Integrated maintenance and design software has been introduced by Cadmatic Oy, Finland, which specialises in 3D design software for the process industry. Maintenance functions interface to the company's virtual reality system used in process plant design. The company says that this is the first time that virtual 3D computer aided design software has been able to interface effectively in this way.  This interface facilitates maintenance planning and helps plant operators save overall costs throughout the entire lifecycle of the plant from design, contruction, operation and maintenance.