Putting the reliability back into reliability centered maintenancetm ReliaSoft's RCM++ facilitates the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis approach for creating effective scheduled maintenance plans. The software includes configurable capabilities for Equipment Selection, Failure Effect Categorization and Maintenance Task Selection. RCM++ also provides simulations that can be used to compare maintenance strategies based on cost and availability, and a calculator to estimate the optimum replacement interval. RCM++ has now been completely re-engineered and integrated into the powerful Synthesis Platform. http://rcm.reliasoft.com
RCM Analysis, Data Management and Reporting RCM++ provides predefined profiles for the major RCM reporting standards (such as ATA MSG-3 and SAE JA1011/1012) and offers extensive opportunities to configure the interface and print-ready reports to meet your specific needs. The software's flexibility allows you to implement either a "streamlined" or "rigorous" RCM approach, or a combination of both. RCM++ also provides full-featured capabilities for FMEAs and related analyses. Built on the Synthesis Platform Integration with Weibull++, ALTA, DOE++, RGA, BlockSim, RENO, Lambda Predict, Xfmea, RBI, MPC and XFRACAS Multiple Languages English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese Multi-User Access and Intelligent Integration RCM++ analyses are stored in a centralized database that supports simultaneous access by multiple users and shares relevant information between Synthesis-enabled software tools. This enables you to build and manage a valuable, keyword-searchable knowledge base of product reliability information and lessons learned that can be shared throughout your organization. For enterprise-level data repositories, both Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle are supported. Easy to Find and Reuse Existing Analysis Data or Phrases Support Extensive resources online and in print. Network of regional offices provide support via phone, e-mail or live chat. RCM++ provides an array of tools to help you find and reuse descriptions from any existing analysis and to select phrases from predefined templates or phrase libraries. You also can use fully customizable Microsoft Excel templates to quickly import system configurations and/or analysis data from external data sources. Supports RCM Decision Logic Diagrams RCM++ supports two configurable methods for determining which equipment will be analyzed with RCM techniques: Selection Questions (yes/no) and Criticality Factors (rating scales). The software also supports the Failure Effect Categorization (FEC) and Maintenance Task Selection logic charts from the major industry RCM standards and provides the ability to customize the questions and categories to meet specific application needs. Compare Maintenance Strategies and Determine the Optimum Replacement Interval When it comes to comparing maintenance strategies based on cost and availability or selecting the optimum replacement interval, RCM++ goes far beyond calculations based on MTBFs and the assumption of a constant failure rate. The software puts the "reliability" back into "reliability centered maintenance" by allowing you to choose from a variety of statistical distributions to describe the equipment's failure behavior and then apply built-in simulation and calculation engines to obtain useful metrics that will inform the decisions you need to make. Flexible Reports, Queries, Charts and Diagrams RCM++ provides a complete set of print-ready reports, flexible ad-hoc queries, charts and diagrams that allow you to present analysis information in the most effective ways to support decision-making. Why Upgrade to Version 9? (for details, visit http://rcm.reliasoft.com/version9.htm) Integration into the Synthesis Platform, which allows multiple users throughout the organization to share analysis information between any of ReliaSoft's Synthesis-enabled analysis tools. A new DFR Planner utility that helps you track progress on Design for Reliability activities. A new Failure Modes and Reliability Analysis (FMRA) that uses information from your RCMs (or FMEAs) as a starting point for other system reliability analyses (such as calculating the system's baseline reliability or using simulation to estimate maintenance costs and availability). The option to enter and display causes before effects in RCM analyses. 1
Integration to Empower the Reliability Organization RCM++ has been integrated into the ground-breaking new Synthesis Platform, which offers practitioners the best of both worlds: analysis tools that are optimized to fully meet the individual user's needs for a particular set of analysis methods, plus integration into a centralized repository that is shared by users throughout the organization and facilitates integration between analysis tools. Intelligent Integration Through the New Synthesis Platform New in Version 9! The Synthesis Platform offers a unique solution to the challenge of integrating reliability information without sacrificing the power and flexibility of each individual analysis method. Your interaction with each application will be similar to your experience with previous versions a full-featured tool that has been expertly designed to meet your needs for all aspects of the analysis methodology. And from the overall reliability program perspective, multiple users will now have the ability to share resources between applications and analyses. Specifically for RCM++, Synthesis gives you the ability to: Use models from analyses performed in other Synthesis applications to set the reliability/maintenance characteristics of the items and failure modes you're analyzing in RCM++. Work with the same failure modes and reliability analysis (FMRA) in both RCM++ and