Explanation of concepts and architecture, understanding the platform.

Home → Start | Next | Platform | Tutorials | How-to | Reference | Connectors | Cases | Resources

Week 1: Foundation & Connectivity

Day 1-2: System Overview

Start Here:

• [First Solution - 5 min] - Build working demo
• [Solution Center Tutorial] - Project management basics
• [Designer Tutorial] - Your main workspace

Day 3-5: Device Connection

Essential Tutorials:

• [Devices Connection Tutorials] - YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS
  • Start with Modbus or your specific PLC type
  • 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

Core Tutorials:

• [Displays Design Tutorials] - CRITICAL PATH
  • Canvas displays for P&ID graphics
  • Dashboard displays for KPIs
• [Runtime Tutorial] - Test your displays

Design Guidelines:

• [Canvas Displays vs Dashboards] - Choose display type
• [ISA-101 HMI Standards] - Industry best practices

Week 3: Alarms & Data

Alarm Configuration

Required Learning:

• [Alarms and Audit-Trail Tutorial] - Complete alarm setup
• [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

Optional Enhancement:

• [Edge AI with ML.NET Tutorial] - Anomaly detection
• [Edge AI with MCP Tool Tutorial] - AI assistance

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

Need Help?

Can't Connect? → Check [Device Troubleshooting] Display Issues? → See [HMI Optimization] Alarm Floods? → Review [Alarm Rationalization]

In this section...