Visualisation

Visualisation is one of the most critical parts of any system. Data needs to be easily accessible by key users to benefit from a high-availability data store. Several options are available for data retrieval and visualisation;

• PI ProcessBook allows users to create and share custom displays that fit their particular needs. A ProcessBook consists of a collection of pages (hence the 'book' nomenclature) which can display PI (and ODBC) data in a variety of forms that include, but are not limited to, tables of values, data trending and animated graphics.
• PI DataLink allows users to easily query for PI data from Microsoft Excel. Excel is a powerful engineering tool and utilising DataLink greatly simplifies the process of fetching the required data into the workbook allowing the user to focus on the business task.
• Microsoft Windows SharePoint Server (WSS) provides a standard platform for delivering custom, targeted information in a dashboard style. PI RtWebParts allows for the direct integration of PI ProcessBook displays and trends within a web browser. SQL Server Reporting Services also tightly integrates with the platform. Additional work flows may be defined within WSS to enhance and refine the high level interaction between users, data and business related tasks.
• SQL Server Reporting Services provides a comprehensive mechanism for generating and issuing data to relevant parties, either internal or external. As with PI ProcessBook displays users can design, build and distribute their own reports.
• Custom COSMOS thick-client displays. While web based delivery is normally the preferred method for delivering data to a user's desktop, sometime a thick-client approach is required because of intensive ah-hoc data processing