PI System

2017: Integration with ThingWorx

On March 30, 2017 the company PTC also OSIsoft announced intention to integrate IIoT- the platform ThingWorx with OSIsoft PI System for acceleration of development of solutions in the field of Industrial Internet of Things.

It is supposed, integration will help users of infrastructure of data of OSIsoft PI System to use possibilities of the ThingWorx platform, including:

• application development,
• machine learning
• augmented reality.

Besides, they will get access to library of the ThingWorx Marketplace applications that will allow to accelerate implementation of IoT-initiatives and will reduce payback periods of investments.

2015: PI Server

The version of PI Server 2015 includes updates of the following components:

PI Data Archive

• The built-in support of these time series with time stamps in the future. Now you can add to infrastructure of data in addition to historical data and real-time data, data of future periods.
• Additional possibility of data transfer of PI Batch in PI Event Frames which supports the strategy of OSIsoft company on transition from PI Batch to PI Event Frames.
• Increased security: PI Data Archive 2015 is the safest of available versions of Data Archive, and the OSIsoft company recommends it to all the customers. PI Data Archive 2015 also includes a huge set of the latest security protections developed by Microsoft company for compilers and operating systems.
• Implementation of support function of these future periods in PI Buffer Subsystem 2015 and error correction of the previous version. Collecting of forecast data via interfaces: PI Interface for Universal File and Stream Loading, PI Interface for HTML, PI Interface for Relational Database (RDBMS via ODBC) using PI Buffer Subsystem provides faultless data processing of future periods.
• The PowerShell tools for PI System are the first official version of cmdlets of PowerShell for accomplishment of administration tasks using scripts.
• Error correction of the previous version of PI SMT

PI Asset Framework (PI AF) с Asset Analytics

• Support of these future periods which remain in PI Data Archive through AFDataPipe, AFDataCache.
• Updating of model of security of AF by analogy with the PI Data Archive model through sharing of the accounts defined in AF.
• An opportunity to hide AF attributes by search or to exclude them from use in elements or events.
• Possibility of use in tags of these future periods as input data and results of calculations and also start of calculations at the moment when data of future periods in tags become relevant.
• Redefinition of time stamps in results of calculations.
• Number of new analytic functions of PE.

Except PI Server, the OSIsoft company carries out updating of other PI System components — including interfaces, access facilities to data, clients of visualization, adding support function of data of future time.

Description and components

PI Server is the database of real time, allows to store hundreds of thousands of parameters for several years on one server with a disk capacity of tens gigabytes. PI Server provides instant access of clients to hundreds to thousands to parameters at the same time.

PI Server executes integrated data processing on the certain time spans called by accumulation intervals is used for closing and statistic reports - the amounts, mean, maximum and minimum values, standard deviation and median for the period of accumulation; difficult calculations on formulas over data without additional programming. It is possible to include in formulas the different parameters relating, for example, to properties of liquid or to model of technology processes. It is possible to calculate values which cannot be received directly from measuring devices. Calculations are executed with the set frequency according to the schedule or on events. Formulas can be applied to calculation of thermal and material balances, machine output, development and product cost (in real time), reports on lots of products.

The PI interfaces provide bilateral data exchange between PI Server and different DCS SCADA, PLC (over 250 interfaces are developed) and also with business systems, for example SAP R/3 Oracle Application Baan , etc. In the absence of the standard interface data exchange can be performed through OPC, DDE or ODBC. Using the special software tools PI-API and PI-SDK it is possible to develop new interfaces.

Reliability of data transmission from the PCS in the PI server is provided thanks to buffering of information in the interface which accumulates and saves given at loss of physical contact with the PI server before recovery of this communication.

PlantSUITE - tools is developed for communication with MS by SQL applications and PI RLINK.

PI RLINK is the gateway for contact of PI System with the modules SAP R/3 QM, PM, PP-PI.

PI are UDA-the multiple device adapter of data, is the COM server. It is used for communication with archives of history of other firms, doing their data available to users of PI without the need for copying on PI Server.

Data Archive

Data Archive can store up to 500,000 events with a time mark, depending on the used technology of storage, network topology and other factors. It can provide prior to one million events for several thousand simultaneous connections with client applications. For normal requests search among several million events in Data Archive takes only several seconds.

Asset Framework

Asset Framework (AF) saves metadata in the MS SQL database.

