Scott Mackenzie interviews Leandro Escobar from Time Now, a Brazilian consulting firm expanding in the US, at the Xcelerate 2025 conference in Austin, Texas. Leandro discusses the firm's AI-driven solutions, including their large language model, Keno, and project management tool, Time Connect. Time Now offers consulting services for asset management, reliability, and project management, helping clients with criticality assessments, training, and technology integration. They also provide temporary skilled labor to address industry shortages. Leandro emphasizes the importance of bridging generational knowledge gaps and leveraging AI to improve industrial asset management and reliability.

Action Items

• [ ] Visit Time Now's website at www.timenowglobal.com.


• [ ] Connect with Leandro Escobar on LinkedIn.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast

• Scott Mackenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, highlighting its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.


• Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners and thanks them for their support, emphasizing the platform's celebration of industry professionals.


• The podcast is broadcasting live from Xcelerate 2025 in Austin, Texas, showcasing problem solvers and innovations.


• Scott MacKenzie introduces Leandro Escobar, a problem solver and former neighbor, to the conversation.

Leandro Escobar's Experience at Xcelerate 2025

• Leandro Escobar shares his positive experience at the conference, mentioning insights on AI and machine learning in asset management.


• Leandro discusses the importance of understanding market trends and positioning companies ahead of the competition.


• Scott MacKenzie clarifies the difference between large and small language models, with Leandro explaining their role in reliability and training technicians.


• Leandro mentions their AI-based tool, Keno, which uses historical data to support clients in project and asset management.

Overview of Time Now and Its Services

• Leandro provides an overview of TimeNow, a large consulting engineering firm in South America, now expanding in the US.


• Time Now started as a project management consulting firm and has grown to include engineering, asset management, and reliability tools.


• The company supports clients from the beginning of a project's life cycle to its commissioning, covering all aspects of asset management.


• Scott MacKenzie asks if Time Now's services are more suited for Greenfield projects or existing manufacturers, with Leandro confirming they support both.

Consulting and Technology Solutions by TimeNow

• Leandro explains that Time Now offers consulting services, including program management and asset management support for existing clients.


• The company partners with Fluke Reliability to provide training and support for clients implementing their solutions.


• TimeNow helps clients revise their equipment criticality, hierarchy, and response plans, and integrates real-time monitoring sensors.


• Scott MacKenzie inquires about TimeNow's technology solutions, with Leandro mentioning their AI-based tools like Keno and Time Connect.

AI and Technology Integration in Time Now's Solutions

• Leandro describes Time Connect as a project management and shutdown planning tool that integrates schedules from different sources.


• The tool provides a one-page report for better management of interventions during shutdowns.


• Time Now's AI tools include large language models and statistical neural networks for improved planning and scheduling.


• The company also invests in startups to bring innovative software solutions for shutdowns and equipment health monitoring.

Future Prospects and Business Model for TimeNow

• Leandro discusses the importance of providing skilled experts to clients, especially in the current market with a shortage of maintenance and project management professionals.


• TimeNow sees opportunities in both new investments and renovations, where their expertise and technology can add value.


• The company aims to help clients with temporary peaks in maintenance and project management needs, providing both expertise and technology solutions.


• Scott MacKenzie and Leandro discuss the importance of bridging the gap between generations in the industry, with Time Now helping clients transition knowledge and experience.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Leandro provides contact information for Time Now, including their website and LinkedIn profiles.


• Scott MacKenzie wraps up the conversation, emphasizing the importance of connecting with organizations like TimeNow for asset management and reliability.


• The podcast concludes with Scott MacKenzie promoting the Industrial Talk Podcast Network and encouraging listeners to reach out for more information.