Automatic scanning of devices requires a higher level of sophistication. Such scans may uncover devices that need immediate attention, or they might generate lists of devices due for calibration. Some software is designed to interface with computerized maintenance management systems that track maintenance schedules and alert technicians when maintenance is due. Sophisticated software that identifies a need for instrument calibration combined with intelligent calibrators may also be able to automatically perform configurations and calibrations in a fraction of the time required for conventional calibrations. The more advanced software receives the data, organizes it into open databases, and makes it available to other applications within the organization.
Predictive maintenance is one of the key attributes of such systems.
When the software makes a prediction about the expected service life of any piece of equipment, knowledgeable decisions can be made as to when repair or replacement will cause the least disruption to production. Decisions such as run until failure, continue to run at reduced load, run until a scheduled shutdown, or repair immediately are based on highly reliable information, including the importance of the piece of equipment to the process. This approach helps focus limited resources on problems that warrant attention rather than wasting time on devices expected to continue working properly. In this way, instruments and control systems can be maintained in a high state of continued reliability. What to look for It is not difficult to obtain a communications and software package capable of accessing information generated by smart instruments, but not all software is created equal.