Archive for January 2012
So What Is Engineering Document Management Software?
January 4, 2012 | 
Author Engineering document management software is an online service providing your company freedom from the confines of paper. Instead of having paper copies of all your files to be misfiled or lost, only to be reprinted and lost again, all documents are loaded online to be accessible by anyone within your company. It is the way most companies are going these days.
Why do most companies use it?
By going online, companies are not only helping to be more environmentally responsible, they also are not limiting their employees to communicating or making changes only in person. The best engineering document management software also tracks changes made to documents; who changed what and when; links documents together to show possible effects from changes; and explains why the change was made in the first place. By lumping all possible information together in one place, a quickly scanned webpage replaces a five minute phone call. As any manager knows, while these phone calls don’t take much time themselves, a few dozen can take up to several hours of time that could have been better applied elsewhere.
When is it a good time to implement new software?
Generally, a good time to introduce new software would be when you have the time to train employees and coworkers to use it, but good software will not require much instruction: it should be easy to navigate, read, and just be intuitive in general. Employing a new online software system should save your company time, not spend it.
Who makes the best engineering document management software?
There are many companies that are currently advertising their software, but not all of them offer several customizations. This flexibility insures your company against getting stuck with a particular version, which might not be what you always need or a version that your company will outgrow. Also, if possible, find an engineering document management software company that employs engineers to design its software, the kind who will already know the features you are looking for. This saves you time and effort in customizing your particular software. Know what your needs are, and search from there.
This all sounds great, but how much will it cost?
This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on the engineering document management software you choose, and the number of employees who need access. The on-site use itself will typically cost less than thirty dollars a month (a dollar a day) and depending on your specifications and actual use, the cost can increase from there. The best software companies will offer to calculate your monthly cost before your purchase, giving you a better idea of your monthly expense.
Where would I spend all the money I save by not purchasing paper?
I suggest more potted plants for the office, or possibly decorative lamps. Maybe keep the paper budget to cover weekly coffee runs for your employees or coworkers. It is entirely up to you. But remember, the right engineering document management software will not only save you money, but time and brain space that should be used for the task at hand, not for organizing.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is receiving more and more attention these days. With so many people looking to go green, solar power has become an important issue. However, the fact of the matter is that the sun has been producing energy for billions of years. Humans have only recently begun to understand how to harness the rays of the sun that make it to the earth and convert them into energy. Since ancient times, people have been using sunlight to cultivate crops and building their homes in alignment with the sun to get more heat and light. In modern times, people have learned how to convert solar energy into other types of energy like heat and electricity.
There is certainly a lot of potential to develop this technology. Currently, most people are using solar energy by converting is into thermal energy or electricity. Thermal energy is used for heating purposes. We can use solar panels to heat water for homes, offices, and other suitable settings. For example, some people have a water tank hooked up to a solar panel on their roof. This system heats up water for warm showers and doing the dishes. It is a renewable source of heat that will help you save on your utility bill. Another common use of thermal energy is heating spaces like greenhouses, homes, and office buildings. Imagine being able to grow crops all year with a naturally warm greenhouse. Think of not having to pay high gas bills in the winter because of solar energy. These are just some of the benefits.
There are two ways to convert solar energy into electricity. First, you can use solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. For instance, solar cells are used to power lighted road signs, watches, and street lamps. Other applications exist, but these are some of the more common ones in practice right now. We can also convert solar energy intro electricity indirectly in a solar power plant. The energy from the sun is used to heat up a fluid which produces steam. That steam is then utilized in a power generator. Steam power has been around for a while, so this is an interesting combination of two types of renewable energy.
Of course, there are a few disadvantages with solar energy. The amount of sunlight that the earth receives is not always constant. The level of solar power can depend on the weather sometimes. Also, because the sun’s rays do not give off that much energy in any one single spot, it is necessary to use a very big surface area to collect enough energy to be used on a larger scale. This technology will come in time, but for now there are still many practical uses of free solar energy.