BlockSim. Use FMEA data to build fault trees in BlockSim. Share system configuration and failure mode data between XFRACAS and RCM++. Copy any system from an MPC systems and powerplant analysis into the more flexible RCM++ system hierarchy. Centralized Data Storage and Flexible Permissions RCM++ continues to offer centralized data storage that allows multiple users to work cooperatively on analysis projects. A special "enterprise" license/installation is no longer necessary all users can choose which type of database will provide the back-end data storage for any given repository: A Standard Repository is easy to create and maintain without any special IT infrastructure or support, but there are limitations to the amount of data it can store and the number of simultaneous users. An Enterprise Repository requires implementation of Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle, but it is a more robust platform that can store much more analysis information in the same database and supports access by many more simultaneous users. (Licensing, support and maintenance for SQL Server /Oracle are not included with Synthesis.) When using login security, you will be able to determine which capabilities are available to each individual user. Choose basic predefined security groups or customize the access permissions to meet specific needs. Messages and Action Tracking One of the many benefits of having multiple users working from the same centralized data repository is the opportunity to use a common interface for posting messages and tracking completion of assigned actions. The repository can be configured to enable e-mail notifications that serve to alert members of the team when relevant messages or actions are created or updated. You also have the option to send actions to your calendar in Microsoft Outlook. Enhanced, Easy-to-Use Interface with Internet Connectivity 2 All Synthesis applications offer a completely updated user interface with an "Office 2010" look and feel, and many usability enhancements. Some of the most useful include the ability to check-in/check-out portions of the analysis, "restore points" that allow you to restore or roll back to a previous stage in the analysis, and more flexible tools to organize and manage analysis projects. Whenever possible, the new interface takes advantage of an active Internet connection to deliver the most up-to-date announcements, documentation and theoretical resources.
Preparing for the Analysis Extensive Configuration Options RCM++ provides predefined profiles that make it easy to configure the analysis workspace to fit the major RCM and FMEA reporting standards (such as ATA MSG-3 and SAE JA1011/1012, SAE J1739, AIAG and MIL-STD-1629A). In addition, the software offers flexible capabilities to customize any of the sample profiles or create your own settings to meet the specific needs of your organization. Some of the configuration options include the ability to: Define the data fields you want to capture and display, including your own user-defined text, date and number fields or customized drop-down lists. Set the classifications, categories and other built-in drop-down lists throughout the software. Define the logic and rating scales that will be used for RCM equipment selection, failure effect categorization, maintenance task selection and FMEA risk priority numbers. Support for Large Multi-Level System Configurations (Including FRACAS Integration) Enhanced in Version 9! RCM++ s flexible System Hierarchy interface allows you to manage large, multi-level system configurations with as many levels as you need and any number of items per level. You can fully define the properties for each item (e.g., supplier, part number, reliability characteristics) and you can perform RCM, FMEA and related analyses at any level within the configuration. To save time and ensure consistency, you can automatically import system configuration data from an external Bill of Materials file or from ReliaSoft's XFRACAS web-based failure reporting and incident tracking system. For an enterprise database, you can maintain a direct link to the XFRACAS system, which makes it easy to resynchronize at any time. This FRACAS connection also enables the FMEA team to tap into valuable information about failure modes that are observed during testing and in the field, including incident quantities and new failure modes that may not have been considered yet. Analysis Plans The Analysis Plan utility keeps track of team members, ground rules and assumptions, scheduled work sessions and other details that will help you plan and manage your analysis projects. RCM++ provides a high-level overview of all pending analysis projects and also makes it easy to generate reports for individual project plans. Boundary Diagrams (FMEA Block Diagrams) Diagrams can help to define the scope of a particular analysis project and also may provide additional information that will be useful to the analysis team when they attempt to identify potential failure modes. If you don't have existing diagram files that you wish to attach to the project, RCM++ allows you to build these diagrams and store them together with your RCM and FMEA analyses. Linked or Attached Files You can use the links and attachments feature to keep related information from external data files together with the rest of the analysis (such as flowcharts, design drawings and procedure instructions). 3
