The INCO Utility Watch System in Port Colborne ON was conceived to consolidate all city/process water, gas and power metering information in one place.  Using Intellution iFIX, PML Pegasys, and OPG Envision software, ESAC developed a strategy to consolidate this data for control and monitoring at several view nodes.  In addition, authorized users of regular personal computers on the organizations intranet, through the use of standard web browsers, may access the data and energy reports in real time.

Through regular web browsers, authorized personnel are able to view the workings of various remote plants.  Links work in the same fashion as a typical HMI system, but are optimized for network downloads as screens are not locally stored on the client machines.  This type of architecture can give you far more freedom to where and when data may be retrieved, but also requires additional security features to protect sensitive data. The enhanced portability did not cost management of the Port Colborne complex any needed functionality.  As with any ESAC HMI system, trending was made available.  Seamless integration was achieved as each trend viewed through web browsers are identical to those available at each of the view nodes of the plant. Management opted for browser based versions of generic reports for each of their plant operations.  This allows wide access to authorized employees on the organizations intranet to view various summary screens such as monthly totals shown.  In this manner, personnel have access to the data whenever they need it by using a standard web browser.