Siemens Insight Advanced Workstation

Description

The Insight® Advanced Workstation transforms a personal computer into a powerful Insight workstation. It provides a graphical approach to manage and control a building from an easy-to-use interface, offering facility-wide efficiencies and cost-effective information sharing.

With the Insight Advanced Workstation, users can:

• Graphically monitor and control the building environment.
• Schedule and modify mechanical equipment operation and automatic report generation.
• Collect, view, and analyze trend information.
• Connect other Insight workstations together with centralized system management using the networking feature.
• Perform many tasks simultaneously (multi-task) through Windows Server 2003/2008 or Windows XP/Vista/7.
• Troubleshoot and tune the system with Dynamic Plotter.
• Make management decisions with information and reporting capabilities.
• Store and retrieve long-term information.
• Edit and modify all system databases.

Purpose

Insight software provides the latest in user interface design, simplifying the tasks an operator commonly performs.

Navigation

The Insight workstation offers an advanced graphical interface, allowing operators to quickly and easily access any application. Information can be exchanged among Insight applications via "dragging and dropping," increasing operator productivity by eliminating manual data copying.

Flexibility

It supports a combination of Ethernet®, BACnet®/IP, BACnet over Ethernet, RS-485, and dedicated autodial connections (with RS-485 networks) to field panel networks simultaneously. Each workstation can manage up to 64 logical Ethernet Automation Level Networks (EALN), each with up to 100 nodes, for a total of 6400 Ethernet field panel nodes. Additionally, it can manage up to 4 dedicated RS-485 Automation Level Networks (ALN), each supporting up to 100 nodes, and up to 8 autodial modems servicing up to 300 remote autodial RS-485 ALN sites.

Networking

Linking Insight workstations over a TCP/IP Ethernet Network ensures seamless operation of the APOGEE Automation System from any location. The system can be centrally administered for greater efficiency via a Management Level Network (MLN).

Open System Environment

With the BACnet Client option enabled, Insight can communicate with both Insight and third-party BACnet devices and systems. This enables functionality such as monitoring and commanding BACnet objects, establishing BACnet schedules and calendars, backing up databases, receiving and acknowledging BACnet alarms, trending BACnet objects, and establishing and reading BACnet trend logs.

Applications

Operator Access and Privilege

Universal Access and Privilege™ allows system managers to assign specific capabilities to each operator for every application. Each application has assignable View, Edit, and Command privileges that follow the operator system-wide. User accounts leverage existing Windows User Accounts for integrated security. Operator activity is captured for audit purposes.

Alarm Management

Insight Alarm Management helps operators troubleshoot alarms without interrupting current tasks. It allows viewing and troubleshooting of relevant alarms based on job or location. Features include an Alarm Summary, priority levels with color codes, audible alarms, enhanced routing, acknowledgment with operator identification, recent alarm history viewing, memo attachment, customizable messages, and an optional Alarm Issue Management procedure.

Trending

Insight provides trending capabilities to monitor and store point values over time or by change of value (COV). This is useful for critical points or points of interest like air temperatures or humidity. Trended data is collected automatically from field panels or BACnet devices and is available network-wide. A Trending Wizard simplifies configuration.

Scheduler

The Scheduler allows easy creation of schedules reflecting specific building activities, including weekly schedules, exception days for holidays, and Start Stop Time Optimization (SSTO). This enables optimal configuration based on planned facility usage and allows scheduling of equipment and reports years in advance.

Creating and Editing Graphics

Graphics are easily created and modified using Corel DESIGNER®, a graphics package for Microsoft Windows. It includes basic drawing features and supports a wide array of colors. DESIGNER supports library features for HVAC and automation symbols, allowing operators to select symbols from templates or import existing drawings. Enhanced Graphic controls simplify the creation of energy and temperature dashboard graphics.

System Configuration and Maintenance

The Insight Backup Utility provides capabilities for backing up and restoring databases, scheduling recurring backups, and deleting unwanted backups. System Profile offers graphical, system-wide control for defining, configuring, and maintaining the building control network.

Dynamic Plotter

Dynamically plots up to 15 points simultaneously for troubleshooting and system tuning. It allows capturing and storing trend graph charts for future reference, and easy setup and saving of points in templates.

Information and Reporting Capabilities

Insight software's information and reporting capabilities provide insight into buildings. Simplified report setup is standard, with over 60 configurable reporting templates included. Reports can be scheduled years in advance and configured for printing, saving to a file, or emailing.

System Activity

Captures and reports on individual operator activity to identify system utilization and training needs. The System Activity Log tracks all operator actions, including database changes, and can be used to assess operator privileges, training needs, or document operational procedures.

Dynamic Graphics

Point information displays dynamically update on graphics. Graphics can be linked logically for easy navigation from building floor plans to associated equipment. Graphics can be accessed directly by name or point association. Animated graphics allow visual movement based on point values. Point values can be viewed and commanded from graphics. Analog bars monitor and control analog values, displaying limits. Graphics can link to related applications or documents and be customized.

Specifications

Notes on Specifications:

• The Enterprise Edition of Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2 is required for Insight software installation on a Windows cluster.
• Computer performance may be affected by the size and amount of animated graphic controls. The performance and efficiency of the InsightDBCSServer depend on the current hardware; upgrading to recommended hardware generally improves responsiveness.

Ordering Information

Insight Advanced Software Package

Note: Dynamic Plotter, System Activity Log, Program Editor, and Report Scheduler are standard features in the Advanced package.

Update Software for Existing Advanced Packages

Additional Options

Image Description

Figure 1: Insight Advanced Main Menu. This depicts the graphical user interface of the Insight Advanced Workstation, showing various icons and controls for managing building systems.