Intergraph acquires Blue Iron Systems

Intergraph Process, Power & Marine, part of Hexagon, has acquired Blue Iron Systems, Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, and its flagship radiofrequency identification (RFID) and barcode product, IronScan. Blue Iron’s founder and staff have joined Intergraph as part of the acquisition and will be based in Calgary.

Blue Iron Systems’ IronScan offers RFID and barcode tagging technologies as part of a fully integrated plug-in for SmartPlant Materials. IronScan is a bolt-on application to SmartPlant Materials that gathers material site data. No integration is required between IronScan and SmartPlant Materials.

The technology will allow Intergraph customers - engineering, procurement and construction firms and owner operators - to track materials in real time directly from the manufacturers’ and suppliers’ facilities to the construction site and further into facilities’ management and maintenance phases.

IronScan will help Intergraph customers and users of SmartPlant Materials achieve greater efficiency in procurement and supply chain management for both project and asset life cycles. The acquisition reinforces Intergraph’s long-term commitment to its customers and to the marketplace for continually delivering the latest advancements in technology that directly improve and positively impact the bottom line of customers’ projects.

Blue Iron Systems, Inc. brings to Intergraph 15 years of software engineering experience and 10 years of materials management experience with large-scale oil and gas projects.

Gerhard Sallinger, Intergraph process, power and marine president, said, “I am pleased to welcome Blue Iron Systems to the Intergraph family of technology solutions. We are very excited about this acquisition and the benefits it brings to our SmartPlant Materials customers.”

Michael Buss, Intergraph senior vice president, added, “Blue Iron Systems’ IronScan and its RFID and barcode tagging technology greatly enhances SmartPlant Materials capabilities. This addresses a crucial part of our clients’ needs in the procurement and materials/supply chain management aspects of their projects. IronScan will specifically increase efficiency at receiving sites, material warehouses and fabrication shops with up to 90% reduction in material receiving work-hours.

“The integrated SmartPlant Materials and IronScan solution will eliminate waste by not having material left over that was not properly inventoried originally and subsequently repurchased, adding unnecessary cost to projects.”

SmartPlant Materials fully supports the unique materials management processes needed in the process, power and marine industries, offering a total materials management and subcontract management solution for their plants and projects. It is proven technology and has been adopted by engineering firms around the world - users of SmartPlant Materials report improved procurement efficiency with lower risks and costs through accurate and effective materials management.