With the increasing prevalence of mobile devices, there is a growing expectation for individuals to connect and access critical data from anywhere, at any time. This shift extends to the realm of automation, enabling remote access to diagnostic information for complex equipment like compressors, motors and process analyzers.
However, challenges arise in presenting this information effectively on mobile displays, especially considering the contextual understanding required for process operations.
To address these challenges, Control, an Endeavor Business Media partner publication, suggests the development of human factors-based HMIs that intelligently adapt to the level of detail needed for decision-making. Additionally, it highlights the importance of maintaining security in remote access systems, particularly as awareness of OT systems as potential entry points for hackers increases.
Furthermore, Control discusses the generational gap in expectations regarding interactive capabilities in HMIs, with newer workers accustomed to context-sensitive displays, while older workers may be more resistant to change.
Control provides an in-depth look at mobile devices and their impact on process engineering in this article, available in full here.