Full Support for RCM Analysis Equipment Selection In order to focus resources where they can provide the greatest benefit, RCM++'s Risk Discovery Analysis feature provides a choice of two configurable methods to determine which equipment will be analyzed with RCM techniques. One method prompts you to answer a series of yes/no questions, while the other allows you to assign ratings for a variety of different factors and calculate an overall criticality value for each item. Three Complementary Views of the Functional Failure Analysis The Analysis panel makes it easy to switch back and forth between three complementary views of the functional failure analysis information so you can choose the display that is best suited for your current activity. The FMEA Hierarchy displays a lot of information in a compact space. Now you can choose to display and enter causes before effects, if desired. The Worksheet View allows you to type directly in the worksheet cells and tab through the analysis as you would in a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel. The Filtered View allows you to generate sortable lists of records of a particular type. For example, you may wish to see maintenance task records sorted by type, assigned interval, duration or cost. Failure Effect Categorization and Maintenance Task Selection RCM++ supports the failure effect categorization (FEC) and maintenance task selection logic charts in the major industry RCM standards. You also have the option to customize the questions, categories and task types to fit your own specific analysis procedures. These configurable logic diagrams can help guide the analysis team to discuss the consequences of potential failure modes and consider the maintenance strategy that will be the most applicable and effective. Task Packaging 4 Enhanced in Version 9! RCM++ makes it easy to group individual tasks into packages based on factors such as time (scheduled interval), task type and areas in the system where tasks are performed. You can manually assign a task to the appropriate maintenance package or allow the software to automatically group tasks based on criteria you specify. Greatly expanded and enhanced, this tool now makes it easier to experiment with different intervals and provides a graphical chart to help you visualize the packages that are under consideration.
Reliability Calculations and Simulations Failure Modes and Reliability Analysis (FMRA) New in Version 9! You can use the new failure modes and reliability analysis (FMRA) feature to integrate statistical reliability analysis calculations into your RCM and FMEA activities. Specifically, this view can be used to: Display all of the FMEA records that could have an impact on system reliability/maintainability in a single hierarchical tree, and use this view to define the relevant reliability characteristics. Calculate the probabilities of failure required for a quantitative criticality analysis. Use the occurrence ratings that have been defined in the FMEA to generate a preliminary baseline reliability estimate for the system that can be improved later when actual failure data become available. Synchronize with BlockSim s reliability block diagrams (RBDs) or fault trees, which facilitate more realistic system modeling (e.g., by considering redundancy, common cause failures, etc.). Comparing Maintenance Strategies Based on Cost and Availability Enhanced in Version 9! Even when you choose to use the predefined decision logic diagrams employed by traditional RCM methods, those guidelines still require the analysis team to utilize their knowledge of the equipment's failure behavior when making decisions about the appropriate maintenance strategy. RCM++ provides built-in simulation and calculation engines to help with these assessments. Choose from a Variety of Statistical Distributions to Describe the Failure Behavior When you use an MTBF or failure rate to describe the equipment's failure behavior, you are assuming that failures occur at a constant rate regardless of the age of the equipment (i.e., an exponential distribution). Other statistical distributions are more appropriate for situations where the failure behavior varies with time, as in the case of infant mortality or wearout. RCM++ allows you to more accurately describe the probability of failure and provides integration with ReliaSoft's Weibull++, ALTA and BlockSim to obtain the failure time distribution and parameters from an existing data analysis or RBD/fault tree. The software also provides the Quick Parameter Estimator (QPE) utility to help you estimate the distribution parameters based on limited information. Comparing Maintenance Strategies Based on Cost and Availability When a failure mode does not involve hazardous consequences that require a conservative prevention strategy, the analysis team may wish to choose the maintenance approach that will provide adequate availability with the lowest operational costs. RCM++ makes it possible to simulate the operation of the equipment with different potential maintenance strategies in order to estimate the expected failures for each scenario and calculate the Average Availability, Cost per Uptime and Total Operating Cost. Calculate the Optimum Replacement Interval Enhanced in Version 9! Preventive replacement may be be worthwhile if the reliability gets worse with time and the cost of the planned preventive replacement is less than the cost of unplanned corrective maintenance. When both of these requirements are met, RCM++ provides a utility to automatically calculate the optimum replacement interval that will minimize corrective and preventive maintenance costs. The new utility allows you to calculate the optimum time for an individual item, or to calculate a time that will be optimum for a specified group of items. 5
