EP1328890A2

EP1328890A2 - System and method for managing software applications, especially manufacturing execution system (mes) applications

Info

Publication number: EP1328890A2
Application number: EP01987927A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner OFFENMÜLLER
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2000-10-20
Filing date: 2001-10-19
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Also published as: US20030172371A1; WO2002033603A3; WO2002033603A2; US8121716B2

Abstract

Software applications (A1 - A6), especially MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) applications often exist in a heterogeneous form. The inventive system and method enable a user at a work station (AV1 - AV3, PIW1, PIW2) to manage and monitor a number of different applications. Applications from the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) level and from the automation level can also be integrated. In addition, a user can define and monitor workflows (operations for carrying out, e.g. production orders).

Description

description

System and method for managing software applications, in particular MES applications

The invention relates to a system for managing software applications, in particular MES applications. The invention also relates to a method for navigating in industrial plants and / or in industrial processes with the aid of software applications, in particular MES applications.

From "Software for automation - creating transparency about processes", article by Dirk Kozian in Electronics for Automation 11, November 17, 1999, it is known to use so-called Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for the automation of production or manufacturing processes. These systems integrate the automation level (controls) with the ERP systems (ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning) at the corporate management level. Manufacturing execution systems are systems that, for example, provide information for optimizing production processes. On the one hand, the manufacturing execution systems have to supplement the rough planning data of the ERP systems with plant-specific and current detailed planning data and pass them on to the subordinate automation level. On the other hand, they have the task of taking over production-relevant information from the automation level, preparing it and using it to report the company management level. MES systems thus perform the task of vertical integration between the company management level and the automation level. Typical individual tasks of MES systems are enterprise asset management, maintenance management, information management, scheduling, dispatching and trace & track. These tasks are carried out by MES components or MES applications. Due to the software and data heterogeneity of the MES applications, these are very difficult to manage and a user can only navigate them with difficulty due to the insufficient consistency. Each MES application is therefore typically managed from its own workstation.

DE 199 00 884 AI discloses a system and a method for operating and monitoring an automation system with process visualization and process control using virtual plant models as an image of a real plant.

The object of the invention is to provide a system for managing software applications, in particular MES applications, and a method for navigating in industrial plants and / or in industrial processes with the aid of software applications, in particular MES applications, which are simpler and more uniform for a user Way are available.

The inventor assumed that the use of a framework (framework program) using standardized interfaces such as OPC (OLE for Process Control), ActiveX, XML (eXtensible Markup Language) or SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) enabled interoperability. quality between heterogeneous software applications (eg MES applications).

According to the invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved for a system for managing software applications, in particular MES applications

at least one computer unit for storing the software applications,

- with at least one framework program coupling the software applications, and

- With a display device for displaying Workflow information relating to predefinable software applications in a first screen area,

- State information characterizing predeterminable software applications in a second screen area.

This can e.g. The machine operator can operate and monitor several (also different) MES applications from one workstation. Despite the usually large heterogeneity of MES applications, one workstation is sufficient so that a machine operator can get an overall view of certain processes or procedures in the system. This can save equipment (e.g. monitors) and space. The connection between the workplace and the MES applications can be established via the Internet, intranet or other suitable media (e.g. LAN, WAN). Furthermore, a user can define his own view ("personalized view") of the processes of the system. In addition to MES applications, applications from the ERP level (Enterprise Resource Planning or company management level) or from the Controls level (automation level) can also be integrated. Applications can be integrated very advantageously if they support component technology (e.g. ActiveX, Java etc.) or were created as components and / or if standard communication mechanisms (e.g. MSMQ, Microsoft MESage Queue) are used.

A first advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the workflow information in the first screen area is defined by the user and represents an individual workflow in the interaction of the software applications. A workflow is a sequence of actions. If, for example, an order arrives at a production facility from an overarching system (eg production order), then this order must be implemented and distributed to the corresponding production units. The workflow now determines what needs to be done in what order to complete the job. The user can now use text and / or a graphic editor to easily define or model workflows that represent the interaction of the software applications (eg MES applications). A workflow can, for example, be presented in an explorer-like notation.

A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the workflow information shown in the first screen area provides access to data and / or methods of the software applications. This allows a user to access data and / or methods and / or objects of the applications (e.g. MES applications, material master data,

Schedules) and easily relate them to other applications.

