EP/EPCs, suppliers and owner operators want to minimize the cost for handling engineering data during planning, construction and operation of process plants between different CAE systems and they want to create opportunities for new value-added functions based on the available engineering data. Therefore, the CAE vendors will implement a valid global standard for data exchange into their CAE systems. In the first phase, data exchange will cover the graphics and topology of the full Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) and attributes of the discrete P&ID components.

The involved owner/operator companies from the DEXPI working group will define a common data model which is based on the ISO 15926 standard. The resulting data model will be aligned with other projects in the global ISO 15926 community, e.g. within Fiatech. The CAE vendors will implement this common data model as the basis for data exchange and will deliver it as part of their default system configuration. In addition, it is expected that CAE vendors agree on a common exchange format for the graphical representation of a P&ID and implement the result in their systems as well. The involved companies expect constructive team work by the CAE vendors during the definition of the common ISO 15926 conformant data model.

Objective of the first phase of the initiative is the transfer of a P&ID from one P&ID system to another P&ID system. The data transfer must include graphics, symbols, topology, all engineering attributes, enumerations, select lists etc. to enable seamless continuation of work on the P&ID in the destination system. Transfer of engineering data over the full life cycle of a plant between different CAE tools from simulation to basic/detail engineering up to operations and maintenance may be covered in subsequent phases.