – from smart data collection to real-world maintenance.
one chain, many benefits
But what does this mean for asset owners? Mark Oosterveer sees clear benefits: ‘As an asset owner, you don’t receive fragmented services but a total solution with seamlessly aligned components. Each company brings its own expertise, but together they offer more. This saves time, avoids miscommunication and improves the overall quality of inspection and maintenance.’ The flexibility of the partnership is another strong point, he adds: ‘These companies are not exclusively tied to each other. They can work with other clients, but have chosen to collaborate here. That makes it scalable and customer-focused.’ Asset owners benefit from a one-stop-shop approach. Or as Mark puts it: ‘Through your trusted partner, you’re automatically connected with multiple specialists – without needing to tie all the loose ends together yourself.’
the power of the network
The collaboration between the five companies was facilitated in part by iTanks, which focuses on accelerating innovation by connecting companies. The foundation sees itself as ‘the cement between the bricks’, says Mark. ‘Everyone excels in their own field, but we ensure the right people meet at the right time. In this case, it started with an online session we organised with Smart AIS during the COVID period. That session sparked interest from chemical company Huntsman. That planted the seed, which has now grown into a mature inspection chain network.’
In addition to his role at iTanks, Mark Oosterveer also contributes a monthly column to the trade magazine Asset Management. In edition 02/2025, the collaborative inspection chain is featured in detail. Martijn van ’t Wout, managing director at Smart AIS, shares his vision on how smart technology and strong chain partnerships can make the industry safer and more efficient. A must-read for anyone interested in the practical impact and power of collaboration.
ongoing collaborations
For iTanks, this project is also proof that their approach works. ‘Each year we bring together four to five thousand people in different formats – from breakfast sessions to innovation pitches. If collaborations like this are the result, it’s the best reward we can get.’ And what’s next? ‘That’s up to the companies themselves’, says Mark. ‘But it’s clear they have something scalable in their hands. I’d say: keep showcasing this, keep telling the story. And maybe new combinations will emerge.’ He’s already looking ahead to new exhibitions, sessions and events: ‘If the topic is relevant, we’ll gladly help build another strong chain. Because this leaves us wanting more.’
There’s also ambition among the participating partners to continue building on the collaboration. Martijn van ’t Wout from Smart AIS explains: ‘Following Maintenance Next, we took the initiative to regularly meet with the partners to discuss the next steps. For instance, Smart AIS recently joined Assai/Viewport.ai’s Innovation Day. That’s a great example of how we keep fuelling this partnership with concrete actions towards the market.’
For more information about iTanks: itanks.eu
Voor meer informatie over de inspectieketen: smart-ais.eu