Monitor systems, manage alarms, and ensure uptime.
Next → Control | IT | Operations | System Integrators
Learning Topics
Operations and maintenance teams ensure 24/7 system reliability. This guide navigates you through runtime monitoring, alarm response, and diagnostic procedures.
Core Responsibilities:
- Real-time system monitoring and health checks
- Alarm response and incident management
- Trend analysis and reporting
- Shift operations and handover procedures
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Runtime Operations
System Monitoring
Essential Tools:
- [Runtime System Monitor Reference] - Real-time performance
- [Runtime Diagnostics Reference] - Troubleshooting tools
- [Runtime Tutorial] - Hands-on practice
- [Client Types Reference] - Client connections
Health Indicators
- [Devices Monitor Reference] - Communication status
- [Alarms Monitor Reference] - Alarm system health
- [Historian Monitor Reference] - Data collection status
- [System Monitor Connector] - Windows metrics
Alarm Management
Alarm Response
Core Documentation:
- [AlarmViewer Control Reference] - Operator interface
- [AlarmAreas Control Reference] - Area-based filtering
- [Alarms and Audit Trail Tutorial] - Step-by-step guide
- [Alarms Module Reference] - Complete system
Alarm Procedures
- [Alarm Areas Example] - Organization strategies
- [Alarm History Filter Example] - Historical analysis
- [Alarm Email and SMS Example] - Notification setup
- [Alarm Change Message Example] - Custom messages
Trending & Analysis
Data Visualization
Trending Tools:
- [TrendChart Control Reference] - Real-time trends
- [TrendChart Properties Example] - Configuration
- [TrendChart Annotations Example] - Event marking
- [TrendChart Custom Samples Example] - Advanced features
Historical Data
- [Historian Module Tutorial] - Data retrieval
- [Historian Export to CSV Example] - Data export
- [Historian GetSamples Method Code] - Custom queries
Reporting & Documentation
Operational Reports
- [ReportViewer Control Reference] - View reports
- [Reports Module Reference] - Report system
- [Reports with Datasets Example] - Data integration
Shift Documentation
- Audit trail maintenance
- Shift handover procedures
- Incident documentation
Quick Reference Cards
Alarm Response Matrix
| Severity | Acknowledge | Resolve | Escalate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | < 1 min | < 15 min | Immediate |
| High | < 5 min | < 60 min | If unresolved |
| Medium | < 15 min | End of shift | As needed |
| Low | < 60 min | Scheduled | No |
Daily Checklist
- Review [Runtime System Monitor Reference]
- Check active alarms in [AlarmViewer Control Reference]
- Verify historian status in [Historian Monitor Reference]
- Review device communications
- Run daily production report
- Complete shift log
First-Line Diagnostics
| Symptom | Check | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Tag not updating | Device status | [Devices Monitor Reference] |
| Client slow | Display complexity | [Performance optimization] |
| Trend gaps | Historian service | [Historian Monitor Reference] |
| Login fails | User permissions | [Security RuntimeUsers Reference] |
Shift Operations
Handover Procedures
Documentation Requirements:
- Top 5 active alarms and status
- Equipment on watch list
- System anomalies observed
- Maintenance requests raised
- Audit trail entry
Access Control
- [Security RuntimeUsers Reference] - User management
- [Security Policies Reference] - Permission levels
- [Security Module Reference] - Complete security
Performance Management
System Optimization
- Display point count limits
- Query time window best practices
- Network bandwidth monitoring
- Client connection management
Preventive Maintenance
- Trend analysis for drift detection
- Early warning indicators
- Asset health monitoring
- Performance baseline tracking
Emergency Procedures
Failover Operations
- [Redundancy Reference] - Hot standby systems
- Client reconnection procedures
- Service recovery checklist
- Communication protocols
Backup & Recovery
- Solution backup verification
- Configuration archive
- Disaster recovery procedures
- Data retention policies
Training Path
Operations Certification
FrameworX Operations Specialist
- Prerequisites: Basic SCADA knowledge
- Duration: 2 weeks practical training
- Assessment: Scenario-based + quiz
- Renewal: Annual practical drill
Week 1 Focus:
- Client navigation
- Alarm operations
- Trending basics
- System health monitoring
Week 2 Focus:
- Advanced diagnostics
- Performance optimization
- Security procedures
- Emergency response
Resources & Support
Essential References:
- [Runtime Reference] - Complete runtime documentation
- [Alarms Module Reference] - Alarm system details
- [Displays Module Reference] - Display navigation
Examples & Best Practices:
- [Process HMI Example] - Operational displays
- [Andon Dashboards Example] - Visual management
- [OEE Calculation Example] - Performance metrics
Support:
- [Getting Help] - Support channels
- Technical Tuesday sessions
- Emergency escalation procedures
In this section...
