Putting into operation starts from tested and marked system and the goal is completely programmed system functioning smoothely with other systems in the network.

Steps performed during putting into operation period:

• initial system setup according to user requirements,
• final system setup for the smooth operation with other systems in the network, may include analysis of operation of those systems,
• testing of interoperability with connected systems,
• finding and solving problems that may arise during interoperability testing,
• additional equipment marking,
• acceptance testing, including acceptance test report,
• comissioning works to get required approvals or certificates.

System setup

System setup is divided in two parts, the first part dealing with customer requirements and the second to assure smooth operation with connected systems. First part should be the larger part and it is perfomed in the manufacturer base, as a part of preparation for putting into operation works. GVS experts prepare the system database before they go to the installation site. If customer requirements are complete and if they cover all the issues, prepared database should not be changed on the site. Usually, requirements are not complete or customer decides to change something between initial requirements and the start of works. It happens that the customer has no access to the technical specifications of other systems in the network, and some data is not available. That's why there is second part of system setup, performed on the installation site, where the experts have direct insight to the status of the network.

Operation with connected systems

Full testing of operation with connected system can be performed only through cooperation with operators of that system. For each type of connection there is default test plan, implemented upto the achievable level of cooperation.

The most important item when putting the system into operation is solving the problems that may arise in interoperation with connected systems. Problem usually arise in connections to systems of old generation and technologies and with special interfacing/conversion equipment. Even if the connected system is new technology and completely according to international standards and recommendations, minor incompatibilities may arise, resulting from different implementation of recommendations or different versions of applicable standards.

Main task of experts putting the system into operation is to find such problems, analyse them and solve them, if problem can be solved just by GVS system setup. If solving the problem requires to setup the system outside the limits posed by international or national regulations, that can be done only upon customer written request. If the problem can not be solved only by setup of GVS equipment, it is necessary to cooperate with the operators of connected system to perform the setup of the connected system, too.

Additional "logical" marking

Installation marking procedure is defined in the installation manual and specified in the engineering documents. Installation marking addresses the system itself and physical connections to equipment inside installation permises. Installation marking is performed once, because the changes to installation works are rare and require new engineering documents. Experience shows that besides "physical" marking, there is a need for marking addressing higher, "logical" levels of connections. Putting the system into operation includes this "logical" kind of marking, according to customer wishes.

Acceptance testing

Experts who performed the putting into operation works and customer representatives form the acceptance test team. The first step of acceptance testing is making the test plan fitted to the system configuration and installation. Successful acceptance test is the final step of putting into operation. If some of the tests reveils a problem, GVS expert will solve the problem immidiately, and customer representatives may decide if the testing will be continued or restarted. Acceptance test is an act between the system supplier and customer whose objective is to confirm that the delivered system is in operation and that features and performance of the system are according to system documentation.

Commissioning

Depending on national regulations, commissioning may be done before or after acceptance testing and these activities are generaly not related. Customer may demand that getting required approvals and certificates from relevant institutions is the part of works on putting the system into operation. Furthermore, customer may demand that all approvals have to be acquired before the start of acceptance test. Whoever is performing the commissioning works and whenever these works are done, if the commissioning tests show that the system performance is out of range, it is the obligation of the supplier to solve this problem.

On-site training

As noted before in the training section \ref{sec:TerenskaObuka}, if the putting into operation works are performed by GVS experts, the price of works includes one-day basic training for the operators, performed on the installed system. GVS expert demonstrates the basic operations, frequently used commands, expected alarms, placement and functions of the installed equipment and organization of the system documents and the way to browse through them. It is in the common interest of the customer and the supplier that future operators of the system are present while GVS experts perform the installation and putting into operation works. That is a great opportunity for the operators to learn plenty practical things about the system and focused on the configuration they will operate.