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Understanding Mining SaaS

Mining operations are notoriously complex, with heavy machinery, intricate logistics, and constant adaptation to the shifting ground beneath your feet.

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The temptation of custom-built software promises to solve all your problems. But the reality is that these "bargains" become money pits, filled with hidden costs, outdated technology, and frustrating limitations.

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What is (Mining) SaaS?

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Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud-based software delivery model that has replaced on-premises solutions in most industries. In this model, applications are hosted by a vendor and made available to customers over the internet. Users access the software via a web browser, eliminating the need for complex installations and on-site hardware.

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Common SaaS examples include Netflix, Spotify, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and Xero. These platforms offer subscription-based access, providing regular updates, maintenance, and support as part of the service.

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Whilst this software mentioned is industry agnostic, Mining SaaS, is specifically tailored to the complex needs of the mining industry. And, unlike traditional mining software or one-off custom builds, these solutions offer a subscription-based package of tools and features designed to manage a portion or majority stage of the mining lifecycle.

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Think of it like this in the context of drilling programs - everything from drill planning and earthworks management to production tracking and budget reporting, all accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Mining SaaS offers a powerful alternative to the limitations of conventional mining software solutions.

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The Emergence of Mining SaaS

While SaaS is prevalent in many industries, Mining SaaS is specifically designed to address the unique challenges of the mining industry.

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Unlike traditional mining software or one-off custom builds, true Mining SaaS offers:

Subscription-Based Packages: Tools and features designed to manage a portion or majority of the mining lifecycle.
Industry-Specific Functionality: Tailored to the complex needs of mining operations eg. for drilling, software is highly build for detailed workflows that range from drill planning and earthworks management to production tracking and budget reporting.
Accessibility: Access from anywhere with an internet connection, facilitating real-time collaboration.
Scalability: The ability to scale resources up or down based on operational needs.
Rapid Implementation and Onboarding: Quick deployment and easy onboarding of new users to minimise downtime and accelerate time-to-value.

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The Limitations of Traditional Mining Software

On-Premises Software

Traditional mining software systems are often installed on-site and characterised by:

Lack of Flexibility: Rigid structures that make adaptation to changing needs or integration with new technologies difficult. For example, if geologists discover a new resource type, the software may not support modeling it, requiring costly development and long wait times for updates.
Integration Nightmares: Data silos are common, with production data, drill results, and safety reports residing in separate systems. Getting a holistic view requires manual spreadsheets and error-prone data wrangling.
Outdated User Experience: Clunky interfaces and frustrating workflows hinder productivity. Field personnel may struggle with software prone to errors and crashes, turning simple data entry into a daily irritation.
Slow Implementation and Onboarding: Deployment can take months, and onboarding new users is often cumbersome, delaying the realisation of value.

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Custom-Developed Software

Custom software solutions, while promising tailor-made functionality, often result in:

Endless Development Cycles: Initial projects turn into ongoing endeavors with constant updates, tweaks, and fixes that consume budgets and IT resources, diverting focus from core mining operations.
Mounting Technical Debt: Built on unproven or outdated technology, these systems become a patchwork of fixes that are expensive to maintain, leading to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.
Poor Support: Vendors may lack the specialised knowledge needed to provide adequate support, resulting in downtime, lost productivity, and increased risk of safety incidents due to software malfunctions.
Upfront Payment Without Guaranteed Value: Traditional software models require significant upfront investment before realising any value, placing all the risk on the customer.

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The Misconception of “Pseudo” SaaS in Mining

A critical issue in the mining software landscape is the prevalence of products marketed as SaaS but lacking the fundamental characteristics of true SaaS.

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‍Most mining software marketed as SaaS are simply cloud-hosted versions of older systems and do not have the business model or architecture of true SaaS. They are not SaaS at all.

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These pseudo-SaaS solutions may:

Retain Legacy Architectures: Merely shifting on-premises software to cloud servers without reengineering for cloud-native benefits.
Lack Subscription Flexibility: Continue using traditional licensing models instead of true subscription-based pricing.
Miss Out on SaaS Advantages: Fail to provide automatic updates, scalability, seamless integrations, rapid implementation, modern support, and other benefits inherent to true SaaS.
Lack SaaS Culture: Without an ingrained SaaS methodology and operations framework, traditional companies simply struggle to become SaaS overnight.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for mining professionals seeking to leverage the full potential of modern software solutions.

