Process Historian

The Process Historian can archive process values, messages, and batch data from the SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system. It is configured in a SIMATIC PCS 7 project similar to other stations of the SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system (e.g. OS Server, Batch Server, Route Control Server, OpenPCS 7 Server or all clients).

The process values and messages managed in the database of the Process Historian on the OS clients and OS single stations can be visualized in a clear and comprehensible manner. Data selection is supported by integrated filter functions. Messages and process values can be shown in table form, and process values also in graphic form. Tables of process values can be exported in CSV format for processing in other Windows applications, e.g. Microsoft Excel.

Any application can access the archived process values and messages in the Process Historian via OPC UA.

The data managed by Process Historian can be transferred to commercially available storage media (backup/restore). This requires additional hardware and software suitable for the operating system of the Process Historian, e.g. a DVD burner with appropriate burner software.

The Process Historian also supports backup and restoring of the complete database – both manually and automatically.

Archiving and visualization functions

• Real-time archiving of process values and messages from SIMATIC PCS 7 operator systems (OS Single Stations and OS Servers)
• Archiving the batch data of SIMATIC BATCH
• Conversion of runtime segments in archive segments:
  • Loss-free data compression
  • Reduction of segments in accordance with assignment and release of unused storage space
• Support of multiple SIMATIC PCS 7 projects
• Scaling relative to the basic hardware employed in respect to performance and quantity structure
• Swapping out of all data as well as cataloging onto external storage media
• Reading the swapped-out data and cataloging from external storage media
• Data visualization on the OS clients/OS single stations:
  • Configuration of views (picture windows and masks) including the selection criteria for displaying the data
  • Visualizing of messages in table form dependent on filter functions
  • Displaying of process values in table or graphic form dependent on filter functions
  • Visualizing a batch overview (selecting the detailed log of a batch from the batch overview is possible)

Information Server

The Information Server is the reporting system of the Process Historian. Based on the Microsoft Reporting Services, it offers web-based thin-client access to the historical data. Add-ins for Microsoft Word and Excel provide additional access to the database of the Process Historian.

Reporting functions

• Frequently used report templates for process values, messages and batches
• Open reporting system for creating any number of new report templates
• Storage of configured (parameterized) report templates for faster access
• Report export in common document formats
• Support of subscriptions for cyclic report generation including e-mail service
• Creation and storage of role-based dashboards
• Role management for Windows users; supports workgroups and Active Directory; user rights can be assigned for specific projects
• Generation of reports and inserting as graphics in Microsoft Office Word documents
• Creation of Microsoft Excel reports for historical process values and messages as well as storage of the Excel report templates on the Information Server
• Support of subscriptions for Excel report templates