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Key New Features in GRANTA MI 1.2

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Key new features in GRANTA MI 1.2 (released 2006) were:

• Data-to-data links
  
  
• Embedded media
  
  
• GRANTA MI:EMO (Enterprise Materials Optimizer)
  
  
• Improved language support
  
  
• Better handling of images
  
  
• Improved search and selection
  
  
• New Import/Export capabilities

A number of the reference data modules that can be used with GRANTA MI have also been updated:

• Data updates and enhancements

Data-to-data links

Any item of data in GRANTA MI can now be linked to any other item of data or document in the system. Previously, this was possible only for a complete record (e.g., the datasheet for a material). Now it is possible for every item of data within that record, offering a significant step forward in the ability to capture and present the context of information stored in GRANTA MI.

Example applications include: medical devices data, where every item on a record may come from a different reference — links can now be made to each of these references; design data, where a value can be associated with its pedigree, for example, the test results from which it derives; and publishing, where clearer connections can now be made between information being presented to the reader.

Users can access this new capability via new tools to manage data-to-data links in the MI:Admin software, and new features to edit and view these links in MI:Viewer.

Embedded media

GRANTA MI can now store and display files generated or used by other applications. Examples include PDF documents, images, Word and Excel files. This allows any media to be embedded within GRANTA MI records, providing a powerful new means for tracking, searching, and presenting information. For example, the system can now store images such as the photomicrographs that are key data for many materials scientists, or PDF versions of key reference documents that provide context for data.

GRANTA MI can search both for and within these documents. Searchers for documents use descriptions or document names that users provide when adding them to the database. Searches can be conducted within any document type recognized by the Microsoft Indexing Service, which includes many key formats such as Excel. Third-party filters can be easily installed to extend this capability — for example, the PDF filter is available for download from the Adobe website and has been tested with GRANTA MI.

Users will find this new functionality within the MI:Admin and MI:Viewer software.

GRANTA MI: EMO (Enterprise Materials Optimizer)

The new Enterprise Materials Optimizer (GRANTA MI:EMO) in GRANTA MI 1.2 builds on Granta’s expertise in materials selection, and enables selection by functional requirements to be combined with an overall objective such as minimizing cost. A simple-to-use wizard guides the user through the process, starting by specifying the design objective – which might be, for example, to select the best material to minimize the cost of a panel loaded in bending.  Users can then specify any additional 'must-have' functional requirements, such as thermal or electrical properties. The system will then rank all candidate materials with respect to the overall design objective — with further iterations being simple to explore.

There is complete flexibility in defining the optimization objectives — enabling sophisticated studies, while still being user-friendly. One valuable feature is the ability to define an existing material as a benchmark against which all other candidates are ranked, enabling rapid and straightforward comparisons, for example, when searching for substitute materials.

This new functionality is available via the MI:Viewer software and is configured via MI:Admin.

MI:EMO product information...

Improved language support

GRANTA MI is now available with a full German language user interface. The user can select their preferred user interface language from English, French, or German.

Additionally, GRANTA MI can now recognize characters from East Asian languages, such as Japanese. This enables you to store and search textual data in these languages within the system.

Better handling of images

GRANTA MI now has 'smart' tools for handling larger images within records. These images will be re-sized by the server as they are requested. This means both that they fit neatly on user's screen, and that less data must be passed, speeding up viewing. Users can then elect to download and view the full-sized image.

Improved search and selection

GRANTA MI's search and selection processes have been made more configurable and easier to use. For example:

• The options available to users can be set by an administrator, enabling implementation of a consistent approach appropriate to the needs of the enterprise.
  
  
• Searching can now be constrained to specific attributes, allowing for more focused searches.
  
  
• Numerical search and selection have been made easier to use, including the ability to save criteria for future re-use.

New Import/Export capabilities

GRANTA MI has improved capabilities for import and export from and to Microsoft Excel, including import of grid data.

Granta has worked with ABAQUS to ensure that data can be exported from GRANTA MI and imported directly to the ABAQUS finite element software.

Data updates and enhancements

The MaterialUniverse data module has been updated to include:

• an Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC) index and information on example stress cracking agents
  
  
• better coverage of PP polymers
  
  
• permeability data (water vapor, CO2, N2 and O2)
  
  
• refractive index data
  
  
• a new ChemRes index

The MMPDS data module has been updated to-include PDFs of the brand new MMPDS-02 database.