Plant Data Historian Software

Historian Software vs Relational Databases: What's the right Option?

It is well documented that relational database schema have been used as a replacement for purpose-built historian software. There is no hard and fast rule as to which data storage option one should chose, but any decision should be based three core areas of evidence: storage costs, scalability and speed. 

1. Storage Costs: Storage costs are getting cheaper, especially with cloud models and healthier disk spaces on our servers. Still, the difference in relational and time-series database sizes can be extraordinary. One has to weigh up the cost of not only the substantial extra disk space used in relational databases, but also the cost of protecting (back-ups and disk mirroring) for specific, often regulatory, periods of time. 
2. Scalability: When deliberating scalability, one must note that scaling up (enabling a single machine to store more data), and scaling out (enabling data to be stored across multiple machines) are two different notions. So does Plant Historian software scale ‘up’ and ‘out’ better than Relational Databases?
   • Scaling up: Memory vs. Disk [memory is faster, but more expensive]. Eventually, usually due to cost of ownership, one has to write to disk. In doing so, the cost of swapping in/out of memory can impact on performance in relational databases. Conversely, time series data logging structures the data in a new way through space chunking and adaptive time. This minimises swapping to disk, yet keeps the data small enough to fit inside memory. 
   • Scaling out: Some Plant Historians can run across multiple nodes depending on the infrastructure [constraints], or split data storage across several collector modules to scale out appropriately. 
3. Speed: As hardware improves, relational databases unquestionably benefit, but even top-end hardware would be pushed to store 1,000’s of values per second. Font-end buffering is a prerequisite of many relational databases. Time-series data logging through Plant Historian software on the other hand, retrieve and log data quicker with high compression and innovative Swinging Door algorithms.

Hyper Historian^TM Feature Highlight

1. Robust, High-Performance & Scalable
   1. Robust High Performance: Hyper Historian is one of the fastest data storage, mining and retrieval modules on the market for real-time, enterprise-wide data. Hyper Historian can either log data through a file or memory based format. Hyper Historian can ingest and process data as fast as the underlying infrastructure can provide it.
   2. Scalability: The amount of data we chose to store will always evolve, it usually tends to increase. Hyper Historian is built to utilise the .NET Framework, a technology designed to scale in relation to the available resource. ICONICS solutions can scale from 100 to millions of data points in a single system – the platform architecture controls this. High performance is never compromised as collector modules and nodes can be divide across the available infrastructure
2. Unattended Data Archiving and Backup
   Hyper Historian allows for routine or triggered scheduling of data archives, freeing up disk space and backing up files for long term storage and retrieval. Auto forward older data to remote locations for long term storage.
3. Integrated Redundancy with Store and Forward
   Uninterruptable, robust access and data gathering for mission critical applications ensures the highest level of data integrity during downtime.  
4. High Compression, Low CPU and Memory Usage
   1. Swinging Door Algorithm: Using intelligent, high precision data logging technology, storage can be reduced whilst adhering to the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency.
   2. Flat File Format:  Hyper Historian does not log to a relational database. Instead, data can be stored in memory for a specified period or written to a flat file format.
5. Performance Calculation Engine
   1. Configure periodical and event based advanced calculations to dynamically provide data analysis.
   2. HyperHistorian can asynchronously process calculations reducing data retrieval latency. Although synchronous implementations are supporting, asynchronous  processing allows multiple calculations to be running concurrently
6. Web-enabled, Thin-Client Configuration and Admin
   The engineering costs within an automation project are typically 70 percent of the total project cost. Slash your engineering development costs by using the secure, robust thin-client Workbench consoles inside Hyper Historian The configuration console performs complete service/project management tasks supporting pack-and-go deployment capabilities.
7. 2D + 3D Real-time Charts and Trends
   Our rich 2D and 3D graphics library powers intuitive visualisation of real-time and historical data in the methods most suited to your organisation. Think X+Y, Logarithmic, bar, strip recorders and circular charts. Intuitive ribbons and galleries allow users to customise trends by selection colours, gradients, smooth animation, translucency, glass effects, anti-aliasing and much more.
8. Powerful SQL Query Engine 
   Holistic data analysis and reporting is achieved through our ability to securely integrate with any open database or third party client. Report on or bulk edit data through our SQL server engine.
9. MergeWorX Historical Data Integration
   Merge high resolution data from third party devices and enhance data logging capabilities, even in the event of an outage.
10. Designed for 64-bit and .NET
    The most intelligent, Microsoft Windows 64-bit high performance enterprise-wide real time plant historian software.