The same user-friendly configuration and support

features also apply to operation and observation. The

operator is supported by a mechanism providing not

only information from the plant but also operating

hints. For this purpose, for example, an intuitive

operator interface, logs, and sophisticated alarm and

message management function is available.

As hardware constitutes less of the price of an auto

mation system, the costs for creating user software

become more important, accounting for an average

of more than 50% of the total cost of an automation

project. This makes it clear that the mechanism, by

which cost structures can be changed to the user’s

advantage, must begin with engineering.