Data integration is key for overall equipment effectiveness ratings

One interface is better than multiple query tools to see data from all configured data sources to improve OEE ratings.

John Lee

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Often various industries need to pull together disparate information for reporting purposes. Integration with heterogeneous data sources is often complicated, confusing, or a multi-step process. Many cases involve combining business data with process data or gathering more details into a process summary report for certain conditions. In any case, one simple way is to provide a common link or most common denominator. This is often as easy as using a database such as Oracle or SQL Server to link multiple data sources together.

Engineered solutions can use SQL Server Reporting Services to report on data from SQL databases and Oracle databases, while providing drill-down capabilities into process data from a historian archive. Such solutions can be extremely valuable and time saving, increasing the integrity of the reports and providing an increased return on investment (ROI) in many cases.

For many users, having collective information readily available can be instrumental in making production changes, resolving issues, or providing details for change initiatives. Business intelligence is known to be a driving force in maximizing the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) rating in any process. Having the data integrity and consistency in the reports is paramount when using a solution that does not involve manually pairing up data from multiple sources or multiple users.

Database reporting solutions can communicate with other systems and provide a common communication tool to other systems. Instead of having to use a query tool for this database, an external open database connectivity (ODBC) query for that database, and yet another trend report for process data, users can use one interface to see data from all configured data sources. A well-trained analyst can query the historian archives and then query the business system or some other database, all from the same interface. This speeds design and resolution time for the users.

- John Lee is associate department manager, Industrial Systems Division, Matrix Technologies Inc., providing engineered solutions using SQL Server Reporting Services. Lee is among the Control Engineering Leaders Under 40, Class of 2012. www.controleng.com/LeadersUnder40. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, mhoske(at)cfemedia.com.