Wednesday, October 09, 2024
Imagine you're managing a large industrial facility. The equipment on your plant floor constantly generates data—temperature readings, pressure measurements, flow rates—but the challenge is getting all of that data into a centralized system where you can actually use it. Here’s where the PI System becomes a game-changer.
The Source of Truth: Data from the Field
It all begins with the equipment itself. Out on the plant floor, you have transmitters collecting pressure, temperature, and level readings, feeding them into different control systems. You might have heard of DCS systems like PCS7 or DeltaV DCS, or even a SCADA system like Ignition. They all gather vital information, but they speak different languages.
Imagine trying to communicate with five people, each speaking a different language—chaos, right? This is the challenge without the PI system. Your data is stuck in silos, with each system storing it in its own format. But here’s where PI interfaces step in.
The Universal Translator: PI Interfaces
I always like to think of the PI interfaces as translators. No matter if your data comes from a DCS, SCADA, or a database like Oracle or SQL Server, PI interfaces convert that information into a common language that the PI System understands.
One of my clients was juggling data from a legacy DCS system, a newly installed SCADA system, and a third-party control system. Without the PI interface, they would have spent months writing custom programs to merge this data—time they didn’t have. But with over 450 PI interfaces available, we found one that fit perfectly. No custom coding, no delays—just plug it in, and it worked like magic.
Scaling Without the Headache
That client’s story doesn’t end there. Six months later, they installed a new piece of equipment with its own control system. They didn’t have to worry. The PI System is built to scale. Whether it’s SCADA today or something else tomorrow, chances are, there’s a PI interface ready for you. This level of adaptability saves time and lets companies focus on what they do best—running their operations.
Smart Data Integration: PI Connectors and Adapters
There’s more to the story, though. As companies move toward more modern infrastructure, they don’t just want raw data—they want contextualized data. This is where PI connectors come in. These are like smart assistants, automatically organizing and structuring your data. However, AVEVA has decided to move away from enhancing connectors in favor of focusing on PI adapters.
I had another client recently make the shift to adapters. Initially, they were hesitant—it requires more hands-on configuration with tools like Edge Command or REST API, which was outside their comfort zone. But once they saw how much power and flexibility adapters provided, they never looked back. Today, they're collecting data from edge devices across multiple sites in real time.
The Heart of PI: Data Archive and Asset Framework (AF)
Once the data is in the PI System, the real magic happens in the PI Data Archive and Asset Framework (AF). Think of the Data Archive as a massive library—every temperature reading, every pressure change, is stored and time-stamped, ready for you to access whenever needed.
But a library isn’t useful without a good organizational system, right? That’s where AF comes in. One of my favorite analogies is that AF is like a well-organized filing cabinet. Instead of digging through raw data points, AF lets you build hierarchies and structures that make sense for your operation. You can group related assets—like pumps, tanks, or turbines—so you can find the data you need faster.
A Real-World Example
One company I worked with had a tank farm and needed to ensure that tank levels never exceeded 80% to avoid costly spills. We used PI Analytics to create real-time calculations and set up an Event Frame that triggered the moment a tank crossed the threshold. Not only did it automatically log the event, but it also sent out an alert via PI Notifications to the plant manager’s phone. Before PI, these notifications were manual—and often too late.
Visualization and Reporting: PI Vision and Beyond
Of course, all of this data is great, but without a way to visualize it, it’s like looking at a pile of puzzle pieces without knowing the picture. That’s where PI Vision and PI DataLink come in. One client used PI Vision to create a custom dashboard that allowed them to track energy consumption across multiple plants in real time. With these insights, they reduced their energy costs by 10% within the first quarter.
Another team leveraged PI DataLink to pull key metrics directly into Excel for easy reporting. This simple integration allowed them to make quicker business decisions and create daily reports without extra programming.
A Glimpse into the Future: PI Integrator and Cloud Solutions
As we move further into the age of the cloud, companies are looking for more ways to integrate their data with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. The PI Integrator for Business Analytics is a perfect solution. No programming knowledge is required—just configure and send your data to the cloud for advanced analysis or machine learning.
I’ve seen clients use the Azure Data Factory integration to seamlessly pull data from the PI System into cloud-based applications, unlocking powerful insights that were once buried in their operational systems.
Conclusion: The Power of the PI Ecosystem
The beauty of the PI System is its flexibility and scalability. From getting data out of various control systems to structuring it for easy access and analysis, it’s designed to make your job easier. Whether you’re managing on-premise equipment or pushing data to the cloud for advanced analytics, the PI System can handle it all.
The journey from data collection to actionable insights doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right tools, like PI interfaces, connectors, adapters, and visualizations, you can turn raw data into a competitive advantage—just like many of my clients have done.
CEO Of Sunlead Technologies Inc.
I am the founder and CEO of Sunlead Technologies Inc., a company that empowers oil & gas upstream and midstream leaders to turn data into actionable insights that drive impactful results. With over 15 years of expertise in the PI Data Historian field, I have built a reputation for delivering precise, high-quality contracting, professional services, and software solutions for the AVEVA PI System, the industry’s leading data management platform.
Our mission is to help clients maximize their investment in the PI System by offering visionary strategies and precise data-driven solutions that foster growth, efficiency, and trust. Whether it's optimizing energy use, preventing costly equipment failures, boosting production, or enabling digital transformation, my team is dedicated to providing reliable, customized support, both remotely and onsite, tailored to each client’s unique goals.