TABLE OF CONTENTS A properly designed batch control system should make it easy to describe the sequence of operations and the checks that must take place. It must provide displays and interfaces, which the operator can use to monitor and direct the process activity. An advanced batch control system should provide displays which are oriented toward the total process rather than towards individual parameters. User interface is the mechanism by which the operators and supervisors interact with the systems. The interaction may be active such as controlling the process or may be passive such as simply monitoring the system. The user interface consists of devices that help operators and supervisor to monitor, control and supervise a process and annunciate alarms. The user interface provides information in the form of text, pictures, audible alarms and color changes, etc. Most systems provide tools to the users for building user interfaces. While developing the user interface, it is important to keep in mind the profile of its user. The user profile should include age, cultural background, education, goals, personality, physical abilities and motivation. An operator may need to know the status of the process and provide inputs to control the process, whereas a supervisor or a manager may need an overview of the process with some performance indicators. A maintenance technician may need to have access to a device and its parameters to troubleshoot the device. A system administrator requires system status for fault diagnosis and troubleshooting. The user interface standard may focus only...
