Improve Business Outcomes with Data Analytics

May 17, 2023

By Michael Tay, Analytics Platform Manager, Rockwell Automation

Data analytics is a vital component of today’s manufacturing, offering real-time visibility, process improvements, predictive maintenance, quality improvement, reduced downtime and more. 

Industrial data visualization has evolved significantly in recent years due to advances in new technology and the increasing demand for data-driven decision-making. A modern approach to industrial data visualization involves real-time monitoring, interactive dashboards, data integration, predictive analytics, data security and mobile accessibility.

“47 percent of organizations believe that the decisions they face will be more complex, increasing demand for connected, continuous and contextual data and analytics and explainable decision processes,” reports Gartner in Top Trends in Data and Analytics, 2022 Gartner, March 11, 2022.

But most OT personnel lack the tools to transform operational data into meaningful insights without relying on IT and expensive infrastructures. Access to data is the heart of analytics and deriving information from different types of data. 

FactoryTalk Analytics DataView software was built for simple access to data – connect, build and use. With the software, you can look at information from various devices that you can access wherever you are. It provides a single source of truth and interactive data visualization and offers the ability to look at information that’s new and unexpected, allowing further insight into what’s happening today and in the future. This data visualization is a live perspective of the plant and operation. 

Available via the cloud or on-premises, the design for FactoryTalk Analytics DataView is to simplify the aggregation or the connection to data, bringing it together into dashboards as well as offering the ability to configure useful visualization styles or chart types easily and without coding. Next, users can explore the data online by customizing their own design or dashboard. 

This capability is vital to process improvement and bottom-line company success. And is especially important for those in three key roles: Operations Supervisors, Control Engineers and Maintenance personnel.

 Operations Supervisors look at the metrics of a capital project to determine if they’re not reaping the value of the investment. They identify continuous improvement projects, evaluate the profitability of line and process changes and maximize line efficiency by delivering efficient workflows.

Control Engineers are continuously trying to drive value in the plant. Having data and visual information about current plant operations lets them prioritize appropriately the next best project to initiate at the plant and look at new ways to improve. They confirm that production is running smoothly and with data visualization, determine productivity gains and losses. Managing high priority alarms is also critically important.

Maintenance personnel review equipment failures and downtime data to determine what is the highest value proposition and what is the impact of those failures. Their goals are to maximize machine productivity, perform root cause analysis and avoid unplanned downtime.

When you have the data, there’re many ways you’ll want to view it such as time series data, by shift, by line and so on. With FactoryTalk Analytics DataView, you can build the components that you want in the dashboard simply and easily using a drag-and-drop experience. The software is a server product that connects to a variety of data sources. It allows you to access data whenever and wherever you need to support decision-making.

Along with the new release of FactoryTalk Analytics DataView v4.01 there’s the choice of the Base Edition as well as two, new out-of-the-box products. FactoryTalk Analytics DataView FactoryTalk Metrics Edition and FactoryTalk Analytics DataView FactoryTalk Alarms & Events Edition with pre-built dashboards and connectors. Rockwell Automation is offering these options with an ability to add on capabilities to support any needs your company requires. FactoryTalk Analytics DataView FactoryTalk Metrics Edition offers the ability to track OEE, productivity, availability, quality and tracking plant performance based on those parameters.

The ease of use of these new software products allows you easy decision-making and sharing of information. FactoryTalk Analytics DataView allows you data visualization and the opportunity to drill down for the vital information you need.

With FactoryTalk Analytics DataView V4.01, users will experience a new UI, simplified workflows and improved product installation and performance. Version 4.01 provides the flexibility to connect to a wide variety of both Rockwell Automation and third-party data sources including FactoryTalk Edge Gateway, FactoryTalk Historian, FactoryTalk Live Data, SQL, CSV and more. OT professionals are empowered to create storyboards that include information from multiple sources for a comprehensive view of their data, leading to more efficient ad-hoc troubleshooting and root cause analysis of production issues. 

The software offers a modern approach to industrial data visualization based on its self-service, no-code configuration and data orchestration capabilities. Each user can interact with, explore and drilldown into the data. With the new 4.01 version, users have access to more data sources, which provide a more holistic view of operations. Users can also enjoy the growing chart library with new charts like the time series trending chart as well as our more sophisticated data aggregation capabilities for even better customization and data orchestration.

With its modern user interface and simplified user workflows, FactoryTalk Analytics DataView is a technology that offers a competitive advantage in the business intelligence and analytics space. It offers industrial manufacturing companies and OT personnel an opportunity to improve efficiency and increase productivity, by providing insights into their operations with ease and speed.

To learn about FactoryTalk Analytics DataView and how data analytics can benefit your bottom line, watch the on-demand webinar.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Wesco Opens State-of-the-Art Facility in Eastern Canada to Support Influx of Megaprojects in the Region

    Wesco Opens State-of-the-Art Facility in Eastern Canada to Support Influx of Megaprojects in the Region

    Wesco International has recently announced the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art facility on Higney Avenue in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, making this the largest facility of any distributor in the Atlantic region. The new building, facilitated by Touchette Real Estate, a division of Groupe Touchette, will feature Wesco’s comprehensive suite of services and solutions including… Read More…

  • PataBid Nominated for Canadian Choice Award in Software Services

    PataBid Nominated for Canadian Choice Award in Software Services

    PataBid is proud to announce its nomination for a Canadian Choice Award in the Software Services category. This recognition highlights PataBid’s commitment to supporting the electrical contracting community across Canada by providing innovative estimating software solutions that streamline estimating processes and ensure predictable and profitable projects. Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • How Advanced X-Ray and AI Inspection Technologies Optimize Quality Control and Reduce Costs in SMT Manufacturing

    How Advanced X-Ray and AI Inspection Technologies Optimize Quality Control and Reduce Costs in SMT Manufacturing

    Explore how Omron’s latest X-Ray machines and AI-driven solutions are setting new standards in manufacturing efficiency and quality control. The manufacturing landscape is swiftly evolving, and Omron is at the forefront with its innovative PCB inspection machines. These systems offer profound insights into SMT production process, enhanced quality control, and can significantly reduce labor costs. Advancements… Read More…

  • KUKA Establishes New Software and Digital Business Segment

    KUKA Establishes New Software and Digital Business Segment

    Software is playing an increasingly important role in mechanical engineering. What used to be mostly solved mechanically is now done by electronics and the associated software. “With KUKA Digital, we are expanding our offering in order to position ourselves broadly for a market with strong growth potential. Our customers need products, solutions and consulting approaches to digitalize… Read More…