Application Modules (Store & Process)

Overview

Application Modules provide the business logic and data processing capabilities that transform raw industrial data into actionable information. These modules handle database integration, custom scripting, and report generation - enabling you to implement complex calculations, integrate with enterprise systems, and generate documentation. Together, they form the intelligence layer that processes collected data according to your business rules and requirements.

Where Application Modules Fit

Application Modules sit between data collection and visualization:

Receive from - Process Modules and Unified Namespace
Process with - Custom logic and business rules
Store in - Relational databases and data warehouses
Generate - Reports, documents, and data exports
Send to - User interfaces and external systems

The Three Core Application Modules

Datasets Module - SQL Database Integration

Connect to and interact with relational databases:

Multi-Database Support - SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle
Real-Time Sync - Bidirectional data exchange
Query Builder - Visual SQL query creation
Stored Procedures - Execute database logic
Connection Pooling - Optimized performance

Scripts Module - Custom Business Logic

Implement custom calculations and automation:

Multi-Language - C#, VB.NET, Python, JavaScript
Task Scheduling - Time and event-based execution
Class Libraries - Reusable code components
Expression Engine - Real-time calculations
Debugging Tools - Breakpoints and watch windows

Reports Module - Data Exchange & Documentation

Generate and distribute information:

Report Designer - Visual report creation
Multiple Formats - PDF, Excel, CSV, JSON, XML
Scheduled Generation - Automatic report creation
Email Distribution - Automated delivery
Template Based - Consistent formatting

Datasets Module Configuration

Database Connections

Configure connections to SQL databases:

Navigate to Datasets → Database Connections
Click New Connection
Configure connection properties:
- Provider - SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
- Server - Database server address
- Database - Database name
- Authentication - Windows or SQL authentication
- Connection Pool - Min/max connections

Connection String Examples

sql

-- SQL Server
Server=192.168.1.100;Database=Production;User Id=sa;Password=***;

-- MySQL
Server=localhost;Database=scada;Uid=root;Pwd=***;

-- PostgreSQL
Host=localhost;Database=historian;Username=postgres;Password=***;

-- Oracle
Data Source=ORCL;User Id=system;Password=***;

Tables Configuration

Map database tables to solution:

Select connection → Browse Tables
Select tables to include
Configure table properties:
- Primary Key - Unique identifier
- Auto Refresh - Update interval
- Triggers - Insert/Update/Delete events
- Mapping - Column to tag mapping

Query Configuration

Create custom queries:

Go to Datasets → Queries
Click New Query
Build query using:
- Visual Builder - Drag-drop interface
- SQL Editor - Direct SQL writing
- Parameters - Runtime variables
- Test Execute - Preview results

Query Examples

sql

-- Production Summary
SELECT 
    ProductCode,
    SUM(Quantity) as TotalProduced,
    AVG(CycleTime) as AvgCycle,
    COUNT(*) as BatchCount
FROM Production
WHERE Timestamp >= @StartDate 
    AND Timestamp <= @EndDate
GROUP BY ProductCode

-- Real-time Inventory
SELECT 
    Location,
    Material,
    Quantity,
    LastUpdated
FROM Inventory
WHERE Quantity < ReorderPoint
ORDER BY Location

Stored Procedures

Execute database stored procedures:

Select connection → Stored Procedures
Browse available procedures
Map parameters to tags:
- Input Parameters - From tag values
- Output Parameters - To tag values
- Return Values - Execution status
- Result Sets - Table data

Real-Time Synchronization

Bidirectional data sync:

Tag to Database - Write tag changes to database
Database to Tag - Update tags from database
Conflict Resolution - Latest wins or priority
Transaction Support - Atomic operations
Error Handling - Retry and logging

Scripts Module Configuration

Script Tasks

Create scheduled or triggered scripts:

Navigate to Scripts → Tasks
Click New Task
Configure task properties:
- Name - Task identifier
- Trigger - Schedule or event
- Language - C#, VB.NET, Python
- Code - Script implementation

