Intergraph (Huntsville, Ala.; www.intergraph.com) has just released SmartPlant Construction, a new SmartPlant Enterprise software module created specifically for process, power and marine firms to more efficiently plan and manage plant, ship and offshore construction, resulting in increased productivity, accelerated project completion, and reduced risk. By seamlessly integrating engineering, procurement, fabrication and site materials, SmartPlant Construction facilitates improved work planning, efficient information exchange for better communication and enhanced engineering and construction work processes.
Using current information from various sources such as 3D models, 2D engineering tools, materials management and project control and scheduling systems, SmartPlant Construction ensures accurate and timely decisions can be made on the best available information. The software integrates all necessary information to develop precise and flexible work packages to better manage labor and materials at the work site. Effectively managing and integrating information relevant for construction helps to shorten project times, reduce costs and improve CAPEX efficiency for owner operators.
SmartPlant Construction was developed by engaging plant, marine and offshore engineering, procurement and construction industry leaders to provide industry best practice work processes. Intergraph SmartPlant Construction premier partners include companies such as Fluor, Technip, CTCI, Kiewit, Nexen, and URS Washington Division.
The overarching goal was to create an integrated next-generation information management platform necessary to keep field personnel actively engaged in advancing the project – saving time and money while increasing accuracy. Expected benefits from the use of SmartPlant Construction are:
• Improved work force productivity
• Expedited field construction (shorter project execution phase)
• Reduced CAPEX costs
• Better data exchange and communications between engineering and construction teams
• Seamless information integration between all necessary tools
• Low training costs and reduced time resulting from a simple user interface
Features include dynamic work package planning, enhanced graphics interface with the 3D model, unique “drag and drop” functionality and direct interfacing with scheduling systems. To enhance flexibility and interoperability, SmartPlant Construction is an integrated solution with an open API to accommodate 3D models and other data from popular third-party applications.
“Intergraph’s approach to the construction industry gives us great confidence that the product will be exactly what the industry needs,” says Alex Lu, with CTCI, the largest engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company in Taiwan. “Engaging several of the leading global companies in this effort shows the commitment that Intergraph has made. Intergraph understands the requirements for the industry and this understanding is paramount to ensuring the success of the product.”
Sid Snitkin, an industry analyst and vice president for ARC Advisory Group, says, “SmartPlant Construction combines proven process engineering tools with work package planning tailored to the specific needs of the construction industry. This new solutions suite is a significant industry development in controlling CAPEX costs.”
“Construction projects in today’s market have become bigger and more complex, and information from multiple systems, departments and contractors needs to be effectively coordinated and managed to execute them,” says Gerhard Sallinger, president of Intergraph Process, Power and Marine. “SmartPlant Construction is the newest example of Intergraph providing highly productive solutions for the industries we serve. No other technology provider offers such a broad and comprehensive array of industry-specialized, next-generation solutions that are able to boost productivity, speed projects and provide a competitive edge.”
SmartPlant Construction is part of Intergraph’s SmartPlant Enterprise integrated solutions suite that provides full design, construction, materials and engineering data management capabilities needed for the creation, safe operation and maintenance, and capital Project Life Cycle Management (cPLM) of large-scale process, power, marine and offshore projects. The software’s life cycle data management also enables a smoother handover for EPCs to owner operators and for owner operators to more easily maintain, refurbish or modify their plants.