Plants designed with document deliverables in drawing format only carry the increased costs associated with keeping the drawings up to date, or worse, increased downtime if this is not done properly.
Designs done within a computerised database application ensure that changes (i.e. tag changes) only have to be made in one place and all associated documents are updated simultaneously, thus minimising plant downtime and cost throughout the plant life cycle.
During the last ten years the market has moved more towards these systems due to pull from end-users realising the cost advantages and faster delivery through a shorter EPC process.
Today, industry pressure has forced software design houses to offer a total EPC approach that is faster and more efficient than before. The only way to achieve this is through database applications that provided the following benefits:
• Information can be accessed and edited by all users (provided they have the administrative rights) from a central database.
• PLC code and scada graphics can be designed faster via user tools.
• Documents, lists and reports are generated automatically from the database.
• More accurate design means faster commissioning and handover.
• The impact of design changes can easily be assessed by accessing various lists and reports indicating spare capacity of cables, cores and terminals.
• New changes can be made immediately with a full understanding of cost implications.
DesSoft supports its customers in this regard through its suite of software tools for hookups, datasheets, built in report design, racking and routing, cable block diagrams, auto-generation of loop and termination diagrams and template style diagrams in formats like DWG and VSD.
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