It became clear that the SCADA system was not an infallible means ofmonitoring field stations; the systems would sometimes lose connection with the host computer. This caused delays in personnel response to alarms and increased the risk of severe warnings not being received before corrective actions could be implemented. As a precaution, the alarm points had to be visually monitored and staff would be required to call the appropriate personnel if an alarm came through. Regulations wereestablished for timely reporting. The management at West Texas Gas quickly determined that a secondary alarm support system needed to be installed. They were seeking something that would be able to monitor variable tags from the OPC server as well as monitor custom tags that were built into the existing SV32 SCADA system to observe and report flare volumes.

Monaco’s sanitation department uses alarm software to monitor its water treatment facilities. With connections to the waste water networks, the main lifting stations, three storm overflows, a storm tank, as well as waste water pre-treatment and final treatment operations, the department can rest assured that they know exactly what is – and what is not – being put back into the ocean on a regular basis.