2. COMOS
Effective data management
across the entire plant
lifecycle
COMOS Platform – the basis for The COMOS Platform software concept COMOS Platform is the basis for world
effective plant management. lays the foundation for effective data wide collaboration across locations of all
management and optimum application employees involved in the engineering
networking across the full lifecycle of a and operation of a plant. Plant engineer
plant or machine. ing becomes more efficient and boosts
your company’s competitiveness.
The COMOS Basic, COMOS Enterprise
Server, and COMOS View/WebView solu
tions provide innovative and service-
oriented technologies for optimizing all
aspects of plant management – from
engineering to operation.
2
3. Optimum application networking due to object orientation in COMOS
Transparency down to the last detail COMOS provides an optimum data trans The correct information is available
The integrated COMOS software concept fer between all engineering and operating for the responsible party at any time
is based on object orientation. Compo phases with continuously consistent and and place.
nents are described holistically and dis transparent data. The entire plant, right
played graphically in their true-to-life down to the individual components, can
representation. The graphical and data- be examined and further developed from
related description, which include all data a functional and interdisciplinary perspec
associated with the component, form a tive. Time and cost expenditures are Continuously consistent and trans
single unit within the database – the reduced. The object-oriented approach parent data across the entire life
object. and the central database concept of cycle of a plant.
COMOS ensure an optimum networking
The complete plant information is stored
of many individual pieces of information.
in a central database. As a result, all disci
The result is an optimally functioning
plines and departments involved in the
overall system.
engineering and operating phases always
access the same data for a given object. Open architecture – customizable
Changes to objects or documents are thus software
available to every user directly within the The open system architecture of COMOS
relevant planning document. Related data enables an optimal integration of third-
sheets, lists, and other documents are party systems. COMOS can be adapted to
linked to the corresponding objects. Easy exactly meet company-specific require
navigation between the different docu ments and can be integrated seamlessly
ment types and the individual objects is into existing EDP (Electronic Data Process
provided. All plant components are per ing) landscapes. As a result, COMOS con
fectly matched, that makes project work tributes significantly to the homogeniza
much faster and easier. tion of a company’s software applications.
3
4. COMOS Basic – the secure
basis for all engineering
phases
For effective plant management, the col tions is essential for creating the precon
laboration between the various disciplines ditions for optimum engineering pro
and departments in all engineering phases cesses.
is an ongoing activity. This requirement is
With COMOS Basic, we offer you an
increasingly important in the course of
object-oriented, database-neutral soft
globalization: Workflows become much
ware basis for cross-disciplinary and
more difficult due to international projects
cross-departmental plant management,
and worldwide locations.
whose functions will help you shorten
To maintain a competitive edge, highly your development times and implement
efficient engineering processes are indis an efficient workflow.
pensable. Integrated, consistent data
management throughout the entire plant
lifecycle and across countries and loca
4
5. Arbitrary
Object
Principle of the working layer technology in COMOS
Optimized workflow through working layer technology Intuitive user guidance
Simultaneous engineering is the simultaneous implemen COMOS Basic is based on the familiar MS Windows tech
tation of originally consecutive work steps and plays a nology and is therefore easy to understand and intuitive
decisive role in efficient plant engineering. With the inno to operate. Standard MS Windows features, such as short
vative working layer technology, COMOS Basic enables cuts and pop-up menus, the familiar drag-and-drop func
optimum implementation of simultaneous engineering. tionality, etc., are also supported in COMOS. Objects can
Working layers are different views of the same plant data. be processed in COMOS bidirectionally on data sheets as
Thus, engineering data and plant objects can be pro well as in technical drawings. This lightens the plant docu
cessed by several users in parallel, without changing the mentation as well as the easy navigation between all
original database of the plant. documents.
The implemented work steps can then easily be consoli Integrated labeling systems
dated with the original plant data and released in the as- COMOS Basic enables consistent, unique labeling of all
built status of the plant. Furthermore, the working layer managed data, thus ensuring excellent data quality. For
technology is very well-suited for running through various structuring purposes, arbitrary plant labeling systems and
scenarios in a secure environment. For example, different norms based on international standards can be used, for
planning statuses can be extensively tested and optimized. example, RDS, KKS, DIN, and ANSI. The system-internal
Multiple working layers can be created side-by-side and ALIAS function supports customer-specific labeling
compared. Simultaneous engineering secures the database requirements as well as parallel use of labeling systems.
while at the same time allowing flexibility in processing.
