Integrator Highlight: Widaq Systems LLC

SACRAMENTO, CA MAY 1, 2007 - This month we interviewed Anthony Purdom of Widaq systems about their
first project for McDougall & Sons Inc. Widaq specializes in high-tech data acquisition systems in the agricultural sector.

IA: What does Widaq offer for its customers?

Tony: WiDAQ Systems provides the Northwest Agricultural Industry with cutting edge SCADA technologies. Our goal is to help agricultural crop producers improve operational effectiveness through enhanced visibility of business operations. Through the application of state-of- the-art Wireless Sensor Networks for data acquisition and web distributed interface for data visualization, we provide decision makers with global on-line access to high resolution operational data.

Our primary products are integration services and network engineering. We're also marketing a product, a whole system wireless sensor network, for data acquisition in tree fruit orchards and grape vineyards.

IA: Could you describe a job that you've done with Inductive Automation Software?

Tony: McDougals was the first. We have 4 orchards online now - spread out in central Washington in remote locations. We've had to do some creative things with Internet connections to make this work. The customer wanted to monitor orchard temperatures in realtime, primarily for frost control. We gave them a higher resolution picture of what was going on in the field, a microclimate throughout the orchard instead of a single temperature probe. There are 2 pieces to the system - wireless sensor networks and Internet connections to acquire data that logs to the central office, and the data logging and analysis system. The second is part is what we've done with FactorySQL and FactoryPMI. They're talking about expanding to as many as 10 other orchards for temperature monitoring. On top of that, your system will allow us to introduce other sensor types: Leaf wetness, relative humidity, soil moisture (for saving water), fruit surface temperature (for preventing sunburn on Apples, saving water on evaporation control systems). They want to add output capabilities to their FactoryPMI system for controlling irrigation values, wind machines, and integration.

IA: How have you used IA software to accomplish this task?

Tony: It's allowed me to very easily bring the data in and build the database without having to be a DBA or programmer. FactorySQL even built the all tables. I then created an interface for our executive managers here in the office, and the orchard managers at each location. They can watch those realtime values and I didn't have to set up a complex computer system. They just need a basic PC with an Internet connection. They use laptops with wireless data cards.

One of the big advantages with your product is that I can easily make changes on a system that's 2 1/2 hours away. I can't drive to each site to upgrade software all the time. The web distribution has really made that a non-issue.

IA: Do you use alerting in FactorySQL?

Tony: We're sending emails (text messages) to orchard managers' cell phones. That's another really valuable piece of the system that they hadn't had before. Typically, a frost event happens in the middle of the night, so having that additional notification is important to them. They then run wind machines in the field. The clear message is just as important as the alarm - it shows that their frost control is working and that they can start turning things off. Between the better picture provided by multiple sensors and the accurate realtime view, they have a much better picture of the orchard.

Prior to this system someone would have to be there to check alcohol temperatures - taking a half hour to get through the orchard, until someone determines that it's warm enough to shut off the machine. Now they can see what's going on in realtime throughout the entire orchard by checking on a laptop, ultimately saving them money on fuel and allowing them to be more precise with their frost control.Their existing HMI had some trending capabilities, but couldn't get the data out to spreadsheets or SQL databases without additional licensing.

IA: What do you think about the trending in FactoryPMI?

Tony: They've been happy with it. They keep temperature records at the time that they spray the particular products. Rather than looking at thermometers, they use the FactoryPMI history graph for their logs. Executive managers look at the entire system each morning allowing them to know what's happened at all the orchards.

IA: How do you use Inductive Automation software at Widaq?

Tony: My whole business is now based on 2 components - wireless sensors and Inductive Automation software that I customize for each customer. These packages have allowed me to provide 2 different levels. One is an entire system that I implement with a server, software, and sensor network, all managed by the customer. The flexibility of your product has given me a second option, which is really awesome for my smaller customers. I provide them with the system, but with FactorySQL and FactoryPMI I can bring the data into my server and provide a product interface. The customer then doesn't have to maintain the server.

I can't say enough good things about Inductive Automation - you have great products that are super flexible! Having the ability to make huge changes to the system that are immediately available to the end user with very little effort - is incredible.

IA: Did you try this with any other packages or custom code?

Tony: I did a lot of research when looking for a backend system. I looked at products from Wonderware and a few others, the big household name automation products, and I couldn't make anything fit well. Specifically I couldn't find anything that interfaced through OPC well - the web interface of FactoryPMI is really what sold it for me.

IA: Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your experience with IA software?

Tony: I could talk about how great it is all day! I've been pleasantly surprised on how flexible, easy, and powerful your software is. I feel like I could build a custom system however the customer wanted with ease. It's pretty amazing!

Here is a screenshot from one of his FactoryPMI projects: