Transforming Operations at Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (KAES) with Rapid Deployment and Data-Driven Insights powered by Cognite Data Fusion

Summary

Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (KAES) envisioned a transformative future where agility, data-driven decision-making, and employee empowerment redefine how the organization operates. However, siloed systems and fragmented data hindered their ability to achieve this vision. Critical processes such as engineering, operations, maintenance, and turnaround planning lacked the transparency and connectivity needed to unlock value at scale.

From Siloed Data to Unified Insights

KAES faced two critical challenges with its operational data.

First, the data was diverse and complex—structured data like asset hierarchies and work orders coexisted with unstructured data such as P&IDs, equipment documentation, and trillions of rows of time series data. This made it difficult to store, aggregate, and access data interactively.

Second, the data didn’t match. Unlike standardized systems in finance or supply chain, heavy asset industries lack consistent identifiers, making it impossible to connect asset references across hierarchies, tags, and P&IDs.

KAES needed a solution to unify and contextualize this fragmented data, enabling seamless access and transforming workflows and decision-making processes.

Solution

KAES Executes Rapid Adoption of Cognite’s Integrated Solutions

KAES partnered with Cognite to implement Cognite Data Fusion® as the backbone of their transformation. The platform unified and contextualized operational data, enabling transparent, connected access across multiple disciplines. Additionally, integrating Cognite’s Field Operations and Collaborative Planning tools streamlined data collection and delivery and work execution in the field while enhancing the effectiveness of maintenance campaigns.

The implementation prioritized speed and scalability, with KAES quickly onboarding multiple sites and taking ownership of the deployment process.

• Improved Accessibility: Every user now has seamless access to relevant engineering, operations, maintenance, and turnaround data, breaking down silos and accelerating insights.
• Transformative Change: By connecting data across disciplines and embedding it into daily workflows, KAES created a more agile, efficient, and predictive operating environment.
• Scaling Knowledge Systems: Asset strategies are now tied to monitoring models and daily maintenance activities, driving improved risk management and operational outcomes.

Impact

Collecting the Little Piles of Gold Everywhere

Cognite enabled KAES to roll out solutions quickly, onboard users effectively, and scale toward their vision of a predictive operating state.

• Fast Deployment: KAES onboarded six sites in under six months.
• A seventh site was onboarded in less than two months, largely driven by their internal team.
• User Adoption: Within a month, 60% of planned users 

“There were ‘little piles of gold everywhere,’ value opportunities scattered across various operational areas. By integrating these insights, KAES could capitalize on multiple improvements simultaneously rather than focusing on a single domain.”

— Josh Dotson, Industry 4.0 Leader, KAES

Looking Ahead

KAES is not just betting on tools or systems but on a radical transformation in its operations. With a unified data platform and empowered employees, they are scaling their operations to create a competitive advantage through agility, efficiency, and data-driven insights. The collaboration with Cognite has set the foundation for a reimagined future, where operational excellence and predictive capabilities define the next chapter of their journey.