Efficient Plant May 2021 - 16

In most cases, today's
HMI technology is the
most versatile means
of delivering needed
monitoring and control
information to on-site
operators and remote/
mobile personnel.

feature | mobile asset monitoring

and folders. The user can also view status
information and directly monitor device
addresses.
A mobile app is particularly effective for
supporting a fleet of installed HMIs and
programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
Once the app is configured for network
access and the target IP address list is created, the user can simply click through to the
device of interest.

al-automation system, whether through
email or other methods described above,
usually calls for IT attention to networking,
firewall, and internet connectivity settings.
Users must ensure that the target devices
they select, such as HMIs and the mobile
methods and apps used to connect with
them, include built-in provisions for typical
IT security protocols and support complex
passwords.

EMAIL FUNCTION

MAKING MOBILE
CONNECTIONS

An HMI with email functionality might
be the most straightforward method of
connecting with one or multiple mobile
users. Each email can be a simple static
text message indicating the system status.
More-complex information can be embedded with or attached to the email, such as:
 dynamic PLC or HMI values
 alarm or operation logs
 data files
 HMI screenshots.
At minimum, these HMIs need internet
access. They also should support SMTPS
and SSL secure connections and use any
popular email service.
Enabling mobile access to any industri-

EP2105fidec.indd 16

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End users at plants or supporting remote
locations have a critical need for remoteaccess and monitoring options. Whether
they operate water-treatment systems,
machine tools, food-processing equipment,
packaging machines, or other facility assets,
industrial automation is present almost
everywhere and can provide valuable
information, if users can make the mobile
connection.
Today, HMIs are available with bright,
high-resolution screens and wide operating-temperature ranges, making them suitable for use almost everywhere. The most
capable models carry IP66F/67F, UL61010,

Type 4X/12/13 approval ratings, and are
even suitable for installation in Class I
Division 2 hazardous locations, as well as
marine applications. For additional insurance, even HMIs built for endurance should
be backed by long, multi-year warranties.
They already provide valuable local visualization and incorporate popular industrial
protocols, such as Modbus TCP/IP, so they
can act as communication gateways for
many devices.
With the right features, HMIs are ideal
platforms for delivering information to
mobile users. This connectivity enables
maintenance functions such as status monitoring and program uploads/downloads. It
can also support operational access to the
information and data files personnel need
to keep even the most far-flung systems
running efficiently. EP
Linda Htay is Product Marketing Specialist
at IDEC Corp., Sunnyvale, CA (us.idec.com),
where she is responsible for touchscreen and
display products. Htay has more than 15 yr.
of experience working with automation and
industrial products such as HMIs and PLCs.
She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering.

MAY 2021

4/26/21 9:27 AM

http://us.idec.com http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM

Efficient Plant May 2021

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