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The Four Pillars Overview

Image Added

Why Follow This Methodology?

Benefits of the Four-Pillar Approach

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pillar 1: Unified Namespace (Foundation)

Purpose

The Unified Namespace (UNS) is your solution's data foundation - a single source of truth for all real-time and configuration data.

What to Build

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Plan Your Namespace
??? Define naming standards (Area_Equipment_Signal)
??? Document tag requirements
??? Plan for 20% growth

Step 2: Create Base Tags
??? System tags (heartbeat, status)
??? Communication tags
??? Calculation tags

Step 3: Build UDTs
??? Motor (Running, Speed, Current, Hours)
??? Valve (Open, Close, Position, Fault)
??? Tank (Level, Temperature, Pressure)
??? PID (SP, PV, CV, Mode)

Step 4: Organize Assets
??? Plant
   ??? Area1
      ??? Line1
      ??? Line2
          ??? Area2

[

Best Practices

• Naming Convention Example: WTP_PUMP01_RUNNING
  • WTP = Water Treatment Plant
  • PUMP01 = Equipment ID
  • RUNNING = Signal name
• Use consistent abbreviations
• Plan for expansion (reserve number ranges)
• Document everything

Detailed UNS Guide →]

Pillar 2: Process Modules (Industrial Operations)

Purpose

Process modules connect your solution to the physical world, connecting & collecting data from field devices and managing industrial operations.

What to Build

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Setup Devices
??? Create Channel (Protocol, Port, Timeout)
??? Add Nodes (IP, Device ID)
??? Map Points to Tags

Step 2: Configure Alarms
??? Create Areas (Plant sections)
??? Define Groups (Equipment types)
??? Set Conditions (Limits, Deviation)
??? Configure Notifications

Step 3: Enable Historian
??? Select Storage Location
??? Create Tables
??? Configure Tag Collection
??? Set Compression

Connection Architecture

Field Level        Communication        UNS & Operation
???????????         ???????????          ???????????
?  PLCs   ?         ? Drivers ?          ?  Tags   ?
???????????         ???????????          ???????????
?  RTUs   ? ??????? ?Protocols? ???????  ? Alarms  ?
???????????         ???????????          ???????????
? Sensors ?         ?Providers?          ?Historian?
???????????         ???????????          ???????????

[

Best Practices

• Start with slow poll rates, optimize later
• Group similar devices on same channel
• Use event-driven updates when available
• Test each connection thoroughly
• Document IP addresses and settings

Detailed Process Modules Guide →]

Pillar 3: Application Modules (

Business Logic)

Purpose

Application modules add business logic, data processing, and integration capabilities to transform raw data into actionable information.

What to Build

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Database Setup
??? Configure Connections
??? Create Tables/Views
??? Build Queries
??? Test Transactions

Step 2: Script Development
??? Calculation Tasks
??? Control Logic
??? Data Processing
??? Error Handling

Step 3: Report Creation
??? Design Templates
??? Configure Data Sources
??? Set Schedules
??? Test Distribution

Data Flow

Raw Data → Scripts → Calculations → Database → Reports
   ↓          ↓           ↓            ↓          ↓
  Tags     Process    Transform      Store    Distribute

Common Implementations

[Detailed Application Modules Guide →]

Pillar 4: User Interface (

Visualization)

Purpose

The UI layer presents information to operators, managers, and stakeholders through interactive displays and dashboards.

What to Build

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Display Architecture
??? Create Navigation Structure
??? Design Template Displays
??? Build Process Graphics
??? Implement Standards

Step 2: Display Development
??? Overview Displays
??? Detail Displays
??? Control Faceplates
??? Alarm Displays

Step 3: Dashboard Creation
??? KPI Dashboards
??? Analytics Views
??? Mobile Layouts
??? Executive Reports

Step 1: Display Architecture
??? Create Navigation Structure
??? Design Template Displays
??? Build Process Graphics
??? Implement Standards

Step 2: Display Development
??? Overview Displays
??? Detail Displays
??? Control Faceplates
??? Alarm Displays

Step 3: Dashboard Creation
??? KPI Dashboards
??? Analytics Views
??? Mobile Layouts
??? Executive Reports

Display Hierarchy

Plant Overview
    ↓
Area Overview
    ↓
Process Display
    ↓
Equipment Detail
    ↓
Faceplate Popup

Design Principles

• Follow ISA-101 HMI standards
• Use consistent color philosophy
• Implement situational awareness
• Minimize animation
• Optimize for target resolution

Detailed User Interface Guide →

Solution Building Workflow

Complete Development Process

PLAN                          BUILD                         DEPLOY
?????????????????            ?????????????????            ?????????????????
1. Requirements     ????     5. Implementation    ????    9. Installation
2. Architecture              6. Integration                10. Commissioning
3. Standards                 7. Testing                    11. Training
4. Design                    8. Validation                 12. Support

Phase 1: Planning (Week 1)

Requirements Gathering

• Define project scope
• Identify data sources
• List user requirements
• Document interfaces
• Establish success criteria

Architecture Design

• Size system (tags, users, data)
• Design network topology
• Plan redundancy
• Define security zones
• Select hardware

Phase 2: Development

Step 1: Foundation (UNS)

• Create Local Tags structure
• Build UDTs 
• Setup asset tree
• External Governance: Extend UNS with Dynamic Binding.

