SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems permit monitoring and control of remote sites from a centralized control center.  The screenshot below was built in Cygnet Studio. This was a complex and difficult-to-navigate system, and I developed a VBA script that updates the small map in the lower right corner to indicate which segment of the pipeline system is being diplayed.

I have similar experience building SCADA operator interface screens using SAMMI and VIDE.

Process Control

Process control systems are similar to SCADA in that they involve communications between host computers and remote devices, but usually over a much smaller area--typically an industrial plant. Here is an example of a chemical plant that was drawn to customer specifications, using DeltaV Operate:

VBA script is also used in DeltaV for customization.

PowerPoint

Powerpoint can be much more than just an easy way to put presentations together.  With its Visual Basic engine, it can be used both as an operational and a training tool.   It can even be used to make your resume more exciting, and even fun!  Download mine by clicking here (be sure to "enable macros").

The PowerPoint examples below are completely functional, and can be downloaded by right-clicking on the illustration and "Save Target As..." on your PC. 

PipeCalc.pps can both predict and illustrate the dynamics of natural gas flow in a pipeline.  The design facilitates an intuitive grasp of gas flow dynamics.

OrifiCalc.pps calculates gas flow through an orifice meter.  The design permits new users to better understand the measurement process.

SCADA.pps is a training overview for an operational SCADA system.  The slide includes a "scan" button that simulates a typical poll and response sequence, and shows how retrieved data is propagated throughout the organization.

Excel

It's been over 20 years since the first PC hit the store shelves, and most people probably don't remember that the first "killer" application--the one that I believe really started the PC revolution--was a spreadsheet called VisiCalc.  It was quickly  followed by SuperCalc, Lotus 123, Quattro and several others. 

And then came Excel, with its presentation quality graphics and (again) a powerful Visual Basic for Applications engine for sophisticated programming.  Excel certainly is not appropriate for every application, but most users never come close to realizing how much power this tool puts at their disposal.

A working retirement calculator--constructed entirely in Excel--demonstrates some of that power. 

The following Excel applications require a real-time datafeed, so only static screenshots are available for display.

Summary sheet of a 12-page application that consolidates 
data from a 2500+mile 
pipeline. 

Detail view of a single meter staion includes 24-hour trend of activity.

Websites by cerVantage:

• www.texcetera.com - Texcetera direct mail and mail list services
  
• www.t1631.org - Boy Scout Troop 1631 in Sugar Land, Texas
  
• www.cervantage.com - cerVantage communications
  
• www.acfes.net - Association of Certified Family Education Specialists
  
• edna.acfes.net - poetry by a wonderful lady.
  
• genegreene.cervantage.net - Eugene Greene financial services

Other projects:

• Technical Writing
  
• Newsletters
  
• Brochures