5 Signs of Software Underuse in the Oil Industry (And How to Fix Them)

In the oil and gas industry, technology investments are rarely small. From enterprise-level SCADA systems to sophisticated production analytics platforms, companies spend millions on software to boost efficiency, safety, and profitability. If you’d like an overview of top solutions, check out our comprehensive oil and gas software list.

Whether it’s outdated workflows, lack of integration, or simply user resistance, the signs of software underuse in the oil industry are clear, and they can quietly drain budgets and quickly stall performance.

If you’re an operations manager dealing with underused software capabilities, a SCADA specialist struggling with software adoption and utilization, or a finance lead wondering why your software investments aren’t getting real results, you can rest assured—you’re not alone. And the problem is more common than you might think.

Luckily, so are the solutions.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 key signs of software underuse in the oil industry—and provide practical solutions to help your teams get more value from oil and gas software and improve operational ROI.

What Are the Hidden Costs of Software Underutilization in Oil and Gas?

The costs aren’t always obvious, but they are real—and cumulative. Here are a few examples of hidden costs related to software underuse.

• Direct waste: You’re paying for capabilities, modules, and licenses that go unused.
• Missed opportunities: Valuable efficiencies are lost when teams fall back on manual processes and when decisions are made using stale, outdated information instead of real-time data and insights.
• Competitive disadvantages: While you’re stuck compiling spreadsheets, competitors leveraging best practices and the latest oil and gas software efficiency tools are moving faster, smarter, and with lower overhead.

If you’re still relying on spreadsheets for critical processes, struggling with siloed data, using only basic features of advanced software, having trouble accessing key metrics or not seeing a clear path to ROI, then you definitely have a problem. Many problems actually, because a poorly utilized software stack impacts everything from daily field operations to long-term strategic planning

The good news? Once you recognize the signs, you can take steps to fix the issues behind them.

1. Relying on Spreadsheets for Critical Processes

Spreadsheets are powerful. But they’re also a clear indicator that your licensed software isn’t being used to its full potential. If your team is still using Excel to track well performance, schedule maintenance, or manage compliance data, that’s a red flag. A big one.

Common risks of spreadsheet dependency include:

• Data inaccuracies from manual entry, shared input, and version control issues
• Compliance challenges during audits due to lack of standardized tracking
• Real-time blind spots when decisions are based on outdated or siloed data
• Security vulnerabilities with files stored locally or shared via email

What to do: Conduct a quick internal audit to determine what critical operations are still managed in Excel. Then cross-reference that list with your existing software stack. Many platforms already have modules designed to handle these tasks, but most users are unaware—one of the clearest signs of software underuse in the oil industry.

Start shifting these processes into your licensed platforms. Not only will it improve accuracy and efficiency, but it will also help you improve oil field software utilization and boost your return on investment.

2. Data Existing in Multiple Systems Without Integration

One of the most telling signs of software underuse in the oil industry is siloed data. You might have SCADA systems, accounting software, compliance platforms, and geological tools, each powerful on their own but disconnected from each other, which significantly weakens both their power and utility.

Often, companies already have the APIs, native integrations, or data connectors built into their tools but never activate them. That means the full benefits of oil and gas software efficiency are left on the table.

This fragmentation leads to:

• Duplicate data entry across multiple systems
• Discrepancies (no single version of the “truth”) that cause confusion and slow decision-making
• Manual reporting that drains resources
• Incomplete visibility that blocks real-time insight

How to fix it: Review where the same data is being re-entered or reconciled across different systems. Look into integrations that streamline inputs and create unified data views. Methods like real-time data ingestion can dramatically improve oil field software utilization and reduce operational friction, for example.

3. Using Only Basic Features from Expensive Software

It’s common for teams to use advanced software as if it were a simple monitoring tool. For example, SCADA systems can be used to facilitate predictive analytics and automation—but end users only use them to watch dashboards.

Examples of unused advanced features:

• SCADA platforms with disabled alarms, underused analytics, or ignored optimization functions
• Production tools that offer forecasting, trending, and decline curve analysis—yet teams only enter daily numbers
• Asset management software with robust scheduling and lifecycle tools that never get implemented

The result? You’re paying enterprise prices for basic functionality. That’s not just inefficient, it’s another one of the top signs of software underuse in the oil industry.

What to do: Get a copy of your software’s capability matrix and compare it to actual usage. If you are using less than 50% of the features you are paying for, then it is definitely time to reassess your needs. Maybe a simpler, less expensive software will do.

4. Struggling to Access Key Performance Metrics Quickly

In an environment where delays cost money (or safety), access to real-time data isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. If your executives wait days for KPI reports, or if field teams can’t check equipment status without making phone calls, your tools aren’t delivering.

Operational indicators of this issue include:

• Board reports compiled manually each month
• Supervisors calling for status updates instead of checking a dashboard
• Regulatory data taking days to compile and validate

While these may be common bottlenecks, they’re also very avoidable. Programs designed for oil and gas software efficiency should make it easy to access, share, and act on critical metrics quickly.

How to fix it: Run a timed test. How long does it take to answer questions like: What’s today’s production rate? Which wells are in alarm? Are there overdue maintenance tasks? What’s the field uptime percentage? How many open safety events exist?

If it takes more than a few minutes, it’s time to evaluate your SCADA system’s reporting tools. Upgrading to a centralized system like those featured in CSE ICON’s enterprise SCADA article can help you get more from oil and gas software by enabling faster, data-driven decisions.

5. Failing to Demonstrate Clear Software ROI

Can you draw a line between your software investment and a measurable business outcome? If not, that’s another sign that your tools are being underused.

Modern systems should help you:

• Conduct predictive maintenance based on sensor data
• Optimize production with real-time feedback loops
• Identify inefficiencies or potential failures before they escalate

Too many teams remain in a reactive mode, responding to issues as they happen. That’s a missed opportunity to improve oil field software utilization by adopting proactive strategies.

What to do: Track KPIs such as percentage of emergency versus planned maintenance, average time from event detection to resolution, and how often decisions are made using live data versus after-the-fact analysis. These metrics reveal both your maturity level and your ROI.

How to Maximize Your Software Investment Moving Forward

If you’ve identified any of the five signs of software underuse in the oil industry, the next step is improvement—not replacement.

Here’s a simple action plan:

• Conduct a Software Audit: Map out your platforms and assess which features are in use, ignored, or misunderstood.
• Deliver Targeted Training: Move beyond general onboarding and focus on training that unlocks high-value, underused features.
• Set Software Utilization KPIs: Track improvements by measuring time saved, features used, and reductions in manual work.
• Foster Cross-Department Collaboration: Encourage IT, operations, and finance to align around how to get more from oil and gas software collectively.
• Review and Optimize Quarterly: Make continuous improvement part of your culture by reviewing usage trends and updating goals regularly.

Maximizing software isn’t about starting over. It’s about unlocking what you’ve already paid for. And when you do, the gains in visibility, efficiency, and ROI will speak for themselves.

Conclusion: The Value’s Already There—You Just Have to Unlock It

The signs of software underuse in the oil industry are easy to spot, once you know what to look for. It’s a common problem—but it’s also fixable. Whether your team is stuck in spreadsheets, ignoring key features, or failing to share data across platforms, there are clear paths forward.

By recognizing the signs, re-engaging your workforce, and aligning tools with business goals, you can dramatically improve oil field software utilization and deliver real, measurable impact across your operations.

Want help with an audit or integration strategy? Contact us below—and let’s uncover the full potential of your software stack and find ways to make it work harder for you.