Systems integrators like Tesco Controls are uniquely positioned to help end users strike a balance in HMI/SCADA design between custom needs and industry standards.
Josh Choe, the Tesco Controls SCADA engineering manager, wrote an article for the Processing December 2022 issue, titled Integrator Experts Provide Visualization Options for Clients. He describes how HMI/SCADA systems are the highly visible “face” of automation systems, and why engaging a systems integrator (SI) is often the most efficient way for end user companies to obtain the easy-to-use and consistent visualization experience they desire. A short synopsis is shown below. To read the entire article click here.
Developing theory into practice
Water/wastewater and other processing plants rely on effective HMI/SCADA systems to provide clear and usable information for their operators. The good and bad news of modern digital systems is that they provide a lot of options. There is no universal and clear-cut design methodology spanning all industries, and sometimes personal preferences provide less than optimal results.
Graphical HMI/SCADA devices and systems overcome the limitations of physical devices—like pushbuttons, lights, gauges, and thumbwheels—and they provide a universe of design possibilities. With these devices and systems, there have been at least two major design concept approaches over the years.
Traditional graphics depict the process as a flow diagram, and often use a lot of color, distracting animations, and excessive information. This approach can make it difficult for users to process and act upon the information presented on screens.
A more modern approach, called situational awareness (or high-performance), calls for a streamlined and minimalist approach with limited colors, aligned with the ISA 101 HMI standard. Some end users may find these types of screens hard to get used to due to the very basic presentation, but the priority is improving operational efficiency, and this modern approach has been found effective.
In general, Tesco Controls is seeing the end user market preference shift away from traditional graphics and toward situational awareness graphics, but there are many reasons why specific end users and industries may prefer one or the other, or even a hybrid approach. Discussion with an SI experienced with many different HMI/SCADA projects can help determine the best path forward.
Charting a path forward
Typical end user needs for HMI/SCADA involve addressing:
- Process accuracy
- Simplicity
- Economics (for design and support)
- Consistency
- Preferences
- Accessibility (using mobile devices)
- Image (providing a “showcase” for plant tours)
Tesco Controls—and most end users—generally appreciate the speed, simplicity, reliability, and consistency of following high-performance standards and re-using library objects to the greatest extent possible. This approach mimics trends in the consumer and IT worlds.
The Tesco Controls team has also found that clear project deliverables and practical workshops held early in the design process provide the best way to incorporate all stakeholder needs, including engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel. Tesco Controls staff are expert at holding these workshops to draw out information, present options, and provide their valuable experience—spanning water/wastewater and other industries—so that efficient libraries, procedures, and style guides can be developed.
SIs support solutions
Industrial operations personnel agree on the importance of HMI/SCADA.
Use of an HMI/SCADA system is often the most prominent interaction end users experience with their industrial automation and process control systems. Effective graphics must not only be aesthetically pleasing, but they also need to clearly convey important information to help operators work efficiently.
With years of experience spanning water/wastewater and other industries, and a large staff of multi-disciplinary experts, Tesco Controls is ready to help meet client HMI/SCADA needs by delivering easy-to-use and effective systems.
Tesco Controls is a certified member of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA).
Author
Joshua Choe is SCADA Engineering Manager at Tesco Controls. Joshua is focused on developing SCADA and associated best practices, and has more than 20 years of experience designing and implementing process control systems for water/wastewater and other industries.