I have a client who wants to remotely log into a site (as you would a web page), turn 12 pumps on and off, look at two flow meter outputs (meters have 4-20 mA outputs), have the PLC or HMI panel send him an e-mail if the flow goes high or low. Plus he wants the unit to totalize the flow over the past 24 hours and send an e-mail to him each day.
The PLC is the easy part ... it is everything after that I am loosing sleep over.
Sooooo ... for the past week I have been on web site after web site and tried a bunch of demo software ... still I am a bit lost.
I thought I could go with Automation Direct and use their PLC coupled with their Cmore HMI panel.
Maybe I can but I have two problems:
1) Thought he Cmore has a data logging function and a calculator, I don't see anything in the software for totalizing the flow. My thinking is I might need to get two stand alone totalizers and connect them using a serial port to the panel. This just adds another level of complexity having the panel to communicate with the PLC, the router and now two totalizers. Is this what needs to be done or is there a simpler solution?
2) I was hoping the client could just use a common browser and be able to connect with the panel. Instead, I am told I will need to buy a hardware VPN device. Is this the way to go? Again, I am trying to make it as simple for my client as possible (and for me as I am learning on the fly).
Maybe my entire approach is wrong ... I am hoping you guys can give me some guidance.
Thanks so much ..... Mike
The PLC is the easy part ... it is everything after that I am loosing sleep over.
Sooooo ... for the past week I have been on web site after web site and tried a bunch of demo software ... still I am a bit lost.
I thought I could go with Automation Direct and use their PLC coupled with their Cmore HMI panel.
Maybe I can but I have two problems:
1) Thought he Cmore has a data logging function and a calculator, I don't see anything in the software for totalizing the flow. My thinking is I might need to get two stand alone totalizers and connect them using a serial port to the panel. This just adds another level of complexity having the panel to communicate with the PLC, the router and now two totalizers. Is this what needs to be done or is there a simpler solution?
2) I was hoping the client could just use a common browser and be able to connect with the panel. Instead, I am told I will need to buy a hardware VPN device. Is this the way to go? Again, I am trying to make it as simple for my client as possible (and for me as I am learning on the fly).
Maybe my entire approach is wrong ... I am hoping you guys can give me some guidance.
Thanks so much ..... Mike