Step 2: Integration

• Configure devices
• Setup alarms
• Enable historian
• Test communications

Step 3: Logic

• Develop scripts
• Create queries
• Build reports
• Test calculations

Step 4: Visualization

• Design displays
• Create navigation
• Build dashboards
• Test clients

Step 5: Integration Testing

• End-to-end testing
• Performance testing
• Security testing
• User acceptance

Phase 3: Deployment

Go-Live Preparation

• Production installation
• Data migration
• User training
• Documentation
• Support handover

Module Dependencies and Interactions

Understanding Module Relationships

[Detailed Operator UI Guide →]

Solution Ready to Run (Secure & Deploy)

Purpose

Solution ready to Run, validate, apply security, and deploy.

What to Do

[Detailed Solution Runtime Guide →]

Why This Methodology Works

Benefits of the Four-Pillar Approach

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting with displays - Without proper data structure

Skipping UDTs - Leading to tag sprawl

Direct device-to-display binding - Creating maintenance nightmares

Ignoring naming conventions - Causing confusion later

Building monolithic solutions - Instead of modular architecture

Tags (UNS)

Data Flow Examples

Example 1: PLC to Display

PLC → Driver  (Device Point) → Tag → Display

Example 2: PLC to Display, using Direct Binding.

PLC address → Dynamic TagProvider  → Display

Example 3: Calculation to Database

Tags → Script (Calculation) → Result Tag → Dataset  (SQL)

Example 4: User Command

Display → Button Click → Tag Write  (UNS) → Device → PLC

Solution Templates

Quick Start Templates

Industry Templates

Manufacturing Template

• Production tracking
• OEE calculations
• Downtime analysis
• Quality management
• Inventory tracking

Utilities Template

• SCADA infrastructure
• Telemetry systems
• Regulatory reporting
• Load management
• Outage management

Building Automation

• HVAC control
• Lighting management
• Energy monitoring
• Access control
• Tenant billing

Explore All Templates →

Best Practices Checklist

Design Phase

• Define clear naming conventions
• Create reusable UDTs
• Plan for 20-30% growth
• Document all decisions
• Review with stakeholders

Development Phase

• Follow the four-pillar sequence
• Test each component thoroughly
• Use version control
• Regular backups
• Code reviews for scripts

Deployment Phase

• Complete testing before production
• Train all users
• Document operational procedures
• Establish support processes
• Monitor performance

Maintenance Phase

• Regular backups
• Performance monitoring
• Security updates
• User feedback
• Continuous improvement

Development Workflow

Image Added

Solution Development Stages

Platform UI Components

Three Essential Workspaces

Image Added

Quick Reference Tables

Development

Next Steps

After Understanding the Methodology

1. Deep Dive into Each Pillar
   • Unified Namespace Details
   • Process Modules Guide
   • Application Modules Guide
   • User Interface Guide
2. Explore Examples
   • Solution Examples
   • Industry Templates
   • Architecture Patterns
3. Get Hands-On
   • Build a sample solution
   • Follow a tutorial
   • Modify a template

Quick Reference

Four Pillars at a Glance

Time Estimates

Note: Those are order of magnitude references. Specific requirements & workflow & user review process need to be accounted for.

AI Assistant Data

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  "page": "Building Solutions",
  "type": "Methodology Guide",
  "purpose": "Explain the four-pillar solution building approach",
  "pillars": [
    {
      "name": "Unified Namespace",
      "order": 1,
      "purpose": "Data foundation",
      "components": ["Tags", "Assets", "UDTs"]
    },
    {
      "name": "Process Modules",
      "order": 2,
      "purpose": "Field integration",
      "components": ["Devices", "Alarms", "Historian"]
    },
    {
      "name": "Application Modules",
      "order": 3,
      "purpose": "Business logic",
      "components": ["Scripts", "Datasets", "Reports"]
    },
    {
      "name": "User Interface",
      "order": 4,
      "purpose": "Visualization",
      "components": ["Displays", "Dashboards", "Clients"]
    }
  ],
  "workflow": {
    "phases": ["Planning", "Development", "Deployment"],
    "duration": "1-12 months depending on size",
    "approach": "Sequential pillar implementation"
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  "bestPractices": [
    "Follow pillar sequence",
    "Create reusable components",
    "Document everything",
    "Test thoroughly",
    "Plan for growth"
  ]
}

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Please double-check responses.

Quick Start Templates

(*) About the Development Time estimates

Best Practices Checklist

Next Steps

• Get Started: Download [Solution Templates]
• Deep Dive: Explore each pillar's detailed guide
• Learn More: Review [Best Practices] documentation
• Get Help: Access [Training Resources]

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