Posted to News on 25th Jun 2013, 21:09
Monitor and control industrial processes using mobile devices
Winchester Innovation has developed software that enables users to monitor and control industrial processes using smartphones and tablets. These devices offer advantages such as low cost, easy replacement, long battery life, simple upgrade paths and high-quality manufacture. They can augment or replace existing bespoke display/control user interfaces.
The two main platforms are Apple (iOS) and Android, with Microsoft an up-and-coming option.
Monitoring can be of real-time or stored data. Data visualisation such as charts and gauges can be used to enhance the operator's experience. One or many processes or machines can be monitored, or many smartphones/tablets can monitor one process or machine.
In terms of control, the touch-based user interface enables continuous improvement of operator user interfaces for optimum process efficiency and flexibility. General familiarity with mobile platforms reduces the need for operator training thanks to standard platform user interface guidelines.
Common connectivity options are WiFi and Bluetooth. Bluetooth 4.0 offers many new opportunities, particularly for newer iOS devices. Other options include 3G, GPRS and SMS. If required, Winchester Innovation's partners can add a range of wireless options.
The process of utilising smartphone and tablet devices is straightforward. An agile approach enables incremental (and therefore flexible) deliverables. Key steps are:
- Requirements capture and feasibility study
- Mock-up a skeleton of the controls
- Implement and release beta version(s) with fast iteration
- Delivery
- Ongoing continuous improvement as required
Monitoring and control applications on mobile devices are available as off-the-shelf products, or they can be tailored or created as bespoke systems to suit particular project requirements. Follow the link for more information about industrial controls on smartphones.
