Re: [foxboro] Why do people use PCs to show DM/FV (Inspired by Dual headedHumm ingbird displays)





Hi Alex.

We utilize PC's with exceed to call DM's for both "view only" for a window
into the mill operation, and "full access" for remote engineering and
troubleshooting.
Currently we have only one PC with exceed used for an operator workstation
in a remote area that had an existing mill ethernet connection.
We may introduce more PC's with exceed as WP20/30's fail, they can quickly,
easily, and cost effectively be upgraded to a PC with exceed (or better yet
an old PC running LINUX).

A big factor is ROI.
We can use a PC with exceed in a rackroom calling a DM from an operators
AW/WP for a fraction of the cost of a WP.
Another reason is flexibility. I can plug in my network cable for my
notebook anywhere in the plant (or out via VPN) and have access to the DCS.
-We do not have to have a hardwired connection to a DNBX when using exceed.

As for future HMI, why not come up with a LINUX box to call DM's for
operators.
 It would not take much engineering for Foxboro, would not need any extra
software (like exceed).
You could also market a LINUX box running VNC server, to serve DM's on
users PC's in a web browser.
Users would not need exceed, with all of the hassle associated with exceed
setup.

It would be a good place for Foxboro to start getting with the times and
start using LINUX.
IBM, HP, and even SUN are promoting, and making money supporting LINUX
based products.
Foxboro seems to be getting further away from UNIX, all of the time.

If Foxboro is too tied to Microsoft to do this maybe a third party vendor
could use this approach.

Just my 2 cents worth.

      -Regards, Brian Bates.




                                                                                
                                                     
                      "Johnson, Alex                                            
                                                     
                      (Foxboro)"               To:       foxboro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx  
                                                     
                      <ajohnson@Foxboro        cc:                              
                                                     
                      .com>                    Subject:  [foxboro] Why do 
people use PCs to show DM/FV (Inspired by Dual headed Humm 
                      Sent by:                  ingbird displays)               
                                                     
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                      06/28/2004 01:01                                          
                                                     
                      PM                                                        
                                                     
                      Please respond to                                         
                                                     
                      foxboro                                                   
                                                     
                                                                                
                                                     
                                                                                
                                                     




If you don't mind, I'd like to ask the community of users about how and why
they use PCs to show FV/DM displays. I know that this is not scientific,
but
I'm curious.




So, if you use PCs, would you please answer a few questions for me?



1)                How are the PCs used?

a.                On a scale of 0 to 10 where

                                                          i.      0 is
never
uses I/A Series Applications and

                                                      ii.      10 is never
uses non-I/A Series applications (except eXceed of course), where would you
rank the use of your PCs?



For example, I think a 10 user is an operator console, a 7 or 8 user might
have company specific programs that need to be run on operator console, a 3
user might be a PC at home used for dial-up support.



2)                Why are PCs used?

a.                Low-Cost

b.                Environmental hardening

c.                Remote location hard to reach with a PC

d.                Dial-up (or VPN or whatever) access from home



3)                What other types of HMI (beside WPs) should we be
offering?





Thanks,



AJ





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This mailing list is neither sponsored nor endorsed by Invensys Process
Systems (formerly The Foxboro Company). Use the info you obtain here at
your own risks. Read http://www.thecassandraproject.org/disclaimer.html
 
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