Application Engineering
Following approval of the Functional Spec, the control system software is configured to meet requirements. Graphic displays, control functions, logic and sequences, and other applicable control system functions are programmed. At the appropriate time, FeedForward will conduct a Design Review Meeting with the customers to obtain their concurrence that we are on track to meet requirements. This "mid-course correction" improves our ability to present an acceptable design at the Factory Test.
Factory Test
An important part of our process includes staging the system hardware and software and confirming that all processor (and I/O, if applicable) communications work properly. When the system is properly staged and configured, testing is performed to prove that the requirements in the Functional Spec have been met. For this testing, the I/O is simulated, the control loops are exercised, and the graphic display responses are confirmed. Trending, alarming, and reporting functions are also confirmed.
Start-Up Support
FeedForward will strive to send people that worked on the control system design and application engineering to the site for check-out and start-up. Typically, when the client is ready, one or two people will spend up to several weeks on-site, assisting the client with I/O check-out, control system integrity checks, and start-up support. Theoretically, if the factory test is executed properly, there should be no need to reconfigure software in the field. Practically, the as-built field environment will require software changes to meet operation requirements. FeedForward will maintain a punch-list completed and satisfactorily resolved prior to completion of the project.