A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the first and second screen areas can be subdivided for displaying further information characterizing the software applications. This allows further or more detailed information regarding the applications to be displayed on a monitor.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the system is provided for operating and / or observing an industrial process and / or work processes and / or an industrial automation system. As a result, the system can be used not only for the administration and monitoring of MES applications, but also generally for industrial workflows or automation systems.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that a common web browser is used for the display. This means that for the user interface do not create any additional components for navigating and browsing in the applications. In addition, users are familiar with the "look and feel" of popular web browsers. This shortens the training period. The possibility of "bro sens" in the applications is an important aspect of the integration.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the display device is implemented as a client of the framework program. This provides the advantages of a "client-server architecture" (e.g. the optimal use of limited resources).

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that components and / or modules from the enterprise resource planning area and / or the control area can be included in the screen areas. This means that not only applications from the MES level, but also applications from the ERP and automation levels (controls) can be managed and monitored in one system.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the display device is divided into further screen areas. This increases the manageability and flexibility of the system for a user.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the system is used as a development environment for functions and applications that are directly available in the system. As a result, new functions and applications can be created very quickly and as required without a separate development environment. According to the invention, the above-mentioned object for a method for navigating in industrial plants and / or in industrial processes with the aid of software applications, in particular MES applications, is achieved in that the software applications are stored on at least one computer unit, the software applications being stored over at least a framework program can be coupled to one another, workflow information relating to predeterminable software applications being displayed in a first screen area on a display device and wherein predeterminable software applications displaying status information which is indicative of it are displayed in a second screen area.

This enables, for example, the machine operator to operate and monitor several (also different) MES applications from one workstation. Despite the usually large heterogeneity of MES applications, one workstation is sufficient so that a machine operator can get an overall view of certain processes or procedures in the system. This can save equipment (e.g. monitors) and space. The connection between the workplace and the MES applications can be made via the Internet, intranet or other suitable media (eg LAN, WAN). Furthermore, a user can define his own view ("personalized view") of the processes of the system. In addition to MES applications, applications from the ERP level (Enterprise Resource Planning or company management level) or from the Controls level (automation level) can also be integrated. Applications can be integrated very advantageously if they support component technology (eg ActiveX, Java etc.) or were created as components and / or if standard communication mechanisms (eg MSMQ, Microsoft MESage Queue) are used. Navigating and "browsing" are important aspects when integrating heterogeneous applications from different automation levels. ω Ul r WF ¹ F ¹

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workflows and / or an industrial automation system is used. As a result, the method according to the invention can be used not only for the administration and monitoring of MES applications, but also generally for industrial work processes or automation systems.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that a common web browser is used for the display. This means that no additional components have to be created for the user interface for navigating and browsing in the applications. In addition, the Be ^¬ user with the "look and feel" of the popular web browser are familiar. This shortens the training period. The possibility of "browsing" in the applications is an important aspect of the integration.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the display device is implemented as a client of the framework program. This provides the advantages of a "client-server architecture" (e.g. optimal use of limited resources).

A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that components and / or modules from the enterprise resource planning area and / or the control area are included in the screen areas. This means that not only applications from the MES level, but also applications from the ERP and automation levels (controls) can be managed and monitored.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the display device is divided into further screen areas. This increases the manageability and flexibility of the system for a user. Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the method is used for the development of functions and applications that are immediately available. As a result, new functions and applications can be created very quickly and as required without a separate development environment.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the method according to the invention is implemented by a computer program. This means that any modifications or adjustments can be made easily.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the computer program for the method according to the invention is stored on a data carrier. This makes the process easy to handle in terms of logistics and distribution.

Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is that the computer program for the method according to the invention is installed on a data processing device. This increases performance.

An embodiment of the invention, from which further advantages can be found, is shown in the drawing and is explained below.

Show:

1 shows an overview of the "company pyramid" with three control levels,

2 shows the structure of conventional systems for managing MES applications, 3 shows the structure of the system ^{according to} the invention for ^managing MES applications,

4 shows an overview of the screen areas of the subject matter of the invention,

5 shows a further representation of the screen areas of the object according to the invention and

6 shows an overview of the central position of the framework program coupling the software applications.

The illustration according to FIG. 1 shows an overview of the three control levels that are usually found in a manufacturing or manufacturing company. The pyramid shape expresses that the information is compressed towards the top. The top level is the ERP level (Enterprise Resource Planning). At this corporate management level, the business and sales tasks are usually carried out in a company (e.g. finance, sales, human resources, reporting), but also cross-production logistics tasks (e.g. orders and material management) are carried out at this level The SAP R / 3 system is an ERP system that is used very frequently at the company management level.

