Intergraph SmartPlant Materials

SmartPlant Materials is integrated solution for material security management, a logistics chain, subcontractor relations and suppliers^[1].

The solution provides the platform with tool kit for joint work of all project participants:

• designers,
• purchasers,
• construction companies, etc.

SmartPlant Materials helps:

• reduce costs for project implementation,
• reduce terms of execution of works,
• increase effective management of risks,
• gives the chance to operate on a global scale for obtaining advantages on the complex highly competitive markets.

Representation of SmartPlant Materials, 2014

The SmartPlant Materials software product manages standardization:

• materials,
• sheets,
• details,
• planning features of purchases.

A system controls production and transactions on site of operation, including storage of appliances in warehouses, and finishing their distribution from the moment of initial cost estimation in a logistics chain with works management on a building site.

SmartPlant Materials represents the tool for accomplishment of all types of activity on material security management and subcontractor relations, suppliers and covers the entire period of execution of the project, focusing the user more on corporate project tasks, but not on departmental or minor functions. The modern information technologies which are the cornerstone of SmartPlant Materials provide high degree of universality, scalability, easy integration with the operating systems and technology processes.

Compliance to market requirements

Modular, created completely on the basis of web applications, the SmartPlant Materials system conforms to requirements of operating organization (O/O) and construction company for parameters:

• cutting of costs for project implementation and complete capital investments by reduction of number of the spent working time and elimination of excesses and deficit of materials;
• optimization of the diagram of execution of the project by means of integration with the systems of scheduling and cost accounting systems;
• improving competitiveness by means of reduction of time of application for project implementation, reductions of terms of execution of works and the number of necessary working time on administrative management, design, logistics, management of a logistics chain and construction;
• increase in effective management of risks in the project progress thanks to high rates on traffic control of the money allocated for the project and management of deviations;
• uniform distribution of amount of works on the project on a global scale and project implementation using exact, complete and consistent data;
• reuse of data for all life of the enterprise, including at a production phase, maintenance and upgrade;
• management of subcontracts via the module eSupplier, since a stage of planning and finishing with control of accomplishment of each point of the subcontract.

Quantitative assessment

The SmartPlant Materials software product supports function of assessment of amount of materials and the equipment from a stage of assessment and development of the main project solutions (initial stage) before detailed design and commissioning of the object.

Screenshot of the program window, 2015

Supplier Management

SmartPlant Materials proposes the solution Supplier Management (management of relationship with the supplier), a component of the module Supply Chain Management (inventory management). The user can browse statistical information on work of suppliers on the previous projects, to define and appoint selection terms of suppliers on the basis of their qualification and experience, to keep statistics on suppliers/components or equipments/products and also to keep statistics on sellers and to give them an assessment. The supplier can bring and support up-to-date information via the module eSupplier. It allows to reduce the volume of work of the construction company or the contractor spent for maintenance of relevance of information.

Competitive procedures and purchases

SmartPlant Materials supports the centralized base of storage of all data on competitive procedures and purchasing activity, provides effective management of data during the competitive procedures and all stages of purchasing activity. The secure continued access via the module eSupplier considerably reduces time expenditure by search of the suitable supplier through direct participation of all suppliers in process.

Forwarding, inspection and logistics

SmartPlant Materials provides a possibility of continuous shared access to up-to-date data to all to the interested departments of the enterprise, at the same time the saved data instantly become public and also provides reliable conducting the subsequent changes given at introduction. The third parties, for example, suppliers, transport companies or inspectors, can receive online-access to the module of forwarding, inspection and logistics far off — via the Internet.

Work progress assessment

SmartPlant Materials has function of control of credentials or control accounts up to the level of separate positions of the list of materials. It allows to carry out data collection and to create reports on the phases of purchasing activity completed at the level of separate positions on the basis of accounting codes or control accounts.

Management of material stocks and warehouses

The data obtained during forwarding using SmartPlant Materials simplify acceptance of materials and reduce time spent for it, both on territorially dispersed works locations, and in warehouses. SmartPlant Materials helps to create reports on check of completeness and integrity of the equipment (OSD). Viewing the materials based on the drawings or work documentation packages issued by the supplier reduces finance and time expenditure.

Organization of construction works

SmartPlant Materials allows a managerial personnel to optimize load of workers taking into account the predicted available amount of materials at any moment. It reduces risk of idle time for the organization and increases competitiveness.

Management of subcontracts

Control function by subcontracts is integrated into SmartPlant Materials. In its structure planning, use of the eSupplier portal, a request for the price offer (RFQ) and all types of activity executed after signing of the contract.

This function contains in itself control facilities of a status of works on each subcontract. The strategy of the conclusion of subcontracts allows to manage effectively details and competitive procedures using the software product including all necessary functions for the conclusion of the subcontract. Work with subcontracts is carried out on a centralized basis, with a full integration of all fields of activity and departments. It allows teams of specialists to cooperate more effectively in the course of design, purchases and constructions.

Modules for optimization of technology process

The module eSupplier can be used by subcontractors and other participants of process, in particular — suppliers of materials. Remote registration in the system of any supplier is possible. Answers to the questions which are specially picked up for specific type of a business activity allow the organization to select business partners more effectively. The module eSupplier covers all types of activity necessary for registration and certification of the companies, including RFQ, submission of applications for participation in the project and providing documentation, pronouncement of the relevant decisions and also daily administration of subcontracts. The module also gives an assessment to work progress and allows to accept customer accounts about payment.

The module of integration of design and logistics visually represents a current status of any material used during project implementation, allowing to avoid accumulation of excesses of materials or delays because of their deficit. The module of inventory management gives an opportunity of mutual information exchange between suppliers, subcontractors, producers and transport companies. The module of management of construction works maintains balance between the number of personnel on site of works and available materials and also in the shortest possible time directs materials to places of their storage.

Notes