Openplant Suite

I was just wanted to see if I can get some users thoughts of Openplant and if they would recommend we implement it in our office.

The work we do is predominately materials handling with some processing. in the past we've used plant space but we haven't had a requirement to use it over the last couple years. The time has come for us to look for a smart piping package and I wanted to know if we should go with Openplant.

I know this might not be the place to ask this question but all suggestions and comments are appreciated.

Thanks 

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  • Bear,

    First ProjectWise has no role when dealing with OpenPlant specifications. OpenPlant specification are part of the OpenPlant project.

    OpenPlant has the capability to run in what we term Stand Alone mode. This is simply installing OpenPlant modeler with the common workspace being managed on a file share or locally depending on how you determine to implement the product.

    OpenPlant can also be used in a component based environment. This does require ProjectWise as well as another application called OpenPlant Model Server that handles OpenPlant client requests.

    I hope that clears up the confusion a little.
  • Interesting, that's not what I had been told at a presentation. Thanks for the clarification, Peter.



  • Peter,
    So would we be able to run the whole Openplant suite in Stand Alone mode? i.e. OPPID, OPOM & OPIM along with Bentley Catalog Spec Gen and Configuration Manager which I am not sure what this does.

    Sean,
    I was thinking we could even just run the Openplant modeler for all mechanical work, its got to be more user friendly than Aecosim which is definitely not suited for our industry. I just wish you could run structural through the app.
  • AECOsim has it's place and I've used it quite successfully in quite a number of firms. Agree it's not suitable for mech, but then I'd really like to see where Bentley is with their materials handling package which is where our efforts SHOULD be going.

    As I mentioned, give Nic a call re:OpenPlant, he's pretty much the guru our way.



  • OpenPlant can be run without ProjectWise, yes. In our migration to OP I ran a number of projects like this, without any major issues. Currently most of our projects are hosted by ProjectWise, but do not use a repository. This works well as it gives me central management, easy access from remote locations and shortens project ramp-up time. There are a few issues with this, one being that we have to use i-Models for isometric generation. Currently this does not support the design state to isometric style mapping that you get with a repository.

    The bigger question is if you plan on using a repository or not (database). Part of the reason I mention this is your comment on structural; in future OP releases you should see structural use the same repository as OPM does via Plant BIM Server, and will have similar check out/in functionality (per PDF from Ian Robinson). I do not say this as an indication that you should be using a repository now, but if you take the plunge into OP it would be a very good idea to know where Bentley is going with it so you can plan accordingly.

    Do you plan on using OPPID data in your OP models? Currently this can only be done via i-Models, and IMO is a bit clunky. Hopefully this will be resolved in future releases.

    Spec Gen / Catalog Editor is the tool used to create and edit the catalogs and specs that are used in OPM/PID. Think of the catalog as the master item list and the spec as the filtered list, based on your hard-copy piping specs. Pretty much everything in OPM is spec-driven. If it is not in a spec it cannot be placed in the model, so taking time to build a very good set of catalogs is well worth it. OPPID makes use of the specs for things like valve codes and such, but does not require the specs to operate.
    I've ran into too many issues with CE/SG so I use other tools (SQL / Excel) to build the catalogs themselves. Once that is done I assign the GUID's using CE and then SG to build the specs. Essentially I try to minimize the use of this particular tool as I find it unreliable and problematic in a number of situations. Some of our specs are lengthy and complex, which is more where I see these issues.

    One thing I'll say to anyone thinking of going the OP route: Do not under-estimate this. It isn't like AutoPLANT or anything else Bentley has released before. This is a very capable tool, if it is set up and managed well. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.