Finding Solutions for Our Clients' Customers
The Customer's Challenge
A large environmental consultancy and software firm needed support with the integration of their software in the production facility of a major Canadian brewery. Montage is a software application that collects, stores, and analyzes enterprise energy data. The data comes from real time product control systems, as well as other data storages. For the client, this data is stored in their facility's PLCs, but due to its design, the Montage software cannot get the data from these controllers. In addition, the client also required that the real time information should be stored for the time period that covers the application maintenance. JMP was contracted to overcome these challenges by providing the system controls to integrate the software into the client's facility and extract the appropriate data in the manner required.
The JMP Approach and JMP's Unique Value*
The approach utilizes the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 for data storage, Rockwell Software's RSLinx and RSSql to provide direct data integration between the real time controller PLC and database. The SQL Server also accesses Sybase database. The system consists of RSLinx, RSSql, SQL server, and a utility to create/modify database objects. The components work as follows:
- RSLinx is the data driver for the application; it talks directly to controller and provides the data path for RSSql.
- RSSql is the data bridge between the PLC and the database. It controls the transaction at desired intervals to gather data and triggers the database stored procedures to handle with all data formatting.
- SQL server is the system's data storage; it expands system failure tolerance and also links the Sybase database to the system.
- The Database Utility is an effective tool which creates stored procedures and increases system efficiency.
The Customer Payoff
The approach utilizing Rockwell and Microsoft products has allowed for more flexibility and efficiency in data collecting and storing.
- It includes a robust data storage system where the SQL Server can interact with Sybase, Oracle, Access, and other applications.
- It offers easy configuration and maintenance with RSSql as a fully configurable tool, and the utility can deal with SQL Server stored procedures.
- The RSSql accesses the database via stored procedures instead of through the access table. This provides fast data collection by transferring more data with each transaction.
- And finally by using RSLinx to provide the industry standard OPC function, helps the engineer to configure PLC data path and is easily expandable for future client needs.