AlarmSuite
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Simple Setup
Setup is as simple as importing the alarm structure from the SCADA, defining a list of operators, including their contact method (SMS, email or Android app) and then creating as many alarm plans as required.
Powerful Alarm Plans
Alarm plans are associated with the imported alarm areas. They define the alarm escalation rules, the days and time of day the alarms are reported and the priority/severity of alarms that are reported in the plan.
Multiple plans for any area can be created. This allows different operators to be notified on different days or at different times. High priority alarms can be handled differently from lower priority alarms.
Plans can be configured to report alarms in associated child areas. This allows a user to create a single plan for an entire site if they so desire by creating a plan for the topmost alarm area and enabling child reporting for that plan.
Entire areas can be prevented from alarming, or if that’s too broad, individual alarms can be disabled as required.
Easy to Understand Graphical Configuration
Alarm plans are created in an easy to understand graphical environment. Operators and groups are simply dragged into the plan.
When an alarm occurs in an area, alarm plans are started if the alarm conditions meet the criteria set in the plans.
Intuitive Operation
When an alarm plan starts, it notifies the first operator then waits for a response. If no response is received within the configured escalation period for that operator, it notifies the next operator. This is repeated until either an operator acknowledges the alarm, the alarm returns to normal, or the plan terminates after its configured number of repeats.
If an operator is using SMS or email for alarm notification, he or she simply sends a reply containing the word “Ack” followed by the ID specified in the original message. If the mobile app is used, a notification is sounded for each new alarm. The operator sees a list of all current alarms which can then be individually acknowledged.
When AlarmSuite receives the operator’s response, the acknowledgement goes directly back into the InTouch or System Platform SCADA to acknowledge the alarm. The SCADA displays the operator’s configured name and the acknowledgment method in the alarm comment.
Fair Licensing
AlarmSuite licensing is based on the number of operators you need to send alarms to, not the number of alarms reported, or tags interrogated. When you purchase AlarmSuite (product code AS-002), it comes with two operator licences. Anytime you need to upgrade the number of operators, just contact your distributor and they’ll provide you with a new licence key for the required number of operators.
Pricing
Contact Switchbuild for details.
Download the App for Android and iOS
FAQ
- AlarmSuite is built using the Microsoft .Net Framework, Windows Communication Foundation and SQL Server
- AlarmSuite runs on a Windows PC as a number of services allowing unattended operation
- AlarmSuite can operate with either InTouch or Wonderware System Platform setups
- AlarmSuite can import the alarm structure from an InTouch def file or from an ArchestrA database
- AlarmSuite operators are configured to receive alarm messages via either SMS text message, email or Android app (only one method per licensed operator can be selected)
- AlarmSuite operators can be put on call or taken off call
- The Android app allows an operator to view all of their currently active alarms. The app sends delivery receipts to AlarmSuite so that it knows the operator has received the notification
- AlarmSuite can send alarm messages without requiring internet access when using an approved SMS modem (Switchbuild can recommend a suitable modem)
- Standard serial and specific Ethernet SMS modems are supported
- Use of email as an alarm notification method requires a valid user account and an email provider that supports IMAP and SMTP
- Use of the Android app requires a web service to be setup. Switchbuild will be able to guide you through this
- AlarmSuite handles a maximum of 1000 concurrent alarms (this can be increased upon request).
- AlarmSuite supports grouped operators
- AlarmSuite supports drag and drop for creating alarm plans and operator groups
- AlarmSuite has comprehensive event logging. Logged events can be viewed using the Windows event viewer snap-in
- AlarmSuite supports direct operator messaging – SMS or email as appropriate for the selected operator
- AlarmSuite supports SMS, email and Android app alarm acknowledgment
- AlarmSuite supports alarm masking at both the alarm area level and the individual alarm level
- AlarmSuite provides a graphical view showing the current state of active alarm plans