More details in a new White Paper (Plant Perfomance Predictive Analytics) in the Downloads page.

OLAP stands for On-Line Analytical Processing and the more common term for this is "Cubes". From this structure, one can "slice and dice" the data to present information in a multi-dimensional format. For example, if you want to see the efficiencies for various equipment, then you can use the dimensions of time (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.), the process or plant area, type of unit operation, etc.
Historians are the source of this information that will typically provide such data including averages and aggregated data. Historians though provide time stamped data in flat files, and the data needs to be extracted, transformed and loaded into these cubes. The data can be then viewed accordingly.
This data can be also combined with data from other sources to provide a true holistic and integrated view related to business, operations, maintenance, process control etc.

When it comes to engagement of PMC/SMEs for decision support or level 3 - 4 projects, the range of solutions and technologies is quite wide and deep. So, what constitutes the need for a PMC? Where is the value? What are the "must haves"?
The topic came up in a recent discussion/presentation with a major client. That is, what qualifies a company to be a PMC and who are the companies that can offer such service? Here are some thoughts.
First, why a PMC? The answer is simple. A qualified PMC should be in position to engage the required subject matter experts when and where they are needed. This eases the burden on the client to spend time looking for the right people at any given time. 
Next, the value that a PMC brings. This should be in both tangible and intangible terms. As for example, reduced cost of the project and timely delivery. It is well know that DSS projects are risky and many have experienced delays, budget overruns and unfulfilled scope and expectations. A qualified PMC should be able to identify risk areas and initiate actions to prevent these situations.
The adjacent figure is a good summary for PMC, but here is some explanation:

1. The team is the client, the vendors, the EPC and its own PMC team members. The more the PMC is known and the mote he knows the people involved, the srelationships and synergies will flow smoothly.
   
2. The PMC must know both IT and process. No time for learning curves. 
   
3. Knowing the market from the DCS suppliers all the way to the ERP vendors and whatever is between.
4. Once the suppliers are selected, these should not be unknown entities. Due diligence for new or emerging suppliers must be at least done.
5. Again, there is no time for learning curves here either.
6. The PMC must have ready made templates to use for a project. No time for discovery.
7. Same for standards. More importantly, to know the client standards and best practices.
8. A mutually agreed methodology should be used i.e. Kepner Tregoe. 
9. A Total Cost of Ownership model must be also in place, as well as the ability to calculate and validate Total value of Ownership (benefits) contributed by various solutions.
10. Last, but not least, relationships and people skills boil down to leadership. Interview the PMC members and look for the elegance, communications skills and emotional intelligence know how that it takes to establish a winning team.   

ziconNET is now a registered and approved supplier to Sabic for Project Management & Consultancy Services, as well as Process Analytics Solutions (Software suites by ChemPlant, Delevant, Insight Solutions, PPP, StatSoft & Transpara).
Thanks to Sabic SMO for their support.

An on-line demo of the Visual KPI demo is available on YouTube. The Visual KPI Designer demo is also available.
Both demos are also available on Transpara's web site. Click here to view both demos. 

December 2010 and all previous Newsletters can be viewed by clicking below:

1. December 2010
   
2. October 2010
   
3. July 2010
   

PRESS RELEASE

Easy-to-use, Cost-effective Mobile Business Intelligence Software Provides Customers with Universal Data Access on Any Mobile Device or Browser

Pleasanton, Calif. – November 22, 2010 – Transpara Corporation
Transpara Corporation, a leading provider of mobile business intelligence (BI) software, today announced that it has signed a reseller agreement with ziconNET to deliver Visual KPI to customers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets. The only solution purpose-built for delivering data to users on any mobile device or PC without coding or changing existing security requirements, Visual KPI offers a near real-time corporate data experience regardless of location or device.
“ziconNET is proud to be associated with Transpara, a company that has proven itself with customer deployments in multiple industries across the globe,” said Stelios Kentritas, founder of ziconNET. “Visual KPI is an exceptional mobile BI solution that gives decision makers the power to monitor their business performance in real time. Our joint focus with Transpara on the process, power generation and manufacturing industries allows both companies to leverage our experience with production and operations management environments to create more value for our users. We look forward to addressing similar requirements for other business sectors through our affiliated system integrator partners in the Middle East.”
Visual KPI aggregates operations, process and business information from multiple existing data sources and delivers actionable key performance indicators (KPIs), scorecards, trends and alerts to users via the desktop, laptop and virtually all smartphones and PDAs. This includes the iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Phone platforms.
Complementary to any BI or data management environment, Visual KPI software offers: 

• Ease of use – Visual KPI uses a Microsoft Excel-based tool for configuration and set-up, delivering a solution that does not require programming or significant training. 
  
• Data consistency – Whether corporate data and history is stored in regular or streaming databases, data historians, web services or external sources, it is easily captured and presented consistently on more than 400 smart phones or browsers.
  
• Cost-effectiveness – Since Visual KPI is installed on an existing server or virtual machine and requires only simple configuration to access existing data sources and devices, the IT department does not have to make any changes to their security model or maintain multiple versions of the software for each of their devices. 
  
• Speed of Implementation – Visual KPI can be deployed within one to two days – and often just a few hours. This eliminates both the time and expense of traditional data or business intelligence projects and delivers immediate value.
  
• “We welcome ziconNET to our reseller partner network as we continue to expand into new regions,” said Michael Saucier, founder and CEO, Transpara. “ziconNET’s network of subject matter experts can effectively apply Visual KPI in multiple industries to meet users’ ever-growing needs to mobilize their business data for real-time decision support.”

About ziconNETziconNET, registered in Bahrain, is a global network of project and business management consultants and subject matter experts collaborating together to help customers in the process industries meet their goals towards improved business performance and operational excellence. ziconNET combines know-how in business and process solutions, applications, related technologies and methodologies with experience and knowledge in the process industries, including oil and gas, refining, chemicals and petrochemicals.
About Transpara Corporation Transpara delivers Visual KPI, mobile business intelligence (BI) and monitoring software that provides customers in the process and utility industries with role-based, actionable key performance indicators (KPIs) on any web browser. Visual KPI presents operating information from multiple data sources to users in context and on-demand, enabling timely, informed decision making from any location. By helping users throughout the organization to monitor their asset base, Visual KPI improves performance, reduces operating costs and lowers business risk. Visit www.transpara.com for more information.
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Transpara is a registered trademark of Transpara Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Root Cause Analysis, Quality & Reliability Newsletter download and view is now available for view and/or download.

Please click below to view or download the ziconNEWS for:

1. October 2010
2. July 2010

It is now time for "real time" Business Intelligence and Decision Support. 
Thanks to smart phones and agile suppliers of Mobile Business Intelligence software, Mobile Decision Support is becoming part of the daily life for decision makers. 
Mission critical business will lead the pack moving into Mobile Decision Support by taking care of security issues and posting KPIs and Dashboards to the top managers. Mobile Business Intelligence is here to stay and the Process Industries will not stay still. It is only a matter of time that use of plant production alerts and dashboards will spread widely and be available to executive management and other production plant managers instantly, even while they are enjoying their flight going to some important meeting or while on vacation.
Chevron, a pioneer in advancements for process improvement, has been using mobile information in their plants, and companies like Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell will be the first to get plant info out of the plant and to their managers and leaders through Mobile Decision Support Systems. 


Contact us for more information regarding Mobile Decision Support.