IEC 61636, “Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA),” has just been released. The new 2016 software standard is a joint publication of IEC and IEEE. It is co-numbered IEEE 1636, reflecting the fact that the IEC 61636 is actually an adoption of the IEEE 1636 from 2013. It is available from Document Center Inc. in either paper format or for pdf download.
The IEC 61636 addresses the issue of interfaces to information systems that contain diagnosis and maintenance information for complex systems. These systems may be hardware, software, or a combination of both. The standard should be used to create API’s (application programming interfaces) to be used for access, exchange and analysis of this type of data. Using the model proposed by this standard will allow for open system software to be utilized.
Organizations like your need to assess the effectiveness of diagnostics for these types of complex systems throughout the product life cycle. Additionally, you may need to monitor your equipment if it is used in a customer’s facility. Using an open system platform like this should make it easier for your organization to create value from maintenance information and to monitor equipment in remote locations.
Two other IEC adoptions of IEEE 1636 standards have also been released at this time. The first is the IEC 61636-1, “Software interface for maintenance information collection and analysis (SIMICA): Exchanging test results and session information via the extensible markup language (XML).” This is the adoption of IEEE 61636.1. The second is the IEC 61636-99, “Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA): Common Information Elements.” This is the adoption of IEEE 1636.99.
These two parts provide the user with detailed information on the XML markup schemes and EXPRESS information models to use to implement these interfaces. They will be used by programmers to actually implement the SIMICA interface.
Of course, you’ll need copies if you need to understand this interface scheme or are involved with implementation. IEC specifically requests that you use an authorized distributor like Document Center Inc. for your standards purchases. You can search for and order both IEC and IEEE standards at our webstore, www.document-center.com. Here is a direct link to the order page for IEC 61636 for your convenience. Please note: we are also an authorized distributor for IEEE as well.
If you have additional questions or need to work with our staff directly, get in touch with us by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com). We have been working with standards since 1982 and have an extensive catalog of standards for you to choose from. And there are many additional products and services available to support your use of these compliance documents. Make us your Standards Experts!