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Geographically Distributed SCADA (Geo-SCADA) Software Solutions
Q & A
Historian
Is a long-term data historian available?
Yes, there is standard historical trending built into the InTouch® HMI, or you may choose to use the Wonderware® Historian (formerly known as InSQL™ or the IndustrialSQL Server™ historian).
How is data transferred to the historian?
Data is transferred to the long-term historian (Microsoft® SQL Server) through an OLE DB provider. In the case of the Wonderware Industrial Application Server, there is no configuration of the historian. Simply install the product and, when you are configuring your objects, the historian is automatically configured.
Can the real-time database server temporarily store data in case the historian is unable to accept information?
Yes, iDAS (IndustrialSQL Data Acquisition Service) modules are used specifically for this feature. Should the historian not be available for any reason, the iDAS module will store the data locally until the server becomes available. Once the server comes back, the iDAS module will send the saved data over as bandwidth allows, while continuing to send real time data over.
Once the server returns, the iDAS module watches the health of the server again. iDAS can kick-in not only when the server is down, but also when the server may just be overloaded or running slow for one reason or another. The Industrial Application Server includes the iDAS' Store and Forward capability built into the Platform and Engine Objects.
How much information can I store in your historian?
There are no hard storage limits. The size of the hard disk will determine the amount of information that can be stored by the historian.
What are the retrieval rates?
Data retrieval rates vary depending on the amount of data to be retrieved, the computer hardware used and the network performance. Retrieval rates in the thousands of values per second are common.
How can I view the historical information?
The Wonderware Historian is an open-standards data historian and supports SQL- and ODBC-compliant database tools. Wonderware client tools include ActiveFactory™ and QI Analyst™ software as well as the Wonderware Information Server (formerly SuiteVoyager® software).
What types of analysis tools are available?
Wonderware provides ActiveFactory software, the Wonderware Historian’s data analysis and reporting client. Wonderware also provides QI Analyst software, which can access plant process data within the historian and generate real-time SPC (Statistical Process Control) charts and tables. The Wonderware Information Server can aggregate and display the data in many types of views.
Report Writing
Describe your software’s native capability to generate and print reports.
There are many ways to produce reports from Wonderware HMI/SCADA software, including but not limited to:
- Printing a screen formatted as a report
- Feeding data live to Excel® software and creating reports with Excel spreadsheets
- Using third-party reporting solutions such as XLReporter, OPS Systems, and others
Wonderware's native solution includes ActiveFactory Reporting, which features an ad hoc query tool, an add-in to Microsoft Word, an add-in to Microsoft Excel software, a comprehensive trending tool and a Reporting website, all in one package. ActiveFactory software is used in conjunction with the Wonderware Historian in thousands of installations. Thus, this would be the preferred reporting method for any Wonderware solution.
System Security
How can I make sure my information is secure?
Wonderware can help you protect how your information is changed and viewed all the way down to the data level. In addition, software that runs Web applications can be hosted in a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with a firewall on both sides to protect information. Authentication is required whenever a user tries to access information or make changes via a browser or telephone. Security in Wonderware products is tight and built-in from the beginning, not an afterthought included later.
Does Wonderware offer security features at the operating system level?
Yes, four levels of security are available in InTouch software:
- None
- InTouch only
- ArchestrA architecture
- Operating system
Can additional security be implemented above the operating system’s security features?
Yes, as follows...
Runtime Security
The Wonderware Industrial Application Server, built on ArchestrA technology, provides an unparalleled runtime security model, enforced at the data level with full traceability of runtime changes. It also provides a client-independent and secure access layer on top of a wide range of automation hardware.
Data-level security is defined by configuring permissions in an Object's attributes. Data-level security enables application developers to define which users can modify and configure specific data. The Industrial Application Server introduces the capability to define runtime security options at the attribute level. These options are as follows:
- Free Access
- Operate
- Secured Write
- Verified Write
- Tune
- Configure
- Read Only
Secured Writes and Verified Writes
The Industrial Application Server's approach to security is ideal for industrial applications that are impacted by security requirements and other regulations. Engineering-validated applications are now simpler than ever with support for automated-configuration audit trails, secure writes and verified writes.
