Development of product data management's search system for the AT Biopower Project

Abstract

This research aimed to improve the performance of the Steam Generator and Turbine Engineering Department of Engineering Business Unit of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) by improving a 'tool' to enhance the workflow; a Search System of Product Data Management system. However, as time and resources were limited, the thesis only focused on the mechanical drawings and technical information of the AT Biopower Project, which is one of major projects in responsibility of the department. The research methodology consisted of (1) Analysis of a current Product Data Management (PDM) system (found that the main problem was ineffective storage and search system). (2) A survey for users' requirements, expectations and satisfactions with the current PDM system using questionnaire as a data collection tool. (3) Using analyzed data to develop the new storage and search systems to meet the users' requirements. In terms of storage system, the researcher chose to use BVI system code to classify documents and in terms of search system, a new function; Search by Form, was developed to increase the accuracy and ease of use of the system. (4) Testing the system as well as measuring the performance of the search system including its accuracy and speed comparing to the existing system. (5) Preparing user manual/ reference documents for the users. (6) The users tried the new system for 1 week. (7) The survey for users' satisfactions and the performance test of the new system. The data collected at this stage would be analyzed to find the conclusions of the thesis. The data analysis showed that the majority of the users were relatively satisfied with the improvement of the search system and thought that this study should be taken further either by applying all other projects. However, the main concern with the system was the coding (classification) of documents that should be done by experienced engineer/ IT team to ensure the correctness of document classification and the accuracy of the search system. Regarding to the performance measurement of the new search system, it was found that the accuracy of search system increased by 85.3% and the speed increased by 234.4% which apparently correlated with the satisfactions expressed by the users. Nevertheless, for the best outcome, the document storage system of every project should be developed in the same direction.