Friday, June 27, 2014

The folks at New Belgium Brewing know what's happening at the bottling lines at any time



The folks at New Belgium Brewing know what's happening at the bottling lines at any time. This knowledge gives them the ability to improve yeild, address downtime and allocate more time for fun things to do.



More information


We're creating a new success story with system itegrator Apex Manufacturing Solutions about the Wonderware MES implementation at New Belgium Brewing. Watch out for it.

In the meantime, please visit the following links:

Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Wonderware Timeline from 1989 to 2005

I was introduced to Wonderware in 1989


A year after graduating from college, I started my career as a controls engineer and one of my first projects was working on an HMI-DCS hybrid solution for a geothermal power plant.

We've grown over the years since the late 80's to 2005 to now. I'm glad to have been part of the Wonderware family for such a long time.

A complete process history is vital to modern industrial companies

http://campaigns.wonderware.com/campaigns/Pages/Wonderware-Historian.aspx

Many industrial facilities use human machine interface (HMI) applications to display real-time process data and control modern industrial processes. Capturing and storing process data is often done on a spotty basis.

When problems come up, and they always do, a complete process history is often not available.


Without a complete process history everyone is less effective and the ability to improve processes is difficult. In an ever more competitive world being slow to improve is not a good strategy.

Find out how a process historian helps solve the manufacturing puzzle.  Download our new whitepaper on “How HMI users can benefit from a process historian”.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

New Belgium Brewing uses Schneider Electric


New Belgium Brewing uses Schneider Electric for its charging stations. 



How HMI Users can Benefit from a Process Historian

http://campaigns.wonderware.com/campaigns/Pages/Wonderware-Historian.aspx
 
Today, a person with a smart phone has immediate access to a tremendous amount of information. If a question pops up in your brain you can have the answer in seconds. It’s an amazing time.

If you work in an industrial facility, however, it is often difficult, or even impossible, to find the detailed data needed to solve a problem or improve a process. Even operators with access to realtime data streaming in from control and automation systems often struggle to understand problems they are observing.

Why is this the case?


Find out more by downloading our new whitepaper on “How HMI Users can Benefit from a Process Historian”. It will help you understand how the Wonderware Historian helps complete the puzzle.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

A process historian is the missing piece

http://campaigns.wonderware.com/campaigns/Pages/Wonderware-Historian.aspx

If you are not sending your HMI data to an historian, you are missing something.

Regardless of your industry, every HMI/Historian application generates valuable data that can help you:
  1. Solve difficult process problems more quickly
  2. Illuminate process improvement opportunities
  3. Make it easier to comply with regulatory requirements
Wonderware Historian can easily be integrated to your HMIs that within a few minutes, you can be collecting data, not throwing information away.

It is that easy.

Invest a few minutes, register, download and read our new “How HMI Users can Benefit from a Process Historian” whitepaper. It will help you understand how the Wonderware Historian helps complete the puzzle.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Utilities Management at PT Indo Matra Power with a little help from Wonderware



“We have configured the Wonderware solution so that it tracks all events and this enables PT Indo Matra Power to address issues before they become full alarms. This makes the plant more reliable and safe”

Bunyamin, Director
PT Dian Purna Integra

Fuel consumption has decreased, engine output has increased and the maintenance and purchasing departments are happier too. The Wonderware solution provides reports that are helping PT Indo Matra Power to plan their procurement strategically, so they have the right spare parts on hand prior to needing them.

The other cost savings are coming from improved communications. With the availability of so much rich data, there are fewer phone calls between the PT Indo Matra Power offices and the plant facility. And also, with the fewer hard-copy reports generated, the environment benefits.





Shining Forward


PT Indo Matra Power plans to help Indonesia continue to prosper by providing reliable electricity to its businesses and households. And with the ease of use, efficiency and cost savings gained from the new Invensys software solution, it has the power to succeed.

More Information


For more information on the products and solutions used in this success story, please check out the following:

  1. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  2. Wonderware InTouch
  3. Wonderware System Platform
  4. Wonderware Information Server

Thursday, June 19, 2014

One of the earliest InTouch Ads I've seen


One of the earliest InTouch ads I've seen - this one is from South Africa.



