Overview

Building successful FrameworX solutions follows a proven four-pillar methodology that ensures scalability, maintainability, and performance. This structured approach guides you from initial data modeling through to final deployment, with each pillar building upon the previous to create a complete industrial application.

The Four-Pillar Methodology

Foundation → Integration → Logic → Visualization

Each pillar represents a critical layer of your solution, implemented in sequence for optimal results:

esults:

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?                          FRAMEWORKX SOLUTION                               ?
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?                                                                            ?
?  1. UNIFIED NAMESPACE     2. PROCESS MODULES      3. APPLICATION MODULES   ?
?     (Foundation)         (Industrial Operation)      (Business Logic)      ?
?                                                                            ?
?    ????????????            ????????????            ????????????            ?
?    ?   Tags   ? ???????    ? Devices  ? ???????    ? Scripts  ?            ?
?    ?  Assets  ?            ?  Alarms  ?            ? Datasets ?            ?
?    ?   UDTs   ?            ?Historian ?            ? Reports  ?            ?
?    ????????????            ????????????            ????????????            ?
?          ?                        ?                        ?               ?
?          ???????????????????????????????????????????????????               ?
?                                   ?                                        ?
?                         4. USER INTERFACE                                  ?
?                        (Analyze & Visualize)                               ?
?                         ????????????????                                   ?
?                         ?   Displays   ?                                   ?
?                         ?  Dashboards  ?                                   ?
?                         ?    Mobile    ?                                   ?
?                         ????????????????                                   ?
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Why Follow This Methodology?

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

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

1. Tag Structure
   • Define naming conventions
   • Create tag hierarchy
   • Set data types and ranges
   • Configure engineering units
2. Asset Tree
   • Mirror physical/logical structure
   • Organize by area/process/equipment
   • Create navigable hierarchy
3. User Data Types (UDTs)
   • Create equipment templates
   • Define standard objects
   • Build reusable components

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

1. Device Communications
   • Configure channels and protocols
   • Setup nodes and devices,
   • Map points to tags, or use direct binding
2. Alarm Management
   • Define alarm areas and groups
   • Configure conditions and limits
   • Setup notifications
3. Historian (Time-series Data Collection)
   • Configure historian storage
   • Set collection rates
   • Define retention policies

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 (Store & Process)

Purpose

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

What to Build

1. Database Integration
   • Connect to SQL databases
   • Create queries and views
   • Setup synchronization
2. Business Logic
   • Write calculation scripts
   • Implement control logic
   • Create data validation
3. Reporting
   • Design report templates
   • Configure schedules
   • Setup distribution

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 (Analyze & Visualize)

Purpose

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

What to Build

1. Operational Displays
   • Process graphics
   • Control panels
   • Navigation structure
2. Dashboards
   • KPI visualization
   • Analytics
   • Mobile views
3. Client Deployment
   • Rich clients
   • Web access
   • Mobile apps

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 →

Module Dependencies and Interactions

Understanding Module Relationships

Tags (UNS)

          → Devices (Read/write values)
          → Alarms (Monitor conditions, notify and request ack, as needed)
          → Historian (store and recover time-series data)
          → Scripts (process data, implement workflows)
          → Dataset (sync with SQL databases, or recipe files)
          → Reports (pub PDF or CSV data, exchange JSON/XML data
          → Displays (Visualize)

Security Module
          → Restrict access to configuration modules and artifacts.
          → Provides Identification & Authorization for Displays client users.

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

                                                                      & → Audit Log (when enabled)

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

Common Pitfalls and Solutions

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"]
    }
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  "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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</details>

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Please double-check responses.

Quick Start Templates

Next Steps

• Unified Namespace - Start with data modeling
• Process Modules - Connect to field devices
• Application Modules - Add business logic
• User Interface - Create visualizations