Integrated Support for FMEAs and Related Analyses RCM++ provides a complete set of features for FMEA and related analyses, which can be used independently or integrated with any RCM analysis. For example, you may wish to use RCM for some equipment and FMEA for other equipment, depending on the assessed criticality. Alternatively, you may wish to incorporate the Risk Priority Number (RPN) method as an additional risk assessment tool in some of your RCM analyses. Risk Priority Numbers or Criticality Analysis Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs) are calculated automatically based on your selections from fully configurable rating scales. RCM++ also supports related metrics, including SxO (Severity x Occurrence), SOD (Severity, Occurrence, Detection) and SD (Severity, Detection). The Priority Highlights feature allows you to highlight issues in the interface and report/query output based on specified criteria (e.g., high priority = red, medium priority = yellow or low priority = green). RCM++ continues to provide support for both quantitative and qualitative Criticality Analysis patterned after MIL-STD-1629A. Tracking the Completion of Recommended Actions One of the most costly mistakes among FMEA practitioners is the failure to properly follow up and track the completion of recommended actions. RCM++ provides multiple features to make sure that your organization implements necessary improvements to reduce the risk in the product/process design. This includes targeted reports, charts and the ability to send automated notifications via e-mail. Change Log and Electronic Approval Tracking Enhanced in Version 9! When an authorized user activates the change log for a particular RCM or FMEA analysis, the software will record a history of the specific changes made in each tracked revision. In addition to the date/time and details of the change, the software can be configured to prompt users to record an explanation for each modification. If desired, this utility also can store an electronic record of the users who have reviewed and approved each tracked version of the analysis. Now the change log feature is also available for DVP&R analyses (Design Verification Plans & Reports). Design for Reliability (DFR) Planner New in Version 9! Version 9 provides a new tool that helps you to track and manage the stages in the DFR plan for a particular system, assembly or component. This configurable planning tool allows you to define the major and subsidiary gates within the process, and it also allows you to assign actions and track them in the same way that you can for recommended actions identified during an FMEA. Support for Related Analyses RCM++ also provides configurable utilities for: 6 Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&Rs) Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) Process Control Plans (PCPs) Design Reviews Based on Failure Mode (DRBFMs)
Data Management and Reporting Tools RCM++'s flexible data management capabilities can save time on data entry, help to ensure consistency among analyses and even provide brainstorming tools that will improve the quality of your RCM analyses. Flexible reporting features go beyond basic worksheets to provide a complete range of options for presenting the data in ways that will effectively communicate results and facilitate decision-making. User-Friendly Editing Tools RCM++ makes it easier than ever to enter and manage your analysis data. You have the option to multi-select records directly within the hierarchical tree views and to drag and drop records to desired locations. The software also offers a paste special command that allows you to paste records with or without their dependents. In addition to text fields, the flexible find and replace utility also works for number fields, date fields and even drop-down lists. The spell checker highlights spelling mistakes while you are typing and offers customizable spelling dictionaries for all supported languages. "Pick Lists" for Description Fields and Easy to Import from Existing Analyses or Templates For any text field, RCM++ provides easy access to a list of existing descriptions from specified data sources. Each list can be sorted or filtered to fit your specific needs. For example, the utility can provide a list of failure modes that contain the word "fatigue" or a list of maintenance tasks in a phrase set distributed to all analysts. RCM++ provides two flexible interfaces for finding and importing information from existing analyses or predefined templates. One utility allows you to browse through the data and choose the items or analysis records that you want to import. A second utility allows you to search for the records you want to import. Import/Export via Microsoft Excel The Templates Manager feature makes it easier than ever to import a system configuration or functional failure analysis from an external data file. You can create and manage your own customized Excel templates to fit the exact configurations of your existing files. Graphical Charts and Relationship Diagrams RCM++'s Plot Viewer provides an array of flexible options to create attractive bar charts, pie charts and matrix charts based on the analysis data. The software also generates Cause and Effect Diagrams and Failure Relationship Diagrams to help you visualize the relationships between issues in your analyses. Configurable Queries and Print-Ready Reports Use the Templates Manager to manage predefined and customized templates that can be made available to all database users, applied to any data set and incorporated into any print-ready report document. The Query window is a powerful analysis tool that makes it easy to find and open specific sections of the analysis. It is also a flexible custom reporting tool that allows you to create and manage saved queries that meet your particular presentation requirements. The Reports window makes it easy to build report documents that include the predefined report forms, custom report forms and/or custom queries that will be most effective to present your analysis results. Since you can generate these documents directly in Microsoft Word or Excel, it is easy to customize and distribute reports without a specialized report editor or viewer. 7