More Information


To see where we've gone since then, check out the following links:
  1. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  2. Wonderware InTouch
  3. Wonderware System Platform

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

A Solution with All the Right Elements at PT Indo Matra Power


The team worked together to create a customized system built upon the Wonderware Information Server. This web-based solution is efficient to deploy because of its simple, yet powerful interface. The portal enables plant personnel to use template-based features and a customized application for visualization, information management and reporting.

The team worked together to create a solution built on the Wonderware Information Server


This web-based solution is efficient to deploy because of its simple, yet powerful interface. The portal enables plant personnel to use template-based features and a customized application for visualization, information management and reporting.

“We no longer need to record the power plant data manually. As a result, the operators can now do more work outside the previous logging of information. This makes the team more efficient and productive”

Berman Immanuel Purba
Operations and Maintenance Manager
PT Indo Matra Power


“We no longer need to record the power plant data manually. As a result, the operators can now do more work outside the previous logging of information. This makes the team more efficient and productive”

More Information


For more information on the products and solutions used in this success story, please  check out the following:
  1. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  2. Wonderware InTouch
  3. Wonderware System Platform
  4. Wonderware Information Server 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

PT Indo Matra Power turned to Wonderware for real-time data access, advanced downtime scheduling and cost savings

 

As the fourth most populous country in the world and with a steadily growing economy, Indonesia is experiencing a surge in demand for electricity. In response, the government and the state-owned electric utility, PT PLN, have set aggressive goals to increase electricity coverage across the nation.

PT Indo Matra Power, an independent power company, operates three 6MW plants that supply electricity to PLN. In 2012, it was time to upgrade the plant performance software system at their Batam Island facility.

Well-defined Goals


With assistance from distributor PT Trimaxindo Adimitra and systems integrator PT Dian Purna Integra, PT Indo Matra Power evaluated several solutions. Potential vendors were asked to propose a new Microsoft® Windows®-based solution, integrated on the Microsoft .NET platform, that would:
  1. Improve plant operations with real-time data plus secure archiving and retrieval • Provide accurate tracking and reporting of production and downtime
  2. Be easy to use for operators in their everyday routines as well as for changes, backups and restores
  3. Be fast and reliable
  4. Deploy quickly on a limited budget

Local partner on a solution with global support


Another important component for PT Indo Matra Power was to find an ongoing partner. While they didn’t expect to need substantial support, they wanted to be sure this they could call upon the selected supplier not only during the rollout, but also in the future. Considering all of this – and factoring in a positive experience with their existing Wonderware InTouch HMI installation – PT Indo Matra Power chose Schneider Electric Software.

More Information


In my next posts, I will be talking about how Wonderware helped PT Indo Matra Power achieve success. In the meantime, you can check out the following:
  1. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  2. Wonderware InTouch
  3. Wonderware System Platform
 

Monday, June 16, 2014

The Smart City of Dusseldorf and Wonderware

Read the Stadtwerke Dusseldorf success story and find out how Wonderware helped the City of Dusseldorf reduce cost, optimize its control system and improve reporting.

http://software.invensys.com/about-us/success-stories/invensys-helps-dusseldorf-waterworks-reduce-costs,optimize-control-and-improve-reporting/

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:
  1. Stadtwerke Dusseldorf
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  3. Wonderware InTouch
  4. Wonderware System Platform
  5. Wonderware Historian
  6. Wonderware Historian Client

Friday, June 13, 2014

All-Around Optimization in the City of Dusseldorf

Today, Stadtwerke Dusseldorf says the Wonderware solution has helped it achieve its targets:

All-Around Optimization


According to Stadtwerke Dusseldorf, the Wonderware solution has helped achieve its targets:
  1. They have fully automated their operations, reduced operating costs and enhanced safety.
  2. Plant availability is up and maintenance is improved.
  3. The system is simple to administer and reporting is flexible, so the right data is readily available for better analysis and decision making.
And, since the system is built on an open platform known for flexibility and scalability, the city can look forward to meeting the needs of its customers into the future.