AF allows users to construct an object model to organize and structure data of PI System and other data according to objects most familiar to users, for example:

• the machines containing the parts rotating with a high speed;
• reactors;
• transformers;
• measuring devices;
• pumps;
• engines
• etc.

Users of AF can also define and create the communications in an object model used for reflection of the sequence of transactions between production facilities. At the expense of the unified and complete representation of an object model or the technology scheme all staff of the organization can use these models for carrying out complex analysis of crucial data and obtaining information necessary for decision making. AF allows users to solve the following problems:

• Identify components or elements which make production process.
• Set attributes which describe object properties or the sequence of transactions between objects of production.
• Create templates of these elements, attributes, notifications and events.
• Create elements from templates. All subsequent changes in a template extend to each copy of an element
• Connect data with attributes of an element. AF supports an extensive set of links to data, including: the data of time series from one or several Data Archive, the static data entered manually data, created manually tables, foreign tables in relational databases, enumerated lists and mathematical formulas.
• Organize elements in hierarchies, logical groups in the form of categories and specify the relations between them.
• Apply calculations, rules or means of search of the solution.

Asset Framework consists of the AF Server server and the client of AF Client. AF Server processes requests from users to the Microsoft SQL Server database in which metadata are stored. The main client of AF Client for system administrators is PI System Explorer (PSE). It represents the graphical user interface delivered with AF using which the user gets access to all components and the AF functions. AF supports different units of measure (UOM) with automatic conversion within one class of units of measure, for example conversion of degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit. As the Notifications component (notifications PI System) use AF as the main environment, the user can connect the Notifications template with an AF element template. It allows to create automatically the notification during creation of the AF element from a template.

All clients of visualization of PI System — PI Coresight, PI WebParts, PI DataLink and PI ProcessBook — support AF. The same screen form can be used for visualization and comparison of similar objects of production without creation of a separate screen form for each object. The user just selects a specific element from the AF model.

Event Frames

The combination of opportunities of AF and Event Frames allows to solve the following problems:

• Define types of events and standardize data structure on events to simplify work with information.
• Use events and the related data for important objects of production at acceptance of business solutions and production process.
• Simplify search and data analysis in a binding to important processes and events, saving the user from need to remember exact time frames to which this or that event belongs.
• Determine the frequency and influence of different types of events on objects of production. It allows to provide search of the main origin of events and to have an opportunity to compare them with each other.
• Reveal what objects of production function better or worst of all in terms of such types of events as idle times or deviations of technical processes from mode regulations.

PI Analytics

Users of PI System can create an arsenal of calculations which allow to transform the raw data to information suitable for decision making. Users can analyze data by PI Analytics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft StreamInsight or to transfer data sets to third-party solutions, for example, in SAP Crystal Reports. Enter into the structure of PI Analytics and Asset Analytics: Performance Equations, Advanced Computing Engine, Totalizers, Steam Tables.

Performance Equations

Performance Equations (PE) provides 110 mathematical, statistical, archive, temporary, string, abnormal and logic functions. The scheduler for implementation of calculations supports PE in PI Server for the purpose of creation of derived data which register in archive. Thanks to PE users can program without effort standard calculations for verification of the output data, calculations of moving averages of values, standard deviations, key performance indicators and other purposes. Thanks to PE it is possible to create calculations for:

• block capacity;
• the expense accounting in real time;
• accounting of resources in real time;
• costs;
• reports on batches.

Advanced Computing Engine (ACE)

ACE represents Wednesday for users without experience of programming in which they can create the calculations solving business problems using data of PI System. Calculations are created in Microsoft Visual Studio by means of the master who helps at setup and placement of calculations. Developers can create simple and difficult calculations not only using the Visual Studio, but also using third-party libraries, such as Matlab for data modeling or OLEDB for access to external data. The equation created through ACE can be reused in the presence of the corresponding configuration. Such possibility of reuse increases the value of the created calculations as they can be created once, and then to use for many objects of production. For example, the formula necessary for calculation of a status of one pump can be applied to several pumps without effort. For check of calculations before use in the production environment it is possible to use a separate development environment.

ACE Manager allows to trace, configure, add and change different properties of the modules ACE, for example:

• start and stop of calculations;
• change of parameters of the schedule of calculations;
• use of the created calculations to new objects of production;
• import and export of calculations between systems;
• accomplishment of repeated calculations for the purpose of updating of the existing results of calculations or filling of results of calculations for new calculations.