Task Triggers

Periodic - Fixed interval (seconds to months)
Calendar - Specific times/dates
Tag Change - When tag value changes
Alarm - On alarm activation
Startup - When runtime starts
Condition - Expression evaluation

Script Examples

C# Production Calculation

csharp

public void CalculateOEE()
{
    // Read production counts
    double goodCount = @Tag.Production.GoodCount;
    double totalCount = @Tag.Production.TotalCount;
    double plannedTime = @Tag.Production.PlannedTime;
    double runTime = @Tag.Production.RunTime;
    
    // Calculate OEE components
    double availability = runTime / plannedTime;
    double performance = totalCount / @Tag.Production.IdealCount;
    double quality = goodCount / totalCount;
    
    // Calculate overall OEE
    @Tag.KPI.OEE = availability * performance * quality * 100;
    
    // Log to database
    @Dataset.Query.LogOEE.Execute();
}

Python Data Analysis

python

import statistics

def analyze_batch():
    # Get batch data
    temperatures = @Tag.Batch.TemperatureArray
    pressures = @Tag.Batch.PressureArray
    
    # Calculate statistics
    @Tag.Batch.AvgTemp = statistics.mean(temperatures)
    @Tag.Batch.StdDevTemp = statistics.stdev(temperatures)
    @Tag.Batch.MaxPressure = max(pressures)
    
    # Check quality limits
    if @Tag.Batch.StdDevTemp > 2.0:
        @Tag.Batch.QualityFlag = "Warning"
        @Alarm.Batch.QualityWarning = True

VB.NET Email Notification

vbnet

Public Sub SendProductionReport()
    Dim shift As String = @Tag.Production.CurrentShift
    Dim production As Integer = @Tag.Production.ShiftTotal
    Dim efficiency As Double = @Tag.KPI.Efficiency
    
    Dim body As String = String.Format(
        "Shift: {0}" & vbCrLf & 
        "Production: {1} units" & vbCrLf & 
        "Efficiency: {2:F1}%", 
        shift, production, efficiency)
    
    @Report.EmailReport("Production Summary", body, "supervisor@company.com")
End Sub

Script Classes

Create reusable code libraries:

Go to Scripts → Classes
Create class with methods
Reference from tasks or displays
Share across solution

Class Example

csharp

public class Calculations
{
    public static double CelsiusToFahrenheit(double celsius)
    {
        return (celsius * 9/5) + 32;
    }
    
    public static double FlowTotalization(double flow, double timeSeconds)
    {
        return flow * timeSeconds / 3600; // Convert to hours
    }
    
    public static bool InRange(double value, double min, double max)
    {
        return value >= min && value <= max;
    }
}

Expressions

Inline calculations for tags and displays:

Math - Basic and advanced functions
String - Text manipulation
Date/Time - Time calculations
Logical - Boolean operations
Aggregate - Min, max, average

Expression Examples

// Calculate tank volume
@Tag.Tank.Volume = @Tag.Tank.Level * 3.14159 * pow(@Tag.Tank.Radius, 2)

// Format production message
concat("Line ", @Tag.Line.Number, ": ", @Tag.Line.Status)

// Check multiple conditions
@Tag.System.Ready = @Tag.Motor1.Running && @Tag.Valve1.Open && !@Tag.Alarm.Active

// Time-based calculation
@Tag.Batch.Duration = DateDiff("s", @Tag.Batch.StartTime, now())

Reports Module Configuration

Report Designer

Create visual report templates:

Navigate to Reports → Designer
Click New Report
Design report layout:
- Header - Title, logo, date
- Body - Tables, charts, text
- Footer - Page numbers, timestamps

Report Components

Text - Static and dynamic text
Tables - Data grids with formatting
Charts - Bar, line, pie, gauge
Images - Logos and diagrams
Barcodes - QR codes, Code 128
Subreports - Nested reports

Data Sources

Connect reports to data:

Tags - Real-time values
Datasets - Database queries
Historian - Time-series data
Scripts - Calculated values
Parameters - User inputs

