Plant & Facilities Engineering

it begs the question: why can't software programs present data in understandable ways without always requiring a new program to better filter and present operational data?
Exactly... The answer to which is, they probably do already.
The problem with most software is too much functionality rather than too little.
So some guy writes another program to let you see what you need, which you could probably do if you had time to sit and read the manual in the first place...but the softwarewasboughtintosavetimeandincreaseproductivitysowehavn'tgottimetositaroundreadingmaualsaaAAAARRRGGH.
Most people probably use maybe 10% of the functionality of any piece of software because of inbuilt user hostility, inconsitencies and poor documentation. (Ya listening Billy boy?)
Del

As always, great insight from del.

I would only add that few purchasers of software actually create an adequate needs wants process map document that explicitly states what the doggone outputs are supposed to be, so they end up having to sort for it in all the other stuff that the developers thought they wanted or could easily do because they already have it coded.

Abundance as a competitive disadvantage.

milo

Generalised softwares do not help. Softwares should be based on types of industries such as pumping plants, power plants, process plants etc. Then they will be more useful.