Open coding environment is provided to users of ACE for creation of calculations, for example, of the material and power balance, warehouse calculations and calculations necessary at maintenance on the basis of a status. ACE supports several options of creation of frequency of calculation, including: on time, on an event, on existence of new value for input parameters, on a priority of the equation and at decrease in amount of values because of limited resources (loading of the processor).

ACE creates entry in magazines of messages if calculation or frequency of calculation are changed. Customers can add several code lines to each of calculations automatically to write the version, the user and other data in the PI SDK magazines at the beginning of calculations and also to monitor changes and their author.

Asset Analytics

Asset Analytics — the PI Server'a component which appeared in the version of PI Server 2014. Now users can configure, plan and start the calculations written by means of syntax of Performance Equations, and working with Asset Framework attributes. Results can remain in the form of the PI Tags tags. Besides, results can be entered into the report or PI Coresight are used by other PI System components, for example. Three types of calculations are supported in this version:

• RE Expressions are calculations by means of the provided RE functions working with AF attributes.
• Rollups is calculation of the aggregated values (for example, the daily complete volume of a flow via pumps).
• Event Frame Generation is use of one or, for choice, two expressions of RE to create (and to open) and/or to close Event Frame (for example, start or completion of work of a production facility).

Totalizers

Totalizers can calculate the amount, an average or other values for the output data arranged on time. They are often used to provide the high accuracy of calculation or for the purpose of monitoring of production indicators. Totalizers are especially useful to calculation of total measurements at the end of the specific temporary periods, for example at the end of the day.

System Management Tools

System Management Tools (SMT) represents the set of applications for administration and management of Data Archive'om from client computers. Thanks to a SMT you can manage data archives, configure security settings, create new tags, get access to magazines of messages, keep track of characteristics of performance for several Data Archive'ov, browse the flowing or archived values and to change them and other actions.

The SMT includes more than thirty connected modules for management of all characteristics of Data Archive'a:

• Manager of collective
• Archives
• Editor of archives
• Audit
• Backup copies
• Security of databases
• Digital statuses
• Magazines of messages
• Creation of points
• Statistics of snapshots and archives
• The bad and not changing values of points
• Users and groups
• Configuration of tags
• The utility for creation of interfaces (ICU)

Notifications

Notifications — the PI System component for creation and work with notifications and alarms in real time. It contains simple, complete and intuitive tool kit for use of notifications in all PI System for the purpose of the notification of key users and systems about crucial events in real time. Users can define what data join in the notification to whom it is addressed and as it will be delivered, confirmed and processed. The contents of notifications can include various information, for example: parameter values, their description, a priority of alarm, a hyperlink, sound files, KPI (KPI), the link to the screen PI WebParts forms, links to RtReports, data on the current products from a relational database and an investment, such as Word documents, tables and PDF files. Criteria which create notifications can be simple, such as comparison of value of one point of PI Point with a constant, or to be based on the difficult equations and several conditions. The rules Notifications can be imported and exported in the XML format.

AF represents a reference platform for Notifications, at the same time users can connect the Notifications template with an AF element template. When the new AF element is created from a template, the accompanying notification is automatically created.

The contents of notifications can be changed for separate notifications or depending on the specific receiver. User preference of contents allows to specify specific information to simplify the analysis of the reasons of the notification, for example:

• values of data in real time and data on objects of production;
• file investments, including auxiliary documents and procedures;
• links to web pages, including to the PI WebParts pages;
• links to PI ProcessBook symbolic circuits.

Notifications delivers notifications using various methods and channels of delivery. By default Notifications supports such channels of delivery as e-mail, web services and Microsoft Office Communicator/Microsoft Lync, along with applications for the notification on a desktop. Users can also create own channels of delivery for sending contents to third-party applications, for example, for workflow automation, enterprise resource planning and the system of service of objects of production.

If the notification is crucial and shall be processed, Notifications supports confirmations and escalation. If the notification is not confirmed during the specified time frame, it is received by the following receiver or group of receivers. Escalation can continue until the notification is not confirmed. At confirmation users can accompany information with comments. Notifications allows users to browse and filter active and historical notifications.

