Powerful suite of PC-based software tools for data recorders

Citation

(2001), "Powerful suite of PC-based software tools for data recorders", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 30 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2001.12930bad.001

Powerful suite of PC-based software tools for data recorders

Powerful suite of PC-based software tools for data recorders

Keywords: Eurotherm, Software, Data storage

Eurotherm, manufacturer of data recorders, has introduced a powerful suite of software tools for use with the company's wide range of data recorders. Using a standard PC running Windows 95, 98 or NT, engineers will be able to view on-line live data from a number of remote instruments. Data can be viewed, analysed, stored and transmitted across a variety of possible process applications.

The PC Software suite consists of three separate packages, called PC Chart, PC View and PC Review.

PC Chart is described as a pre-engineered package which provides remote on-line chart display and printing. Using this package, plant data may be viewed remotely using Modbus RTU over an RS232/485 link. A maximum of 75 inputs can reportedly be read from single or multiple recorders on the network, and inputs from different instruments can be grouped together for ease of monitoring plant performance. Auto-configuration of trend displays is said to be achieved by utilising a user-friendly set up tool, and trend displays can be further modified to suit the user's application.

PC Chart can be used with all current Eurotherm Chessell data acquisition devices and recorders that support Modbus RTU, such as Models, 4100G, 4103, 4181, 4250 and 4000R.

PC View is said to be a more powerful on-line package offering extra functionality – and up to 300 inputs. Extra displays include a Panel Indicator module with bar graphs, alarm status and point displays. Alarm setpoints can be adjusted remotely, detailed alarm summaries and the status of group alarms can be viewed on-line.

PC Review is described as providing chart viewing and printing for offline activity, including remote file transfer. It uses the packed data files from a data recorder's local storage media and imports them into a secure PC database. The chart view module within this package can reportedly look at data from one or more archive files. This can then be either printed in chart or tabular form or exported as a CSV file. Remote archiving is possible using RS232/485 serial communications, and if required, a modem. All three packages in the PC Software Suite feature Secure Data storage.

Eurotherm, recognising that different customers need very different levels and types of ongoing field support, have introduced a new portfolio of three standard support agreements. All provide for 24-hour, seven days per week telephone hotline cover, with a guaranteed 12, eight, six or four-hour on-site response to logged problems.

The agreements are flexible enough to cater for widely different customer needs. For instance, some customers have their own on-site skills and the necessary spares to maintain a control system, but may require support of a specialist nature on an infrequent basis. Others may require total support of a system, including spares, training and periodic preventive maintenance visits.

The new support agreements are: Star Agreement is an agreement for those customers with on-site skills and their own spares holding, but with an occasional need for specialist support. The cost of the agreement covers any support services except labour costs associated with the site visit, and any spares required to provide the solution. 3 Star Agreement provides for customers who maintain on-site skills themselves, but who do not wish to carry spares. It offers all of the benefits of the 1 Star Agreement, but includes the cost of spares, and in addition offers preferential rates on other engineering services. 5 Star Agreement is a comprehensive agreement, which provides for fully inclusive, ongoing support of the system. As with the other agreements, 24-hour coverage is provided with no labour or spares costs and a guaranteed response to site. This agreement goes much further, however, in that customers will now be provided with software support, remote system support by modem, regular status reports, regular preventative maintenance visits, escalation procedures, and even formal training for a nominated system keeper.

Details available from: Eurotherm Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1903 268500; Fax: +44 (0)1903 695666; e-mail: info@controls.eurotherm.co.uk; Web site: http://www.eurotherm.co.uk