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Role-specific learning path for device connectivity, operator interfaces, and process control

Next → Control | IT | Operations | System Integrators

Week 1: Foundation & Connectivity

Day 1-2: System Overview

Start Here:

Connectivity - Devices Module

Essential Tutorials:

• [Devices Connection Tutorials] - YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS
  • Start with Modbus or your specific PLC type
  • [Connect to a Modbus Device Tutorial]
  • [Connect to a MQTT broker Tutorial]Import tags directly from PLCs
• [Add Tags to UNS Tutorial] - Organize imported tags
• [Cisco IR1101 Container Tutorial] - If deploying to edge routers

Quick Reference:

• [Connectors Library] - Find your PLC driver
• [Devices Module (Reference)] - Detailed configuration

Week 2: Operator Interface

Build HMI Displays

• Connectors Library] - Browse 100+ native drivers

By PLC Brand, Connectors:

• Allen-Bradley → [AB Rockwell ControlLogix Connector]
• Siemens → [Siemens S7 Devices Connector]
• Modbus → [Modbus Master Connector]
• Codesys → [Codesys PLC Handler Connector]

Operator Interface Development

HMI Display Creation

Core LearningCore Tutorials:

• [Displays Design Tutorials] - CRITICAL PATH
  • Canvas displays for [Design Canvas Displays Tutorials] - P&ID graphicsDashboard displays for KPIs
  • [Design Dashboard Displays Tutorials] - KPIs
  • [Add Symbols to Displays Tutorials] - Reusable components
• [Layouts and Navigation Tutorial] - Multi-screen navigation
• [Runtime Tutorial] - Test your displays

Display Types

• [Creating Canvas Displays vs DashboardsHow-to Guide] - Choose display typeProcess diagrams
• [ISA-101 HMI Standards] - Industry best practices

Week 3: Alarms & Data

Alarm Configuration

• Creating Dashboard Displays How-to Guide] - Responsive layouts

Industrial and Business Operations Modules

Alarm Management

• [Alarms and Audit - Trail Tutorial] - Complete alarm setupConfiguration basics
• [ISA-18.2 Alarm Management] - Follow standards

Historical Data

Tutorials:

• [Historian Module Tutorials] - Configure data logging
• Build trending displays from logged data

Week 4: Advanced Integration

Control Logic & Calculations

Select Based on Need:

• [Scripts and Data Enrichment Tutorial] - For complex logic
• [Datasets SQL Query Tutorial] - If integrating with MES/ERP
• [Python and .NET Integration Tutorial] - For custom algorithms

Production Reporting

• [Reports Generation Tutorial] - Shift/batch reports
• [Security and Compliance Tutorial] - User permissions

Technology Options for Modern Control

Edge Computing

For Remote Sites:

• [Cisco IR1101 Container Tutorial] - Deploy in routers
• [MQTT Broker and Client Tutorial] - Lightweight protocol

Advanced Analytics

• Alarms Module How-to Guide] - Detailed procedures
• [Alarm Areas Example] - Organization strategies

Data Historian

• [Historian Module Tutorial] - Time-series data logging
• [TrendChart Control Reference] - Real-time and historical trends
• [Historian Export to CSV Example] - Data export

Control Logic

• [Scripts Module Tutorial] - Automation logic
• [Scripts Expressions Reference] - Simple calculations
• [Scripting Code Library] - Pre-built functions

Advanced Technologies

Edge Computing

• [Edge AI with ML.NET Tutorial] - Anomaly detection
• [Edge AI with MCP Tool Tutorial] - AI assistanceintegration
• [MQTT Tutorials] - IoT protocols

Modern Protocols

• [OPC UA Client Connector] - Client implementation
• [OPC UA Server Connector] - Server functionality
• [MQTT Client Connector] - MQTT integration

Quick Task Reference

Recommended Learning Schedule

Week 1: Connect devices → Import tags → Verify communication
Week 2: Build displays → Create symbols → Test visualization
Week 3: Configure alarms → Setup historian → Build trends
Week 4: Add control logic → Implement calculations → Complete project

Resources & Support

Documentation:

• [Devices Module Reference] - Complete driver details
• [Displays Module Reference] - Display configuration
• [Alarms Module Reference] - Alarm system details

Examples:

• [Process HMI Example] - Complete HMI project
• [Andon Dashboards Example] - Production monitoring
• [OEE Calculation Example] - Performance metrics

Community:

• [Getting Help] - Support options
• Technical Tuesday sessions on Discord

Your Typical Workflow

1. Connect PLCs → Devices Connection Tutorials
2. Import Tags → Add Tags to UNS Tutorial
3. Build Displays → Displays Design Tutorials
4. Configure Alarms → Alarms and Audit-Trail Tutorial
5. Setup History → Historian Module Tutorials
6. Test System → Runtime Tutorial

Skip These (Not Your Focus)

• Business logic heavy tutorials (unless needed)
• Web development topics
• Database administration

Quick Links by PLC Brand

Allen-Bradley Users:

• [EtherNet/IP Connector]
• [ControlLogix Tag Import]

Siemens Users:

• [S7 Protocol Guide]
• [TIA Portal Integration]

Modbus Devices:

• [Modbus TCP/RTU Setup]
• [Register Mapping Guide]

Common Control Engineering Tasks

In this section...