reporting best practices for production information

Copyright © 2014 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Reporting Best Practices for Production Information

Copyright © 2014 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2

Agenda

Conclusion

Report Performance/Optimization

Selecting a Reporting Tool

Reporting Concepts

Introduction


Reporting Challenges

3

Unifying Different Data Sources FactoryTalk

SQL, Oracle, DB2 ..…

OPC DA\HDA

Third-Party Historians

Align Reporting Tools with the Reporting Need

Excel or SharePoint Excel Services

Xcelsius Dashboards

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

Reports from FTMetrics or FTEnergyMetrix

ViewSE screens via ViewPoint

Composite Reports

How do we prevent Data\URL overload?

URL?


Reporting Solution

4

As you combine data, its value grows 1+1 = 3

PlantPAx

FactoryTalk

Metrics/Report Expert

FactoryTalk

EnergyMetrix

Enterprise

Reports


FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI Provides Tools and Capabilities to Solve Problems

5

FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI

provides tools for your Users to

enable them to solve problems

Encourages Ad-Hoc analysis

Allows Users to bring together data

from disparate data sources to

enable problem solving

For solutions for today and

tomorrow


Many Reporting Tools Available From Excel Through Reporting Services

VantagePoint Client Tools

Excel, Trend / XY Plotter, and HTML

Dashboard Builder

Model-Based Report Elements

Charts & Grids

Status Indicators

SharePoint

Enables collaboration

Advanced Reporting Tools

SSRS (Microsoft Reporting Services)

& SQLCLR

6

VantagePoint Portal

SharePoint Portal


Which Tool to Use?

7

http://www.leftyparent.com/blog/2013/02/24/we-need-to-move-away-from-one-size-fits-all-education/


Agenda

Conclusion



Reporting Concepts

Introduction


Concepts

9

A thread is a path of execution through a program. Single threaded

programs have one path of execution, and multi-threaded programs have

two or more paths of execution. Single threaded programs can perform

only one task at a time, and have to finish each task in sequence before

they can start another. For most programs, one thread of execution is all

you need, but sometimes it makes sense to use multiple threads in a

program to accomplish multiple, simultaneous tasks.

Single Threaded vs. Multi-Threaded


Concepts - Continued

10

Single Threaded vs. Multi-Threaded

Single Threaded DMV Multi-Threaded DMV

How does this effect Reporting?


Client Request

Cache

(Regenerate) Resend

No Cache (Generate)


11

A cache stores copies of documents passing through it; subsequent

requests may be satisfied from the cache if certain conditions are met.

Caching

Server Response

Expired Not Expired



12

A parameterized report uses input values to complete the report or data processing. With a parameterized report, you can vary the output of a report based on values that are set when the report runs. Parameterized reports are frequently used for drill through and sub-reports, connecting reports with related data.

Parameterized Reports

Depalletizer

Filler

Palletizer



13

Cascading parameters provide a way of managing user selections by categories. With cascading parameters, the list of values for one parameter depends on the value chosen in preceding parameter. Order is important for cascading parameters because the dataset query for a parameter later in the list includes references to parameters earlier in the list.

Cascading Parameters

Depalletizer

Filler

Palletizer

Line 1


Agenda

Conclusion



Reporting Concepts

Introduction


Report Requirement Checklist

15

Questions Answer

What is the maximum concurrent user for a given report? 5,10,20, 50, or Unlimited

What type of reports are required? Tabular or Graphic Rich

What is the size of the dataset required to complete the report? 100, 1000, or 10000 rows

What are the potential clients? Kiosk, PC, Tablet, HMI, Mobile, Etc.

How often does the data need to be refreshed? Seconds, Minutes, or Hours

What format does the user require? PDF, HTML, or Hard Copy

Does the user require cascaded parameters? Yes or No


Report Audience

16

Different audience and use for the output of each tool?

• Single-Threaded • Cache – 30 Seconds • Ad-Hoc Reporting

• Multi-threaded • Cache – N/A • Dashboards

• Multi-Threaded • User-Defined • Enterprise Reports


Report Content

17

What type of reports are expected?

