Delving gold – Why NDT data is the industry’s hidden goldmine

From paper to profit

Garcia: “Every organization has its own metrics, its own business case. In a recent case, for an oil & gas major, the metrics were all about accelerating inspections and driving down costs. This was to be achieved by way of reduced inspection times, better data accuracy, and predictive maintenance.”

However, at the end of the day, according to Garcia, the true breakthrough that the client achieved was data ownership:

“For the first time, the client had full and immediate access to their own NDT data – something that had never been possible under legacy models where third-party contractors controlled the information.”

From fragmentation to full control

Traditionally, inspection data is scattered – stored in silos, buried in paper reports, or locked away in contractor systems.

Garcia explains: “What we saw at this client is typical for the oil and gas industry: manual, paper-based inspection works stand in the way of efficiency, accuracy, and cost and time gains. The client’s paperless inspection program was aimed to do away with paper-based and error prone reporting.  A digital tool would replace fragmented and site-specific solutions with a single, scalable platform that offers client data ownership and immediate access to all data.”

“But what happened here is so much more: the client went from relying on high-level reports to having complete access to raw inspection data. It’s a transformational benefit that enables inspectors to conduct in-depth analysis over time and represents a fundamental shift to safer and more efficient operations.”

In one striking example, Garcia describes how the cleint’s inaccessible legacy data would have led to over $2 million in unnecessary repair, simply because a crack in a pipe couldn’t be traced back to its previous state.

“Now with DIMATE PACS, in such a case, the client is able to assess the damage accurately and avoid a costly replacement – because now, historical inspection data is right at their fingertips.”

The true value of NDT data is only now becoming clear

Unlocking AI-readiness with structured NDT data

Paper-based inspections don’t just slow processes – they block progress. Especially when it comes to AI adoption.

“With industry actively looking at ways in which AI can support efficient and cost-effective operations, comes the need to have large volumes of structured, high-quality data that can be used to train AI,” Garcia stresses. “But in a world of paper files and unstructured image storage, that’s just not possible. DIMATE PACS makes NDT data AI-ready.”

The client prioritized solutions that ensured data ownership, structure, and accessibility – not just functionality. Garcia and his team benchmarked multiple tools but found that DIMATE stood out: “DIMATE PACS had already proven itself in a radiographic inspection pilot. Its open DICONDE-based architecture and intuitive interface made it the clear front-runner.”

A seamless digital workflow – delivering what was needed

Garcia recalls being taken aback by the number of inefficiencies plaguing the pre-digital inspection process. The RT workflow was riddled with media breaks and prone to errors – symptoms of a system heavily reliant on manual steps. But from the start, DIMATE’s team demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges and delivered a solution that was fast, transparent, and flawlessly digital.

The shift to a digital workflow didn’t just eliminate paperwork – it fundamentally transformed the client’s capabilities. Inspection results became instantly accessible, historical comparisons could be made in seconds, and maintenance planning shifted from reactive to risk based. These changes didn’t just increase operational efficiency; they significantly improved plant safety and led to measurable cost savings.

Garcia: “DIMATE delivered beyond our expectations. The people from DIMATE knew exactly what needed to be done and simply got their teeth stuck into the job, doing and delivering what they had said. Importantly also, their interaction with the client was great: they were completely transparent regarding the process. And the result was a fully digital, error-free workflow!”

Leveraging AI

“It is safe to say that DIMATE PACS revolutionizes inspection processes: it is a critical enabler to access raw inspection data and leverage advanced technologies like AI and big data analytics. By providing refineries with access to their original raw inspection data, PACS allows for the implementation of AI-driven applications such as predictive maintenance and anomaly detection, which are essential for improving safety, efficiency, and competitiveness. With DIMATE PACS oil and gas companies are ready for future innovation in a data-driven industry.”

“What has been most interesting about the success of this program is that it teaches us that this isn’t just about going digital; it’s about finally unlocking the true value of your data and that is what makes DIMATE PACS a goldmine for the industry,” Garcia points out.

This isn’t just about going digital: it’s about finally unlocking the true value of your data

Why it matters

This case is a powerful example of how NDT data, long overlooked and underused, is actually one of the industry's most valuable assets. When structured and accessible, it becomes the foundation for smarter maintenance, lower risk, and future-ready operations.

“DIMATE PACS transformed inspection processes from being paper-based and reactive to data-driven and predictive. That’s not just efficiency – it’s a competitive advantage” concludes Garcia.

About Ashwood Advisory

Ashwood Advisory Group is a trusted partner in driving impactful business transformation. Ashwood’s consultants specialize in aligning technology, people, and processes with clients’ strategic goals to deliver measurable operational improvements and financial results. Core competencies span a wide range of services designed to empower organizations for success.

John Paul Garcia

Proven transformation executive specializing in large-scale organizational change that delivers millions in measurable value. Garcia helps organizations modernize operations, establish data-driven decision-making capabilities, and build competitive advantages through systematic transformation.

He believes successful transformation requires more than technology – it demands cultural integration, stakeholder alignment, and systematic process standardization. His approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, using pilot programs to validate approaches before full-scale deployment.

Discover your NDT goldmine. Get an instant estimate with our Calculator!

Start calculator