PI Admin

I’m based over in the UK currently working with Intuitive Engineering Solutions Ltd based over in Altrincham in the UK. Intuitive’s main business is provision of control system solutions (mostly DCS type) to a number of industries although predominantly pharmaceutical in the time I’ve worked for them. My role with them is to advise and provide the link into the enterprise whether that be via conventional Database routes, historians, or other some other means. The areas I tend to specialize in are data historians, predominantly PI at this time, however still a fair amount of AspenTech IP.21 and Batch.21. In addition I have a SCADA background having implemented, used and been through official training for RSView, RSBizware, Wonderware InTouch, InSQL and Intellution iFix. Other typical situations I will find myself in are OPC related issues as a result of having achieved a Certified OPC Professional designation, VB based Programming and Oracle connectivity issues.
 
My background is in the process and pharmaceutical industries, having originally trained as an industrial chemist and proving to have some skill for data analysis. About twenty three years ago I was involved in converting some of my then employer’s pilot processing facilities from manual to automated control which required me to become proficient in computer programming (initially assembler variants, then onto BASIC variants). From there I went on to study the industrial application of computers at higher degree level, with job function moving more and more towards automating process systems and capturing data generated by these systems. By the time I moved companies in 95 I had moved from writing my own systems into installing and configuring off the shelf SCADA systems such as FIX DMACS.
 
My next role saw me as the technical lead for a small department of SCADA engineers with responsibilities for developing packaged solutions based around FactoryLink, Wonderware and iFIX and utilizing their database connectivity (MS Access, InSQL and PI) to develop process management systems.
 
From there I moved on to other companies to act as a MIS consultant in the Automation arena and charged to develop Y2K upgrade strategies for various companies in the UK.
 
After Y2K I got involved with a number of companies utilizing AspenTech IP.21 and found myself administering and developing those systems further by linking to DCS’s, PLC’s and other systems such as OPUS electrical monitoring up to central IP.21 databases. Data from the IP.21 systems was then taken further utilizing the likes of SQL+, AspenCalc, Web.21 and Microsoft .Net to develop reporting solutions for the enterprise around KPI’s, utility usage, OEE and loss accounting.
 
For the last six years the majority of my time has been spent in the pharmaceutical arena initially installing and administering AspenTech systems, but for the last four years converting AspenTech Systems over to PI. My current assignment is ongoing and has me providing input to the technical direction for a customer’s global PI installation team, which involves setting strategy, determining future road mapping, providing technical support and local installation/configuration/training assistance, guiding the development of the PI enterprise architecture and developing system prototypes. Of course being the pharmaceutical arena means generating the validation deliverables that go with cGMP systems in addition to just delivering solutions.
 
Experience with PI is installation, configuration of PI Servers, installation and configuration of PI-ProcessBook, PI-DataLink, PI-BatchView, RtReports, PI-SDK, PI-API, PI-MDB Editor, PI-AlarmView, PI-BaGen, PI-SMT, PI-OPC DA/HDA/A&E, PI-EVT, PI-UFL, PI-ODBC and PIML.
 
 
Regards,
 
Burnikell1