Tabular Dashboard/Form


Report Content - Continued

18

Excel is the Primary Tool for Tabular

Benefits

Ease of Use

Built-in Functions & Formatting

Conditional Formatting

Built-in FactoryTalk VantagePoint Wizard for Publishing and Dataset Creation

Limitations

Performances Decrease Exponentially as Dataset Increases

Slow Report Generation in the FactoryTalk Portal with Large Datasets

Single-Threaded

Tabular Reports



19

Charts & Grid

Benefits

Ease of Use

Configured in the FactoryTalk

VantagePoint Model

Great Performance

Multi-Threaded

Limitations

Limited Formatting Options

No Internal Calculations

Tabular Reports



20

SQL Server Reporting Service (ReportBuilder 3.0)

Benefits

Large Dataset Friendly

Built-in Functions & Formatting

Built-in Filtering & Sorting

Built-in Rollup Features

Custom Function

Multi-Threaded

Currently Free with SQL Server

Limitations

Longer Learning Curve (Developer’s Environment)

Custom Functions

Tabular Reports



21

Xcelsius (Dashboard Builder)

Benefits

Smooth Data Refresh

Vector rendering

Several pre-define BI objects

Built-in VantagePoint wizard for Publishing and Dataset creation

Familiar Design Environment (Excel Based)

Limitations

500 Row Maximum

Limited Object customization (User can’t create Objects)

Adobe Flash (Unsupported on iOS)

Graphic Rich Reports (Dashboarding)



22

SQL Server Reporting Services

Benefits

No Data Limitations

iPad/iPhone Friendly

No Flash requirement

Unlimited Object Customization

Limitations

No Data Animation

No Real-time feedback

Graphic Rich Reports (Dashboarding)



23

A common expectation of any user is to have instant feedback from the

GUI. As technology advances, the more impatient users have become.

The New York Times says ―Remember when you were willing to wait a few

seconds for a computer to respond to a click on a Web site or a tap on a

keyboard? These days, even 400 milliseconds — literally the blink of an

eye — is too long, as Google engineers have discovered. That barely

perceptible delay causes people to search less.‖

User Interaction\Feedback



24



Values Returned from Querying VantagePoint

Model

Values Return from a DB Query

Collapsible Grids and Dynamic Grouping

Drill-Thru & Drill-Down

Embedded Roll-ups

Low Jitter




25


Xcelsius (Dashboard Builder)

Once the Flash file is loaded, any user interaction is processed at near real-time. This allows the user to select parameters in the dashboard, and get a results without having the refresh the entire web page.


Animation of Data


Unique feature to embedded other Dashboards within a Dashboard

Zero Jitter



26

Excel


N\A


Moderate Jitter



Excel, Xcelsius or SSRS

27

Criteria Excel Xcelsius SSRS

Single vs. Multi-Threaded Single Multi Multi

Report Caching Minimum None User-Defined

Tabular Reports Recommended N\A Highly-

Recommended

Dashboarding N\A

Recommended

Recommended

User Access Minimum Intermediate Enterprise

Cascading parameters N\A Yes Yes

Export into various formats PDF None Excel, PDF, Etc

User Feedback Static Near Real-time Limited


Agenda

Conclusion



Reporting Concepts

Introduction


Performance

29

Page loading time is obviously an

important part of any website’s

user experience. And many times

we’ll let it slide to accommodate

better aesthetic design, new nifty

functionality or to add more

content to web pages.

Unfortunately, website visitors

tend to care more about speed

than all the bells and whistles we

want to add to our websites.

http://blog.kissmetrics.com/loading-time/


Report Performance

30

Data aggregation is any process in which information is gathered and expressed in a summary form, for purposes such as statistical analysis.

Scenario 1 – Data Source does not support an Aggregation

Data Aggregations

Data Data

Data Source Client


Report Performance

31

Data aggregation is any process in which information is gathered and

expressed in a summary form, for purposes such as statistical analysis.

Scenario 2 – Data Source does support an Aggregation

Data Aggregations

Data

Data Source Client

Data


Report Performance - Continued

32

Which Connectors in FactoryTalk VantagePoint Support Aggregation Pass-Thru?

FactoryTalk\FactoryTalk Historian

OSI PI

INSQL

OPC-HDA

Which Aggregations can be Pass-Thru?