Frequently Asked Questions How can I determine if RCM++ is the right tool for me? We invite you to try this product and compare it with any comparable package on the market. Download a free demo from our website at http://download.reliasoft.com. What are the minimum system requirements? Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available. The supported operating systems are Windows XP (32-bit, SP 3 or higher), Vista (SP 1 or higher), Windows 7 and Windows 8. If you choose to use an enterprise data repository, Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle are supported (including the "Express" editions of both). For details, see http://synthesis.reliasoft.com/requirements.htm. What languages are supported? The interface is currently available in English, German, French and Portuguese (with Spanish and Simplified Chinese planned to be added soon). For details and to see if support for additional languages has been added in our most recent release, see http://www.reliasoft.com/languages/. Is the Synthesis Platform a separate product to buy and install? No. The platform is integrated directly into each product (Synthesis Application). It is automatically installed and configured during the installation process. Do I have to buy a different version for single-user vs. enterprise deployments? No. All Synthesis Applications are designed to adapt automatically to single-user, multi-user and/or enterprise configurations based on what type of repository you are connected to. Each application can be used as an enterprise version when connected to a Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle database, or act as a single-user or simple multi-user version when connected to a standard repository. What type of technical support is available? Having the best and most advanced solution on the market is only part of the package; our unparalleled after-sale support completes it. We provide good old-fashioned "pick up the phone and talk to a real engineer at ReliaSoft" support. No seemingly endless phone menus and incessant elevator music on hold. Our growing network of regional offices is waiting to answer your questions personally via phone, e-mail or live chat. Software-related technical support is completely FREE for registered end users with Single User Licenses. For other license types, support is available with an active maintenance agreement. For details, visit http://support.reliasoft.com. What resources are available to help me master the software? RCM++ offers complete and detailed online help files, a quick start guide with step-by-step examples and a multitude of example files designed to get you up and running the minute the application is installed. In addition, ReliaSoft's training seminars provide instruction in reliability engineering principles and theory as well as the ReliaSoft software tools designed to put that theory into practice. For details, see http://seminars.reliasoft.com. How do I order the software and when will it arrive? We provide a variety of license options to meet your particular needs, and we also offer competitively priced multiproduct suites. For Single User Licenses, use our secure web store, print-ready order form or contact the ReliaSoft office nearest you. For any other licensing option, including Network or Unlimited User licensing, please contact ReliaSoft to receive a quotation. 8 Generally, orders received by your local office before 2 p.m. are processed on the same business day. Otherwise, orders are processed the next business day. Both edelivery and Box Delivery are available you have the option to download the product from the website or to have a disk and printed materials shipped to you via an express courier (2nd Day or International service). If requested, and depending on your location, domestic orders can be shipped with Overnight service for delivery by the next business day. For details, see http://www.reliasoft.com/order/.
Software, Education and Consulting to Empower the Reliability Professional ReliaSoft Corporation is the global leader in reliability engineering software, training and services that combine the latest theoretical advances with essential tools for the practitioner in the field. We are dedicated to meeting the reliability, quality and maintenance planning needs of product manufacturers and equipment operators worldwide. Software Acclaimed for their ease of use, analytical power and unparalleled technical support, ReliaSoft's software facilitates a comprehensive set of reliability-related analysis techniques. The Synthesis Platform facilitates intelligent integration between analysis tools. Life data analysis Reliability centered maintenance analysis Accelerated life testing data analysis Risk based inspection analysis Experiment design and analysis MSG-3 aircraft systems and powerplant analysis Reliability growth analysis Web-based FRACA/FRACAS and related activities System analysis using block diagrams or fault trees Web-based asset performance management Visual stochastic event simulation and risk analysis Web-based Synthesis Portal Standards based reliability prediction Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) FMEA/FMECA and related analyses Education ReliaSoft offers an extensive curriculum of reliability training courses that provide thorough coverage of the underlying principles and theory as well as the applicable software. The complete course list and calendar of upcoming public seminars are published on the web. Consulting ReliaSoft's expert reliability consulting services team offers a uniquely powerful combination of industry insight, unparalleled subject mastery and, most important of all, direct access to all of ReliaSoft's global resources, expertise and contacts. www.reliasoft.com