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

Next → Control | IT | Operations | System Integrators

Connectivity - Devices Module

Essential Tutorials:

• [Devices Connection Tutorials] - PRIMARY FOCUS
  • [Connect to a Modbus Device Tutorial]
  • [Connect to a MQTT broker Tutorial]
• [Add Tags to UNS Tutorial] - Organize imported tags
• [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 Learning:

• [Displays Design Tutorials] - CRITICAL PATH
  • [Design Canvas Displays Tutorials] - P&ID graphics
  • [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 How-to Guide] - Process diagrams
• [Creating Dashboard Displays How-to Guide] - Responsive layouts

Industrial and Business Operations Modules

Alarm Management

• [Alarms and Audit Trail Tutorial] - Configuration basics
• [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 integration
• [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

In this section...

Start Here

Core Concepts to Understand

Platform Overview

• [Architecture] - Understand system topology and deployment
• [Technology Foundation] → [Vendor-Native Drivers vs OPC UA] - Critical for device connectivity
• [The Four Pillars] - Focus on P2: Process Modules

Essential Tutorials

Get Connected Quickly

• [First Solution - 5 min] - Quick system overview
• [Connect to a Modbus Device Tutorial] - Most common starting point
• [P2: Process Modules / Industrial Operations Tutorial] - Your primary learning path

Key How-to Guides

Daily Tasks

• [Devices Module (How-to Guide)] - Step-by-step device configuration
• [Alarms Module (How-to Guide)] - Alarm setup and management
• [Historian Module (How-to Guide)] - Data logging configuration
• [Displays Module (How-to Guide)] - Building operator screens

Technical References

Device Communication

• [Devices Module (Reference)] - Complete driver documentation
• [Connectors Library] - Browse 100+ native drivers
• Communication protocols you likely need:
  • Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP
  • Siemens S7
  • Modbus TCP/RTU
  • OPC UA

Standards Compliance

Relevant to control engineering:

• [ISA-95 Implementation] - Equipment hierarchy
• [ISA-18.2 Alarm Management] - Alarm standards
• [IEC 61131-3] - Programming languages support

Common Tasks Quick Links

Setting Up PLCs

1. Review [Connectors Library] for your PLC brand
2. Follow [Devices Module (How-to Guide)]
3. Check [Device Communication Troubleshooting]

Building HMIs

1. Start with [Displays Module (Concept)]
2. Use [Canvas Displays vs Dashboards] to choose approach
3. Apply [HMI Design Best Practices]

Implementing Alarms

1. Read [Alarms Module (Concept)] for philosophy
2. Configure using [Alarms Module (How-to Guide)]
3. Follow [ISA-18.2 Alarm Management] standards

Recommended Learning Sequence

Week 1: Connectivity

• Connect your first PLC
• Import tags to UNS
• Verify communication

Week 2: Visualization

• Build basic displays
• Create motor/valve symbols
• Test runtime operation

Week 3: Alarms & History

• Configure process alarms
• Set up data logging
• Build trending displays

Week 4: Integration

• Add control logic
• Implement calculations
• Complete your first project

Community Resources

• [Community Forum - Devices Section] - Device-specific questions
• [Sample Projects] - Control system examples
• [Symbol Library] - Pre-built HMI components

Need Help?

Common Issues:

• PLC won't connect → [Device Troubleshooting Guide]
• Tags not updating → [UNS Configuration Guide]
• Display performance → [Optimization Best Practices]

Support Channels: