DIS importer - Direct Input Sheet

The DIS importer is an extension to the Asset importer that allows for the import of a maintenance concept through an Excel sheet. In addition to the asset importer the DIS features the possibility to import fail causes and maintenance. The DIS template sheet is hierarchically flattened, i.e. each row represents one or multiple object levels. The DIS Importer can be configured for authorization, see Authorization.

Also, the field set of the DIS importer is different. The DIS importer contains fewer fields and is limited in the ways one can build an asset structure. Also, the ‘create dummy’ functionality does not exist in the DIS importer.

Example

The DIS Importer requires a flattened format as input format. In this structure a complete structure is defined in one row. Following is an example structure that will be used to explain the corresponding flattened format in an Microsoft Excel file.

Tip: To create a useful structure, consider including at least one FBM action, since this is required to at least show the risk matrix information. Then consider adding CBM and/or UBM actions on top of the FBM action. See also: Maintenance.

The FMECA tree below contains three systems, each with their own parts, components, etc.

If we converted this structure to a DIS import Excel sheet, it would look like the one below. The three images below in reality represent one long image that is cut into three parts to improve readability. The structure can be subdivided into the following elements:

• System

• Part

• Component

• Failure cause

• Maintenance strategy

• Follow-up maintenance

The column names will probably make sense, nevertheless please find an overview of the columns and their description below, including an example value for each column where possible:

The following fields require a value to be filled in. If there is no value, use 0 as a default value:

• MTTF_year

• Maint_duration_hours

• Maint_interval_Frequency_weeks

• Maint_Total_cost

• Follow_Maint_Duration_Hours

• Follow_Maint_Total_Cost

  Note: If you enter values, for example, in Asset Strategy Optimization, then this will result in a warning. If you continue, those values will be ignored.

What does the DIS import do in Asset Strategy Optimization?

The DIS importer, in essence, does two things:

1. Add non-existing structures to the indicated system level

2. Append non-existing sub-structures to structures that do exist already

This works as follows:

The DIS importer will search for a unique combination of a tag number and its description field, on a system level. If no such combination is found, then the DIS importer will create this new structure at the level the DIS import was initiated. If the DIS importer does find this combination, it will create the non existing elements of the underlying sub structure under the found combination.

While looking at the underlying structure, the same principle is followed: at the level of the part the DIS importer looks for the unique combination of tag number, description and function . If this combination is not found, it will be created. If it is found, then the non existing sub structure elements will be created underneath the found combination. This is similar for the component.

The mandatory column fields are: A, B, C, D, F, G, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, Y and AA. In case there are no values available for one of these fields, use a 0.

Possible issues

The DIS import wizard

The DIS import works through a wizard. The steps are explained below. Het is important to have a DIS import template available. A default template is included with the Asset Strategy Optimization install.

3. Start the DIS import: Select the (sub) system on which you want to execute the DIS import, then select File > Export/Import > DIS import.

   The initial screen of the DIS import is an introduction screen appears.

4. Click 'Next'
   
   

5. Click'...' and select the import file that you want to use.

6. Select 'Open' to open the file, then 'Next' to continue.

7. Optionally, you can open a template to create a new DIS import file.
   
   

8. Validate the structure. The screen displays the errors found in the Excel sheet.

   You must resolve these errors before proceeding.

   

9. Overview DIS Structure - Check the structure that the wizard compiled from the flattened format of the Excel file. If satisfied, click 'Next', or press 'Previous' to correct any mistakes and repeat the previous step.

   
   

   Conversion log. During reading of the import file, the template is checked against a few rules. The results of these checks can be qualified as a warning or as blocking error:
   
   Warning:
   A warning allows you to continue the import, but values will be ignored. An example is a lookup list such as maintenance effect. When a value can not be found, the maintenance action field is not saved.
   
   Error:
   When a problem results in the importer not being able to save a value, then this object is ignored. For example, if a maintenance type (strategy) is unknown, the maintenance action can not be saved. The import continues with the next record.
   
   Critical error:
   When a problem occurs during the import, for example during a critical read error on the file you are importing, then the import process is cancelled and the wizard stops with the error report.

10. With the 'Excel export' button, you can export a list with conversion results to Excel. Start the import with the 'Save' button.
    
    

11. Finalizing the DIS import. The final dialog that shows after saving the maintenance concept shows an overview of the results of the import. In case if these warnings were displayed, then those warnings will appear in this dialog. It is possible to export the results of the DIS import to Excel through the 'Excel export' button.
    
    

12.  Click the 'Finish' button to close the DIS import.

The DIS import can be performed multiple times on the same FMECA system. For example, when you have added a previously missing value to the lookup lists or when you want to add more information. Information that was important during an previous session or information that you manually changed will be overwritten.

NOTE: Not all warning have to be relevant for your import.
- The DIS import assumes that you work with a specific set of setting for (mainly) free fields.
- It is possible to ignore for example warnings on free fields mapping and still have a successful import of your maintenance concept.
- In many cases, when a column in your Excel sheet contains a date- or text value, you can leave that cell empty if you want. Asset Strategy Optimization will map this cell to the default value of that specific field.
- For columns that contain numbers you can use a 0 if you want to keep that specific cell empty. Leaving a numeric cell empty will always result in a warning about an invalid value.

Special situations

During the import, Asset Strategy Optimization will automatically try to convert data. In some situations this may lead to unexpected results, e.g. when the 'OS culture' that has been set in Excel is different from the one set for Asset Strategy Optimization. An OS culture includes the region and language settings in Windows, responsible for defining how date-time fields are displayed.

Examples:

• Date field (dd-MM-yyyy  vs.   yyyy/MM/dd). This can cause 5-2-2015 to be interpreted as February 5, but also as May 2

• Fractional numbers, where on one end the period is used and on the other end a comma as delimiter  => ( 1,000,000.23   vs. 1.000.000,23  )

  NOTE: If an unintended OS culture is set, then an imported  number of for example '5,5'  could be stored as '55', because Asset Strategy Optimization would ignore the comma as it was expecting a period.

You are advised:

• To perform a check on the OS-culture settings in both Excel and Windows

• Perform an end-check to assess whether any of the above situations has occurred, and correct this if required