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How to Choose a New Software for Maintenance and Ex Inspections

A practical guide to choosing software for maintenance and Ex inspections, with a focus on compliance, inspection workflows, and long-term usability.

 

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Key Insights

Generic maintenance software often falls short for Ex inspections

Software not designed specifically for hazardous areas can struggle to support Ex requirements, making compliance harder to manage and document over time.

Compliance, inspection workflows, and documentation must be built in

The right solution should support structured inspections, defined intervals, defect handling, and traceable documentation aligned with standards such as IEC 60079-17.

Usability and long-term fit matter as much as features

Software should be easy to use for field inspectors, work offline when needed, and integrate into existing maintenance processes to ensure long-term adoption and value.

Before selecting new software for maintenance and Ex inspections, it is important to understand what actually makes a solution suitable for hazardous area operations. Not all maintenance systems are built to support Ex requirements, regulatory documentation, and inspection workflows in a practical way.

Here are 7 key considerations to prioritise when you are looking for a maintenance and asset management software for use in hazardous areas.

1 – Compliance assurance

Ensure the software includes built-in compliance tools tailored specifically to Ex inspection requirements in hazardous areas. This helps maintain regulatory compliance, reduce risk, and support workplace safety in oil and gas operations.

2 – Tailored asset management

Ensure the software provides robust asset tracking and management capabilities, including equipment hierarchy, maintenance history, and asset performance data.
The software should include standard inspection checklists and allow seamless integration of bespoke checklists, such as:
  • Hazardous electrical inspections (IEC 60079-17)
  • Hazardous non-electrical inspections (ISO 80079-36)
  • Electrical installations (IEC 60364)
  • Bespoke checklists

3 – Scheduled maintenance planning

Look for features that support efficient scheduling and execution of preventive maintenance activities, helping to minimise downtime and extend asset lifespan.

4 – Work order management

Choose software with streamlined work order management, enabling easy creation, assignment, and tracking of maintenance tasks, including Ex inspections.

5 – Mobile accessibility

Prioritise a solution that provides mobile access, allowing field personnel to perform inspections, submit work orders, and access critical data on site.
The software should support offline use on Ex-certified mobile devices, ensuring technicians can work offshore or in areas without WiFi connectivity.

6 – Easy integration

Choose a solution that can integrate with existing systems and workflows via REST API, including asset management systems, ERP platforms, and SAP.
Integration helps ensure data consistency, reduce silos, eliminate duplicate work, and improve collaboration across departments.

7 – Reporting and analytics

Select software with instant reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling actionable insights from maintenance and inspection data, trend identification, and informed decision-making to improve asset performance and safety.

Simplify your Ex inspections

SafeEx Cloud supports maintenance and Ex inspection workflows by providing a structured digital platform aligned with hazardous area requirements. It helps organisations manage inspections, documentation, and compliance activities in a consistent and efficient way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Software for Ex inspections and maintenance should support regulatory compliance, structured inspection workflows, asset traceability, and documentation aligned with standards such as IEC 60079-17. It should also be practical for field use and integrate with existing maintenance systems.
General maintenance software can be used in some cases, but it often lacks built-in support for Ex-specific inspection requirements, documentation, and compliance workflows. This can increase manual work and the risk of non-compliance in hazardous areas.
Ex inspections are often carried out in remote or offshore locations where network access is limited. Offline functionality allows inspectors to complete inspections, record findings, and sync data later without disrupting inspection workflows or data integrity.
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