Max/Min

Average

Interpolated

Sum

Sample and Hold

Linear

Range

Standard Deviation

Data Aggregations



33

Why do you want to Roll-up data at the Data Source?

It Reduces Processing on the Data Source

Improved Report Performance

Reduce Redundant Processing

Examples of Roll-ups?

FactoryTalk Historian - Performance Equations & Totalizers

SQL Schedule Stored Procedures

Data Roll-ups

Is 500k rows too

much????



34

Is a query that is ran in a contained T-SQL transaction with data returned from a History Function in Excel.

Benefits All SQL Function are available

Filter values

How does it work?

SQL Post Processing

Data Source

Client

SQL Server

Data



35

Allows you to Query the FactoryTalk VantagePoint Model from SQL

Benefits

Added Reporting Tool Support

Complex Queries

Faster Learning Curve

Combine Datasets from Multiple VantagePoint Servers

How does it work?

SQL CLR

Client SQL Server

Data

SQL Query Web Request



36

Group Like Data Requests Where Possible

Ex. Group All Live Request in One Function

Data Request



37

Excel

If you need to refresh Data multiple times per minute, consider using

SSRS or Xcelsius

Database queries

Cascaded Queries - Use program controls to control execution order. (AID

525010). Unchecked Execution order could lead to the query executing

multiple times and generating errors on the data source.

Limit the Query size with SQL statements

Top XXX

Where Clauses

Data Request



38

Xcelsius

Limit Live request to 25 tags per request

Limit History request to 10-15 tags per request

Limit History request to 512 rows

Avoid refreshing data faster than 5 seconds

Data Request



39

Copying Excel Worksheets between Excel WorkBooks

Never Copy Worksheets that contain Incuity Functions

Remove any unused SQL Server Report DataSet

All DataSets are refreshed, even if they aren’t used in the report

Report Clean-up



40

Remove unused XML requests from Xcelsius projects before exporting to

Flash

Location 1 Location 2

Report Clean-up



41

Excel

Generate on the Server and sent as HTML

Dependent of the size of the Excel File

Xcelsius

Adobe Flash with XML request (Data Only)

Initial load downloads the Flash, but subsequent requests are light since it’s XML data only


Generated on the Report Server

Relatively small

Network Bandwidth



42

Report Runner / ReportSet / Eventing –

Prior to FactoryTalk VantagePoint V4.5 – Any Excel Report could be

automated. The Report Runner solution could be set to Publish a

Static report to the web portal at a given interval. This Static report

could be accessed by any user, in effect, making the Excel Report

Multi-threaded since it is not being regenerated for each user.

V4.5 - Introduced Eventing which integrated Report Runner

(ReportSet) into the released product. The new ReportSet can

generate Excel Reports, Trend\XY Plotter Reports, and SSRS

Reports based on a time interval or a historian tag trigger.

When should you use this feature?



43

Report Runner / ReportSet / Eventing –

Any report that contains a known data update interval

Hourly, Daily, And Month Reports

Interval (10 minutes or greater)

Triggered Data


Manufacturing Intelligence Track

Using Manufacturing Intelligence to Provide Information for Better Business Decisions

Architecting a Manufacturing Intelligence System

What's New with Manufacturing Intelligence in Action: Interactive Demo

Mobile Access to Production Information

Introduction to FactoryTalk Historian: Overview Strategies for Collecting and Analyzing Data

FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition: Architectures and Design Considerations

FactoryTalk Historian Machine Edition: Basic Configuration in ControlLogix Rack

FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition: Basic Lab on Data Collection and Reporting

FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition: Advanced Lab

FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition: Configuring Redundancy and High Availability

FactoryTalk Metrics: Introduction Lab

FactoryTalk Metrics: Pick and Choose Lab

FactoryTalk Transaction Manager: Pick and Choose Lab

Build an Information System on Your Integrated Architecture System

Factory Talk VantagePoint EMI Advanced Lab: Exploring the Possibilities

FactoryTalk Metrics: Manual Data Entry

FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI: Advanced Reporting

Reporting Best Practices for Production Information

eRPortal Software Group: Optimizing Plant and Asset Management Efficiency

Online Development Inc.: Data Exchange with Databases Using Configurable In Chassis Model


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reporting best practices for production information

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rockwell automation

reporting challenges

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