In the past, implementing a control or monitoring system was a difficult task best left to experts. Advances in industrial software have made it easier to implement a system and many companies choose to to it themselves. The result is often a system that are cumbersome to use or unreliable. Hopkins Computing provides a variety of control system services ranging from design through startup. We can do the whole system or just help you tune up the system and make it reliable and effective. 

Control Systems - Design Through Support

System Design

We have found that it is important for successful implementation of a computer system, there should be a desired goal. This goal is an integral part of the system design.

The first step in the system design is normally a field study to determine information such as I/O counts, normal operating procedures, and control requirements. It is desirable to minimize the procedural changes that may negatively affect operations.

Our familiarity with the software available on the market can speed your system design. The system design phase often includes recommendation of suitable software solutions. Since there is normally more than one possible solution, we will show each possible solution and the corresponding pros and cons.

This phase may include the preparation of a RFP that can used for obtaining bids. This phase may also include the analysis of bid proposals to determine the best contractor for a project. If you have already designed your system, we can review the design and provide suggestions before construction starts.

Software Integration

The best solution for most process control, data acquisition, and industrial control applications is an integrated solution. Integrated solutions are based upon standard off- the-shelf packages. The use of standard software minimizes costs and maximizes reliability while still providing flexibility. Configuration and maintenance of a standard software package is done in less time.

We feel that Microsoft Windows provides the best overall platform for applications. Most applications can be done with an industrial Windows package like Wonderware InTouch or Intellution iFix. Sometimes custom programming is still needed to fill in the gaps.

Custom programming will always cost more than an "off-the-shelf" solution, but we try to minimize the gap. We are familiar with a variety of software tools designed to speed up the design and development of Windows software. Use of these tools permit the development of custom applications in a rapid time frame and at a reasonable cost.

Start-up Assistance

When it is time to start-up a plant or project, there are normally more things to do than people to do it. Problems are inevitable during a start-up and it important that these problems are corrected quickly. By providing additional experienced start-up personnel, the job is accomplished faster and smoother.

System Documentation

By preparing complete system documentation, it is possible for someone to make changes to the system months or years after the system was installed. The documentation can reduce the learning curve for someone new or refresh the memory of the system manager.

Training and Education

It is possible to send everyone who may be involved with the system to the training conducted by the software manufacturer. This would be expensive and time consuming. Most importantly, most of the people are not interested in the level of detail presented in these courses. We provide custom training that is individualized to the system and the students. Engineers are taught what they need to know to maintain the system and operators are taught what they need to know to operate the system.

Support

We understand that need for support does not end when the start-up is complete, support is often needed for a long time after things are completed. Support may range from telephone consultation to periodic preventive maintenance. We provide the degree of support that you need, when you need it most. Support can be provided as needed or on a service contract basis. We provide third-party software support for numerous industrial software products. Our experience with several different packages allows us identify and correct problems quickly.