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How True Mining SaaS Differs

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1. Cloud-Based Delivery

True Mining SaaS eliminates the need for on-site servers and complex installations. Key benefits include:

‍Universal Access: Critical data, tools, and models are accessible from any location with an internet connection, empowering geologists in the office, drillers on the rig, and executives on the move to collaborate seamlessly.‍
Intelligent Data Synchronisation: Work can continue offline in remote locations, with updates automatically reconciled when connectivity is restored.‍
Reduced IT Management: No more server maintenance, software updates, or worrying about costly infrastructure upgrades.

2. Rapid Implementation and User Onboarding

‍Quick Deployment: True Mining SaaS solutions can be implemented rapidly, often in a matter of days or weeks, minimising disruption and accelerating time-to-value.‍
Easy Onboarding: Intuitive interfaces and user-centric design make it easy for new users to get up to speed quickly, reducing training time and costs.‍
Scalable User Management: Easily add new users as your team grows, without complex licensing or installation processes.

3. Automatic Updates and Maintenance

‍Seamless Updates: Software providers handle updates behind the scenes, ensuring access to the latest features, bug fixes, and security enhancements without manual intervention.‍
No Operational Downtime: Eliminates disruptive interruptions to operations, keeping systems running smoothly.‍
Peace of Mind: Software remains current, compliant, and secure without the need for scheduling or managing updates.

4. Security and Compliance

‍Advanced Security Measures: Providers employ encryption, regular vulnerability assessments, and strict access controls to protect assets.‍
Regulatory Alignment: Solutions are actively monitored and updated to ensure compliance with industry regulations such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001.‍
Proactive Compliance: Minimises risk and allows teams to focus on safe and efficient operations.

5. Scalability and Integration

‍Effortless Scaling: Software scales alongside the business, accommodating growth without delays or disruptions associated with traditional software upgrades.‍
Subscription Flexibility: Pay only for the resources and features currently in use, eliminating unnecessary upfront investments.‍
Connected Ecosystem: Built with integration in mind, using APIs and industry-standard data formats to communicate with existing systems, breaking down data silos and streamlining workflows.

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Examples of Typical Integrations:

GIS Systems: Visualise drill holes, resource models, and infrastructure directly within GIS platforms.
ERP Software: Streamline project budgeting and financial tracking.
Fleet Management Systems: Track equipment utilisation and optimise maintenance schedules.
Data Warehousing: Push and pull data to and from data lakes like AWS or Snowflake, or integrate with geological database tools.

6. Predictable Costs and Shared Risk

‍Transparent Pricing: Subscription models with fixed recurring fees ensure budget predictability and eliminate surprise expenses.‍
Shared Risk Model: SaaS vendors often adopt a shared risk approach, where payment is tied to the realisation of value. This aligns the vendor’s success with your success.‍
Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): When factoring in all direct and indirect costs over time, true Mining SaaS delivers significantly lower TCO compared to traditional or custom-built solutions.

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Hidden Costs of Traditional and Custom Software:

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1. Upfront Payment Without Guaranteed Value: Traditional software requires significant investment before any value is realised, placing all the risk on the customer.

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2. Hardware Costs: On-site servers and networking equipment, along with their maintenance and upgrades.

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3. IT Personnel: Dedicated staff required for installation, updates, troubleshooting, and security management.

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4. Licensing and Upgrades: Costly per-user or per-module license fees, plus additional expenses for major updates and compatibility patches.

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4. Downtime: Production delays, lost budget and revenue, and inefficiencies due to software updates, malfunctions, and problem resolution.

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5. Customisation Expenses: Ongoing development costs to tailor the software to changing operations or technology stacks.‍

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6. Opportunity Costs: Missed opportunities and delayed decision-making resulting from outdated software and lack of integration.

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7. User-Friendly Experience

‍Intuitive Interfaces: Modern Mining SaaS recognises that user-friendly software is mission-critical, focusing on intuitive interfaces and mining-specific workflows.‍
Enhanced Productivity: Simplifies tasks, reduces errors, and boosts morale by eliminating frustration.‍
Empowered Teams: Unlocks the full potential of the team and technology investment, through better collaboration and improved outcomes.

