Are instrument loops integrated into SAP PM? If so, are they registered as equipment masters and connected via the functional location structure? Thank you.
Hello Josh, from my personal experience, integrating instrument loops into our functional location structure has been highly successful. Our functional location structure consists of six levels, with instrument loops being incorporated at level 5, between process control at level 4 and the actual loop number at level 6. The effectiveness of this setup largely depends on how your structure is organized. I would advise against categorizing instruments as rotable equipment in SAP, as this may prove to be challenging to manage especially for organizations with a high turnover of instruments. However, for costly instruments requiring repair history tracking, creating them as rotable equipment can be beneficial for cost tracking purposes, albeit on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, we have successfully implemented a calibration management system using SAP4.6 PM. Feel free to reach out to me via email if you are interested in learning more about this. Best regards, Craig
Thank you, Craig, for your input. Can you please elaborate on rotable equipment? I am interested in learning more about your calibration management system within SAP 4.6. Currently, we use a maintenance plan that automatically generates PPM orders at specific intervals for calibration purposes. However, we encounter challenges with the validity date changing after each revalidation conducted by an external party, often due to delivery delays. Thank you.
Hello Josh, In SAP 4.6, Rotable equipment is defined as repairable equipment with equipment master records in SAP. We manage these items using the Install/Dismantle function with Equipment Masters and Functional Locations. However, for instrument loops, we opt to use functional locations over equipment masters. The maintenance of instrumentation differs from that of mechanical equipment, and performing an install/dismantle transaction for every instrument replacement is often impractical for our company, unless the instrument holds significant value. Regarding calibration scheduling, it seems you're facing challenges due to the delivery duration of calibrations (potentially from an external party). We encounter similar issues and handle them based on the specific circumstances. Careful management of rescheduled maintenance plans is crucial to avoid losing track of changes. Our calibration activities are primarily driven by Environmental and ISO accreditation requirements. If a calibration opportunity arises when the plant is down and doesn't align with the maintenance plan, we manually adjust the plan or proceed with the calibration at the planned time. A key enhancement in our SAP 4.6 system is the ability to record calibration results for each work order, generate a signed certificate, and store it for auditing purposes. This feature is particularly beneficial as we conduct many of our calibrations in-house. Once approved by our auditors, we aim to transition to a paperless system, ensuring complete traceability from the work order to the instrument's functional location, including the serial number. By the way, may I ask where you are located? Best regards, Craig
Thank you for your response. I now understand the concept of rotable equipment. We are currently following similar procedures for managing Functional Locations, equipment masters, and maintenance plans. How can I reach out to you via email to learn more about calibration management in SAP? Will there be any charges for this service? Thank you.
Hello Josh, apologies for the delay in responding. I have been focused on Condition Monitoring in my role, so I haven't had much time to work on SAP. Please inform me of the specific details you need regarding our calibration configuration. It would be helpful if you could review it. I am located on the east coast of South Africa. I am willing to share my knowledge without charge, but I need to check with my company regarding intellectual property policies. I don't anticipate any issues with this. Thank you, Craig.
Yes, you can certainly integrate instrument loops into SAP PM. They can be registered as equipment masters and indeed connected via the functional location structure, thereby setting up a hierarchy. This aids significantly in managing and maintaining the assets efficiently. Besides, when you link the loops to equipment masters, you also benefit from a detailed historical record of events influencing each instrument, enhancing proactive and predictive maintenance strategies.
Yes, instrument loops can indeed be integrated into SAP PM. They are typically registered as equipment masters or could, alternatively, be recorded as individual pieces of equipment under one "master" loop. As for your second question, the connection is via the functional location structure, effectively creating a hierarchical relationship between the equipment and the functional location. However, the structuring could vary depending on the organizational practices and system setup. You might find it helpful to explore customized settings that suit your operational needs better.
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Answer: - Yes, instrument loops can be integrated into SAP PM.
Answer: - Instrument loops can be registered as equipment masters in SAP PM.
Answer: - Instrument loops can be connected via the functional location structure in SAP PM.
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