Promis.e is an advanced productivity tool for designers of electrical control systems. Because it can be customized and utilizes an open architecture, Promis.e can also be adapted to other applications such as hydraulics, pneumatics, and process control.

Promis.e allows schematic diagrams to be rapidly constructed using pre-defined symbols and macros. Wires are automatically broken at symbol connection points and sections of drawings can be copied and pasted to save time. Many functions are performed automatically by the software including the generation of unique device IDs for each symbol, cross referencing of related symbols (such as contacts and coils), and numbering of wires.

The software recognizes logical interconnections between devices in a schematic. A wire is recognized as a wire and not just a graphic line. The system can check for errors such as duplicate device IDs while a schematic is being created. The software can perform automatic cross referencing and wire numbering. In combination with a parts database, the software can automatically generate a variety of support documentation such as terminal diagrams, cable plans, panel layouts, bills of material, and a job costing analysis. Because work is divided into projects, all related drawing pages can be included in these automatic functions.

The add-on version of Promis.e runs as an application on top of a CAD program to take advantage of that software's drawing capabilities. There is an add-on version for AutoCAD. The standalone version has the MicroStation CAD engine built into the software.

Software Functionality

This chart shows the interrelationship of Promis.e functions.

In addition, there are plug-in applications for Promis.e that perform various specialized functions.

Using Promis.e

Generally, doing a job with Promis.e involves the following stages:

1. If the parts database is to be used to allow the automatic generation of support documentation, component (parts) information must be entered or imported into the database. This information includes catalog numbers, manufacturer, price, dimensions, etc. If the same database is to be used for all jobs, this data entry step will not be necessary for subsequent projects unless new components are to be included. Part numbers can be assigned to symbols in the schematics.
   Note: Parts databases for many leading component manufacturers are available from Bentley.
2. Create the schematic drawings. For the first project, most Promis.e users create custom page formats, title blocks, symbols, etc., to match existing company standards. This customization is not necessary for subsequent projects. You also have the option of creating a parts list or panel layout before creating the schematic drawings. In this case, you select parts from the parts database and place them in a parts list or in a panel layout. This allows you to quote on a job or layout the hardware before designing the control circuits. When you are ready to do the schematics, you can take parts from the previously selected list and place them in the drawings.
3. Generate panel layout drawings. Promis.e has an optional semi-automatic panel layout mode that will prompt the user for each component in the schematic diagram. The user then positions the component as desired in the layout drawing.
4. Generate terminal plan. Promis.e automatically places terminal connection information on a graphical diagram page. The user can edit this plan as desired. For example, to assign cables and conduits.
5. Generate documentation lists. Using information in the schematics and in the database, Promis.e can automatically generate other useful lists such as bills of material, wire lists, wire labels, component labels, job cost analysis, programmable controller lists, and so on.