Cloud Deployments Grow with Utilities

One industry segment that has embraced the concept of “iPhone as HMI” is municipal water and wastewater utilities. With widely distributed wells, pumping stations, valves, treatment facilities, and many miles of pipelines, the ability to use the cloud to monitor and control equipment is very appealing.

James Jacklett, electrical and signal supervisor for Carson City (Nev.) Public Works, says that the city has deployed a two-sided system on the cloud to support both management and operators as they keep water and wastewater flowing throughout the city and surrounding areas. Operators use Wonderware InTouch to access control systems and individual tags as needed, while managers use SmartGlance to keep tabs on production levels and work orders.

Jacklett explains, “In the past, our management team would have to log in through remote access through the VPN and then log into the Wonderware application, or be on our intranet here to get to the server. With our new system I’m able to deliver key performance indicators and critical process information such as production and demand on the water side, with ease of access wherever they are. They can be on the road or at a meeting, they can open their phone or iPad, get their information in a hurry, and contact someone if they see something they don’t like.”

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