A secured write operation requires a user who has Operate permissions to the object to login again (even if already logged in) prior to writing to the attribute. The destination object verifies the credentials and then the write is performed, logged in the event sub-system and reported back to the HMI operator station. A verified write operation requires a user who has Operate permissions to login again (even if already logged in), and a second, different user with Operate permissions to also login prior to writing to the attribute.
Can Wonderware software automatically log off a user after a period of inactivity?
Yes.
How can I reduce cyber-security risks in a Wonderware SCADA system?
Security has become a grave concern for all industries. In the Water/Wastewater, Pipelines and Electric-Delivery industries, the threat of attack is taken very seriously. That's why Wonderware's system-security models and system-hardening practices from Microsoft can be fully leveraged. The ArchestrA security model provides not only access security but role-based security within the development and runtime environments.
Within the runtime environment, multiple levels of security can be applied all the way down to the attribute level. This provides the capability to allow access and control to defined groups of users with specific roles, and to deny access and/or control to others. To make sure that we provide a system that can be secured to the levels recommended by industry groups like the American Society of Civil Engineers, we are working with Microsoft and many other Industry and Standards groups to define testing procedures, recommendable architectures and configurations that can be utilized to test our system and help SCADA Operations Groups secure systems.
HMI Server Redundancy
Can the real-time database server be made redundant?
Yes.
If server redundancy is supported, can the active server be manually switched to allow maintenance of the server?
Yes. The purpose of redundancy is to ensure continuous operation by providing a computer that remains active in the event of a single-system component failure. It operates on the principle that, with redundant computers, one computer is in an Active State while the other is in a Standby State, waiting to take control.
The hardware topology required for redundant-node functionality is simple: two computers, each with two network interface cards (NIC). The first network card is for the supervisory network; the second card is for the Redundancy Message Channel (RMC). There are also several attributes that allow manual failover at any time, also within a script if needed. If server redundancy is supported, describe how changes to the off-line server’s real-time database are copied to the on-line server.
Using NAD you would make changes to an offline version of the application and then update those changes to the online servers. Otherwise, you can bring down one of the servers (NAD master) make the changes and then 'notify' so the other servers get updated.
If server redundancy is supported, describe how changes to the off-line server’s real-time database are copied to the on-line server.
You would make changes to an offline version of the application and then update those changes to the online servers. Otherwise, you can bring down one of the servers, make the changes and then 'notify' so the other servers get updated.
In a redundant server system, describe how communication links to third party applications (for example, historian or maintenance management) are maintained when the server is switched.
If using the Wonderware historian (InSQL) this feature is built in with the aforementioned IDAS modules.
Are there any timing issues in dealing with a communication link of less than full Ethernet speeds?
'Less than full Ethernet' is not really of a concern. Less than 56K baud could however become interesting. In this case, InTouch would go into a slow poll mode (built in) until communications returns. In the case of IAS, this was also built into the software specifically to address this issue in the SCADA market.
Can device communications also be made redundant?
The Industrial Application Server can host Redundant Device Integration Objects (DI Objects). The Redundant DI Object is a DINetwork Object used to enable continuity of I/O information from field devices. The Redundant DI Object provides the ability to configure a single object with connections to two different data sources. If the primary data source fails, the Redundant DI Object automatically switches to the backup data source for its information. There is a one-to-two relationship between an instance of the Redundant DI Object and the running instances of the source DI objects; that is, for each Redundant DI Object, a pair of source DI Objects is deployed.
Application development issues
Does your software allow changes to the database while the system is in operation (On-line changes)?
Yes.
Does your software allow changes to the graphics while the system is in operation (On-line changes)?
Yes.
Describe any capabilities for the simulation of database values to allow testing of the application during software development.
