Doing HAZOPs remotely

[c2sco]

Hi,
I work for a small company of chem eng consultants in the UK.
We are sometimes approached to chair and scribe HAZOP meetings from companies abroad, especially in the Far East. Travelling to places like that isn't really our area of work, but I've been wondering if it's possible to do the work remotely using the Internet. Has anyone any experience of software suitable for this?
Thanks.

 

[brainstorming]

Can u describe what u want exactly so we can help u?
Are you looking for a way of doing HAZOP away from the office while u want to communicate your study to your office?

I did HAZOP before for on of the mega projects and hope I can help if possible.

Regards

 

[jsummerfield]

Teleconferencing technology can permit continuous monitoring and responding to the session and displaying all exhibits. It could be difficult.

John

 

[c2sco]

Hi, thanks for your replies.

I'm thinking about having the HAZOP software running on my computer in my office, where myself (as Leader) and a colleague (as Scribe) would be located. I use my own HAZOP system in Lotus Notes, but if there were a remote system that had to run on different software then that could be done I guess.

The client would be remote and would probably be several people in a single room. They must be able to see the HAZOP software screen but not be able to input to the program - that is done entirely by the Scribe. There would have to be minimal time delay between the Scribe entering information into the HAZOP program and the remote participants seeing his changes.

Communication would be by voice (speakerphone)and possibly E-mail for documents, sketches etc. Due to the delay in E-mail sometimes, a messaging system to allow typed messages to appear on the screen with the HAZOP software would be useful.

As usual, where possible documents such as P&IDs, PFDs, and batch sheets would be circulated to participants prior to the meeting. In this case I anticipate that some photographs of the plant would be useful (as personally I like to see the plant I'm studying!)and circulated.

I've no experience of web conferencing. Years ago I used an IBM teleconference system that allowed video pictures of the participants. I don't think we need that here, although I suppose a webcam of both ends might make it feel more cohesive, which is good for such a team activity. I'm aware there is web based phone now although I've not used it. I'm just wondering how to tie it all together. I'll enquire elsewhere about details of the technologies if I have to "invent" this myself, I just thought that usually when I have a bright idea, someone's done it already....

Regards

Stuart

 

[brainstorming]

Try Microsoft Office Live Meeting
I have tried once and was good enough for the team to discuss some issues using such software

Regards

 

[SeanB]

Well if you are using Lotus Notes I think you probably have Sametime Connect as well. You are the "chair" would set up a meeting in Sametime. Your client on the other end would need a laptop and LCD projector. That way they can connect to the meeting and view your Hazop software, but you have control. I have done this many times with clients who are not located in our office.

 

[c2sco]

Thanks, Sean. I've not come across Sametime before. We don't run a Domino system here, I just use Notes as a database program as I learned a lot about programming it with a previous employer. I've downloaded the software but failed to get it to connect. I'm thrashing about in the dark still, but it looks like everything that's needed. I subscribe to another help website and I'm sure they'll help me. (

http://www.experts-exchange.com/)

Regards,
Stuart

 

[TD2K]

We recently used WebX to review a 3D model created in Autocad (but the service allows the product of any 'package' to be viewed by the various participants: Autocad, Word, Excel, etc) and it worked very well. Basically, all the participants go to a common web address and log in with an ID and a password.

It was very successful.