Posted in solar energy | 
Tags: Household Appliances, Major Oil Companies, Solar Research | 
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Renewable Energy: Solar Energy
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is a way to convert light energy into electricity by using a device or medium that harnesses solar power. There are 2 ways we can convert solar energy into electricity, we can either convert it passively or harvesting solar power without the use of any mechanical device or actively by using a mechanical device.
There are 3 types of energy that the we can get from the sun:
Solar Light Energy. Photovoltaics is a way to convert solar energy into electricity by gathering photons or the small packets of energy inside the sun’s rays. We can use this kind of energy to gather the light of the sun and use it to power the appliances inside our homes.
Solar panels convert light energy to electricity by means of interconnected photovoltaic silicon(solar cells) arranged in a module or through an array.
For a solar panel to work, it is installed to where the sun has most adequate light in your area. A solar panel only generates 12 volt of DC, therefore, an inverter is needed to convert DC to AC. AC is an electric current equal to 110/100/220 volt (depends on country) and this kind of voltage is required to power up any appliances inside the home.
Advantage
- Less maintenance because it gathers electricity passively.
- Free source of fuel for energy gathering.
- Endless supply of fuel.
- Long operational life as it does not have any mechanical device that may wear and tear due to repeated operations.
- Saves electricity bill.
Disadvantage
- High initial cost. ROI will be achieved in about 1 to 5 years.
- Must be installed on places where 100% of the sun’s light is achieved. A cloudy location means a decrease in power output.
- Power can only gained during the day but we can install batteries so that we can still use solar energy even when the sun is not up.
Solar Thermal Energy. Harnessing solar energy but it is converted to heat energy. Examples of which is using the sun to warm a home’s indoor environment, heat water or a swimming pool.
A solar thermal system is a like a solar panel but it’s goal is to gather the sun’s heat. Instead of mirrors and silicon solar panels, it uses a black colored panels with a heat collector and instead of generating electricity, it is converted heat energy.
Advantage
- Unlike solar panels, it does not require adequate solar light to gather solar energy.
- It is used passively meaning less maintenance compared to mechanical type of solar power systems.
- Endless supply of energy because the sun does not decrease nor deplete it’s energy rate.
- Saves fuel and/or electricity required to heat a water or keep your indoor environment warm.
Disadvantage
- Will only function during the day when the sun is rising.
- Not recommended on shady or cloudy locations.
- The initial cost is high but there are other options like recycling that can decrease the total initial cost.
Concentrated Solar Power. Concentrated Solar Power uses lenses or reflective mirrors to focus light energy into a small area to generate a very high temperature that powers boils the water and powers the steam turbine thereby generating electricity.
Concentrated solar power systems are not similar to solar panels although it appears as if though it is using a solar panel but it is not a solar panel but a reflective panel all aimed at a tower thereby generating heat high enough to make steam turbines work.
Solar cooking is an example of concentrated solar power. It uses a reflective cooker that gathers the sun’s light and then aims it at a specific location to concentrate light therefore generate heat.
Concentrated Solar Power is also used to generate electricity. A dish or a parabolic trough may be used on homes but they all require a larger space and because concentrated solar power uses steam and a generator, but the downside is it might be too loud for neighbors.
Advantage
- Limitless fuel source.
- Saves on electricity bill.
Disadvantage
- Too loud and not neighbor-friendly
- Too bulky if used at home, requires larger space.
- Must be on constant sunlight to acquire 100% power.
- Has a mechanical device and uses water to generate electricity therefore requires more maintenance.
- The sun is not available at night.
Conclusion
Solar energy is free and renewable however its primary cost is high. But if you think carefully, the one time cost of solar panels for example is sufficient enough to save you at least 40% of your electricity consumption per month that will go on for years and years.
LEED, an internationally recognized green building system rates a building or a house that meets its standards for being environment friendly and conserves energy. With your green aims, plus using all the means necessary to save on electricity bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it’s a waste if you do not get your home or building be LEED certified. Who knows you might get a LEED Platinum rating for your efforts.
Posted in renewable energy | Tags: Light Of The Sun, Operational Life, Solar Thermal Energy | No Comments »