InTouch simulations would be allowed through the use of 'TestProt' an applet for simulation data. In the case of IAS, an object can be created to handle this functionality. To be clear – this is not a built in feature, however it is possible.
Can the real-time database be exported to third party software packages to allow wholesale copying, searching, and replacement of database records?
Yes.
If so, can the database be exported while the system is in operation?
Yes.
Can the database be imported while the system is in operation?
Not to the running server. With InTouch this would be allowed if we implemented a NAD master architecture. In the case of Wonderware Industrial Application Server — this is standard operating procedure and the answer would be yes.
Briefly describe the method of database import and export, and the steps required to accomplish this task.
The import and export of the database is automated and menu driven.
Scripting and custom application development within the HMI software
Describe the method used to allow the development of scripting within the HMI software.
InTouch employs a powerful easy to use/deploy scripting engine called Quick Script. The Industrial Application Server uses a superset of Quick Script called Quick Script.Net.
Is visual basic scripting supported?
Within InTouch Quick Script, .dll’s created in VB can be called. In the case of IAS, visual basic scripting is supported through the use of VB.NET.
Is C++ scripting supported?
Within InTouch Quick Script, .dll's created in C++ can be called.
In the case of Wonderware Industrial Application Server, C++ scripting is supported through the use of .NET.
Is Active X supported?
Yes.
Describe any capabilities for importation of graphic elements into the HMI software.
See items a-c below.
Is the importation of AutoCAD drawings supported?
Yes, directly as a .bmp or thru a 3 rd party package for a cost of 500.00
Describe any other graphic elements (jpg, bmp) that can be imported.
InTouch can import .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .pcx, and .tga directly.
Can imported elements be animated? If so, describe how this is accomplished, and what elements can be animated.
Yes, although the animation would be to the entire graphic. Individual elements of the imported graphic cannot be animated – with the exception of AutoCAD drawings since the 3 rd party tool used to import them allows you to convert the CAD drawing into InTouch objects, allowing you to animate any or all parts of the imported image.
Graphics development issues
Briefly describe the objects provided within the HMI software library.
InTouch comes standard with over 3,500 symbols in the Symbol Factory as well as roughly 100 wizards.
Does the graphic development environment support the creation and storage of customized "global objects?"
Yes, for graphic elements (SmartSymbols) and supervisory objects, you can build a template - then deploy that template as many times as you wish. If you decide to make a change to the template, click once (deploy) and all of the derived templates also receive that change.
Can individual sub-elements be animated within the SmartSymbol without disassembly?
The SmartSymbol’s animation can change tag names without breaking the symbol. In order to add animation (or delete) you go into an edit mode of the Smart Symbol which in the process breaks the Smart Symbol. Once you finish the Smart symbol edit, the Smart Symbol is made whole again by a single click.
Describe how various screen resolutions amongst the HMI clients will affect the quality of display on the clients. Can differing screen resolutions be accommodated without modifications to the graphical elements?
Through the use of DRC (Dynamic Resolution Conversion) each client can choose to use the master application resolution, convert to screen video resolution or assign a custom resolution.
SCADA System Integration
What type of system integration support is available?
Wonderware, together with our network of experienced local distributors and system integrators, offers in-depth product knowledge and real industry experience to provide you with the best support and services. Wonderware network of Certified Support Providers (CSPs) are unequaled in the industry for providing a consistent, high quality level of localized service in over sixteen languages. Our System Integrator programs provide SIs with a credential that acknowledges their skills with Wonderware products. These programs allow our customers and distributors to identify an SI with the aptitude to develop integrated Wonderware solutions for their applications.
How can I find a system integrator with experience in SCADA?
Wonderware's SI website will provide a database of Wonderware system integrators. Please click on the link below to get to our website. From here, selection criteria can be input to filter system integrators with expertise in SCADA applications.
www.wonderware.com/solution_providers/si/search
Integration with other systems
What standards do you support for connecting my information to the enterprise?
