Hello everyone, I want to start by mentioning that I am not a PLC programmer, so my technical vocabulary may be limited. I am seeking advice on available software, preferably free, for analyzing historical data. I work for an engineering company in Sheffield, UK, where we utilize PLCs to operate intricate machinery. Our equipment runs on PC-based PLCs using GE Proficy Machine Edition (version 7.0, I believe). We currently use TrendX for reviewing historical data, but it is outdated, difficult to use on modern laptops, and prone to crashing due to its age of over 20 years. Our PLC engineer is nearing retirement, and their resistance to adopting modern software has hindered our progress. As a company, we have a plan to transition to Siemens' newer PLC units, but this process may take over five years to complete. I am convinced that there must be newer, free, or cost-efficient software options that can outperform TrendX. Some companies have suggested historian software, priced at over £50k, but it is hard to justify compared to the free TrendX. Our in-house R&D team lacks knowledge of industry standards or available software solutions. From my understanding, I need to save and extract data in a specific format for compatible logging software to read. I apologize if I have misunderstood any technical terms, and I am open to answering any questions you may have. - Adam
PeakHMI has the capability to connect with both GE and Siemens systems, offering various functionalities such as data collection, logging, and trend analysis. This makes PeakHMI an efficient and versatile solution for industries looking to integrate different hardware platforms.
It is essential for you and your business to explore "Ignition Scada," even if it may be more than what you are currently looking for. The demo is completely FREE, with the only restriction being that you need to restart it every 2 hours. This allows you to create a comprehensive MES system with authentic data. When you are ready to buy, simply insert the License and get your system up and running smoothly.
We have been utilizing +1 Peak HMI for data collection for a number of years now, and have found it to be highly effective. Some familiarity with high-level languages, particularly PASCAL-based, is beneficial. Setting up is a straightforward process for most features, and the software includes a comprehensive user manual for reference.
To determine compatibility with Kepware, it is important to identify the specific GE hardware being used, such as 90-30, 90-70, Rx3i, Rx7i, VersaMax, Horner OCS, GE Micro, Series Five, Series Six CCM2, EGD, and SRTP. Connecting these devices to an OPC server that supports GE protocols is essential for seamless communication. If you are still using Series Six PLCs, feel free to contact me for assistance. It is crucial to ensure that your new HMI system is integrated properly to avoid data retrieval issues.
Hello Adam, I understand the conundrum you're facing. I think it's great that you're already considering the transition towards modern technology - a vital step in today's digital era. While a full-scale historian software might be overkill given the price tag, you might want to explore open-source Data Historian solutions like InfluxDB or Grafana for time series data analysis. They offer robust data analytics capabilities, with an ability to handle vast amounts of time-stamped data from your PLCs. And since they're open-source, the community support is fantastic which helps when troubleshooting. This could be a cost-efficient, but also future-proof, alternative to TrendX while your transition to Siemens' units is underway. Of course, you'll need to check the compatibility of the data format with your current system, but these platforms are fairly versatile. I hope this helps!
Hi Adam, appreciate your comprehensive breakdown and your situation is quite common. Migrating to new technologies, like PLC units, can indeed be an arduous process. Given that you're considering a switch to Siemens, have you explored Simatic WinCC? It's a process visualization system from Siemens and while it is not free, compared to some of the costly historian options, it's more cost-efficient. Also, the ability to have an integrated system in the future, once you transition to Siemens' PLC, could offer significant benefits in the long run, such as smoother data interoperability. The learning curve might be a bit steep, but given your in-house R&D team, it could be a viable option. Hope this helps!
Hey Adam! It sounds like you're in a bit of a bind with the old software and the transition period ahead. For historical data analysis, you might want to look into open-source options like Grafana or InfluxDB, which can both handle time-series data nicely and are widely used in industry. They take a bit of setup but can be quite powerful once you get the hang of them. Another option to consider is using Python for data analysis; libraries like Pandas and Matplotlib can give you a lot of flexibility in how you visualize and analyze your historical data without needing hefty investments. If you can extract your data in CSV format, that would make it even easier to work with. Good luck!
Hey Adam, it sounds like you're in a bit of a tough spot with the software situation! While I understand the need to stick to budget restrictions, you might want to explore open-source options like Grafana combined with InfluxDB or similar time series databases for your historical data analysis. They can be quite powerful and are frequently updated, plus they can handle data extraction in various formats. Alternatives like Logz.io also provide a free tier, and you may find them more user-friendly than TrendX. Transitioning to modern tools might come with a learning curve, but it could really breathe new life into your data analysis. Good luck!
✅ Work Order Management
✅ Asset Tracking
✅ Preventive Maintenance
✅ Inspection Report
We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.
Answer: - Some free software options for analyzing historical PLC data include Ignition Edge, Node-RED, and InfluxDB. These tools offer cost-efficient solutions for data analysis.
Answer: - Transitioning from outdated software like TrendX to more modern options involves exploring newer software solutions that are compatible with your PLC systems, such as historian software or alternative free tools like Ignition Edge.
Answer: - Historian software offers advanced data analysis capabilities, real-time monitoring, and reporting functionalities that can enhance operational efficiency and decision-making. While some solutions may be priced higher, they often provide comprehensive features tailored to industrial applications.
Answer: - To ensure compatibility between PLC data and logging software, it is essential to save and extract data in a format that is supported by the logging software. Understanding industry standards and data formats can help streamline the data analysis process.
Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.