PI ProcessBook

PI ProcessBook represents the client application for creation of production symbolic circuits and graphic data visualization in real time. It can get at the same time access and display data from several PI Server'ov. PI ProcessBook can address data from data sources of ODBC directly. PI ProcessBook can be used for combination of standard elements of a design (such as ellipses, lines, rectangles, arcs, polygons and broken lines) with libraries of characters, values of data, the text, trends, coordinate constructions on axes of XY, columns, buttons, graphic elements (for example, with images in the JPEG format) and summaries to provide the complete environment of visualization in real time for users. PI ProcessBook also contains functions for dynamic scrolling of symbolic circuits or elements on a symbolic circuit forward and back in time that allows to simplify and accelerate viewing and comparison of events. PI ProcessBook also locates functions of the situational analysis, for example instant tracking of trends for the selected values on a symbolic circuit.

PI ProcessBook supports several expanded functions of integration, for example, links to the web pages, the documents Microsoft Word, the Microsoft Excel files or other applications available to start by means of the command line can join in the workbook of PI ProcessBook to provide integration with the materials created in other systems. Users can insert PI ProcessBook symbolic circuits into Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, PowerPoint or Outlook. Video in real time can also be presented on PI ProcessBook symbolic circuits. PI ProcessBook represents a container of management ActiveX which supports Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding. Visual Basic for applications it is built also in PI ProcessBook. Together these functions do PI ProcessBook by a reliable and flexible development environment.

PI DataLink

PI DataLink represents a superstructure for Microsoft Excel which creates bidirectional connection between PI System and the MS Excel. PI DataLink gives the chance to users to address all the data in PI System then these data can be used jointly with familiar powerful analytic functions of Microsoft Excel. PI DataLink simplifies and accelerates accomplishment of such tasks as data collection, the reporting, modeling and data analysis, drawing up forecasts and planning of processes. PI DataLink is also integrated with Notifications that users could browse quickly the data connected with the received notification, search of historical information from last notifications and to confirm again arrived notifications.

Thanks to PI DataLink and Microsoft Excel users of PI System have direct access to all necessary data necessary for a simple research of problems and quick response to the changing indicators.

PI WebParts

PI WebParts represents the client application based on Microsoft SharePoint which provides access through an intranet and the Internet to data of PI System through library of automatically updated web parts of SharePoint. The collective, but controlled environment of the SharePoint portal in which any data source, including the real-time data PI System and other systems, can be displayed in any place and at any time in the form of simple and clear visual objects, such as diagrams and circular scales. Users can browse PI ProcessBook trends in real time and analyze them one mouse click, create data of a time series in the form of columns and lines and to output the calculated data, to use treelike representation of objects of production or the plant to arrange and organize transitions according to different pages.

PI WebParts provides data access of real time and to historical data of PI System through library of web parts SharePoint which are automatically updated by the PI WebParts tool. PI WebParts facilitates joint work of employees over projects in real time. For example, if the help in a case of the wrong functioning of the pump or the generator is necessary for the employee, for the address to the specialist it is enough to click several times in a web part of PI Messenger.

PI Coresight

PI Coresight gives the chance to users to find data of PI System in the web browser and to submit them for the fast and effective analysis. Users can browse only these and screen forms to which they configure access.

Users can browse data of PI System as from Data Archive, and AF Server, including the AF model and an event. Search can be executed on a key word using substitution characters, for example, "speed *", search result are the relevant data of PI System, earlier created screen forms and the connected events. Users can display data in a schedule type, tables, value or graphical representation of the sensor. In addition to current meanings of PI Coresight displays the minimum, maximum, mean values and standard deviations calculated "on the fly".

2011: PI System

PI (Plant Information) System is an information system of production.

PI System is the instrument of creation of an information system of production of real time for industrial enterprise. PI System in the best way provides collecting, storage and representation in a uniform format of data from different SCADA systems, DCS, a PLC, manual input devices, factory laboratories, etc.

PI System provides information on technology real-time processes on the level of production management and business systems for specialists of average and upper links of the enterprise.

PI System serves as the tool for the analysis and optimization of production processes and also for informing divisions of the enterprise, quality controllers, a status of technology equipment, settlings with suppliers and customers, etc.

PI System is used in different industries such as oil and gas, metallurgical, chemical, pharmaceutical, food, pulp-and-paper, power, etc.

Among users there is PI System:

• More than 1000 world leading energy companies
• 95% of the oil and gas companies holding the first 40 places of rating of Fortune Global 500
• More than 400 pulp and paper mills worldwide
• 100% of the metallurgical and mining enterprises holding the first 10 places of rating of Fortune Global 500
• 37 of 50 world's largest chemical and petrochemical companies
• 9 of 10 pharmaceutical companies holding the first 10 places of rating of Fortune Global 500

Components and links

PI System supports the distributed client-server architecture. The server software provides collection of information from various data sources, compression and archiving of information on original algorithms, processing of large volumes of data, quick access of client applications to archive. The server software works at Windows NT/2000, UNIX OS.

