Paperless system process control systems

To date, process control systems like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have only enabled paperless operation in combination with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems or as part of a DCS (Distributed Control System), which enable measurement and control actions to be recorded and used as part of batch documentation. Process control systems have the advantage that they focus on real-time data as a necessary part of both control and supervision. The real-time focus is very useful for implementing both active and proactive control when combined with, for example, statistical tools or predictive algorithms. 

In the past, process control systems have been based on proprietary computer platforms, acting as "islands of information" from which production reports were printed out and stored as part of the critical production information. This situation is rapidly changing as most process control systems now operate on open standard platforms that are much easier to integrate. Recent development in control communication protocol standards has made such system integration even easier. Nevertheless, many process control systems currently used have been in operation for many years, leaving companies with the challenge of interfacing these proprietary systems in order to release the benefits of paperless operation. 

Another important area of process control systems is the ability to handle trend curves as part of production documentation. Recent software packages (called Historians) provide such capability over an extremely long time span and with batch production facilities which enable paperless handling of batch data that should be documented by graphical trend curves. Some... 

Two of the most aitical steps are scope definition and later scope control. They may seem simple initially, but in real life implementation, the purpose of paperless is typically difficult to define clearly, especially as many issues that seem obvious in a traditional, paper-based business process need to be explicitly defined when established in paperless systems. Scope control as well as the project management of resources, budget and time are pitfalls where many such implementations have fallen short. 

Properly implemented paperless systems can reduce deviations during operation. Paper is a dumb medium that receives everything people record on it, but computer media have the potential of guiding or controlling operations as well as tracking deviations and errors directly during the operation. In properly implemented paperless systems, this has lead to clear deviation reductions for people, processes, materials, equipment and lead time. 

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