york laboratory information systems restructuring proposal

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York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal IEM 5303 Term Paper Fall 2000 Chris M. Forth Senior Project Engineer York International

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York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal. Chris M. Forth Senior Project Engineer York International. IEM 5303 Term Paper Fall 2000. Overview. Background Problem Current Practices Alternatives Solution Evaluations Proposed Solution Future Considerations. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring

Proposal

IEM 5303

Term Paper

Fall 2000

Chris M. Forth

Senior Project Engineer

York International

Page 2: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Overview• Background• Problem• Current Practices• Alternatives• Solution Evaluations• Proposed Solution• Future Considerations

Page 3: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

York - Norman Operations• Commercial AC & heating

manufacturer• UPG Division Headquarters• 539,000 sq. ft.• 25,000 Employees• Mfg. in 6 countries• Design Center• Laboratory test facilities• Since 1971

Page 4: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Background (1)

• The York-Norman Laboratory is comprised of various individual test groups which generate or require the following types of data in the process of testing commercial air-conditioning equipment:

• Psychometric Data (heating and cooling).

Page 5: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Background (2)

• Heating Data (Gas and Electric).• Model Shop.• Each of the above generate the

following generic data types:• Live Data.• Historical Electronic Data.• Historical Hard-copy Data.

Page 6: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Problem• The current laboratory information

systems consist of multiple software products, located on multiple networks in various locations, in various formats, that prevents timely and accurate data accessibility, which ultimately lengthens the product design cycle for the Unitary Products Group of York International.

Page 7: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Current Psychometric Practices (1)• Psychometric Group utilizes an outdated

DOS-based data logging program (FIXDMACS), purchased in 1989.

• Operates on a “stand-alone” DOS-based Novell network.

• Can not be upgraded.• A large amount of historical hard-copy

data.

Page 8: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Current Psychometric Practices (2)• No ability to support remote “live”

viewing of data.• Limited data output saved as an

exported *.prn file only.• A large amount of “non-

convertible” electronic data.• Uses a Quattro Pro Interface for

viewing only.• Considerable time & $ spent on

maintenance of system.

Page 9: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Current Gas Heat Practices (1)

• Currently utilizes a software product call LabVIEW.

• Purchased in 1998.• Windows based, configurable.• Data output saved as a *.xls

and *.txt files.

Page 10: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Current Gas Heat Practices (2)

• Resides on a dedicated Gas Heat network.

• A large amount of hard-copy legacy data.

• Not currently configured for “live” viewing of data.

Page 11: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Current Model Shop Practices (1)

• Requires information in the form of engineering part and assembly drawings (no numerical output data).

• Engineer prints out hard copy drawing from CADKEY or Pro Engineer, physically delivers to the model shop.

Page 12: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Current Model Shop Practices (2)

• Model Shop technicians fabricate sheetmetal and copper pieces, then assemble pieces into prototypes used for testing.

• Model Shop archives the hard copy test data including drawings.

• Limited training and / or hardware available to take advantage of electronic formats.

Page 13: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Solution Goals (1)

• Integrate all data types (live, electronic, hard-copy).

• Minimize capital expenditures.• Utilize existing, licensed

software whenever possible.• Offer the potential of remote

data access.

Page 14: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Solution Goals (2)

• Utilize “plain vanilla” software whenever possible.

• Allow for future expandability.• Must have export capability to

MS Excel.• Utilize in-house resources and

skills wherever possible.

Page 15: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Live Data Alternatives• Replace the existing DOS-based

FIXDMACS system with LabVIEW running on a Windows NT network for the psychometric rooms.

• Upgrade the existing FIXDMACS system for the psychometric rooms as much as possible and continue utilizing the other systems as is.

• Do nothing

Page 16: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Electronic Data Alternatives

• Utilize LabVIEW by programming an application that would first import the *.prn file and then export a *.xls file.

• Write a custom Visual Basic program to do the same.

• Do nothing and continue to import files as needed.

Page 17: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Hard-copy Data Alternatives

• Utilize “OCR” (optical character recognition) via scanning.

• Create a MS Access database of the “test request” tracking numbers.

• Hand key critical data into an MS Excel spreadsheet.

• Do nothing, leave the current manual system as is.

Page 18: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Live Data Solution Evaluations - 1

• The “do nothing” alternative provides no integration benefits and consequently results in excessive cost due to the high maintenance requirements (~$45,000/year)

• Upgrading the existing system provides only marginal benefits due to the systems DOS-based requirements.

Page 19: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Live Data Solution Evaluations - 2• LabVIEW operates on a Windows NT

network and offers an inexpensive client-based viewer for remote, “live” data access. It also has an established user base, site license, customizable, direct export capability to MS Excel which can be automated and “virtual instrumentation” which has the potential to significantly reduce hardware cost.

Page 20: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Electronic Data Solution Evaluations (1)

• The “do nothing” alternative provides no integration benefits and consequently results in excessive cost due to the high maintenance requirements.

• Writing a custom Visual Basic program would required in-house program training or the expense of an outside consultant.

Page 21: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Electronic Data Solution Evaluations (2)

• Writing a custom application within LabVIEW would allow for software standardization, utilize in-house resources experienced with the graphical “G” language and minimize cost by utilizing licensed software.

Page 22: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Hard-copy Data Solution Evaluations (1)

• The “do nothing” alternative provides no integration benefits and consequently results in excessive cost due to the high maintenance requirements.

• Utilizing OCR would require an estimated 139 days and ~$40,000.

Page 23: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Hard-copy Data Solution Evaluations (2)

• To hand-key selected data would require even longer than the OCR solution.

• Creating a MS Access database of only the “test request” tracking numbers results in minimal cost, utilizes in-house resources / skills, allows for “ad-hoc” query capability as well as remote access when properly configured.

Page 24: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Live Data Proposed Solution

• Due to the availability of a thin-client viewer and its existing in-house experience base, LabVIEW would be the best choice for viewing live data.

Page 25: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Electronic Data Proposed Solution

• Due to its existing user base and its existing in-house experience base, LabVIEW would be the best choice for the creation of a customized applications that would import the existing *.prn files and then export them as a formatted *.xls files.

Page 26: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Hard-copy Proposed Solution (1)

• Due to its existing user base and experience, limited data input requirements and minimal cost, the creation of an MS Access database of “test request” tracking numbers would be the best choice integrating the historical hard-copy data.

Page 27: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Historical Hard-copy Proposed Solution -- Note

• Note:

This solution would also require the manual reconfiguring of the existing hard-copy files in order to be effective.

Page 28: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Future Considerations• Investigate utilizing ISO 10303 (I.e.

STEP) for all design and test data storage. – allow for a standardized, vendor

independent, long-term storage format that has the potential to further reduce the product design cycle.

– Pro Engineer currently offers STEP export capabilities also has the ability to store information via its product data management module (PDM).

Page 29: York Laboratory Information Systems Restructuring Proposal

Question / Comments?

• Send an email to:• Chris M. Forth• [email protected] (work)• [email protected] (home)