Re: [foxboro] Data, alarms, and reports

Alex,
Sorry for allowing sleeping dogs to lie too long, but I have been off on
another startup...

Plan B, C, D do not look promising, so if I understand your original Plan A
choices and their results/benefits:
*       I need to re-configure the AIM*Historian (details below) to be able
to record the process alarm messages.
*       I will need to buy the AIM*Historian Export to Oracle tool ($15K) to
export any data in AIM*Historian (real time, reduction, or message) to a
database.
Then, for $15K and my time I can export AIM*Historian reduction group data
AND process alarms to an Access database; correct?  Not knowing anything
about it, can your tool be automated to perform this export on a scheduled
basis (i.e., every shift, day, etc.) for a specific time period?

It's just not clear to me why your last statement limited my viewing choices
to "histspy, AIM*AMI, or AIM*Inform."  What happened to a database?  And
what are the complications with Oracle vs. Access?

Otherwise, with the existing IA Series Report Package, I am limited to
AIM*Historian reduction group data (but not process alarms) to an Excel
spreadsheet; correct?

Just FYI, I received a number of X, Y, Z choices with 3rd-party software
and/or a ton of custom programming.  I have not yet eliminated any of them;
just trying to understand all of my simple, Foxboro choices 1st.

Thanks.


Joseph M. Riccardi, Inc.
DCS Services - Industrial Process Control
 
North-Central Office (OH, PA, MI, IN, WV Area)
South-East Office (FL, GA, AL, SC, NC Area)
 
Joe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
"To give real service you must add something that cannot be bought or
measured with money; and that is sincerity and integrity." - Donald A. Adams
 

-----Original Message-----
From: foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Johnson, Alex P (IPS)
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 3:04 PM
To: foxboro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [foxboro] Data, alarms, and reports

Plan B - Negotiate with your Account Representative?
Plan C - AIM*Inform (or its subset AIM*AMI)?
Plan D - Write a program using FoxAPI?

There may be something on the Cassandra Site, but I don't know.

Regards,

Alex Johnson
Invensys Systems, Inc.
10900 Equity Drive
Houston, TX 77041
713.329.8472 (voice)
713.329.1700 (fax)
713.329.1600 (switchboard)
alex.johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Joseph M. Riccardi
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 1:28 PM
To: foxboro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [foxboro] Data, alarms, and reports

 Alex,

I appreciate the feedback and advice, and I do not wish to sound ungrateful;
or cheap.  But unfortunately, the Q0301BL AIM*Historian Export To Oracle
Configurator is listed at $15K; which is my engineering support budget for
the entire project.  Is there a Plan B that is not so glamorous but utilizes
the existing tools?

Thanks.

Joseph M. Riccardi, Inc.
DCS Services - Industrial Process Control

North-Central Office (OH, PA, MI, IN, WV Area) South-East Office (FL, GA,
AL, SC, NC Area)

"To give real service you must add something that cannot be bought or
measured with money; and that is sincerity and integrity." - Donald A. Adams


-----Original Message-----
From: foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On
Behalf Of Johnson, Alex P (IPS)
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 10:30 AM
To: foxboro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [foxboro] Data, alarms, and reports

Re: I naturally think data belongs in a database and would like to offer
this data up in an Access database and I'll build a form to query the data
they need (which specific points) and from when (time/date range).
They can do this daily (review for any areas of concern) or any time in the
future (the next law suit).  Unfortunately, I don't know if or how to do
this one. I your need help and advice on how, if this is even feasible on
the platform we have and with the existing tools.

And

Re: The next dilemma I face is getting the process alarms generated by these
blocks ... into the reports (either Excel and/or Access).

The AIM*Historian Export to Oracle tool allows you to export any data in
AIM*Historian (real time, reduction, or message) to a database. It does not
have to be Oracle.
Here's the summary from BuyAutomation.com:
Q0301BL           AIM*Historian Export To Oracle Configurator
Description: The Export To Oracle Configuration For AIM*Historian Provides A
Configurable Export Facility From AIM*Historian To Populate A Local Or
Remote Oracle Relational Database. The Types Of Data That Can Be Exported
Include Real-Time Points (RTPs), Reduction Data, And Messages.

Re: The next dilemma I face is getting the process alarms generated by these
blocks into the Historian...

This is pretty simple:
1)    Configure the AIM*Historian to be able to record messages. I don't
know why this isn't done by default, but it is pretty easy. Basically, you
run the batch configuration tool and tell it to read a file called
messages.inp in /opt/aim/examples. See Chapter 2's sub-section on Event
Message Configuration in the AIM*Historian User's Guide - B0193YL for
instructions.
2)    Put the historians logical name in the alarm group used by the blocks.
Once you have done these two things, you may view your messages using -
histspy, AIM*AMI, or AIM*Inform.


Hope this helps.

Regards,

Alex Johnson
Invensys Systems, Inc.
10900 Equity Drive
Houston, TX 77041

713.329.8472 (voice)
713.329.1700 (fax)
713.329.1600 (switchboard)

alex.johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:foxboro-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Joseph M. Riccardi
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 9:08 AM
To: foxboro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [foxboro] Data, alarms, and reports

 Folks,

Here is our scenario:

*     Mandate
        *     We have a mandate to collect environmental data for long-term
storage.  On the existing (being replaced) system (a non-Foxboro, old
proprietary software type system), this data was collected and shift reports
(yes, actual paper) were generated daily, reviewed 1st for any areas of
concern, then stored away in case they were needed in the future (employee
health concerns, civil action. etc.).

*     Goal  
        *     The existing system is being replaced and my goal is to bring
the required data (AINs and any alarms generated from these blocks) into the
IA System to be historized for data collection, trends, reports, and
long-term storage on a Network server.

*     Platform
        *     Our platform is AW/WP51D/F/Gs, (2) AW70s (NFD and Batch),
V6.5.X/V7.X, etc.

*     Tools
        *     AIM*Historian (1 on an AW51D and 1 on an AW70).
        *     IA Series Report Package (AW70).
        *     Connection to a Network server.

I have the easy configuration part done; data is to the AIN blocks and in
the AIM*Historian for displays and trends. 

Now the hard part.  Operations is asking us to replace the shift reports
generated daily by the previous system.  My initial response was to offer 2
alternate choices:

*     Configure Reduction Groups in the AIM*Historian and generate Excel
reports using the IA Series Report Package.  An easy to do choice and they
get paper (I am still trying to wean them off paper copies) and files for
long-term storage on a Network server.  Their preference...

*     I naturally think data belongs in a database and would like to offer
this data up in an Access database and I'll build a form to query the data
they need (which specific points) and from when (time/date range).  They can
do this daily (review for any areas of concern) or any time in the future
(the next law suit).  Unfortunately, I don't know if or how to do this one.
I your need help and advice on how, if this is even feasible on the platform
we have and with the existing tools.  
The next dilemma I face is getting the process alarms generated by these
blocks into the Historian and into the reports (either Excel and/or Access).

I would appreciate your help and advice...

Thanks.


Joseph M. Riccardi, Inc.

DCS Services - Industrial Process Control
North-Central Office (OH, PA, MI, IN, WV Area)
South-East Office (FL, GA, AL, SC, NC Area)

mailto:Joe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"To give real service you must add something that cannot be bought or
measured with money; and that is sincerity and integrity." - Donald A. Adams


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