Export and Import functionality

With the Export and Import functionality, you can exchange objects between different Asset Strategy Optimization environments.

Export or Import settings

Settings for Export/Import are specified at System Options, and are described in a separate section. To access these options, click System Options.

Exporting or Importing Objects

The Export/Import functionality offers the following:

• Writing objects from an Asset Strategy Optimization environment to a physical file

• Reading objects to an Asset Strategy Optimization environment from a physical file

The matrix below summarizes what can be exported or imported, and from where.

Note: FMECA Systems can only be exported or imported from within the left panel of the window.

Exporting and importing is done from and into two file formats. The first file format is the record set, with .Opt+ as its extension. The second file format is Microsoft Excel, with .xls (Office 97-2003) en .xlsx (Office 2007+) as possible extensions. As a user, you should be aware that the import and export of Excel files is considerably slower than the import and export of record set files.

Because Excel files can be manipulated by the user, the import and export from and into Excel files is not supported by Asset Strategy Optimization.

Note: By default the Excel export will use extension .xlsx . To export to .xls format, remove the last  'x', to get extension .xls. Asset Strategy Optimization will now automatically use the Office 97-2003 format.

FM library versus FMECA screen

FM Library structures can be imported and exported just as in the FMECA screen. As FMECA screen structures differ from those in the FM library, a structure exported from the FM library cannot be imported directly to a FMECA structure (or vice versa). Asset Strategy Optimization will issue a warning if the imported structure does not match the target position.

Tip: The import and export operations for the FM library is quite similar to that of the FMECA screen. The import and export files have the same extension, and cannot easily be distinguished. It is therefore advised to store exported FM library structures in a different folder than FMECA structures. Another tip would be to include a tag in the name of the exported structure to designate its origin (e.g. Bicycle_FMlib.opt+).

Export

Note: The option Export is not available until an object (not a folder!) is selected on the left side of the screen.

To export to a file, proceed as follows:

1. Select the object to be exported. The objects that can be selected for exporting are described in the Introduction to the section on Import/Export.

2. Launch the Export window by selecting the "File > Export/Import > Export" menu options. Use the icon in the menu as an alternative.

   The Export wizard appears.
   
   
   

   The export wizard

   By default, the File name field will display the folder as defined in the option menu (Extra > Options > Export/Import). The file name is the name of the System being exported. The default format is Opt+.

3. If you want to choose a different folder, a different name, or a different format (i.e. Excel), press the Browse button. Choose the format by choosing a different file type in the field Save as Type.

4. Optionally, set the checkbox called Include related simulation models within the export.

   The option for including the related simulation models in export is appears only if you have selected an FM system to export. By default, the checkbox is not selected so that only the FMECA system is exported. Simulation models are not included. By selecting this option, all related (linked) simulation models will be included in the export. This means you keep this data and the link to the models. As multiple simulation models and result sets can be linked to a FMECA system, the performance and speed of the export may decrease drastically if you choose to include this data in the export.

5. In the File information field, the properties are listed that describe the object included in the export file.

6. Select Export to export the selected object.

   When the export is complete, the Export Wizard will close.

Import

To import a file, you must first select the object whose sub-object the object to be imported is going to be. Asset Strategy Optimization has a fixed set-up for which objects can be sub-objects of another object. Therefore, the following restrictions apply:

• FM folders can be imported into the root or into an FM folder of the FM Library.

• FMECA systems can only be imported into an FM folder in FMECA Systems.

• Serial and parallel subsystems can be imported under Systems, and Serial and Parallel Subsystems.

• Parts can be imported into FM folders of the FM Library, Systems, and Serial and Parallel Subsystems.

• Simulation models can only be imported into Simulation Models.

To import a file, proceed as follows:

7. Select an object under which an object from an import file has to be imported.

8. Launch the Import window by selecting "File > Export/Import > Import". Use the icon in the menu as an alternative. Asset Strategy Optimization will open the Import wizard window.
   
   
   

   The import wizard

9. Click Browse and navigate to a folder where the file to be imported is located; choose the proper file extension (*.opt+ or Excel; both .xls and .xlsx formats are supported). The file and detailed information can help you decide whether this is the desired model.

10. Click Import. Asset Strategy Optimization will import the model. It will appear underneath the selected object. Note that mapping may be necessary (see below).

    Note: In order to map any effects on business objectives and/or cost categories, you will have to initiate a separate procedure for this in Asset Strategy Optimization. Please refer to the Understand the mapping during import.
    - The Object type indicates where the object will be imported into. In the example above the object can only be imported to an FMECA-tree as the Object type indicates. Objects that are only suited for import into the FM Library will have an Object Type with value  FMECA Library.

Important: Importing tags to the FM-library: It is possible to disable the use of tags in the FM-library. If disabled, then tag information during an import will be ignored all-together! See also: GUI Settings in Asset Strategy Optimization.
- FM Library - using the media library FL21 information is currently not included in imports or exports.