Industrial landscape, accurate, consistent, and efficient instrumentation is essential for process plants, refineries, power generation facilities, and offshore platforms. SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI), formerly known as Intools, has emerged as a leading solution for instrumentation and control engineers to design, maintain, and manage instrumentation systems throughout the plant lifecycle.
This comprehensive blog by Multisoft Systems explores everything you need to know about SPI/Intools online training — from its features and functionalities to its advantages, modules, use cases, and how it revolutionizes the way engineers handle instrumentation tasks.
What is SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI) or Intools?
SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI), formerly known as Intools, is a comprehensive instrumentation design and engineering solution developed by Hexagon PPM. It is widely used across industries such as oil and gas, power, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals to manage the complete lifecycle of instrumentation and control systems. SPI acts as a centralized database that enables engineers to create, modify, and maintain detailed specifications for field instruments, control loops, wiring systems, and calibration records. The software streamlines the entire instrumentation process by integrating various aspects such as instrument index creation, loop diagram generation, wiring and I/O assignment, and panel design — all within a single platform. With its ability to automatically generate detailed engineering drawings and reports, SPI significantly reduces manual work, enhances accuracy, and ensures data consistency across projects.
Moreover, it supports revision control, change tracking, and collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, making it an essential tool for both greenfield and brownfield projects. SPI’s compatibility with other SmartPlant tools and third-party systems further enhances its usability in large-scale engineering environments. Whether used by EPC contractors, design consultants, or plant owners, SmartPlant Instrumentation certification plays a critical role in ensuring reliable, efficient, and compliant instrumentation systems throughout a plant’s lifecycle.
Key Features of SPI (Intools)
- Instrument Index and Specifications
- Create and manage a central database of instruments with tag numbers, service descriptions, and location details.
- Define instrument specifications using templates and datasheets for different types (transmitters, controllers, valves, etc.).
- Loop Diagrams and Wiring Management
- Auto-generate loop diagrams using predefined templates.
- Manage field wiring, marshaling cabinets, junction boxes, and control system connections with complete traceability.
- Hook-up Drawings and Installation Details
- Integration with CAD tools to generate hook-up drawings.
- Maintain installation specifications and material take-offs (MTO).
- I/O and Panel Management
- Assign I/O points and map them to DCS or PLC systems.
- Generate cabinet layout drawings, terminal strip drawings, and cross-references.
- Instrument Calibration and Maintenance
- Track calibration schedules, methods, and results.
- Integration with maintenance systems such as SAP PM.
- Change Management and Revision Control
- Control revisions, user access, and maintain audit trails for all documentation and data.
- Reporting and Documentation
- Create automated reports including instrument lists, loop drawings, cable schedules, termination details, and more.
- Integration with Other Engineering Tools
- Seamless integration with tools like SmartPlant P&ID, Smart Electrical, and third-party applications through APIs.
Modules of SPI (Intools)
SmartPlant Instrumentation is structured around multiple modules, each serving specific engineering needs. The major modules include:
1. Instrument Index
This is the core of SPI. It holds the master list of all instrumentation in the project, allowing users to:
- Assign tags
- Define types
- Link to P&ID
- Manage revisions
2. Specification Module
Used to prepare detailed instrument specifications for field instruments and control elements. Users can define attributes and standards like ISA, ANSI, or custom specs.
3. Process Data Module
This module holds process-specific data like pressure, flow, temperature, and fluid characteristics. It ensures consistency between process engineers and instrument engineers.
4. Wiring Module
The wiring module helps engineers:
- Define cables and terminations
- Route connections between instruments and control systems
- Generate wiring schematics
5. Loop Module
This is where loop drawings are generated. It links instruments, control system hardware, and field wiring into a single visual format.
6. Calibration Module
Stores calibration details, test results, and calibration intervals. It supports compliance with ISO, ISA, and other quality standards.
7. Construction Module
Handles installation details such as hookup drawings, BOMs (bill of materials), and work packages for construction and commissioning teams.
Advantages of Using SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI)
- SPI enables a single source of truth for all instrumentation data, minimizing errors caused by scattered or duplicated data sources.
- Multiple teams – process, electrical, instrumentation, and maintenance – can collaborate in real-time using the same platform.
- Auto-generation of loop drawings, specification sheets, and wiring diagrams significantly reduces manual effort and design time.
