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This month we interviewed Kevin Murphy of Hancock Lumber about his experience with Inductive Automation software.
IA: What do you use Inductive Automation software for in your company or facility?
Kevin: We use all three components (Factory SQL, Factory PMI and the Reporting Plug-In) to centrally monitor multiple PLCs at three sawmills located throughout the state of Maine. The collected data is presented in a dashboard-like environment for use by sawmill managers to improve their processes by evaluating correlations between downtime events and process outputs.
The flexibility of the software has allowed us to customize both data collection points and interfaces so that we can gather exactly the data that is relevant to our processes.
At the beginning of January, 2008, we added a second FactorySQL/PMI data collection server in our Bethel, Maine facility for use in controlling our upgraded wood-fired boiler. Factory PMI with SQL tags made it exceptionally easy for us to custom develop a control panel to meet the needs of our environment in a cost- and time-efficient manner.
IA: Why did you choose Inductive Automation software?
Kevin: Our primary reason for selecting Inductive Automation was its lower cost compared to competing products. In addition, the ability to install the software and run it in a meaningful way before purchasing it was key to our decision-making process. During our evaluation process, Inductive Automation's engineering staff made themselves available to us to answer many technical questions, long before we bought the software. Having a working model of what FactoryPMI could do for us with our data in it made it very easy for us to get Management approval to purchase the software.
IA: What features have you found most useful to your specific process?
Kevin: The ability of the software to speak to any database, as well as to any OPC server, has been a big plus to us. In addition, the ability to publish any FactoryPMI solution on any desktop, without the need for additional licensing has made it very easy for us to roll out the solutions in our environment.
IA: How has the introduction of SQLTags affected your development and implementation?
Kevin: SQLTags made it possible for us to produce the screens for our recent boiler project in a fraction of the time it would have taken in past versions. Since this project was on a very tight timeline, the ability to produce the necessary controls quickly was a huge advantage to us.
IA: What have you found to be the main benefits of the software?
Kevin: The initial benefit to us was in the ease of deploying our solutions. When a user requests access to the dashboard, all we have to do is send them a link with logon information, and they have all the access they need.
As we have gotten deeper into the software, we are finding many more ways to utilize the controls features that the FactoryPMI interface offers. We have been able to accomplish several small controls projects quickly and inexpensively simply by building the interfaces through FactoryPMI.
IA: How do you plan on using IA software in the future?
Kevin: We look forward to establishing additional servers for data collection at several other points of control throughout our network. We are exploring the possibility of using Inductive Automation tools to update and automate one of our oldest mill facilities.
IA: Is there anything else you can say regarding your experience with Inductive Automation?
Kevin: Our experience with support from Inductive Automation has been very, very good. When we called with issues printing from the Reporting plugin, the IA staff worked to replicate the issues we were having so they could help us resolve the issue. We are also tracking other issues within our environment for which IA technical staff have been invaluable resources. In short, Inductive Automation has provided us with excellent service throughout our entire experience with their software.
End-User Highlight: Hancock Lumber
01/21/2008 - This month we interviewed Kevin Murphy of Hancock Lumber about his experience with Inductive Automation software.
IA: What do you use Inductive Automation software for in your company or facility?
Kevin: We use all three components (Factory SQL, Factory PMI and the Reporting Plug-In) to centrally monitor multiple PLCs at three sawmills located throughout the state of Maine. The collected data is presented in a dashboard-like environment for use by sawmill managers to improve their processes by evaluating correlations between downtime events and process outputs.
The flexibility of the software has allowed us to customize both data collection points and interfaces so that we can gather exactly the data that is relevant to our processes.
At the beginning of January, 2008, we added a second FactorySQL/PMI data collection server in our Bethel, Maine facility for use in controlling our upgraded wood-fired boiler. Factory PMI with SQL tags made it exceptionally easy for us to custom develop a control panel to meet the needs of our environment in a cost- and time-efficient manner.
IA: Why did you choose Inductive Automation software?
Kevin: Our primary reason for selecting Inductive Automation was its lower cost compared to competing products. In addition, the ability to install the software and run it in a meaningful way before purchasing it was key to our decision-making process. During our evaluation process, Inductive Automation's engineering staff made themselves available to us to answer many technical questions, long before we bought the software. Having a working model of what FactoryPMI could do for us with our data in it made it very easy for us to get Management approval to purchase the software.
IA: What features have you found most useful to your specific process?
Kevin: The ability of the software to speak to any database, as well as to any OPC server, has been a big plus to us. In addition, the ability to publish any FactoryPMI solution on any desktop, without the need for additional licensing has made it very easy for us to roll out the solutions in our environment.
IA: How has the introduction of SQLTags affected your development and implementation?
Kevin: SQLTags made it possible for us to produce the screens for our recent boiler project in a fraction of the time it would have taken in past versions. Since this project was on a very tight timeline, the ability to produce the necessary controls quickly was a huge advantage to us.
IA: What have you found to be the main benefits of the software?
Kevin: The initial benefit to us was in the ease of deploying our solutions. When a user requests access to the dashboard, all we have to do is send them a link with logon information, and they have all the access they need.
As we have gotten deeper into the software, we are finding many more ways to utilize the controls features that the FactoryPMI interface offers. We have been able to accomplish several small controls projects quickly and inexpensively simply by building the interfaces through FactoryPMI.
IA: How do you plan on using IA software in the future?
Kevin: We look forward to establishing additional servers for data collection at several other points of control throughout our network. We are exploring the possibility of using Inductive Automation tools to update and automate one of our oldest mill facilities.
IA: Is there anything else you can say regarding your experience with Inductive Automation?
Kevin: Our experience with support from Inductive Automation has been very, very good. When we called with issues printing from the Reporting plugin, the IA staff worked to replicate the issues we were having so they could help us resolve the issue. We are also tracking other issues within our environment for which IA technical staff have been invaluable resources. In short, Inductive Automation has provided us with excellent service throughout our entire experience with their software.