Data logging is the process of gathering data from sensors with a time and date stamp for analysis. It involves recording samples of real-world physical information over time. A data logging system can be used to collect various types of information including temperature, electrical current, voltage, sound frequency, vibration, light intensity, and pressure measurements.
Writing a program from scratch can take time, so choosing easy-to-use data logging software is a fast and efficient way to analyze data. Software like InduSoft, eLogger, and EZ Data Logger can be easily incorporated into existing data acquisition systems, remote monitoring, and control systems to show the status of equipment, send email or text alarms based on conditions, log and analyze data, implement control demands, and generate reports.
With data logging software, you can run programs on computers and controllers based on information received from remote data acquisition modules. You can also see the real-time status of instrumentation and devices you are monitoring. Data logging software can be set to send alarms via email or SMS when unusual circumstances are detected. You can also implement logic control operations and generate comprehensive reports with some data logging software packages.
Data logging software can be applied to various applications ranging from complex large-scale factory automation to simple home automation systems. Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are the part of a machine that you can physically interact with. HMI devices like the ICP DAS TPD-430 touchscreen PLCs can be used with SCADA software to display real-time energy consumption data from energy monitoring systems.
eLogger, EZ Data Logger, and InduSoft are three different easy-to-use data logging software packages.
eLogger is a free, easy-to-use software designed to implement HMI and data logging on Windows CE .NET 5.0-based Programmable Automation Controllers like WinPAC and ViewPAC for simple I/O monitoring and control systems. It offers a very user-friendly interface, which saves both time and cost.
eLogger can quickly and easily develop an application with flexible I/O configuration. The development process can be completed in just five simple steps: configuring I/O modules, configuring the data logger, designing HMI layout pages, uploading the project to the controller, and running it. It doesn’t require software programming knowledge, so anyone can use it. If users want to add more powerful functions, eLogger also provides a flexible “shared memory” interface to allow VS.NET and ISaGRAF programs to work with it.
For small remote I/O systems, users can use the free EZ Data Logger software, which is a PC-based data logging, data acquisition, control, and monitoring software that can be applied to small remote I/O systems with up to 64 I/O tags. It supports DCON, Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, and Modbus TCP (supports IP and domain name) protocols.
EZ Data Logger supports multiple COM ports and TCP/IP connections and can be used for applications like temperature monitoring, energy monitoring systems, machine monitoring systems, and more. The email and SMS alarm function is another feature of EZ Data Logger, which can send alarms to users upon request. With its user-friendly interface, users can quickly build a data logging system without any programming skills.
Advanced EZ Data Logger is also available for more demanding applications. It supports up to 1,024 I/O tags, 10 SMS or email alarm contacts, up to 10 web cameras, and up to 256 virtual channels.
For more advanced automation and control systems, InduSoft SCADA software can be used for data logging, sending alarms, displaying data over a web page, and generating customized reports. InduSoft Web Studio is a powerful, integrated collection of automation tools that includes all the building blocks needed to develop modern Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and embedded instrumentation and control applications.
InduSoft Web Studio applications run in native Windows NT, 2000, XP, CE, and CE .NET environments and conform to industry standards such as Microsoft .NET, OPC, DDE, ODBC, XML, and ActiveX.
ICP DAS USA provides an InduSoft bundled driver to integrate InduSoft software with ICP DAS products (I-7000, I-8000, and I-87K series) for SCADA systems. There are also OPC, DDE, and ActiveX development toolkits provided to cooperate with InduSoft. Additionally, the VxComm software from ICP DAS can easily link to Internet/Intranet modules, and the DCON Utility can be used to configure network modules for easy use and maintenance.
