|
|
Active Sensing, Inc. |
|
Acseni® Configuration & Data Management System |
Acseni is modeled on familiar engineering document control principles. Experienced engineers will instantly recognize Acseni’s basic configuration management functions. The system makes no artificial distinction between documents based on their form: electronic CAD files, paper drawings, software source code, photographic film, artwork, and specifications are all managed equally well, according to processes that users establish. Users can apply Acseni today to their current mix of documents, without first performing weeks of image scanning to get every document into an electronic format.
Acseni consists of a Configuration Manager and a Data Manager. The Configuration Manager applies user-defined workflow rules and environment attributes (such as document type, approval group, and design program) to document records. The Data Manager provides controlled access to electronic files created by CAD, word-processing, and other applications.
Documents are defined by a basic data element called a master. Master records are broadly characterized using various attributes ("meta-data"). Meta-data includes such things as document types (specification, assembly, schematic), part classifications (machine screw, IC, chassis), and projects (Model 373 oven, 64 Elm St. office, chemical testing procedure). Master records also contain common data elements such as drawing title or part description, document owner and creation date. Finally, master records maintain informal part-related data such as purchase price, lead-time and shelf life, and similar items.
By itself, a master record is a static description of a document. To indicate document revisions, inventory commitment stages, and effectivity dates, Acseni creates subsidiary records called variations. A variation simply reflects the evolutionary process of a specific document. Release management is implemented using workflow rules – more familiarly known as change actions – such as a deviation, engineering change request (ECR) and engineering change notice (ECN). These actions control how and when documents are issued and voided. Acseni’s role-based security system determines the user permissions to these documents.
Variations may be identified by media type (for example, B-size paper or photographic film) or location (such as file drawer 12C or J:\DRAWINGS\ACAD\). The optional Data Manager actually stores design files in the specified library directory. In addition, as related parts are ramped up or phased out, dispositioning instructions (such as "rework" or "use as-is") and associated costs (NRE, scrap, expedited delivery) can be tracked.
Users can create and manage a hierarchical list of related documents (a structure) through the same workflow procedures that they use for variation records. Acseni has two different sets of tools for moving items on/off structures. As a structure is created, the user can arrange items using various sorting criteria. Once the item lines are established and the structure is released, a different set of structure tools assists in enforcing item position rules.
Structures are useful anytime there is a need to establish relationships between documents. The capability to perform "where used" searches makes structures useful for controlling industrial plant documentation; product bills of materials (BOMs); procedures for assembly, inspection and test; and other systems that are collections of related design data.
Where physical items have a one-to-one relationship with their describing documents, Acseni permits formal control of quantities, units of measure, reference designators and/or usage notes, similar to an MRP BOM. The program also supports informal development tasks such as product cost analysis, using different options for rolling up assembly costs. A unique error-checking facility can identify duplicate and missing structure items, part/quantity mismatches, and improper inventory stage relationships. If an MRP system accepts structure data import, users can export structure relationships from Acseni using common PC spreadsheet, database, and ASCII text file formats.
Although its rules-based error checking and structure creation tools offer unique capabilities, Acseni’s flexible change actions clearly distinguish it from simple file managers and MRP "engineering" modules. Acseni offers 4 different actions that support the basic engineering document processes of deviation/waiver, change request, change proposal, and change notice. These actions may be customized by renaming, setting initial numbering, and defining approvals.
The basic change authorization process can be specified using administrator-defined
Approval rules can be further refined using sophisticated workflow rules that can incorporate document-specific, project-specific, and inventory stage-specific constraints. All change actions are available to users for on-line review. Each action’s approval groups can be assigned a particular serial/parallel approval sequence, and an approval group may have multiple authorized signers. A complete change history – including any pending changes – is always available.
Users can search for specific actions based on status (develop, comment, check, submit, clarify, reject, or accept) or seek pending actions that require their signature. Actions include fields for change reason, change class, and priority/effectivity. Preceding actions, such as deviations and change requests, may be attached to current actions to provide a complete action history. Items listed on preceding actions maybe copied to the current action with a single button click.
Although each action can have a default approval list, a more sophisticated AutoList™ command builds action approval lists automatically from administrator-defined approval path definitions. These paths can combine program, document type and inventory stage, and action type to uniquely identify how a list of related documents should be released.
The Data Manager provides a central data repository and controls access to the file library. Documents may be checked into both master and variation folders; variation folders offer additional access control after the related document has been formally released. Library files are maintained separately from the database tables, which increases performance while significantly reducing the risk of file loss due to operating system, hardware, or system errors. When the Data Manager is used with the recommended third-party viewer (purchased separately), supported file formats can be viewed while the file remains in the library. Up to 4 file viewers may also be specified, on an individual workstation basis, to cover situations where the standard viewer is not appropriate.
Technical Support for current users
ACSENI has been replaced by PDXpert Product Lifecycle Management software
Copyright © 1996-2006 by Active Sensing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information here is believed to be accurate at time of first publication. However, all product features, capabilities and prices are subject to change without notice. Acseni is a registered trademark of Active Sensing, Inc.