The client software provides display of trends of history or continuous data on symbolic circuits and fast preparation of reports. The client software is focused on Windows 9x/NT/2000 OS and uses modern technologies of Microsoft: language VBA, ODBC, SQL, OPC, ActiveX, Event Driven.

Foundation architecture of PI System

PI System interfaces

The PI System interfaces perform data collection from the majority of the all-used systems of industrial automation and support widespread standards, including C37.118, OPC, Modbus, OLEDB, SNMP, BACnet, TCP/IP, SOAP, RDBMS and Web Services. Buffering for several PI Server'ov, data filtering, individual work and a security setting for each tag are fixed functions of the PI Interface interfaces.

• PI Interface™ for OPC represents the configured OPC COM interface for PI System. Several copies of this interface can be started at the same time. Each interface is connected only to one OPC server. It is possible to connect more than one interface to one OPC server. The interface works at the Intel platform with Windows Server 2012, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows XP or Windows 2003 OS. PI OPC Interface supports automatic synchronization of points, start in the absence of connection with the server and switching at failure
• PI Interface™ for OPC HDA represents OPC HDA COM for bidirectional data transfer between OPC HDA Server and PI System. Several copies of this interface can be started at the same time. Each interface is connected only to one OPC HDA server which can be located on the same or on other computer. It is possible to connect more than one interface to the same OPC HDA server. This interface has an APS connector.
• PI Interface™ for OPC Alarms & Events transmits alarm signals and data on events between the OPC servers (v1.1 OPC A&E standard) and PI System. Additional data see on our website of technical support: https://techsupport.osisoft.com/Products/PI-Interfaces-and-PI-Connectors
• PI OPC DA/HDA Server represents the OPC Server server for Data Archive. It can work with any client of OPC who conforms to the OPC DA 1.0a standards, 2.05 and/or OPC HDA 1.1 also allows users to read, insert data or to delete data from Data Archive.

PI Interface for a relational database (PI RDBMS interface) serves for data transmission in two directions between PI System and any management system for a relational database which supports the ODBC drivers. The interface works in Windows OS (XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, Server 2008 R2, 7, 8 and Server 2012) and can be connected to any Data Archive. Only one connection of ODBC on the started interface copy is supported, however it is possible to use several copies of the interface.

The PI RDBMS interface supports switching at failure at the level of the interface.

Examples of projects

Load of world water supply systems constantly grows. The companies working in the field of water supply try to meet the growing demand, to adapt to strict ecological restrictions and new regulatory requirements, relying on the infrastructure which is becoming outdated and not corresponding to modern conditions. At the same time such companies need to reduce losses of water in water supply systems and to increase the efficiency. In the solution of the listed problems an important role is played by "smart" water supply systems. They represent the integral component of transition of a water management complex to the principle of conducting activity at which the companies will rely on data processing that will allow to receive the maximum return from hi-tech devices, information technologies and communication networks.

In the field of water supply such enterprises as Narragansett Bay Commission (USA), Water Corporation (Australia), United Utilities (Great Britain), MSD (USA), SA Water (Australia), Yorkshire Water (Great Britain), Montréal (France), Central Valley Water (USA), SEDIF (France), Vitens (Netherlands) and many others occur among the largest world customers of OSIsoft company. In total in the field of water supply at OSIsoft company more than 100 customers in 17 countries of the world naschivatsya.

Application of PI System at such enterprises as Moulton Niguel Water District and Yorkshire Water allowed them to reduce costs on the electric power on $14 million a year. Besides, PI System allows to make interactive reports on water consumption in real time therefore such companies as NRWC manage to save up to $550.000 a year due to reduction of losses of water. Using PI System of the enterprise can also keep track of water quality, compare production indicators for any period on each area, make interactive reports on a status of the water system, reports on the capacity of pumps, to trace a condition of equipment in real time. In addition to water supply systems of PI System of OSIsoft company it is set in 110 countries of the world and it is widely used in industrial production, power, the utility sector, in data processing centers and in processing industries. The largest international companies rely on PI System which provides data protection and provides management tools operational production data and business information at the corporate level. PI System gives an opportunity to users to manage resources, to reduce risks, to fulfill regulatory requirements, to increase process performance, to accept business solutions in real time and to estimate the competitive potential of business.