Pcs Were Introduced at Sites First in 1987 by Power Sector, Known at That Time As Power
INTRODUCTION
PCs were introduced at sites first in 1987 by Power Sector, known at that time as Power Projects Division (PPD) at Turnkey sites of Khaperkheda, Tenughat, Kolaghat and Rajghat. To start with, Payroll, Finance and BHELPERT packages, which were running at Regional HQs on MMC 601 computers, were converted to run on DOS based PCs. Payroll and BHELPERT were written in COBOL, whereas FINPACK was written in BASIC language.
In 1984, the responsibility of erection of BHEL products was shifted to Manufacturing units from PPD. BHEL Trichy, was responsible for receipt, storage and erection of boiler at sites. To facilitate working, BHEL Trichy developed Material Management (MM) package using dbase-III. Around the same time, CMS developed MM package for boiler supplies using COBOL.
Though the PCs were only PC-XT, it was a boon for site staff that had no previous opportunity/ exposure to this environment. The benefits of computerization were quite evident and there was demand for computers for all major sites.
In 1992, it was decided to carry out, further improvements in Boiler MM package as a combined effort of PS regions. A group was formed to chart out the improvements and BSES Dahanu was selected as pilot project. Boiler MM package was developed using FOXPRO on SCO UNIX operating system/ DOS. PS-MSX was the nodal agency for this work.
On successful implementation of Boiler MM package, it was decided to develop MM package for Hardwar and Hyderabad supplies also. The same was developed by PS-MSX and implemented at GIPCL SLPP Mangrol site.
Till this time boiler shipping list data alone was received on floppies from Trichy. Hyderabad supplied Completion schedule on floppies for Mangrol site. Further entries were made at site.
To get better benefits, there was a need to add erection-billing facility to the MM package. PSWR developed this module and implemented at Khaperkheda stage II.
The benefits of computerized system were evident in faster reconciliation of material and early sub-contract closing.
At regional HQs different regions were developing various packages. However there was no comprehensive system encompassing all operations of a region. In 1999, PSWR initiated action for an online system covering:
· Personnel Information system
· Payroll
· Leave
· Finance
· Travel Management
The system was designed using Oracle 8.x in client server architecture. Links were provided in PSWR WEB page for employees to see their data. For the first time workflow was captured for Finance and Travel management modules. No financial claims in physical form were accepted after December 2000. By March 2001, PSWR HQ went online. The same system was extended to RSC Nagpur from April 2001 and RSC Baroda from August 2001. The service centers were connected to HQ by leased lines.
Encouraged by the successful implementation of the above system and wholehearted support from users, action was initiated to develop a system covering all aspects of site operations from estimation to contract closing. The system was planned to be online WEB based system. The planned modules were:
1. Documentation management System
2. Materials Management System
3. Tools & Plants (T&P), IMTE System
4. Erection / Material Handling and billing System.
5. Performance Monitoring of Contractors, Welders and total no. Of joints
6. Site Deviation / Failure Monitoring System, SARs, CARs.
7. Management Information Report System (MIRS)
8. Customer billing
9. Sub Contractor Billing
10. Integration of Contractor bill payments, Recoveries from Contractor, T&P Hire Charges with existing Financial System already running in BHEL.
11. Local purchase material accounting system.
12. Insurance claim management
All the regions agreed that this could be a common system. Considering the work and cost involved in development of a WEB enabled online system, it was proposed that all regions should share the development cost. Director (Power) approved the proposal for cost sharing.
In addition to this, IT Heads from various units were involved to decide the data exchange between regions and units.
The system development work started in first week of October 2001 with a timeframe of 14 months.