The Wonderware enterprise application integration offering was developed in response to growing customer demand for greatly simplified approaches to linking diverse sets of automation systems and business applications to achieve greater levels of business productivity. Wonderware’s Enterprise Application Integration offering leverages several technologies including ISA 95, Wonderware’s innovative ArchestrA software architecture for integrating virtually any automation system; Microsoft’s .NET XML platform and BizTalk Server 2004 technology; OPC for real-time data connectivity; and SQL/OLE DB support for open database integration.
Can I obtain information from a PLC?
Yes, just install the Wonderware Device Integration Server driver for the PLC.
Can I obtain information from a DCS system?
Yes, just install the Wonderware Device Integration Server for the DCS system. Alternatively, OPC can be used to connect to many existing control systems.
Can I view information from various databases that I have.
Yes, you can view information from any database that you can connect to using standard database communication protocols.
Remote Visualization and Control
How can I access my information when I am away from the control station?
Several ways are available. A user can access their information and have control over a browser. They can also be paged or receive email when alarms or events occur and can call back into the system to find out the problem and make changes. They can carry a wireless TabletPC or PDA with them that can connect to the system.
General
What type of clients can I use to display information?
Wonderware client products can be displayed via Web Browser, Microsoft Terminal Services, Thick Client, Computers Running Microsoft Tablet Operating System, Windows XP Embedded or text based interfaces like cell phones, PDAs or pagers. Open interfaces like XML, OPC, OLE, SQL, Web Services, HTTP and SOAP allow Wonderware products to integrate with just about any third party system, application or database.
How easy is it to make changes to a system once it is installed?
Wonderware software permits creation of a well or RTU in a matter of minutes and the re-use of those objects and templates. A single attribute (data attribute or security for instance) can be modified within hundreds of objects in a single command, saving thousands in engineering and time.
Is this a good solution for small systems? What about larger systems?
Applications like distributed SCADA systems require an infrastructure that can monitor and report on large amounts of real-time data. Wonderware provides a scalable and integrated architecture to meet the needs of small, simple applications all the way up to highly challenging information management systems, from a few hundred to one-million IO. The Wonderware platform provides the capability to quickly and easily deploy new nodes and functions, providing exceptional scalability.
Too often, an application's architectural structure locks engineers into a single topology. Such inflexible architectures hinder a user's ability to improve poor system performance or respond to changing automation system requirements. Wonderware resolves the problems associated with scaling automation applications because there are no limitations on system size, and performance issues are easily addressed through the introduction of new nodes. New workstations and data points are automatically integrated into the initial application.
What happens if I want to add more equipment to my system? How easy is it to modify my application?
With the Wonderware object templates and SmartSymbol technology, it is very easy. If you are adding devices such as sensors, transmitters, pumps or motors similar to other hardware devices you have used in the past, you can reuse the existing template and have the new devices online in a matter of minutes. If you are installing new substations, lines, or wells, you can use the model of existing substations, lines and wells already created and duplicate this work in minutes also, preserving engineering effort, improving reliability and greatly reducing application configuration and maintenance.
What is the preferred hardware to connect to?
Wonderware is open system software and is hardware independent. Wonderware recognizes the importance of a new SCADA system’s ability to connect to existing variety of field devices. By working in combination with more than 100 third-party product developers, Wonderware offers the largest selection of device integration servers and protocols in the industry to connect to virtually any industrial hardware in the marketplace.
Will I be able to modify, change, and maintain my system on my own?
Yes. The Wonderware software 'ease of use' is consistently praised by customers. Unlike proprietary solutions that require software developers and/or device manufacturers when upgrades are needed, Wonderware software is an off the shelf, open system solution that enables the customer to maintain control of their application. Customers have the flexibility to make changes, update, improve and customize their application to reflect changing business practices and needs, expansion with new equipment, and additional information requirements.
What tools do you have to improve operator efficiency?
