St James Software j5 Field Data System (FDS)
What is the j5 Field Data System?
The j5 FDS is a set of electronic software applications that enable:
- The in-situ collection of data via PDA devices in an Industrial Environment
- Optionally, the integration of barcode scanners, infra red thermometers, vibration monitors etc.
- The recording and presentation of this data to authorized users both on and off the site
The j5 Field Data System addresses the complete integration of data capture in the field, data presentation to a large authorized audience and the simple configuration of the network and the business rules needed by your operation.
The application is made up of several components which may or may not be used in your environment:
- The j5 Inspection Rounds Application which runs on the PDA devices themselves.
- The j5 Data Synchronization Module which synchronizes data from the PDA to the Main Applications.
- Various other applications which can run in this framework. For example, the ProcessReporter Application.
- A set of configuration tools that you can use to make the j5 FDS to match the processes you are looking for.
Main Components of the j5 Field Data System
The diagram below shows the main components in the j5 FDS.
Field Operators
Field Operators carry PDAs in order to capture the information directly from the site equipment. The PDAs can be any one of a number of devices discussed below. The PDAs can connect directly to the Plant Logbook applications via a wifi or in many cases have standalone j5 Inspection Rounds applications running on the PDAs themselves.
- If the PDAs are connected to the plant intranet via wifi, then as the data is entered, it is immediately available to anyone on the plant intranet via the j5 Logbook application.
- If the PDAs are not connected via wifi, then a standalone j5 Field Data Application will be running on the PDA device itself. (See the description below.) In this case, when the operator returns to the control room, he or she will place the PDA in a PDA yoke and the j5 Data Synchronization Module will synchronize the PDA database and plant database. Once this is done, the new data will be available to anyone on the plan intranet via the j5 Logbook application.
Plant Personnel
- Anyone on the Site Intranet (who is authorized) can view the data entered by the Field Operators using the j5 Logbook applications.
- Information from the Control Room Operators can be combined with the data from the Field Operators in the Logbook applications.
- Additionally, information from the DCS or PLC (and other sources such as Maintenance Packages and Planning Applications) can be combined with the data from the Field Operators into the Logbooks.
- The j5 application can also be configured by suitably trained plant personnel. The configuration tools of the j5 Field Data System are identical to those of the Plant Logbooks.
Types of PDAs used in the Industrial Environment
For wifi Connected Devices
The j5 FDS will run on any PDA device that supports the Microsoft Internet Explorer, Apple Safari or Firefox browsers. This includes standard and Industrial PDA devices. Essentially, the PDA device simply renders the j5 Logbook page and operates as a normal web-based application.
For Standalone PDA Devices not connected via wifi
The j5 FDS will run on any PDA device that operates using Windows Mobile or Linux variations. (Note that you should check with us before purchasing your PDA for compatibility.)
Again, this includes both standard and Industrial PDA devices. (For example, Intrinsically safe IP54 and IP64 devices.)
Alternative Configurations
Depending on your requirement, you may need additional facilities such as Scanners for bar codes, blue tooth connectivity, etc.
Synchronization Module
On returning to the control room, a field operator will connect the PDA device with the PDA Yoke or Blue Tooth Connection. On connection, the system automatically synchronizes the data with the main Logbook application. i.e.:
- Any data recorded in the field is transferred up into the Site Logbook where it can be viewed by any authorized Plant Personnel on the Site Network. Of course, any time or user stamping of the records is also transferred with the data.
- Any configuration information (such as screen designs, schedules etc.) are transferred from the Plant Computer to the PDA so that the PDA always has the latest configuration. (This is important for example if a PDA is replaced).
Configuration of the PDABook
The system uses exactly the same configuration tools and wizards as the standard j5 system. For the PDA, additional care must be taken to ensure that the forms are usable in the smaller industrial environment. For example, if touch screens are employed, screen areas should be large enough for ensure easy touching.
Additionally, the data synchronization module must be configured. This is a relatively simple task and it must only be carried out once.