- Integrated QA/QC checks and compliance templates ensure alignment with industry standards like ISA, IEC, and ISO.
- Built-in versioning ensures traceability and control over revisions, making audits and modifications easier.
- SPI supports the entire asset lifecycle from design to decommissioning — useful for greenfield projects as well as brownfield modifications.
Use Cases of SPI (Intools)
- Greenfield Projects
Design and document thousands of instruments, loops, and I/O points in new process plants.
- Brownfield Projects & Revamps
Update existing plants and integrate legacy documentation for modernization projects.
- EPC Contractors
Engineering, Procurement, and Construction companies use SPI to meet contract documentation requirements and project delivery timelines.
- Owner-Operators
For long-term maintenance, calibration tracking, and upgrades across plant lifecycle.
- OEMs and Vendors
Equipment suppliers can align their product datasheets and documentation using SPI formats for seamless integration.
SmartPlant Instrumentation vs Other Tools
When comparing SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI) with other instrumentation and design tools, its distinct advantages become evident, particularly in large-scale, data-intensive projects. SPI stands out due to its data-centric architecture, offering a centralized environment to manage instrument specifications, loop diagrams, wiring details, and calibration data. This centralized database ensures consistency, traceability, and reduced risk of errors, which is often lacking in traditional CAD-based tools like AutoCAD Electrical, where drawing files are not inherently connected to a live data repository.
Unlike basic design tools that require manual updates and duplicate entries, SPI enables automated data synchronization across all project documents. For instance, a change in an instrument tag or specification in SPI is automatically reflected across loop diagrams, datasheets, and reports, improving design integrity and saving time. Additionally, SPI’s integration with other Hexagon tools, such as SmartPlant P&ID and Smart Electrical, enables a collaborative workflow that is difficult to achieve with standalone software like AVEVA Instrumentation or Excel-based methods.
Another key differentiator is compliance and audit management. SPI supports robust revision control, user access management, and audit trails, which are essential for industries that require strict regulatory compliance. While tools like AVEVA Instrumentation also offer database-driven design and integration features, SPI offers greater flexibility in customization, reporting, and data handover formats.
Furthermore, SPI training includes built-in support for instrument calibration management, making it suitable not just for design but also for operations and maintenance, a feature absent in most general-purpose design software. In conclusion, while alternative tools may be suitable for smaller projects or specific tasks, SmartPlant Instrumentation is unmatched in scalability, collaboration, and lifecycle support, making it the preferred choice for EPC firms, design consultants, and plant owners involved in complex industrial projects.
Challenges in Implementing SPI
Despite its rich feature set, implementing SmartPlant Instrumentation may present some challenges:
- Licensing and setup require significant investment.
- It has a steep learning curve; engineers must undergo proper training to use it efficiently.
- Tailoring reports and templates to specific standards requires expertise.
- Integrating with third-party or legacy systems may need development support.
However, these challenges can be mitigated through professional implementation support and certified training programs.
SPI in the Era of Digital Transformation
With the emergence of Industry 4.0, Digital Twin, and IoT, SPI is evolving to support more advanced workflows:
- Digital Twin Integration: Instrumentation data from SPI feeds into digital twin platforms for real-time simulation and monitoring.
- Cloud and Web Access: SPI now supports cloud deployments, enabling remote access and collaboration.
- AI & Predictive Maintenance: Instrument data and calibration history can be fed into AI models for predictive failure analysis.
- Mobility and Field Access: Technicians can now view SPI data on mobile devices for faster troubleshooting and decision-making on the field.
SPI Training and Certification
Getting trained in SmartPlant Instrumentation can open doors to high-demand engineering roles globally. Professional training includes:
- Overview of SPI interface and architecture
- Creating instrument index and datasheets
- Generating loop and wiring diagrams
- Cable and I/O management
- Report generation and customization
- Integration with SmartPlant Suite
Multisoft Systems offer instructor-led training and certification programs in SPI.
Final Thoughts
SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI/Intools) is not just a tool — it’s a comprehensive ecosystem that streamlines every phase of instrumentation engineering, from design to maintenance. Whether you're working on massive greenfield projects or managing plant revamps, SPI empowers you with data integrity, automation, and consistency that modern engineering demands.
In a world where precision, compliance, and traceability are non-negotiable, SmartPlant Instrumentation stands as a backbone of industrial instrumentation engineering. Enroll in Multisoft Systems now!