The lowest level of the pyramid is the automation level (controls). At this level, programmable logic controllers (PLC) are usually used in conjunction with visualization and process control systems (PLS). The drives, actuators and sensors of the production and / or manufacturing facilities are directly connected to the systems on this level. Q φ α rt F? O 3 PP rT P d: s: ^ N ö er φ l_J- O g F7 Φ P • ö rt φ M σ F 01 ö

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etc.) each requires a dedicated workstation to monitor the respective MES application. As a result, a user loses the overview and the overall view, and the consistency of the individual MES applications is also not guaranteed.

3 shows an overview of the structure of the system according to the invention for managing MES applications or other applications. The individual MES applications A4-A6 are connected to a framework program (Framework) IF via adapters AD1-AD3. The user workstation PIW1 is coupled to the framework program IF via the bidirectional information path 14 and can thus manage and monitor the MES applications attached or integrated thereon. The user workstation PIW1 usually consists of a display device (monitor, display etc.) of a data processing system (e.g. PC) with processor and memory devices as well as input units (keyboard, mouse etc.). The MES applications A4-A6 and the framework program IF can run on their own data processing units or processors, but it is also possible for them to run on the data processing unit of the PIW1.

The respective MES applications A4-A6 are connected to the framework program IF via adapter AD1-AD3. The adapters are therefore the coupling modules between the framework program IF and the applications. Applications that are heterogeneous per se can thus be connected to one another via the adapters, and integration with the framework program IF enables communication and data exchange between the applications. In addition to MES applications, applications from the corporate management level (Enterprise Resource Planning level) and / or from the automation level (Controls level) can be integrated via the framework program IF and via the workstation PIWl (the acronym PIW stands for

"Personalized Industrial Workplace") are monitored or managed. The framework program IF thus forms an integration

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Mobility would bring other benefits to a user.

The illustration according to FIG. 4 shows an overview of the screen areas of the subject matter according to the invention. As the display device AZ, e.g. serve a screen. 4 shows two main screen areas BB1 and BB2. The information that is displayed in the screen areas BB1 or BB2 can be manipulated and influenced via entries on the keyboard or via the menu bar ML or via the toolbar bar TB (e.g. with the mouse or a pointing device). Functions that e.g. can be made available via the menu bar ML or via the toolbar bar TB e.g. Zooming, saving, saving, copying, reinserting, etc. The menu bars ML and the toolbar bar TB are shown at the top of the figure in FIG. 4, but a user can configure these bars independently and position them at different locations in the screen area. On the left side of FIG. 4, a workflow defined by the user is shown in screen area BB1 in an explorer-like structure ES. A workflow is a sequence of individual work steps of activities. With the help of the Personalized Industrial Workplace (PIW1; FIG 3), such workflows (a workflow is, for example, a sequence of steps for order processing) can be carried out using the available display and input tools (e.g. menu bars, toolbars, keyboards, mouse, etc.) define very easily and flexibly. As indicated in the screen area BBl, the workflows can be displayed in a hierarchical structure.

In addition to the definition and configuration of workflows, the Personalized Industrial Workplace (PIW1; FIG 3) provides the following additional operating options and services: - Personal access to the applications and services that are integrated in the framework program (IF; FIG 3), for example a uniform login.

- personal access to those involved, i.e. integrated applications. Data and methods can be accessed.

- A user-defined or initiated data exchange between the applications.

Starting and stopping different client applications, the framework program (IF; FIG 3) being designed as a server.

The development and integration of further applications or services based on the applications integrated in the framework program (IF; FIG 3). In this case, the workstation (PIW1; FIG 3) acts as a development environment, which allows functions to be implemented which, e.g. have so far not been covered by any of the integrated applications. These newly created functions, applications or

Services are treated like normal applications and are easy to integrate into the work place (PIW1; FIG 3). The development environment described continues to use the data provided by the integrated applications.

Furthermore, the display device AZ displays screen areas e.g. area BB2 is available to monitor and monitor the individual applications that are integrated in the framework program (IF; FIG 3). The screen area BB2 in FIG. 4 can e.g. represent the behavior of an application in the form of a state machine. However, other graphic or textual forms of description are also conceivable.

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F rt d N πj F- F- F- σ P o F ι ¹ 03 P φ • o 0 Φ P d- t? D Z

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O Cd PF 01 rt drd \ ->P> q Φ P φ F- 01 F- Φ F Φ F ¹ F φ 3 P • rt φ

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P FI F ¹ d 3 Φ d O rr P •? iJ Z Φ Φ Φ - - - F 'tr FPP o * Ü rt? ιq o- P

P u3 S F- F oi Ό P P F "φ Φ is Φ P F • F- F- P φ tq P tr Ό Φ rt F Q Φ

Φ Φ F ^> O φ rt o Ϊ φ F- P σ FF d POPF φ? Φ F "P F- ¹ P

Ml P - • tr P F F rt F O P P Cd φ P P d F σ tr rt O σ P rt F- N Φ F-

F- M) φ d rt F- tr F p: F- F- Φ P P O F- Φ Φ tr F F- CO? T Cd d F o?

