ETAP Third Party Conversions

[JoBish]

I am a novice user of ETAP software. The company I work for recently purchased version 12.6.5C. ETAP's sales brochures clearly state that the software has "built in conversions" for EasyPower and several other programs. However upon attempting to perform such a conversion, I discovered that this functionality in fact does not exist. When I contacted the ETAP Help Desk to complain, I was told that this function has been "temporarily disabled" until release of version 14 of the software. I was also told that if I emailed them a copy of the third party application, ETAP would perform a soft conversion (i.e. minus certain details such as protection device settings) at no cost. The additional details could also be provided, but for a fee. I was thoroughly disappointed, to say the least, since this functionality was one of the selling points for my company. I think this borders on false advertising, which I voiced in my complaint to the Help Desk. I also suggested that they should change their brochure to delete the misleading information.

At any rate, I was wondering if anyone else has had this trouble?
Does anyone know of another means to convert/import third party applications into ETAP?

 

[krisys]

You have been trapped by the sales pitch of the vendor.

As you may be aware that there is a stiff completion among the power system study software vendors. Each trying to eat away others market share. The moment, other vendor declares that they can convert others data, they change their encryption.

Even this vendor is also doing the same trick. And this game will continue for a while, until they have a common data protocol among the software vendors for the data convertibility.

Previously this game was being played by the protection relay vendors. The end users suffered due to this. So finally, the relay suppliers joined hands and agreed for a common data/communication protocol. Thus IEC 61850 (standard for substation automation)has emerged.

Now there guys should also come together and come up with a common data structure, so that the end user would benefit. Until then the user would suffer.

 

[JoBish]

Krisys,
Thanks for the response. I think your take on the situation is correct and it is very unfortunate for the users. I probably wouldn't be so put out by this if it weren't for the fact that the place in the software that supposedly provides the conversion function merely opens a pop-up which has a link to a sales brochure which still claims that the function is built into the software. It feels like a bait and switch routine aimed at selling you more services or new software. Just wait for version 14, right? Seems to be common in the software business these days. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[tricolore]

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