lccWare - New in Version 3.0
The following features were introduced in version 3.0 of lccWare:
Security
Security The lccWare project can (optionally) be protected by 4 levels of user security - administrative, design, modify or read. lccWare users may (optionally) be granted one of these 4 levels.
The ‘read’ user may examine the lccWare project and it’s data.
The ‘modify’ user may in addition modify lccWare project data (but not the structure or cost functions).
The ‘design’ user may in addition design lccWare projects.
The administrative user may in addition add and delete users, and set their passwords.
Sensitivity Analysis
Any number of sensitivity studies may be carried out on constant and time dependent global variables, and constant and time dependent local variables. The sensitivity variation may be specified as a percentage of, or as an offset to, the normal value. In addition it may be specified as an absolute value for constant global variables.
Part Trees
The part trees provide the user with a convenient method of assigning the costs associated with a frequently used piece of equipment to a cost function.
The part trees window allows the user to add as many part trees as required at the top level. Each part tree has any number of constant or time dependent variables associated with it (known as part tree variables).
Below each part tree the user may create a tree structure of parts, as complex or simple as required. Each part has a number of values associated with it, each corresponding to a parent part tree variable (time dependent variable values are dimensioned according to the number of time sequences and the number of time points per time sequence). The user enters data values for each part/variable combination.
The values from the part trees are included in the cost calculation using a predefined function, PartTreeValue (Part Tree Name, Part Name, Variable Name, Mode). A typical cost function using a part tree value would be: EngineSparesCost = PartTreeValue (“Car”, ”Engine”, ”SparesCost”, “SUM”)
This is based on a part tree called Car with sub-systems including the Engine (which may itself have many sub-systems). One of the variables is SparesCost. This function call will sum all the values of SparesCost below and including Engine. If the “SUM” argument is changed to “PART” then only the value of SparesCost will be generated.
Library Facility
The library facility allows the user to create many cost structures in a single master library. The library facility is enhanced by the cost category feature: in addition to adding cost nodes to a cost tree the user may also add cost categories. Cost categories are either children of the root node or children of another cost category. The cost category feature allows the user to organize their library in a structured and logical manner.
In addition to creating cost node structures in the library the user may also create part tree structures.
Isograph provide a library already containing the commonly used cost elements. The library may be extended by the user adding their own cost categories, cost nodes, and part trees.
The library window forms part of the main lccWare window. The user may use copy and paste or drag and drop to transfer cost nodes, part trees or parts from the library window to the cost tree or part trees window. All associated information is copied with the selected cost nodes (associated cost and user functions, variables, part trees etcetera).
Project Wizard
The project wizard simplifies the creation of new projects. The wizard is based on allowing the user to select cost nodes from the master library and creating the new project based on these cost nodes. The wizard prompts the user for the following information: Project options – date format, system description, compiled by and approved by. Number of time sequences and names. Start date, number of time interval, and the time interval (month or year). Which cost nodes to copy from the library.
Report Generator, Import and Export
LccWare 3 contains the most recent version of report generator. The latest features include:
- The ability to produce diagram reports of the cost tree, based on the selected cost node or all cost nodes.
- The ability to open alternative report databases and then copy reports from the alternate database to the lccWare database. This allows the user to copy report formats from other Isograph products.
- Unlimited undo and redo of all editing operations.
- An editing tool for the vertical and horizontal alignment of text boxes, graphs and pictures.
- An improved selection mechanism. This is based on the standard Windows selection mechanism. The move and resize functionality has also been improved, along with the introduction of an optional grid.
- The ability to copy text boxes and graphs between reports.
- An SQL query builder to assist in the construction of complex queries using the lccWare database tables.
The most recent version of the export facility includes:
- An export wizard to guide user through export process.
- The ability to export all project data.
The most recent version of the import facility includes:
- An import wizard to guide user through import process.
- The ability to import all project data.
- Automatic matching of lccWare table and field names to the input table and field names when the names are identical.
Improved Copy and Paste between Projects
In lccWare 2.0 it was possible to use drag and drop to cut, copy and paste cost nodes between projects. However only the cost node structure was copied; no associated cost functions or variables associated with the cost functions were copied.
It is now possible to use both drag and drop to move and copy cost nodes between projects, and the Edit, Copy and Paste menu options to copy cost nodes between projects. The complete set of associated cost functions, variables, user functions, global functions and part trees are also copied. Part trees and parts can also be copied between projects, although only the structure is copied not the part tree variables.
These functions can be used to transfer cost nodes and part trees or parts between any project or library window.
Scrolling Container for Controls
In lccWare 2 controls inside re-sizeable dialogs and windows were clipped in some circumstances when the window was reduced in size. This behavior has been modified in lccWare 3 so that the window exhibits a scroll bar when a control may otherwise be clipped and/or become invisible.
Indenture Level
The cost node indenture level may be optionally displayed for each cost node in the cost tree. The indenture level is also available as an import, export and report field.
Cost Node Unique Name
The cost node naming scheme has been extended to allow the user to specify a non-unique name for each cost node, in addition to the existing unique name. The lccWare 2.0 cost node Name field has been renamed as the Unique Name field. A new cost node field, Name, has been added, this name may occur one or more times in the cost tree. When an lccWare 2.0 project is updated to lccWare 3.0 the existing Name field is renamed as Unique Name, and then the value of the Unique Name field copied to the Name field for all cost nodes.
Cost Function Code Palette
The lccWare 2.0 cost function code tab used a combo box to categorize variables, functions and operators and a list box to provide a drag and drop facility for copying the variables functions and operators to the cost equation.
This interface has been replaced by the pop-up code palette window. This categorizes variables, functions, part tree variables and operators in a tree structure. This has the advantage of providing faster access to the various objects, a larger edit window for the cost equation and an intuitive interface for selecting part tree variables for inclusion in the cost equation.
Improved Browse Dialog
The Browse dialog now displays all variables, functions, part trees, parts and part tree variables in a tree structure. Selecting an item in this tree displays the function or cost node that references the item in a list. Selecting a referenced item from the list allows the user to edit the item directly or, in the case of cost nodes, display the item.