Simple setup of standards across disciplines and
Optimum time management shortens the time to market
departments
and ensures competitiveness.
COMOS Basic includes integrated standards across disci
plines and departments to support plant management.
Furthermore, company or discipline/department specific
standards can be easily generated without significant
effort. All defined standards may be applied by users at
any time and customized, if necessary.
5
6. Your benefits with
COMOS Basic
- apping of the whole plant life-
M
cycle on a single data platform
- onsistency and transparency
C
in data management based on
object orientation
- implified collaboration among
S
all involved disciplines and
departments
- ntuitive and user-friendly
I
handling
- eamless integration into exist-
S
ing EDP landscapes due to open
software architecture
Plant engineering across countries and locations without loss of data using a common database
Easy data sheet creation guages for purposes of global engineering. All disciplines
The creation of data sheets and lists is easy and intuitive, and users at different locations that are participating in a
just like the overall COMOS user interface. Users are given project are able to access the same plant data. This
several options for modifying individual plant objects. reduces time-consuming and data-intensive exchange
Object properties can also be adapted in data sheets, as processes and speeds up work processes. The basic config
well as in different data masks. In addition, lists and user- uration can manage the master data of a project centrally.
defined bulk queries and bulk changes can be imple Location-specific versions of the plant data can be syn
mented quickly and easily. All documents can be simply chronized with the central master database at any time.
exported to Microsoft Office or other applications, and This means that every user always has access to current
vice versa. This way, the documents can be easily made and consistent data, anywhere in the world regardless of
available, e.g., to subcontractors. the time zone. With COMOS Basic all work processes
involving different locations are optimized without addi
Document revision – secure and time-saving
tional effort.
With COMOS Basic, it is possible to make revisions in dif
ferent formats, e.g., MS Word and Adobe PDF. The soft
ware provides the option to implement controlled individ
ual or bulk revisions of centrally collected and stored data.
Various workflows are available for this purpose, which
can be preconfigured in the system for the specific docu
ment type. These workflows ensure an efficient, con
trolled project flow. The time required for revisions is
reduced to a minimum while the quality of revisions
improves.
Global engineering – worldwide teamwork
Many companies have subsidiaries and suppliers at differ
ent locations around the world. Therefore, COMOS Basic
was designed for international use and offers multiple lan
6
7. COMOS Enterprise Server –
future-proof data
management
In the age of globalization, resources The COMOS Enterprise Server makes all Automatic data exchange with other
from various disciplines that are situated data required for plant management disciplines.
in different parts of the world can work available in one central location. Project
on one plant project. Often different participants from different departments
types of software applications from dif can automatically access data of other
ferent vendors are used in these projects. disciplines and departments using the
Enormous amounts of data and informa COMOS Enterprise Server. Engineering
tion must be exchanged every day. data from COMOS is accessible to users of
Providing each project participant with other software applications, without
access to all of the relevant information at them having to possess COMOS knowl
any time and at any location poses an edge or a COMOS license on their work
immense challenge for plant management. station. Vice versa COMOS Enterprise
Server allows adapting data from external
applications, such as an ERP system, and
transferring this information for engi
neering with COMOS.
7
8. Your benefits with
COMOS Enterprise Server
- ncreased efficiency with the
I
export of resource-intensive
tasks
- utomated data transfer
A
between different software
systems
- ptimized information flow
O
during engineering
- horter engineering processes
S
as result of stable service-
oriented architecture
Optimized support for all business processes by SOA
Export of data-intensive tasks for Automatic consolidation of external Using processes and services across
increased efficiency. data from various systems locations and applications
During data transfer to the plant manage Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is the
ment, the COMOS Enterprise Server auto foundation of the COMOS Enterprise
matically checks the imported data and Server. It enables the COMOS Enterprise
integrates it once it has been released. If Server to provide encapsulated work
data are faulty or require correction, the steps to individual users. Data-intensive
release is denied and the originator is tasks that could slow down the work sta
informed. This procedure guarantees a tion of an individual user can be passed
high level of data quality as well as con on to the server. For example, the
stantly updated data. The COMOS Enter COMOS Enterprise Server can handle
prise Server secures interoperability of all large amounts of revisions of drawings
disciplines and departments involved in and data sheets. Exporting these tasks
plant management and it ensures that will free up personnel as well as their
employees can always access the verified work stations. The workflow of individual
data relevant to their area. users is not affected and work can take
place more effectively, securely, and pro
ductively. The result is a significant boost
in efficiency.