“Now we are able to create all required reports, analyses and documentation ourselves. We are no longer dependent on outside companies to provide us with that information.”

Matthias Rammler
Electrotechnical and System Support
City of Dusseldorf Public Works


“Now we are able to create all required reports, analyses and documentation ourselves. We are no longer dependent on outside companies to provide us with that information.”

Results of the Wonderware Solution

  1. Operations are fully automated, resulting in reduced operating costs, increased plant productivity and availability, improved maintenance and simplified administration
  2. With the new Wonderware solution, data is centrally archived and secure; availability of real-time and historical data has enabled the City of Dusseldorf to meet its goals for the system
  3. Operators and management have the data they need to quickly analyze and efficiently optimize processes

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:
  1. Stadtwerke Dusseldorf
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  3. Wonderware InTouch
  4. Wonderware System Platform
  5. Wonderware Historian
  6. Wonderware Historian Client

Thursday, June 12, 2014

WonderMoo, dressed as Elvis

 
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The City of Dusseldorf's Water Solution: A Complete System for Monitoring, Control and Reporting


A Complete System for Monitoring, Control and Reporting


The three waterworks and the new control systems are interconnected, operating separately and redundantly to protect Stadtwerke Dusseldorf’s ability to provide uncompromised service.

Each station runs Wonderware InTouch in a multi-monitor setup to visually display the operations


One feature of the HMI that supports the department’s goals is its extensive library of standardized and customizable templates and objects. This enabled Stadtwerke Dusseldorf to keep most of the implementation in house and easily make changes and updates, saving time and operating costs.

A separate server runs the Wonderware Historian database and collects process data


Conversion of the data to Microsoft Excel format is handled on a Wondeware Historian Client workstation. With this, operators have the reports they need for hourly and daily evaluation of production data, including water quantities, electrical power and water quality.

Reports on cost allocation are quickly generated and sent to city management. Plus they’re documenting their adherence to water rules and regulations, especially those pertaining to drinking water compliance.

Once the preparation of these reports was outsourced, now Stadtwerke Dusseldorf performs these analyses internally. The new system and Wonderware software also enable data to be transmitted over the telephone system and shared on handheld devices for added flexibility and efficiency.

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:

  1. Stadtwerke Dusseldorf
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  3. Wonderware InTouch
  4. Wonderware System Platform
  5. Wonderware Historian
  6. Wonderware Historian Client

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

A long term Water Project at the City of Dusseldorf


Planning the Project Flow


Because the implementation of water solution would span a six-year period, the city worked with Wolfgang H. Paul Elektrotechnik GmbH (WPE), a Wonderware Systems Integrator in Germany. WPE developed the initial configuration of the control system, the networking connections and the monitoring setup between the waterwork plants and the remote stations.

This enabled Stadtwerke Dusseldorf’s personnel to carry out the bulk of the design, supervision and administration of the project. They defined a clear process for the integration based on a joint operation concept. Prior to the installation of the new control system, each component was tested at field level and installed on the network.

Once the solution was set up, the three plants were brought on in turn, allowing engineers to adjust to the new equipment without interrupting operations.

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:

  1. Stadtwerke Dusseldorf
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  3. Wonderware InTouch
  4. Wonderware System Platform
  5. Wonderware Historian
  6. Wonderware Historian Client

Monday, June 9, 2014

The last one to Wonderware Showcase is a Bottom feeding paradigm

This old Wonderware ad for the 2001 Showcase is a personal favorite: "The last one to Wonderware Showcase is a Bottom feeding paradigm"

This old Wonderware ad for the 2001 Showcase is a personal favorite: "The last one to Wonderware Showcase is a Bottom feeding paradigm"

Safe and clean water for the 600,000 residents of Dusseldorf with a little help from Wonderware

Stadtwerke Dusseldorf, the city’s public works department, uses a new state-of-the-art control system based on Wonderware software to help automate the City of Dusseldorf’s waterworks plants.

