I have personally used and implemented the AutoPLANT (Bentley) P&ID's and the Plant-4D (CEA) P&ID's. Both are open and database driven and can sit directly on AutoCAD. These 2 packages both allow you allot of freedoms with backend data manipulation by engineers without going into the drawings. Some of the advantages of the VPE P&ID is being able to compare the P&ID to PDMS and also the ties to WorkBench and also to VPRM.
Now both of the other packages have very similar functionality to VPE WorkBench and I bet you could link VPRM to those databases as well.
So the real questions are:
1.) "Is the cost and functionality of the Comparitor Module worth using?"
2.) "Is there enough benefit to implement VPE P&ID, Comparitor, Model Object Manager and Workbench (w/ Oracle)...which all are required to have the same capability of the other to packages?"
3.) "Is having direct access to the Access/SQL database a benefit?"
4.) What all do you want to get from the Smart P&ID's? (Line Lists, Valve Lists, Instrument Lists, Equipment Lists, Motor Lists, etc.) And do you want your engineers to have access to add to the data directly (pressures, temps, vendors, horsepower, rpm, etc?"
5.) "Do you want a package that is database driven or sheet driven?"
6.) Bentley & Plant-4D packages are both "object" based so any change made in the database is reflected in the P&ID and any change in the P&ID is reflected in the database. You do not have to run a report to see the differences.
7.) "Is the cost of each package a consideration? If so then either of the other 2 packages are are much more cost effective, but you must decide what you want out and long term goals.
When it comes to PDMS vs. Bentley/Plant-4D on modeling it's PDMS without questions, but in the realm of P&ID's we are thinking long and hard because it's not so cut-n-dry. Make sure you do your homework. I cannot speak on Intergraph's Smart Plant P&ID system. I have never seen it or used it.
You can PM me for further details and also for direct contact information for both of these other 2 packages. I can also provide alot more insight into the other packages for those who are interested.
I have personally used and implemented the AutoPLANT (Bentley) P&ID's and the Plant-4D (CEA) P&ID's. Both are open and database driven and can sit directly on AutoCAD. These 2 packages both allow you allot of freedoms with backend data manipulation by engineers without going into the drawings. Some of the advantages of the VPE P&ID is being able to compare the P&ID to PDMS and also the ties to WorkBench and also to VPRM.
Now both of the other packages have very similar functionality to VPE WorkBench and I bet you could link VPRM to those databases as well.
So the real questions are:
1.) "Is the cost and functionality of the Comparitor Module worth using?"
2.) "Is there enough benefit to implement VPE P&ID, Comparitor, Model Object Manager and Workbench (w/ Oracle)...which all are required to have the same capability of the other to packages?"
3.) "Is having direct access to the Access/SQL database a benefit?"
4.) What all do you want to get from the Smart P&ID's? (Line Lists, Valve Lists, Instrument Lists, Equipment Lists, Motor Lists, etc.) And do you want your engineers to have access to add to the data directly (pressures, temps, vendors, horsepower, rpm, etc?"
5.) "Do you want a package that is database driven or sheet driven?"
6.) Bentley & Plant-4D packages are both "object" based so any change made in the database is reflected in the P&ID and any change in the P&ID is reflected in the database. You do not have to run a report to see the differences.
7.) "Is the cost of each package a consideration? If so then either of the other 2 packages are are much more cost effective, but you must decide what you want out and long term goals.
When it comes to PDMS vs. Bentley/Plant-4D on modeling it's PDMS without questions, but in the realm of P&ID's we are thinking long and hard because it's not so cut-n-dry. Make sure you do your homework. I cannot speak on Intergraph's Smart Plant P&ID system. I have never seen it or used it.
You can PM me for further details and also for direct contact information for both of these other 2 packages. I can also provide alot more insight into the other packages for those who are interested.
