The SIMEK Facilities Management (FM) Project Blog

Location Of ARCHIBUS/FM V15 Database In Your Hard Drive

Admin — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 06:47:07 +0000

This post is another post compiled from SIMEK techblog for consolidation.

If you want check where is your database for sybase is located in your localhost, you can check inside c:\program files\afm15\projects\hlb or c:\afm15\projects\hlb (this location you have been set on which drive when you install the ARCHIBUS/FM V15)

When the database is running, there will be a small SQL icon on your taskbar :

Here are the details about the runtime sybase:

When this happened. It means that the single-user database is working properly. Now you can access all the database inside ARCHIBUS/FM V15.

How To Create A Default Database In ARCHIBUS/FM V15

Admin — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 06:28:06 +0000

This post was originally written on one of our technical blog. We decided to consolidate into this blog since this blog receives more web traffic.

1. Open ARCHIBUS/FM Application on the desktop.

2. Select File -> Project -> New..

3. Fill the table with some information about the project.(make sure to select a single user)

4. Then select ‘Create Project’.

5. This project only can run in single user.If you want to run with multi-user, you need to have a Sybase licensed.

Here some information about Adaptive Server Anywhere :-
ARCHIBUS/FM 15 works with Adaptive Server Anywhere 7.0.2 , 8 or 9.0 Adaptive Server Anywhere (ASA) comes in the following versions :

Single-User

The single-user is a personal server that you install in a single-user configuration. This is a “runtime” version of the Sybase server, which allows full access to your database data.This version is appropriate for most single-user configurations of ARCHIBUS/FM for Sybase.
The single-user server ships on the ARCHIBUS/FM CD with all copies of ARCHIBUS/FM. The ARCHIBUS/FM Setup program installs this server in the \Afm15\Wsql directory.Since it is a standard component, the installation of the Single-User server is covered in Readme.doc.

Single-User/Authoring Server

The Single-User/Authoring server is also a personal server. However, it provides the following additional features that make it appropriate for sites that are making changes to their schema or that are creating a new schema:

It supports the use of the ALTER TABLE and CREATE TABLE SQL statements so that you can create new SQL tables. As such, the ARCHIBUS/FM Update Schema command is enabled when you use the Single-User/Authoring server.
It supports the use of stored procedures and triggers. Several ARCHIBUS/FM features, like archiving work orders and work requests, operate slightly differently in the Single-User version of ARCHIBUS/FM in order to avoid using the stored procedures and triggers allowed by the Single-User/Authoring and Multi-User versions of Sybase.
You purchase the Single-User/Authoring server separately from the ARCHIBUS/FM
program. It comes on its own CD and you install it using its own Setup program.
For installation instructions for the Single-User/Authoring server, see /Afm15/Doc/Advanced Installation Techniques.pdf.

Multi-User Server

The Multi-User server has all of the features of the Single-User/Authoring server, but it also allows multiple users to access databases simultaneously. Sites that have multi-user versions of ARCHIBUS/FM use this server.
The Multi-User database server program includes the customization features found with the Single-User/Authoring server. However, ARCHIBUS, Inc. suggests that you use the Single-User/Authoring version of the server to make any schema modifications because:

Adaptive Server Anywhere running under some types of network software uses a great deal of system resources when you perform schema modifications.

You will always want to test your changes locally before posting them to your multi-user production environment.

A copy of the Single-User/Authoring server is included with each multi-user version of Adaptive Server Anywhere.

You purchase the Multi-User server separately from the ARCHIBUS/FM program. It comes on its own CD and you install it using its own Setup program.

The Role of Facilities Manager

Admin — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:34:46 +0000

According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), a facilities manager is define as “A profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.”

While reading through a local newspaper, I found a job opening for a Facilities Manager at one company. Here are the jobs description that they have outlined to become their facility manager:

To formulate and implement strategies for Facilities Department to meet plant objectives for production, cost, ESH and volume ramp.
Manage new factory facilities installation and overseeing all requirements to be able to support operations of production machines.
Manage periodic maintenance of facilities machines, equipment and instruments supporting the Production floor including clean room to attain consistent quality outputs.
Liaise with Production during plant breakdown and manage trouble shooting and rectification on a timely schedule
Liaise with Production for plant upgrade or rearrangement, design plant layout with maximum space utilization and provide completion as scheduled.
Design, install, operate and/or maintain all facilities equipment, instruments and channels inclusive of power substation, air compressors, water and process gas supply channels, air conditioning systems, cooling towers, boilers, etc, (if it is not outsourced).
Liaise and network with TNB, JBA, DOSH and other relevant authorities and suppliers to attain sufficient and consistent uninterrupted quality supply.
Oversee Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) program & develop plant wide strategy to implement, educate and enforce ESH policies, rules and regulations in compliance to local and corporate standards.

External and academic requirements:

Degree in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering or equivalent with experience in the same field
Minimum 7 to 10 years experience in M&E works preferable from an electronic or electrical manufacturing environment. Competent in project management an added advantage
Strong technical knowledge of electrical and mechanical applications.
Experience in various TPM, 5S, Kaizen and CIP Programs
Computer literacy is a must.
Written and verbal proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Good listener and trainer with strong people management skills and leadership quality.

