Pyramid structure view of PI system functions. Individual technologies for the preparation and processing of inforThe pyramid image comprises:

• Capture of all data
• Assignment of contents to data
• Data analysis to provide information in decision support
• Data distribution to everybody that needs them on time for taking measures and decision-making
• Data visualization for a qualitative review of information and simple navigation in the system
• People support for implementing the control and taking actions
  mation are well recognized due to the level structure.

PI System is classified among RtPM systems (Real-time Performance Management) or "Company Performance Management in real time". RtPM systems are intended to assist production process management in real time through the integrated KPI. It is a flexible program platform for managing the entire business decision-making cycle in a company. In performance management it comprises events in real time and enables the implementation of measures and planning at all levels of company organization.

In the following sections individual PI system modules are described in short.

• They are integral parts of PI server applications. 
• They provide a simple way to define different calculations based on other PI points (signals), on the current as well as on archive values. 
• It contains a rich library of already built functions for the execution of numerical and text calculations (processing).
• Calculations are activated by time or event based on the PI point changes.
• Recalculator subsystem provides that calculation results comply with source data. If data come later or if an archive datum is corrected subsequently, Recalculator can automatically correct calculations based on this point.

• It is an integral part of PI server applications.
• It is a tool that executes calculations such as a sum, average values in a defined time interval, range, max, min, event counting, etc.
• Totalizer in contrast to PE avoids access to archive, which results in lower system load and more accurate results.
  

• It helps users monitor, manage and confirm warnings caused by exceeding alarm limits set by the user.
• It can detect irregularities even before they have fatal influence on the process.
• Alarms are shown in the AlarmView client tool.
• This tool shows the hierarchical alarm structure for the entire company, details of individual alarm points and it enables alarm confirmation.
  

• It enables building a hierarchical tree structure of the system and thus a process/company data model.
• Thereby modules that can contain submodules, nicknames for PI points and attributes are used.
• Properties can contain different simple and complex data types (documents, hyperlinks, texts,...)
• PI MD shares data with other applications.
• It enables connections between points themselves and between points and the associated equipment.
• Modules can archive changes. Thereby the traceability of data model changes through time is provided.

• It is a tool for making advanced calculations in the entire company.
• PI ACE is used for analyses such as the calculation of the efficiency of means of production, or the calculation of accounts of costs in real time as well as for building data transfer programs and alarm applications.
• Any application that does not require user’s intervention can be built.
• It can link with any PI system in the network and thus enables us to introduce and manage common business rules for the entire company in one place.
• It makes complex calculations simple by using PI data and Visual Basic language.
• Calculation can be activated by time or event regarding the PI point state or change.
  

• Object library serves for object programming in C++, VB or VBA languages.
• Current functionalities are:
  • Simple reading of archive/archival and current values
  • Archive and current event objects
  • MDB and Batch DB objects
  • Point DB and Digital State Table objects
  • User and User Group objects
  • Message Log objects

• It is used to access relational databases.
• Applications such as MS Query, MS Access, MS Excel support ODBC data sources.
• PI ODBC is a product that enables SQL queries in PI data archive.
• Users can continue to use their favourite client tools and they can simply access PI data.

• OLE DB is an open standard for universal data access.
• It enables a relational view of PI archive, PI point DB and other configuration data.
• It contains the SQL language, which enables relational queries in the PI system.

• PI Batch is a set of tools for measuring, analysing, improving the reproducibility of batch processes.
• It enables:
  • The reduction of batch duration times
  • The increase of comparability of products from individual batches
  • Detecting production bottlenecks
• It supports the ISA S88 standard:
  • Batch, Unit, Operation, Phase,...
  • Or any regular hierarchy
• "Smart Interface" enables monitoring batch events, even if batch activation/detection system is not available
• Simple use of add-ins for PB and Excel, which enables quick searching of batches, ideal batch analysis, trends, ...
  

• For data acquisition from DCS, SCADE, PLC, lab, and also other business information systems to the PI system.
• Record back in these systems that is based on a defined event of PI points (value change) or on user request is also possible.
• They enable quick links with more than 400 different data sources.
• One can link with practically any real-time data source.
• They enable data acquisition also in case of system failures. When the system (link) is generated, data are transferred to the PI system.

• It enables access to data in foreign databases to PI clients.
• PI system flexibility means that you get more from your data irrespective of where they are.
• User does not notice the difference in accessing data in different databases.