How to make data driven decisions with acron
in just 3 steps
Collect
acron connects to the PLCs (programmable logic controllers) of your devices or SCADA/DCS system and collects their data.
Store safely
That data is then stored in acron’s database, to be compressed and used to calculate derivative KPIs.
Analyze & use
Afterwards, acron provides you with multiple interfaces to analyze and export your data in various formats, or to automate your workflow (e.g. react to any possible warnings).
Let’s have a closer look at acron’s dataflow:
Collect data from everywhere
Manufacturer-independent data reading
With more than 40 supported interfaces, acron is able to read data from almost any equipment or SCADA system. This covers nearly all popular methods used by modern devices to communicate, including:
- OPC UA (DA, HA, AC)
- OPC Classic (DA, HDA, AE)
- MQTT with SparkplugB
- CSV / TXT
- Manufacturer-specific interfaces for Siemens, GE, ABB, AVEVA, and others
- RestAPI & manual entry
From different locations to one place
acron is a distributed, flexible system. As a result, the acron database server and the data provider may physically be on different continents, but the measurement data is still transferred safely.
In case of a connection problem, the data is saved to the local cache of the provider, and held for transfer to the acron database server until the connection is restored.
Furthermore, there can be multiple data providers gathering data from a single plant device, while being connected to the database via different networks, ensuring redundancy in data collection.
Store safely
Fast database specifically developed for processing data
The heart of acron is its database server, where all collected data is headed. As the central part the acron database server communicates with all other elements of the acron system by TCP/IP protocol, running on our own proprietary database that:
- saves data very compactly
One of our use cases shows an acron system where plant data has been continuously stored for 15 years. - is fast without losing speed over time
acron’s database works just as fast with billions of records as with dozens. - requires no additional payment
acron’s list price automatically includes a license for the database. There is no need to spend additional money on database licensing.
Calculations made on the fly
The acron database server has its own “calculator” that compresses raw data and calculates computed metrics. It works in tandem with the server in the background – having calculated data at the ready even before you request it. This means no waiting time – you may not even notice the calculations.
The calculator has two tasks:
- Data compression
- Calculation of computed metrics
Loss-proof compression
acron can save a measured value per millisecond. This commulates to about 2.6 billion measurements per month – a lot of raw data. But when analyzing the performance of a month, not all those measurements are needed. The average daily value may be sufficient, the average being only 30 values – which takes your computer a lot less time to process than 2.6 billion.
acron calculates such interval values in the background and operates with this compressed data. As a result, you analyze your processes with the same precision, with the data being processed quickly and shown instantly.
acron features 16 built-in compression algorithms. For each measured value, you can separately select the algorithm that offers the best loss- aware compression ratio specifically for that value.
Get additional information with computed metrics
When using a navigation app, it not only measures your speed and the remaining distance of your route – it also tells the estimated time of arrival. This ETA is an example of computed metrics.
acron can calculate similar derivative metrics for all the collected data, to be then analyzed the same way as measured variables. Here are a few examples of computed metrics:
- Total workload
- Level of reserves knowing inflow and outflow
- Number of device activations
- Device status (on-off)
- Time since start, time until end of cycle
- Quality assessment, calculation of defects
- Anomaly detection
- Statistical calculations (minimum, maximum, average, etc.)
- Prediction of readings
- Run times, downtimes
- Energy quantities
Prevent data loss with redundancy
The acron mirror module allows acron data from one server to be kept identical to the data on another. If one database server fails, all operations can immediately be continued on the second, mirrored server. As soon as the failed server is restored to operation, it updates its data from the mirror server.
This makes it possible to implement both a backup solution and a full fail-safe redundancy. Operators using data from acron may not even notice that any failure occured.
Analyze & use
acron has powerful built-in modules that allow you to visualize and analyze the collected data. And in case you should prefer to use third-party tools, acron organizes the export stream for you.
Dive into the numbers. Analyze historical readings.
Turn back time and see what happened with sensor readings at a specific period in the past.
In acron Reporter, you can select one or several plant-specific data values and receive their measurements for the needed time frame. To make analysis easier, acron shows you minimums and maximums, average values and sums, and indicates if the value exceeds the limit range. This helps you compare values more easily or understand if something is wrong with the value.
Enter manual values and correct the data in compliance with regulations
In acron Reporter, values can be entered manually values (e.g., measurements from laboratory experiments) and/or corrected if the collected data may be inaccurate (e.g., the sensor is broken).
acron logs all manual changes in a traceable and tamper-proof manner, ensuring the reliability of all data collected by acron. This allows acron reports to be submitted to the authorities without any concerns, even in industries with high legal and regulatory requirements such as pharma or chemical.
Understand and track trends by building graphical representations
Using acron Graph, you can create an unlimited number of diagrams of nine different types, color variations and timeframes. Up to 64 diagrams can be displayed at the same time to compare values and statistical data.
That allows you to visually analyze trends and keep an eye on the most important curve progressions – in addition to your process control system in use.
Give context to your historical data by adding comments
You can add a text comment to any visible data, for future reference, transparency, and traceability. acron allows you to add comments to daily, weekly, monthly, or annual values of the data.
Create print reports like a pro
Design your own process data reports with tables, diagrams, text labels, logo, images, and shapes. After setting up acron to print this report periodically, you will simply have to take the automatically printed report from your printer to submit to the authorities or make a one-click effort to retrieve reports for your manager. Of course, export to PDF is also supported.
acron was originally developed for the water supply industry, where many formal reports are required – therefore, its functions for creating print reports are top-notch.
Spot errors and warnings in time to react
acron collects warnings and error messages from your equipment and devices.
In case of an unusual event, acron has the information available in an instant, ready to be investigated with acron Alert. In addition, your engineers and/or technicians can be notified automatically – acron selects a suitable person currently on duty and sends them an email, letting them know that there is a problem that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible.
Organize equipment maintenance with acron Service
acron Service helps you to digitally organize your entire maintenance workflow in line with Industry 4.0:
- Plan your cyclical maintenance tasks
- Assign all necessary documentation to the maintenance task
- View the measured data during maintenance, such as operating hours, running times, switching cycles, etc., and
- Retain the maintenance history for future analysis
Export to Excel or various other applications for deeper analysis
All data displayed in acron can be exported in formats to be used by other applications, such as:
- Excel and other Office 365 programs
- Regulatory reporting formats
- Advanced industry analysis tools
- Control and SCADA systems
- BI tools und ML apps
- SAP / ERP / CRM Systems
- Maintenance Systems
You can use a simple CSV file export interface, as well as a REST API, OPC UA Server, or ODBC driver to organize data streams and receive real-time updates.
Work with acron data directly in Excel
If you are an experienced Excel user and prefer to process your plant data directly in Excel, there is an Excel add-on for our web-based plant control application, JUNE5, that allows you to connect to acron and access data directly from Excel. You don’t even have to open acron – you can obtain the required data either directly in the current worksheet using a specific, newly integrated formula or via a newly added UI tab.
Give acron a try
Interested to learn more about what acron can do?
We are happy to answer your questions in a no-obligation conversation, give you a personal demo, or trial access. Free of charge, of course.