Many SCADA operations groups are looking at implementing a mobile workforce, meaning they are empowering the field operator with mobile devices to easily access and retrieve data on the go. With mobile access, field operators no longer have to wait for dispatcher to give information. Details of location and type of work to be done can be retrieved remotely. An operator can monitor system status, acknowledge alarms, and perform system diagnostic without being tide to a single location. Wonderware offers a mobile HMI tablet solution that is ideal for this type of environment. An operator can carry a tablet and use it as a mobile HMI rather than have a fixed HMI at every remote station. The tablets can be use with Wonderware's HMI or can be installed with the municipalities own GIS or Workorder System. In this case the operator will have the jobsite information on the tablet with location and a map of the site. This facilitates a more efficient mobile workforce.
Can you interface with GIS system?
Let us first look at how and why GIS systems are being used in the SCADA industry. Many SCADA Operations Groups have discovered the value of GIS for improving day-to-day operations. GIS can be used to closely model utility networks and integrate other related types of data. Most GIS display tools allow users to visualize scheduled work, ongoing activities, recurring maintenance problems, and historical information. GIS has been integrated with many other operations and maintenance tasks, including work order and warehouse inventory management and SCADA. Wonderware offers an open Supervisory and control system that allows for the integration of real-time operational alarms, events, and control data into existing GIS systems. With the FactorySuite A2 system, historical information as well as information from other disparate systems can be easily brought together in a single environment and consistently made available to a Geographic Information System. Standard interfaces like OPC, XML, Web services, OLEDB…Through extensibility of the ArchestrA Framework, or custom integration to proprietary APIs/dlls can also be implemented.
How strong is Wonderware in the industrial marketplace?
Wonderware pioneered the use of Microsoft Windows in the automation marketplace in the early 1990s. A cornerstone of our success has been our relentless pursuit of easy-to-use systems that are also easy to implement. That's why Wonderware SCADA applications are so common in the industry. Wonderware has over 100,000 installations and are well known not only locally but worldwide as well.
Our products are tuned for use in all supervisory systems- Both discrete and process related. We are a software only company, with linkage to over 300 types of devices on open operating systems and have a complete portfolio of products and hundreds of System Integrators available for projects anywhere in the world.
What are some of the aspects around how Wonderware that makes it easier for SCADA customers to do business with us?
Traditionally SCADA software solutions have been highly customized, which makes systems difficult and expensive to support and vulnerable to obsolescence. A Wonderware solution represents an "off the shelf" SCADA platform that leverages hundreds of thousands of installations worldwide. And we've been striving to incorporate features needed by the SCADA market into our products so as to avoid the need for custom scripting. By going to market through distributors who are in close proximity to potential customers and to the SI's who can support them, we cater more to regional issues. Our open systems approach, as demonstrated by our toolkits and adherence to standards, means that an end user can tap into a worldwide community of applications and I/O developers. Finally, our tight alliance with Microsoft is becoming more and more important as these users try to deal with increased security, reliability and integration requirements for their systems.
What Wonderware products are typically used in SCADA?
The SCADA system consists of the following major components:
- Industrial Application Server – for database, alarm, scripting and logic management unifying the entire application, providing .Net services and the industrial services required such as security.
- IndustrialSQL Server Historian – real-time and historical logging of 30,000 points per second and bursts up to 60,000 points per second. Backup history on the application server should the network be lost. Automatic recovery when the network recovers.
- ActiveFactory Trending and Reporting Clients – providing the tools to share and report on the data in the SCADA system.
- InTouch HMI viewing clients – the World Standard in HMI systems for representing the field RTU’s and their associated equipment in the best manner for an operator.
- SCADAlarm – SCADAlarm™ alarm and event-notification software provides a secure telecommunications link to industrial automation software systems. Based on the Microsoft® Windows® operating system, SCADAlarm enables real-time intelligent alarm and event notification, data acquisition capabilities and remote control.
- SuiteVoyager – The SuiteVoyager™ industrial information portal is arguably the most secure, powerful, extensible and easiest to configure and deploy industrial portal on the market today.