DAD is a digital application for the lifetime asset management of systems such as Power, Control and ICT. So we begin by defining –
System
A set of interconnected devices performing the complex (often software based) functions required to operate an asset or plant.
System Information Model (SIM)
A set of interconnected digital objects describing the physical make up and functions of a system
The SIM is fundamentally different to the current system documentation.
| SIM | Documentation |
| A set of interconnected digital Objects describing the devices, connections and functions of a system | Large quantity of individual files |
| Simply looking in the model brings you the data | Finding data is labour intensive and error prone |
| Data can be edited instantly | Editing, checking, and issuing documents is slow, labour intensive and requires special skills |
| Edits are clash detected | No equivalent |
| Edits are recorded in the Object history | No equivalent |
| In design, construction and operations all teams work on the same real system. The SIM lets them work seamlessly. | Design, construction and operations independently create documents. There is no shared common view |
| The SIM acts as a “a single live stream of data” connecting teams along the life of a system | The documentation is “a growing number of stagnant data pools” |
| Lifetime asset management is simple. | No equivalent |
| Real work is recorded in the Object history | No equivalent |
| The current state of the system is always available in the model | No equivalent |
| Data improves over time as lessons are learnt | Documentation always deteriorates over time |
DAD replaces documentation with a digital model. It brings huge benefits to the owners of power, control and ICT systems.
We call the digital model a System Information Model (SIM). You can explore any real system in a SIM:
- discover the functions it performs and how it does each one
- start with cabling and probe down to individual terminations
- start with fibre optic cable and probe to find the data carried in each fibre
- find how to isolate a device and see what else may be affected
You can manage systems better for their life:
- you can design a new system or “as build” existing ones by creating a SIM
- you can specify and manage every work activity to deliver or modify a system
- you answer site queries and to record site changes
- you can record all tests, all repairs and routine maintenance on the system.
The SIM has a detailed history. Users can be held responsible for their work.
Lifetime cost and risks of ownership are significantly reduced.
DAD is both practical and proven.
DAD should be a first step for organisations working to converge IT/OT.