8
9. Your benefits with
COMOS View/WebView
-
Worldwide, mobile access to
relevant plant information
-
Emphasis on simple views of
engineering data
-
Entry of individual search
queries via a search mask
-
Optimization of engineering
processes through efficient
information communication
COMOS View/WebView – secure
information portal for all users
Technical plant engineering is extremely complex and COMOS View is applied in the company‘s own network.
requires work to be carried out by experts with the appro The software guarantees a fast search for secure informa
priate technical background. But persons without technical tion. COMOS View users can be easily integrated into
background also need access to important data and docu workflows and can, for example, release revisions. Thus, a
ments of an industrial plant. In addition, engineers company-wide information portal can be set up that short
involved in a plant engineering project must frequently ens and optimizes engineering processes through fast
view data on site at the construction location without pro communication.
cessing these data directly.
With COMOS WebView, plant information can also be
COMOS View/WebView provides users with navigable visu viewed outside of the company‘s own network. The web
alization of all structures, object properties, documents, server-based module provides access to all information via
and data. A search mask allows entry of individual search the Internet. It emphasizes simple views of plant data
queries to easily obtain the required information. using common standards, and facilitates access even for
participants without technical know-how. The only
requirements for rights-based access to COMOS data are
an Internet connection and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
9
10. Glossary
Object orientation in COMOS Data modeling
Object orientation is the holistic description of an existing Data modeling helps avoid inconsistencies and redundan
component and its true-to-life graphical representation. cies within the managed data and speeds up data access;
The graphical and alphanumeric manifestations within the it can be supported by stored rule sets.
database constitute a single entity – the object.
SOA (service-oriented architecture)
Data consistency Service-oriented architecture involves a business informa
Data are entered only once and are then available to all tion architecture model that provides encapsulated indi
stakeholders anytime and everywhere. Stringent inheri vidual work steps as services that can be accessed by all
tance and linkage mechanisms provide all stakeholders members of a project team via standardized interfaces.
involved in a project with access to up-to-date and consis Service-oriented architecture permits the collective use of
tent data from any location and at all times. data across departments.
Simultaneous engineering Workflow and workflow management system
Instead of handling individual development steps in A workflow (sequence of operations) is a series of activi
sequence, simultaneous engineering implements individ ties in organizational processes that has a defined start,
ual work sequences within the project in parallel. Through an organized sequence, and a defined end. A workflow
simultaneous processing of independent processes and management system is software that controls the individ
overlapping of dependent work steps with continuous ual steps within a workflow in accordance with the sched
information exchange, the product development process ule stored in the computer and provides or requests the
is accelerated. data required for this purpose.
Working layers Data integration
Working layers are overlapping views of an engineering Data integration brings information together from various
project in which work can be performed in parallel with data sources to construct a common data model with a
out manipulating the common database. They can be standard structure. In software engineering, data integra
used to version control projects (unlimited number of ver tion extends from linking different applications up to the
sions) and allow access to deeper-lying working layers as central provision of data and services on a unified user
well as creation of objects in the working layer‘s own interface.
layer. Thus, changes can first be tested and then – if
necessary – rejected and deleted.
Global engineering
Global engineering is the concurrent processing of a proj
ect, across multiple countries and time zones, by multiple
stakeholders involved in the project development. Data
can be viewed from any location around the globe and
can be edited depending on selective access authori a
z
tions.
10
11. Talks for new approaches and
new goals
Let’s tackle things together and elaborate on our claim More detailed information is available on our website at:
“From Integrated Engineering to Integrated Operations” www.siemens.com/comos
in a personal dialogue. Get in touch with us – we will be Use the opportunity to move closer to the future!
happy to answer all your queries!
www.siemens.com/comos
11
12. The information provided in this brochure contains merely The marks mentioned are registered trademarks of the
general descriptions or characteristics of performance, respective owner. All product designations may be trade
which in case of actual use do not always apply as de marks or product names of Siemens AG or supplier com
scribed or which may change as a result of further devel panies whose use by third parties for their own purposes
opment of the products. An obligation to provide the re could violate the rights of the owners.
spective characteristics shall only exist if expressly agreed
in the terms of contract.