PP φ XO d- ι F- F 'F ¹ ^ q PP Φ F F- P F- 1' ≤ P F- rt er P

F- tr F) d F rt d P er d φ 3 F ^ P φ • F-

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Depending on these user roles, different access rights or display options are available for the users. A user can also define an autostart configuration. This autostart configuration determines which applications are started directly when logging in and which applications are opened with which entry point as the entry window. Furthermore, the user can set that the configuration that is available when logging off is always used as the autostart configuration.

The use of special graphics cards makes it possible to connect two or more monitors to one PC. These screens complement each other to form a logical display unit and can be e.g. can be operated with a keyboard and a mouse. In order to facilitate internationalization, it is advisable to store all texts of the user interface and the files in Unicode format. For the implementation of the workplace, it is advisable to design the user interface as an OLE container and thus it is possible to integrate ActiveX controls and OLE-compatible applications (OLE stands for Object Linking and Embedding).

The illustration according to FIG. 5 shows a further illustration of the screen areas of the object according to the invention. FIG. 5 shows that the display device AZ can in principle be divided into any number of screen areas BB2 ′, BB2 ″ here. Each screen area can be used, for example, to display an application. For the applications, the representations in the screen areas represent front ends in the sense of a "one window to the world" for a user. The screen areas can, for example, be easily varied in size by simply dragging with the mouse. The window size can be changed horizontally, vertically and diagonally. In the screen areas BB1 or BB2 'or BB2'', in addition to information regarding the applications, Information of the framework program (IF; FIG 3) are shown. FIG. 5 also shows a menu bar ML and a toolbar bar TB. These bars contain function buttons that can be activated by the user, for example, by mouse click. User-defined function buttons can also be stored in the ML and TB strips.

On the left side, as in FIG. 4, the screen area BB1 shows an explorer-like structure ES. This hierarchical structure can be a workflow or a means of navigation in order to access applications or functions very quickly in the system.

A user can log in as a normal user, but he can also log in as a subuser.

These different user levels differ in terms of the rights that a user is allowed to have: Possible attributes can be: Observe, read, write change values that are also restricted across the company levels (eg company, location, area, manufacturing cell, production unit , Elements, functions).

6 shows an overview of the central position of the framework program coupling the software applications. In order to implement the system or method according to the invention, it is advisable to choose a client-server architecture. The framework program (IF; FIG 3) can be implemented on a single server or on any number of servers that can be distributed in an IT landscape. 6 shows that the framework program (IF, FIG 3) is located on a server IFS (Industrial Framework Server). The clients connect to this central server IFS through the bidirectional information paths 15-111. The clients include on the one hand the applications from the ERP, the MES and the automation level. 6 shows these applications at the bottom of the picture. About the adapters AD4-AD6 these applications are with the Framework Program, and thus connected with the Ser ^¬ ver IFS (IF FIG 3). The adapters AD4-AD6 are connected to the applications via API interfaces API1-API3 (API stands for Application Programming Interface). An application programming interface is an interface with a lot of commands. APIs are also used when converting parameter lists from one format to another and when interpreting the arguments in one or both directions. The APIs are, so to speak, the glue between the applications and the adapters. The connection between the adapters AD4-AD6 with the framework program (IF; FIG. 3) (represented in FIG. 6 by the bidirectional information paths 16-18) takes place via suitable data formats (for example XML), suitable protocols (XOP, OPC etc.) and suitable transport mechanisms (e.g. DCOM or MSMQ). HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) can also be used here. The SOAP protocol (Simple Object Access Protocol) based on XML (Extensible Markup Language) can also be used for the integration of the adapters AD4-AD6 into the framework program (IF; FIG 3) or the associated server IFS. Clients or applications that support ActiveX documents or calls can be integrated particularly advantageously into the framework program (IF; FIG 3) or the server IFS. The repository IFR (Industrial Framework Repository) can be connected to the server IFS as a further client. This connection is represented by the bidirectional information path 15 in FIG. The repository IR is used to keep data safe and persistent. This data can be accessed via method calls. Objects, methods and runtime data are stored in the repository.