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or: Control-Room Operators, Maintenance Techs
Focus: Runtime monitoring & diagnostics
Target Audience
Operators and maintenance staff responsible for day-to-day running of FrameworX solutions: monitoring health, responding to alarms, reviewing trends/reports, performing basic diagnostics, and executing shift handovers. (See AlarmViewer, TrendChart, Runtime System Monitor, Diagnostics Tools, Audit Trail, Security/RuntimeUsers, ReportViewer in the docs.)
Learning Objectives
Monitor system health and data flows in real time
Respond to alarms consistently and document actions
Use trends, annotations, and reports to investigate issues
Perform first-line diagnostics on comms, clients, and historian
Execute shift handover & maintain audit/compliance records
Apply runtime security best practices and least-privilege access
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Your Role
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Primary Focus
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Essential Pages
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Advanced Topics
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System Integrator
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Full platform
Implementation
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Platform Overview
The Four Pillars
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Solution Lifecycle
P1: UNS Foundation
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Security & Operations
Key Differentiators
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Control Engineer
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Field connectivity
Process Control
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Solution Lifecycle
P1: UNS Foundation
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P2: Process Modules
Devices Module
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Alarms Module
Historian Module
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HMI Developer
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User interfaces
Visualization
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Designer
P4: Operator UI
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Displays Module
Runtime
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Security Module
P3: Application Modules
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IT Administrator
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Deployment
Maintenance
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Architecture
Security & Operations
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Runtime
Solution Center
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Product Editions
Datasets Module
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Project Manager
Evaluator
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Capabilities
Planning
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Platform Overview
Key Differentiators
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Product Editions
The Four Pillars
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Technology Foundation
Architecture
Week 1: Foundation
Day 1 — Clients & Navigation
Topics
SmartClient / Web Client basics: login, navigation, bookmarks, user settings
Display layouts, symbols, and operator-level interactions (buttons, popups, dashboards)
Report viewing (ReportViewer) and quick exports
Exercise:
Log in with an operator role; open the overview display; bookmark three critical pages; run a daily production report; export to CSV/PDF.
Quick-Check Card (post on the wall)
Check | How |
|---|---|
Server/Runtime status | Runtime System Monitor page |
Client connectivity | Web Client Connection Checklist |
Time sync | Verify NTP source in system notes |
Day 2 — Alarm Operations
Topics
Alarm philosophy recap (states, severity, shelving/ack, notes)
AlarmViewer usage: filters, areas, duration field, history drill-down
Notifications and escalation overview (email/SMS policies)
Playbook (baseline)
Identify alarm → confirm area & equipment
Acknowledge with note (reason/action)
Execute SOP steps; verify return-to-normal
Annotate trend; create follow-up task if recurrence
Shift log entry + handover
Exercise:
Run three alarm scenarios (process limit, device offline, bad quality). Capture notes, annotations, and outcome.