Report Generation

Manual Generation

Operator initiated from displays
On-demand with parameters
Preview before printing
Export to multiple formats

Scheduled Generation

Go to Reports → Schedules
Create schedule:
- Frequency - Daily, weekly, monthly
- Time - Specific execution time
- Format - PDF, Excel, CSV
- Distribution - Email, file share

Report Examples

Shift Report Template

=================================
    PRODUCTION SHIFT REPORT
    {{Date}} - {{Shift}}
=================================

Production Summary:
- Total Units: {{Tag.Production.Total}}
- Good Units: {{Tag.Production.Good}}
- Reject Units: {{Tag.Production.Reject}}
- Efficiency: {{Tag.KPI.Efficiency}}%

Downtime Events:
{{Dataset.Query.DowntimeList}}

Top 5 Alarms:
{{Dataset.Query.AlarmSummary}}

Operator: {{Tag.System.CurrentUser}}
=================================

Data Export Configuration

json

{
  "export": {
    "format": "JSON",
    "schedule": "0 6 * * *",
    "destination": "ftp://server/data/",
    "content": {
      "timestamp": "@Tag.System.Time",
      "production": "@Tag.Production.*",
      "quality": "@Dataset.Query.QualityMetrics"
    }
  }
}

Integration Patterns

Pattern 1: MES Integration

Manufacturing Execution System integration:

ERP Order → Dataset → Tags → Production Logic → Dataset → ERP Feedback
                ↓                    ↓
            Work Orders         Production Data

Pattern 2: Batch Processing

Recipe management and execution:

Load recipe from database
Execute batch logic in scripts
Log batch data to historian
Generate batch report

Pattern 3: KPI Calculation

Real-time performance metrics:

Collect raw data from devices
Calculate KPIs in scripts
Store results in database
Display on dashboards

Pattern 4: Regulatory Compliance

21 CFR Part 11 compliance:

Audit trail in database
Electronic signatures via scripts
Automated report generation
Secure data storage

Runtime Behavior

Dataset Runtime

Connection Pooling - Reuse connections
Query Caching - Cache frequent queries
Transaction Management - ACID compliance
Error Recovery - Automatic retry
Performance Monitoring - Query statistics

Script Runtime

Task Scheduler - Manages execution
Thread Pool - Parallel execution
Memory Management - Garbage collection
Error Handling - Exception logging
Debug Support - Remote debugging

Report Runtime

Generation Engine - Creates documents
Distribution Service - Sends reports
Template Cache - Faster generation
Queue Management - Reliable delivery
Archive Service - Historical reports

Performance Optimization

Database Performance

Use connection pooling appropriately
Optimize SQL queries with indexes
Implement query result caching
Use stored procedures for complex logic
Monitor query execution time

Script Performance

Minimize tag reads/writes in loops
Use compiled scripts over expressions
Implement error handling properly
Avoid blocking operations
Profile script execution time

Report Performance

Cache static report elements
Optimize data queries
Use pagination for large reports
Schedule during off-peak hours
Archive old reports regularly

Best Practices

Database Integration

Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection
Implement connection retry logic
Regular database maintenance
Document all database schemas
Test queries in development first

Script Development

Follow coding standards consistently
Comment complex logic thoroughly
Use version control for scripts
Implement comprehensive error handling
Create unit tests for critical logic

Report Management

Standardize report templates
Version control report definitions
Test distribution before production
Monitor delivery success
Regular review of report usage

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely Cause	Solution
Database connection fails	Wrong credentials or server	Verify connection string and network
Query returns no data	Incorrect SQL or empty table	Test query in database directly
Script not executing	Trigger not firing	Check trigger configuration and logs
Script errors	Syntax or runtime error	Review error logs and debug
Report not generating	Missing data or template error	Check data sources and preview report
Email not sending	SMTP configuration	Verify email server settings
Slow query performance	Missing indexes	Analyze query plan and add indexes
Memory growth in scripts	Objects not disposed	Implement proper disposal patterns

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