Further clients of the IFS server are shown in the upper half of the figure. The Personalized Industrial Workplace PIW2 and any existing engineering environment EU are clients of the IFS server. The Personalized Industrial Workplace o CO PO) F ¹ F 'cπ σ Cπ o Cπ CD Cπ

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P <F P φ O P P Φ P rt F F- • P rt φ O F- F tr φ φ P F <q P F- FI ts 3 F P φ 'P P P P Hi 1 O rt Φ 01 P P

Ό. Q P P Φ • φ oi O Φ Φ P rt P Fi

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P d oi φ F- P P φ O oi P F F rt F ιq Φ P rt rr O? ~> d oi Hi P • d Φ o Φ F- rt

F- N Φ d P Hl φ 3 d: d d 3 P tr P rt F-

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P F x F- F- F * P> P F tr P rt Φ P P d F P

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Φ Φ F- P P O O F F- P F- P φ CO F

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P Ό rt P φ rr F- Φ ιq rt P F- P 3 φ P

P Φ Φ P P rt P P φ o P O P F F-

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Φ tr F- P F- F "F- 01 P 1 KQ <? Φ

P d F tr o φ rt F "Φ F- P Φ Φ O O

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03 F o - -. F-> <01 Φ rt 01 F- CO rt • P

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P 1 ^ 1 1 rt

Applications from the ERP level (Enterprise Resource Planning) and the automation level can also be integrated. Furthermore, a user can define and monitor workflows (processes, e.g. to execute production orders).

The system or method according to the invention described above can be implemented as a computer program in languages known therefor. A computer program implemented in this way can also be stored and transported in a known manner via electronic data paths, but also on data carriers.

Claims

claims

1. System for managing software applications (AI - A6), in particular MES applications, - with at least one computer unit for storing the software applications (AI - A6),

- with at least one framework program (IF) coupling the software applications (AI - A6), and

- With a display device (AVI - AV3, PIW1, PIW2, AZ) for displaying

Workflow information regarding predefinable software applications (AI-A6) in a first screen area,

- Predeterminable software applications (AI - A6) characterizing status information in a second screen area.

2. System according to claim 1, so that the workflow information in the first screen area (BBl) is defined by the user and an individual one

Workflow in the interaction of the software applications (AI

- A6).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, so that access to data and / or methods of the software applications (AI-A6) is provided via the workflow information shown in the first screen area (BBl).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, that the first and second screen areas (BB2, BB2, BB2) for displaying further the software applications (AI

- A6) characteristic information can be subdivided.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is provided for operating and / or monitoring an industrial process and / or work processes and / or an industrial automation system.

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that a common web browser is used for display.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, that the display device (AVI-AV3, PIW1, PIW2, AZ) is implemented as a client of the framework program (IF).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that components and / or modules from the enterprise resource planning area and / or the control area can be included in the screen areas (BBl, BB2, BB2 \ BB2 ^{x λ} ) ,

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (AVI - AV3, PIW1, PIW2, AZ) is divided into further screen areas (BBl, BB2, BB2 \ BB2 ^λ ).

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, so that the system is used as a development environment for functions and applications that are directly available in the system.

11. Method for navigating in industrial plants and / or in industrial processes with the aid of software applications (AI - A6), in particular MES applications, in which the software applications (AI - A6) are stored on at least one computer unit in which the Softwareappli- cations (AI - A6) can be coupled to one another via at least one framework program (IF), in which workflow information relating to specifiable software applications (AI - A6) is displayed in a first screen area (BBl) on a display device (AVI - AV3, PIW1, PIW2, AZ) and in which predeterminable software applications characterizing status information is displayed in a second screen area (BB2, BB2, BB2 ^Λ ).

12. The method according to claim 11, so that the workflow information in the first screen area (BBl) is defined by the user and represents an individual workflow in the interaction of the software applications (AI-A6).

13. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, so that access to data and / or methods of the software applications (AI-A6) is made possible via the workflow information shown in the first screen area (BBl).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, so that the first and second screen areas are divided to display further information identifying the software applications (AI-Aβ).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, that the method is used to operate and / or observe an industrial process and / or work processes and / or an industrial automation system.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that a common web browser is used for display.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, so that the display device (AVI-AV3, P1W1, PIW2, AZ) is implemented as a client of the framework program.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that components and / or modules from the enterprise resource planning area and / or the control area are included in the screen areas (BB2, BB2 BB2 ^λ ),

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, so that the display device (AVI - AV3, PIW1, PIW2, AZ) is divided into further screen areas.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, so that the method is used for the development of functions and applications that are immediately available.

21. Computer program that implements a method according to one of claims 11 to 20.

22. A data carrier on which a computer program according to claim 21 is stored.

23. Data processing device (P1W1, PIW2, IFS, C, EU) on which a computer program according to claim 21 is installed.