Stadtwerke Dusseldorf, the city’s public works department, uses a new state-of-the-art control system based on Wonderware software to help automate the City of Dusseldorf’s waterworks plants.

Part of Stadtwerke Dusseldorf's goal is to reduce cost by improving operations, reporting and analysis


It's easy to understand why Stadtwerke Dusseldorf opted to modernize its control system. It makes sure that the City of  Dusseldorf's 600,000 residents have ready access to water that is safe to drink. The system carries about 55 million cubic meters of fresh H2O to households and businesses through a pipe system that extends farther than 1,700 kilometers.

Flehe, Am Staad and Holthausen


The City of Dusseldorf’s water comes from the Rhine River via three plants throughout the region – Flehe, Am Staad and Holthausen – that employ the Dusseldorf Method, a technique developed there. The process takes the water through a “multi-barrier principle” treatment. Stadtwerke Dusseldorf employees in the quality control department constantly monitor this three-step process as it treats, filters and protects the water before it is delivered to end users.

How Wonderware helped Dusseldorf Waterworks reduce costs, optimize control and improve reporting will be the subject of the next series of posts.

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:

  1. Stadtwerke Dusseldorf
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control
  3. Wonderware InTouch
  4. Wonderware System Platform
  5. Wonderware Historian
  6. Wonderware Historian Client

Friday, June 6, 2014

Read Italy's A12 Motorway Success Story

Adopting an industry-grade automation solution was the first step to the successful implementation of a project characterized by a large number of controls, and mostly, by the need to guarantee uninterrupted operation.

Click to read the Società Autostrada Ligure Toscana success story.

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:

  1. The A12 Motorway
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Classic Ad: 32 Reasons for choosing Wonderware




 
 
Classic Ad: 32 solid reasons for choosing Wonderware as the complete industrial automation solution - this Ad Series introduced the 32-bit InTouch for Microsoft Windows NT.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The tunnels of Italy's A12 Motorway are safe with a little help from Wonderware

Thousands of vehicles pass through the tunnels of the A12 Motorway every hour and concentrations of exhaust gas can quickly rise, reducing visibility and making the air unbreathable. These conditions can have a disastrous effect on motorists. Proper ventilation is essential and this requires specific methods for extracting harmful emission.  Using the Wonderware solution, operators can determine the amount of harmful gases inside the tunnel enabling them to manage the extraction of noxious fumes.
 

Dissipating Harmful Emissions in the A12 Tunnels using Wonderware Software


Thousands of vehicles pass through the tunnels of the A12 Motorway every hour and concentrations of exhaust gas can quickly rise, reducing visibility and making the air unbreathable. These conditions can have a disastrous effect on motorists. Proper ventilation is essential and this requires specific methods for extracting harmful emission.  Using the Wonderware solution, operators can determine the amount of harmful gases inside the tunnel enabling them to manage the extraction of noxious fumes.

In case of fire, the air ventilation system features fans whose rotation speeds and direction are automatically adjusted to enable the efficient extraction of smoke and gases that could potentially feed the flames.

It’s a delicate balance, especially in tunnels such as Saturnia which is equipped with 14 fans.  In this tunnel, a complex measurement system was installed to perform smart calculations based on exhaust gas concentration, smoke opacity, wind and atmospheric pressure, in order to optimize the operation of each fan.

“A motorway is always open and any failure can endanger the lives of people. During the design stage, we focused on the reliability and redundancy of all installed systems to guarantee optimal control under any circumstance.”

Eraldo Benedetto
Automation Manager
Giordano & C. S.p.A.

More information


For more information on this success story, you might want to check out the following links:

  1. The A12 Motorway
  2. Wonderware Supervisory Control

Monday, June 2, 2014

Are you running your plant in real time?

https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=20082&AffiliateData=JayDavidBlog

Access to process information and trend analysis in real time can prevent lost production, increase plant and technician productivity, and empower faster, more informed decisions.

See how Carson City leverages situational awareness using real-time access to intelligent, current and historical process data to cut costs, increase service levels, and improve environmental performance,and learn how to implement the process in your plant.