AI Query Builder

The AI Query Builder is a Cenosco AI tool that builds a Custom Query from a question you type in plain language. It is the first part of Conversational AI in IMS. You open it from Custom reports, and it takes you to the IMS Assistant. IMS selects the base view, fields, and filters. You can then refine the query with follow-up questions, review how IMS interpreted your request, and run or save the result like any other Custom Query.

Note

The AI Query Builder is available in the November 2026 release as an open beta, and the IMS Assistant shows a Beta label in the interface. Like other Cenosco AI features, it is available only on Cenosco-hosted sites. To find out more, see Cenosco AI Overview or contact support@cenosco.com.

How the AI Query Builder Works

You describe the data you need, and IMS picks the base view, fields, and filters. You don’t need to know which data source holds the answer, so you can ask the question the way you would ask a colleague. The IMS Assistant start screen also suggests example prompts, such as schedules on active equipment, to help you phrase a first question.

The AI Query Builder works on IMS base views and fields, which cover asset integrity, rotating equipment, reliability, electrical, civil, flanges, instrumentation, and pipelines. A question that spans disciplines draws on the same data. It follows your existing IMS roles and permissions, so you see only the data you are already allowed to see.

Build a Query with the IMS Assistant

To build a Custom Query from a question:

1. Click the Custom reports Main Menu.

2. Click Ask & Build. The IMS Assistant start screen opens.

3. Type your question in plain language, or use one of the suggested prompts as a starting point.

4. Click Generate query. IMS builds the query and shows the results in the grid, with the IMS Assistant panel beside it.

5. Check the base view, fields, and number of filters that the IMS Assistant lists below its answer.

6. Refine the query with a follow-up question, or edit it in the grid, until it matches what you need.

7. Use the results as they are, or click Save to keep the query.

Refine a Query with Follow-up Questions

A follow-up question changes the current query instead of replacing it. You can narrow or adjust the result in the same conversation. The IMS Assistant panel keeps every earlier turn visible, so you can always see how the query reached its current state.

Review how IMS Interpreted Your Question

After each answer, the IMS Assistant panel lists the base view, the fields, and the number of filters applied. You can check the interpretation without leaving the conversation, and you can edit the query in the same grid you use for a manually built query.

Note

Integrity data supports high-consequence decisions. Always review the base view, fields, and filters that IMS selected before you rely on the results.

Rate an answer

Below each answer, the IMS Assistant asks Was this helpful? Click the thumbs-up or thumbs-down button to rate the answer.

The New Query page

After IMS builds a query, the results open on the New Query page, where you can review and change the query. The controls above the grid work as follows:

Send, Save, and Manage a Generated Query

A generated query is a standard Custom Query. You can name it, save it to a folder, choose who can see it, and send it as a report on a schedule. Existing saved queries and exports are not affected. For the full editor, see Custom Queries Editor.

Send a report

You can send the query results by email on a schedule. To send a report:

1. Click the three dots button above the grid, and then click Send report.

2. In the Send report to field, select the people who should receive the report.

3. In the Send mail field, select how often to send the report: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Every odd month, or Every even month. Daily is the default.

4. Select Don’t notify if no data if you don’t want a report sent when the query returns no data.

5. Click Apply.

Change the query settings

To name the query and choose who can see it:

1. Click the three dots button above the grid, and then click Settings.

2. In the Name field, enter a name for the query. You can also change the name by clicking the query title on the New Query page.

3. In the Folder name field, select the folder to save the query in.

4. In the Visibility field, select Public & visible to everyone (the default), or select the option that makes the query public but visible only to you.

5. In the Query Description field, describe the data the query returns.

6. Click Apply.

Build a query manually

If you prefer the classic filter builder, you can skip the AI Query Builder. On the IMS Assistant start screen, search for a base view and click Build manually. The manual builder remains fully available alongside the AI Query Builder. The New Query page shows live results while you build, you manage columns in the grid, and you find fields with a searchable browser.

See the image below for the Select base view dialog.

Example: Overdue Schedules on a Site

This example builds a query for overdue schedules on one site, and then narrows it to inspection schedules.

1. Type “Show all overdue schedules on the Site N014.” and click Generate query. IMS builds the query on the Schedule Main base view, selects 10 fields, applies two filters, and returns the matching schedules in the grid.

2. Type the follow-up “Only give me inspection schedules.” IMS keeps the existing query and adds a third filter for schedule type.

See the image below for the grid and the IMS Assistant panel after the follow-up.

Building the same query by hand means choosing the base view, adding 10 fields, and setting filters for site, overdue status, and schedule type.

Limitations

The following limitations apply to the AI Query Builder:

• It supports English only.

• It answers only questions that Custom Query can already answer.

• It is available only on Cenosco-hosted sites.