We find that Facilities Manager is quite a high pressure and a demanding job. However with the right knowledge and tool set, a facilities manager’s task could become much more easier and efficient. Using ARCHIBUS/FM solution would be the most preferred choice.

Another 5 Useful Tips When Using AutoCAD (Part 2)

Admin — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 04:37:49 +0000

Here’s part 2 of useful tips when using AutoCAD.

Be Organized
As a working person, your computer will definitely filled up with files and folders created to get the job done. Navigating through folders in Windows can be a daunting task. To make things worse, your files are scattered all over your hard drive plus some of your network drive.
Learn about how to use the fundamental windows or do what I do, make a folder on your desktop about a particular project. Once the job is done, drag and drop the files into the folder and stash is away in another folder in My Document for archive. Make use of MSN Toolbar, Google Desktop or any other searching software and make sure the files are written in keywords for easy search in the future.
Use External References
If you are working in teams of designers, put the geometry you need in one file. Everyone can then create new files which externally reference to that file. The result is, multiple people can work on the same project at the same time. You use the XREF command to place one drawing inside another. You can also use Design Center to insert external references.
Learn How to Use Dimension & Text Styles
To define text fonts that you use in your drawings, use the STYLE command. To define how dimensions look use the DIMSTYLE command. If you don’t use dimension and text styles, you spend a great deal of time tweaking each and every dimension and text block you create. If you define a style changing the style updates all the text and dimensions.
Always Make A Back Up All The Time
Making a back up is crucial just in case something bad happen such as power cut, hardware crash or any other software and external cause. If you don’t know how your drawings are being backed up, learn and figure about it right now. Every drawing is a work of hundreds or thousands of man hours. A lost, deleted or corrupt drawing file can mean lots of lost revenue. Small designs shops/firm using AutoCAD are the worst offenders. They rarely back up and they often lose data. You need to back up in such a way that you can go back four or five versions of your drawing, because often problems in a drawing aren’t noticed for a long time. So many lines, so little time . . .
Find Out What Other Folks In the Office Do
Find out what other people is doing. Don’t be the lone wolf in your AutoCAD office. Use the templates, title blocks, text styles, dimension styles, plot styles and block libraries everyone else uses. This will save everybody’s time. Your drawings are easier for others to edit and plot. You can edit and plot the drawings of others. It is always best to ask questions (even multiple times) than do something no one else in the office will understand later.

Now what you should do is, these AutoCAD tips should be revised every month or so. Make it a habit to always make a revision. This will strengthens your skill and make you sharp.

5 Useful Tips When Using AutoCAD (Part 1)

Admin — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 10:02:36 +0000

AutoCAD is a drawing tools used by professionals all around the world to create drawing that defines buildings, equipment and products all across the industry. Job concerning AutoCAD is very high in demand these days so having the knowledge of AutoCAD is very useful if you want to command a high paying job apart from job security.

Here is 5 tips to make yourself accustomed to AutoCAD:

Use the Pull Down Menus
You need to master the effective use of a mouse first before you can do this. On the top of the AutoCAD screen you will see menus like Draw, Edit, Modify, and many more. These menus will launch AutoCAD commands. After you become more comfortable and familiar with AutoCAD you may choose to use the toolbars and the command prompt to issue commands, however if you are new to AutoCAD you will learn and work faster if you use the pull down menus.
Keep Your Eye on the Command Prompt
The Command prompt is located at the bottom of your screen. Keep your eye on the blinking cursor at the command prompt space when you issue commands. You will find that every command you issue puts its options on this line. So, if you start the CIRCLE command, you will find that you can type D to indicate that you want to specify a diameter for the circle you want to create. This saves time if you use the keyboard of course.
Learn How to Identify Points
New AutoCAD users often struggle with too many ways in which they can enter points in AutoCAD. You can type at the command prompt (3,4) or you can click your mouse to select them, you can use Object Snaps to pick up points on existing geometry (hold down the shift key and right-click to see the Osnap menu). You can Also select a point, move your mouse up or down, right or left and type a distance. Take your time and learn all the ways you can select points in AutoCAD and when it is necessary, review the Help files. This will save yourself hundreds of hours of work and create better drawings effectively.
Never Ever Draw What You Can Copy
It is not uncommon to see new AutoCAD users spending too much time drawing. If you’ve drawn something before, you don’t need to draw the same thing again and again. Learn how to use the BLOCK and WBLOCK commands to create named geometry so that you can use them over and over again. Also, learn how to use the INSERT or DESIGN CENTER and EXPLODE commands to place editable geometry in your drawing.
Learn How to Use Model Space/Paper Space or Layouts
Its really very simple. Click the MODEL tab. Draw your objects at full scale (one inch in the real world is one inch in AutoCAD’s model space). Select a Layout to toggle into paper space. Specify the size of your paper that you use. Use the MVIEW command to “cut a hole” in the paper and display the objects in model space. Select the edge of the hole, right-click and choose a scale for the view. Double-click inside the hole and pan the view so its centered. Double-click outside the hole. From the File menu choose Plot to plot your scaled drawing. The instructions for using Layouts vary slightly based on which version of AutoCAD you are using, but the basic technique is always the same. Draw full scale in model space. Create scaled drawings in Layouts.

There you have it, the first part of useful tips when using AutoCAD. Part 2 is will be coming really soon.