Challenges with using channel partners for control & safety systems
Before using channel partners for control and safety systems, it is vital to understand possible difficulties in order to find ways of mitigating...
When upgrading your legacy system, don't underestimate the importance of upgrading the user interface of the control system, use it as an opportunity.
For most upgrades of legacy systems, the quick fix is to do a 1:1 conversion of the displays - copy and paste, add some of the new system functionalities. The old saying "don't fix it if it ain't broken" has saved many a project manager both time and expenses. But is this entirely true? Is it true that an interface originally developed in the 1990s will work just as well in 2022 (even with some superficial "make-up")? Could there be a bigger savings potential by upgrading in a more thorough way?
We completely understand that no one would be comfortable working with a 2022 state-of-the-art laptop that still uses Windows 95 as its user interface. So why should your control room operator have to stick with it after system upgrades worth millions in hardware and software?
However, it's a fact that many companies neglect the importance of upgrading the operator's daily tool: the graphic displays - the user interface. Over the years, and after upgrades and modifications, the user interface has changed only marginally, and still reflects the 1980s or 90s design, not utilising new technology and considerably better quality and specifications for both software and hardware.
While some human factor and user interface principles may not have changed much in the last 40-50 years, it has been a huge progress in the graphic user interface area, and most of the improvements are solidly based on human factors and UI principles. A lot of research and development have had big impact on human centred design, including icons and symbols, navigation and hierarchy concepts, use of colour and design of user dialogues.
There are many means to this end, and also differences in what is regarded as "user friendly graphics and operations". As a starting point, the EEMUA 201 guideline give some useful advice on how to handle upgrade projects as well as new projects.
Here are some areas that should be considered in any system upgrade:
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