Development of the HAZOP program began in 1985. That was in the days when personal computers were only just becoming accepted as a potentially useful business tool, and a really powerful machine had about 200K of memory and a 10MB hard disk. At that time the program utilised a proprietary integrated package (i.e. word processor, spreadsheet and database).
The program was initially developed as a tool for our own use when
conducting Hazop Studies as external consultants. However, a few of our
clients, having seen the software in operation, purchased the program for
carrying out their own in-house reviews. No serious attempt at marketing
the system was made during these early years.
As time progressed, new features and functionality were added to what was initially a very basic software tool. However, as with all integrated packages, the 'programming language' used was interpreted rather than compiled. As such, the more one attempted to do in terms of incorporating additional facilities, the slower the system performed.
The decision was therefore taken to re-develop the program using a compiled language. The language chosen was "C", which at the time seemed most appropriate. It was the native language of the Unix operating system, and that, according to computer pundits at the time, was the future for computing after DOS (Bill Gates obviously had a different vision of the future!). In 1989 the compiled version of the HAZOP program was released, and for the first time a positive effort to market the system to outside companies was made.
This DOS based program was improved and extended during the next few years, progressing through the initial Version 1.0 to Version 2.3. However, in the mid-nineties feedback from users indicated that they found it increasingly tiresome to have to drop back into DOS to conduct their safety reviews, when many of their main-line applications operated under the Microsoft Windows ® platform.
With this in mind, the software was completely re-structured and re-coded using "C++", and in 1996 Version 3.0 was released. This was a 32 bit program designed initially to operate under Windows 95® and NT 3.51®. This was followed two years later by Version 4.0, which included a substantial revision of the underlying database structure to permit greater flexibility in the storage of information. In addition to incorporating many new features, this release took the first steps in meeting the growing requirement for the distribution and retrieval of data via the internet or company intranet and e-mail systems, an aspect which has assumed greater importance as time progresses.
In 2000 Version 5.0 included enhanced facilities for the electronic distribution of data mentioned above, such as study reports, study analysis tabulations, and the actions (as well as the action responses) generated during a review. Additional features were also incorporated to increase the versatility of the software, amongst them being more automatic and comprehensive facilities for the export of data to other programs such as Microsoft® Word.
HAZOP Manager V6.0 builds upon the previous releases of the software, containing extensions and improvements suggested by users, as well as new facilities that we have identified as being useful during our own consultancy work. In particular, more comprehensive provisions have been included to cater for general safety assessments, such as SIL Analyses, Hazard Identification Reviews, etc. However, as with all software, continued progress and improvement is important, both to maintain the loyalty of existing customers, and to attract new ones. Future versions will be released in due course, and as has always been the case in the past, existing users will be able to update their programs for a modest upgrade fee.
Home | Program overview | Features & facilities | Demonstration program | Program maintenance updates | Hazop Study methodology | Contact information | Site map