== Which Applications will work with j5 Field Data System==
Since the j5 FDS is a complete j5 system, any of the standard applications can be used in the j5 FDS. Examples include the j5 WorkOrderBook, the j5 InspectionBook, j5 OrderBook, j5 DowntimeManager, etc.
Why use a PDA based Data Collection System?
PDA based systems offer many advantages over the traditional clipboard and paper based systems.
- Data stored in an electronic format on the PDA is reliable and accessible, as soon as the system synchronizes, everyone across the network can access the same up-to-date data.
- Many of the parameters are collected and stored automatically. For example, the time of the collection, the names of the operator, the equipment number (via a scanner) etc. This frees up the operator from tedious work and also improves the accuracy of the collection.
- Electronic templates in the PDA are a precise but hands-off solution to delivering rounds, i.e. the supervisor or superintendent fine-tunes their templates, then leaves it to the system to create the rounds exactly to their specification on time, every time.
- Additionally, templating of the PDA forms gives the supervisor or superintendent great flexibility. New templates can be created, and existing templates modified or copied, with minimal time and effort.
- There is also a clear record and audit trail of who created a template and who captured the round values. People know what they are responsible for and are credited with the work they have carried out. Both templates and rounds are maintained in an easily searchable database so that the operating staff can easily find records of past rounds and templates.
- Since the system is on-line, updates to the round values are instantly available to everyone. Supervisors, Control Room Attendants and Maintenance Personnel do not have to phone the control room to find out the status of an inspection round. This means that there is much better co-ordination between the different disciplines.
* Minimal Administration
The j5 FDS is a tightly coupled system and the data synchronization is automatic and requires no intervention by the operators. There is no requirement to load software on any of the client machines. This means that j5 FDS can be quickly made available to as many field operators as are required.
* Really Industrial
The j5 Field Data System package has been designed specifically for use on Industrial sites. It can be easily tailored to suit the areas and streams of your process plant and has a complete inbuilt user management system.
* Easy to start, easy to change
The j5 Field Data System package comes with a standard set up so that you can immediately implement it on your site with a minimum of effort. However, as you become familiar with the concepts of the PDABook you will probably want to enhance and customize the application to better suit your specific site needs. This is a simple fill-in-the-blanks process that enables you to customize not only the look and feel of the j5 Field Data System but also the structure.
* Change the look & feel of your j5 Field Data System
Just change any of the presentation parameters and you will see the immediate effect of your changes. There are on-line tool tips for each of the categories to help you make the choices. There are over 50 different parameters that you can choose from to vary the presentation of the layout. All of these changes can be achieved through a simple fill-in-the-blanks form without having to do any graphical design. Most of the entries are available as options in a pull-down combos.
* Add your own site-specific fields
You can add your own fields that are specific to your business. Just go into the configuration, click on the new field button and enter the name and format of the new field. The system will take care of the database transactions for you and add a new column to the table. You can now fine-tune the characteristics of the new field such as the presentation of the field and what valid options are for that field.
* j5 Field Data System will automatically fill in the standard fields
Your users do not have to fill in many of the standard fields like the date and their user name. These fields are filled in automatically by PDABook. Additionally, the system will not allow the users to enter data outside of their assigned areas and will only give them the choice of options that are in fact valid for their areas. Field operators too can only modify the status of inspection rounds that they have been assigned to.
* Choose the valid options for your fields
You can specify the valid options for each of the fields. When the field operator is adding a new value, these options can be made available to them in a combo box. They are also made available when you want to filter the logs to find some specific information.
* Associate the options of each category with different color and style codes
To help your users easily identify the specific codes, you can assign colors and styles to these codes. For example, you can assign specific colors to the status of the inspection rounds.
* Powerful yet cost effective
The pricing is based on the number of user sessions that are simultaneously active. For a site with say 100 people, you could purchase 5 or 10 concurrent licenses and make these available to all 100 users.
* Control who looks at j5 Field Data System and what they can see
You can decide who looks at j5 Field Data System and exactly what they see. For example, you may want one user to be able to see everything on one site but only be able to enter round values in the utilities area.
* Control the modification of templates and rounds
You can define which templates and rounds a specific user can modify. This means that the rounds are only updated by people that are authorized to do so.
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