Day 3 — Trends & Reporting
Topics
TrendChart basics: pens, cursors, time windows, annotations, saving views
Historian concepts: tags, retention, exporting to CSV; Historian Monitor
Daily/weekly reports for production and alarm KPIs
Lab:
Create a saved trend view for a critical asset; add two annotations linked to an alarm; export a 24-hour CSV; attach to a shift report.
Day 4 — System Health & First-Line Diagnostics
Topics
Runtime System Monitor: services, CPU/RAM, queue/backlog indicators
Device/connection monitors; quick comms checks (Ping/SNMP)
Diagnostics Tools & common issues (HTTPS/SSL, client download blocks)
Diagnostics Matrix (use on incidents)
Symptom | First Checks | Likely Fix |
|---|---|---|
Tag stale/bad | Device node status; channel link | Re-establish comms; check routing/firewall |
Client slow | Display point count; network latency | Use smaller views; verify bandwidth |
Trend gap | Historian service & storage | Confirm service; free disk space |
Login fails | AD/LDAP reachability; role | Verify directory & permissions |
Day 5 — Shift Handover, Audit & Compliance
Topics
Audit Trail usage during operations (who did what/when)
RuntimeUsers, permissions, and least-privilege access
Shift handover notes and attachments; report bundles
Deliverables
Shift Handover Template (what happened, alarms of concern, pending work orders)
Operator SOP binder: alarm response, comms check, report schedule
Week 2: Advanced Operations
Day 1 — Preventive Maintenance & Asset Watch
Topics
Using trends/reports to spot drift; simple KPIs per asset
Creating “watch” views; thresholds for early warnings
Optional: link to CMMS via datasets/exports (process outline)
Exercise:
Define three early-warning indicators and a weekly review report.
Day 2 — Runtime Security & Access
Topics
Roles/permissions for operators vs. maintenance; temporary elevation process
AD/LDAP integration overview; policy for password/account hygiene
Exercise:
Review current roles; remove excess privileges; test operator sign-in & access to required pages only.
Day 3 — Performance Awareness for Operators
Topics
Display optimization habits (lazy loading, fewer live points per view)
Historian query hygiene (time windows, pen counts)
Client/network basics (when to call IT vs. fix locally)
Lab:
Split an overloaded display into two; measure load improvement; document best practice.
Day 4 — Resilience Drills & Backups
Topics
Hot-standby / redundancy overview; operator steps during failover
Backup/restore awareness; where to find runbooks
Notification test: confirm emails/SMS reach the right on-call list
Drill:
Simulate primary outage; execute client reconnection & verification checklist; record times.
Day 5 — Assessment & Certification
Operator Practical (90 min)
Handle a 3-alarm sequence with notes, annotations, and report
Diagnose a comms outage using monitors/diagnostics
Complete shift handover with audit proof
Certification: FrameworX Operations Specialist
Format: scenario practical + short quiz; validity 2 years; CE via annual drill.
Reference Cards & Checklists (printables)
Alarm Severity → Response Time
Severity | Target Ack | Target Resolve |
|---|---|---|
Critical | ≤ 1 min | ≤ 15 min |
High | ≤ 5 min | ≤ 60 min |
Medium | ≤ 15 min | Shift |
Low | ≤ 60 min | As scheduled |
Daily Runtime Checklist
Review Runtime System Monitor (CPU/RAM/queues)
Scan AlarmViewer filters for standing alarms
Verify historian ingestion & free disk space
Run daily production/alarm report and archive
Note issues in shift log; prep handover
Shift Handover Essentials
Top 5 alarms & status, open actions
Equipment on watch, current trends attached
Any client/network anomalies observed
Maintenance requests raised & references
Sign-off with Audit Trail entry
Additional Resources (link from the O&M page)
AlarmViewer Control & Alarm Areas/Module pages (operations UI)
TrendChart Control & Trend Settings (trending & annotations)
Runtime System Monitor & Diagnostics Tools / Common Issues
Audit Trail; Security RuntimeUsers / AD-LDAP (accountability & access)
ReportViewer Control & Reports Module (daily/weekly reports)
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