Process sensors are the input for predictive maintenance, digital transformation, Industry4.0, smart manufacturing, smart grid, etc. The majority of OT networks use Windows-based HMIs even though Windows was not designed to be an engineering data acquisition tool. In a recent plant test, the Windows-based HMI was not effective and, in fact, provided misleading information on the state of the process sensors and plant equipment. Using raw unfiltered process sensor monitoring and machine learning, the plant now has the potential to demonstrate a significant return on investment (ROI) from improved plant operation as well as improving cyber security protection.
Machine learning also provides more meaningful data to the operators. Monitoring tools for process sensors and plant equipment need to be purpose-built, not general-purpose systems such as Windows.
As the test data is still being analyzed, more details will be included in future articles including in the November issue of IEEE Computer magazine.