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Benefits Across Operations:

Geologists: Visualise data, build accurate geological models, and make informed decisions with tools designed for their workflows.
Drillers: Empowered with mobile-friendly interfaces for efficient data collection in the field, minimising errors.
Decision-Makers: Access clear dashboards and visualisations for real-time insights without needing to be software experts.

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8. Modern Support and Post-Sales Experience

‍Dedicated Support Teams: True SaaS vendors provide specialised support teams with in-depth knowledge of both the software and mining workflows.‍
Continuous Engagement: Post-sales support includes regular check-ins, training updates, and proactive issue resolution.‍
Customer Success Focus: Vendors are invested in your success, offering resources and guidance to maximise the value of the software.‍
Rapid Issue Resolution: With cloud-based monitoring and support tools, issues can be identified and resolved quickly, minimising downtime.

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9. SaaS Culture and Vendor DNA

‍Embedded SaaS Methodology: True SaaS vendors have a culture and operational framework that is inherently SaaS, ingrained into their DNA.‍
Continuous Innovation: A mindset focused on continuous improvement, agility, and customer-centric development.‍
Alignment with Customer Goals: Success is measured by customer satisfaction and value realisation, not just software sales.‍
Inability to “Fake” SaaS: Traditional companies cannot simply decide to become SaaS overnight; it requires a fundamental shift in culture, processes, and technology.

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Addressing Common Misconceptions

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“Isn’t On-Premises Software More Secure?”

Reality: Reputable Mining SaaS providers invest heavily in security measures that often exceed what many mining operations can maintain on their own. Multi-layered encryption, intrusion detection, regular security audits, and adherence to strict industry standards mean your data is often safer in a purpose-built cloud environment.‍

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“Our Custom Software Perfectly Fits Our Needs.”

Reality: Custom software can become inflexible, expensive to maintain, and struggles to keep pace as technology and operations evolve. True Mining SaaS allows for customisation and configuration within a proven and continuously updated platform, ensuring long-term adaptability.‍

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“SaaS is Too Expensive.”

Reality: The upfront costs of custom software can be deceiving. Ongoing expenses for upgrades, patches, IT personnel, and downtime due to system updates or crashes can make it more costly over time. True Mining SaaS offers predictable pricing models and a significantly lower total cost of ownership, with payment structures that align with value realisation.‍

“What if the Internet Goes Down?”

Reality: Modern Mining SaaS solutions offer offline capabilities, ensuring that critical operations can continue even during temporary connectivity issues. Data is automatically synchronised when internet access is restored, minimising workflow disruption.‍

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“We Need Full Control Over Our Data.”

Data ownership is paramount, and reputable Mining SaaS providers offer clear data ownership policies and strict security measures to protect confidential information. Robust backup and recovery systems ensure your data is always accessible and recoverable.‍

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“Traditional Vendors Can Transition to SaaS Easily.”

Reality: SaaS methodology and operations framework are cultural and must be ingrained into the vendor’s DNA. A traditional company cannot simply decide to be SaaS; it requires a fundamental transformation in business model, technology architecture, and organisational culture.

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About CorePlan

CorePlan is an enterprise-ready Mining SaaS platform built specifically for mining companies and drilling contractors. It provides an integrated drilling operations platform to run drilling programs, manage data, and streamline workflows.

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Key Features:

‍Integrated Drilling Management: Manage everything from drill planning and earthworks management to production tracking and budget reporting.‍
Rapid Implementation and Onboarding: Quick deployment and intuitive interfaces make it easy for teams to start realising value immediately.‍
Real-Time Data Access: Access and share data seamlessly across teams and locations, all accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.‍
Customisable Dashboards: Tailor views and reports to suit specific needs without being a software expert.‍
Robust Security: Advanced security measures protect your data, with compliance to industry regulations like SOC 2 and ISO 27001.‍
True SaaS Model: Built with a cloud-native architecture and subscription-based pricing, embodying the true essence of SaaS—not just a cloud-hosted version of an older system.‍
Modern Support: Dedicated support teams provide ongoing assistance, ensuring you get the most out of the platform.‍
SaaS Culture: CorePlan’s operations framework and company culture are inherently SaaS, focused on continuous innovation and customer success.

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Learn more about CorePlan by booking a demo with us at www.coreplan.io

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What is Mining SaaS?

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