The fundamental requirement for a robust solution, with respect to production follow-up and evaluation, is that all relevant data is available. Data collection can be carried out automatically via some form of integrated solution or manually via data entry by various users. PlantVision offers standardized solutions for both automatic and manual data collection. We have extensive experience of automatically collecting raw data from most of the existing production control systems on the market. All integration with processes and production is based on a standard that creates excellent conditions for a well integrated platform for production evaluation.

The raw data collected from the production process is stored in a process data warehouse. Due to the flexibility built into the data warehouse various data types can be optimally managed. Examples of data that can be stored include:

• Process variables (temperature, pressure, power etc.)
• Product data (meta data, batch data etc.)
• Quality data
• Events and warnings
• Status

To be able to analyze large amounts of data in a process data warehouse demands powerful tools that are easy to use. PlantVision offers client solutions with many different tools for analysis and further processing of stored data.
Examples of tools and functions include:

• Process monitoring
• Equipment monitoring
• Trending
• Graphical visualization
• X/Y plotting
• Event and warning handling
• Statistical process and quality control (SPC/SQC)
• Multivariable process analysis
• Advanced calculations

PlantVision offers a powerful solution for batch tracking, providing an effective way to ensure traceability of produced batches.

The solution works by ensuring that all production equipment used for producing batches is configured according to a standardized model. Batch tracking, with the help of this configuration, is then able to store the batch information that has been defined. Examples of batch information include:

• Article number
• Batch number
• Start/stop times for batches, operations and phases
• Other meta data (characteristics) required for the documentation of batches

Several important functions make PlantVision's solution unique compared to others on the market.

• The solution is based on following produced batches in real time.
• Batch data is associated with the batch as soon as it is available from production.
• As soon as batch data is available in the system it can be presented in real time.
• Data can also be ascribed retroactively to the batch, i.e. when analysis results from the quality control lab do not become available until after the batch has been fully produced.
• The solution offers powerful search tools, which allow batches to be freely searched and selected according to characteristics and production conditions.
• Once one or more batches have been selected, the results can be presented graphically.
• Data can be shown for individual batches or batches can be easily compared with each other.
• The solution also supports description of batches according to industry standard S88.
  

Several important functions make PlantVision's solution unique compared to others on the market.

• The solution is based on following products in real time.
• Product data is associated with the product as soon as it is available from production.
• As soon as product data is available in the system it can be presented in real time.
• Data can also be ascribed retroactively to the product, i.e. when analysis results from the quality control lab do not become available until after the product has been fully produced.
• The solution offers powerful search tools, which allow products to be freely searched and selected according to characteristics and production conditions.
• Once one or more products have been selected, the results can be presented graphically.
• Data can be shown for individual products or products can be easily compared with each other.

PlantVision's solution for batch reporting helps users to search for batch data and to present the results in a pre-defined template. Report templates are created and managed via a user-friendly, web-based interface, which offers many functions for both searching and reporting.

PlantVision's solution for production reporting helps users to search for production data and to present the results in a pre-defined template. Report templates are created and managed via a user-friendly, web-based interface, which offers many functions for both searching and reporting.

We can offer solutions for presenting profile related information from different flat processes. Industries that require this type of presentation include the paper, plastic films, flooring and steel industries. Within the paper industry the solution is used to present the paper profile and/or a color map for the paper roll together with stored information about cut positions, holes and defects. Application areas are similar for other flat processes.

The need to monitor the status of production machines and equipment is constantly increasing. Greater focus is being placed on status-based maintenance and increased availability. The effect of individual components on an entire process and its final product can be immense and, as such, faults can be extremely costly. PlantVision offers solutions that enable efficient tracking of machines, equipment, motor drives and rollers etc., and how, over time, they affect operation and yield.

PlantVision offers solutions for more effective maintenance of measuring instruments in order to maximize the performance of automated systems that control and regulate processes. The solution helps to present key performance indicators for measuring instruments, valves and regulator loops. This makes it simpler to prioritize what type of intervention is most important and where efforts should be focused in order to make the most impact on a particular process.

The solution also makes it easier to evaluate how a process is affected by a change in raw materials, the time of year and maintenance routines. It provides guidance regarding which measuring instruments should be calibrated, how often and which parameters should be adjusted. As all historical data is stored, the effect of changes in routines, operation mode, calibration intervals and regulatory parameters can be compared over an extended time period.

Most pulp and paper mills produce different products and qualities on the same production line. Changing between products requires that several variables be adjusted, for example, production specifications, warning levels and quality levels etc. New parameters, such as temperature and flow rate, for example, need uploading to the control system. This type of parameter control is a sort of formula which we call "manufacturing procedures" in our solutions.

Usually these manufacturing procedures are uploaded to the control system manually or via 'home-made' applications, both of which present drawbacks. Manual uploading runs the risk of errors, while home-made applications are often difficult to maintain. In addition, both methods are labor intensive when it comes to maintenance and changes of manufacturing procedures.

PlantVision offers standardized solutions that make it simple to create and store manufacturing procedures for products/product groups. Solutions make it possible to automatically upload procedures to the control system during product changeovers and even take into consideration the various parameters' dependence on each other. Operators can focus on optimizing the process for better profitability, increased efficiency and reduced costs.

PlantVision offers superior solutions for manufacturing execution, covering the entire production chain, from raw material storage, registration of production orders (automatically from an order system or via manual registration) and production planning, to production order release, managing operational units, and the complete flow of materials until storage of the final product.

We also offer solutions for integration of MES with other business and operational systems.

Our solutions for EBR provide customers with integrated operational support for controlling the flow of production and the implementation of electronic batch records. By implementing SOP (Standard Operational Procedures), formulas and work-flows as operational units in an EBR system production and the release of final product can be made much more efficient. At the same time, the need to manage SOP's manually can be dramatically reduced. Avoiding manual errors by implementing automatic validation controls is another example of the benefits that EBR offers.

Focus on environmental factors is increasing and authorities are placing greater demands on industry. Environmental reporting is becoming an increasingly important part of a company's annual report. With the right environmental reporting system there is an excellent opportunity to profit from reduced environmental taxes, simpler routines and cheaper system maintenance.

PlantVision's Environmental Reporting is a system for the registering, calculating and reporting of emissions from incinerators according to the regulations stipulated by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The solution provides a flexible information system with simple tools based on the latest technology.

Audit trail is an important function within systems to be installed in a regulatory environment. PlantVision's solutions for audit trail store all events that occur internally in the system using an integrity check. In this way, the required audit trail is created so that the system is able to meet regulatory demands for CFR 21 part 11 compliance. The solution can also read events and warnings from other systems and, therefore, can generate event lists and audit trails for these systems as well.