Top 5 Control Engineering articles, April 27 to May 4

Were you out last week? Miss something? Here are Control Engineering's five most-clicked articles from last week, April 27 to May 4, including articles about operator interface graphics, software patching, prototyping peer-to-peer applications for the Internet of Things, real-time data integration in the digital oil field, and building a maintenance management program for valves.

By Jessica DuBois-Maahs, CFE Media May 5, 2014

1. Operator interface graphics 101

Graphics on an operator interface can range from very simple to extremely complex, so when creating them there are a few tips you should keep in mind. 

2. Software patching is vital to secure operations, but introduces more risks

End of Microsoft Windows XP support raises concerns about industrial networks, connections to PC-based assets, and software patching. Assess software patching risks with 11 critical questions. In manufacturing plant floor applications, security and safety are an integrated concern. Control system cyber security is not the same as desktop PC security. 

3. Prototyping peer-to-peer applications for the industrial Internet of things

Programming peer-to-peer (machine-to-machine) architecture is challenging for the broad application space of the industrial Internet of things. A unified programming environment provides an intuitive method for publishing and subscribing to data of interest over the network. 

4. Real-time data integration in the digital oil field

Real-time data integration is a crucial aspect of the digital oil field, but to make its integration successful, production engineers must implement a data infrastructure based on four key elements.

5. Building a maintenance management program for valves

Diagnostics from smart valve actuators using HART communication can save maintenance costs and improve plant reliability when used in a comprehensive maintenance management program. This is often the first big victory of a program.

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, April 27 to May 4, for articles published within the last two months.

– Jessica DuBois-Maahs, associate content manager, CFE Media, jdmaahs@cfemedia.com.