In the world of organizational operations, the concept of “buy-it-for-life” is a rare luxury. While organizations strive for longevity in their tools and solutions, the reality is that technology evolves and so must the systems that power critical operations. This is particularly true in the realm of software, where new versions, releases, and technologies are constantly emerging.

Solution providers design Maintenance and Support (M&S) contracts to keep organizations at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring access to the latest versions and features. However, the business landscape is dynamic. And sometimes, through mergers and acquisitions, a critical piece of software may lose support or face retirement.

This was precisely the challenge faced by a district energy organization when their legacy data historian was slated for discontinuation. Recognizing the importance of this tool in their operations, the organization embarked on a journey to find a replacement. The replacement would not only meet their current needs but also position them for future success.

Data Historian Requirements

The organization approached their search with a clear set of requirements:

1. Stability: Having relied on a stable system for years, they needed a solution that would provide continuity and ease of use for their team.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: While the switch was necessary, it needed to be accomplished within budgetary constraints.
3. Resource Support: The retirement of their previous solution, decided by an external entity, did not account for their resource limitations. The new solution needed to minimize the impact on their already stretched resources.
4. Lossless Data Migration: Preserving historical data was paramount. They required a reliable and accurate conversion process to ensure no valuable information was lost in the transition.
5. Future-Proofing: The new solution needed to integrate seamlessly with their existing ecosystem and demonstrate compatibility with other solutions, positioning them for future growth and adaptability.

The HanPrism Solution

After evaluating multiple options, the organization selected HanPrism as their new data historian. This decision was based on HanPrism’s ability to meet and exceed their requirements:

1. Centralized Data Management: HanPrism’s capability to connect to various sources allowed for the centralization of data across the organization’s entire system, providing a unified view of operations.
2. Complete Historical Data Conversion: HanPrism engineers facilitated a full conversion of historical data, ensuring that valuable insights from past operations were preserved and accessible in the new system.
3. Enhanced Connectivity: The implementation process included creating new connections to third-party sources, not only replicating the functionality of the previous system but enhancing it for improved performance and insights.
4. Improved Visualization and Reporting: HanPrism’s web application provided advanced dashboarding and reporting capabilities, offering new ways to visualize and analyze data for better decision-making.
5. Speed and Efficiency: HanPrism is designed to deliver data instantaneously. When upgrading to a new system, improved speed is a key expectation, and HanPrism delivers by providing the necessary data exactly when it’s needed, without delay.

Data Historian Migration Tips

Based on this organization’s experience, here are key tips for those facing a historian migration or considering implementing a new one:

1. Optimize Data Structure: Implement a thoughtful system for tag names, aliases, and descriptions to facilitate easier searching and updating of information.
2. Upgrade Communication Protocols: Use this opportunity to upgrade to the latest communication protocol versions, enhancing security and performance.
3. Plan Comprehensively: Ensure sufficient overlap between old and new systems to verify data accuracy and allocate adequate time for user transition and training.
4. Maintain Open Communication: Foster an open and agile relationship between your organization and the vendor. Be receptive to new methodologies and provide feedback to help improve the solution.
5. Leverage Automation: Look for opportunities to automate the conversion of script tags, data, and other elements to minimize manual recreation efforts.

Your Historian Migration Partner

Change, while sometimes daunting, often presents opportunities for improvement and innovation. For this district energy organization, the transition to HanPrism not only solved their immediate challenge. It also positioned them for future success.

HanPrism proved to be more than just a replacement; it became a catalyst for operational enhancement. Its robust features, coupled with its forward-thinking design, ensure that it’s not just a historian for today, but a solution ready to evolve with the organization’s future needs.

If your organization is facing similar challenges or looking to upgrade your data management capabilities, we invite you to learn more about how HanPrism can help. Our team is ready to guide you through the transition.

Contact us today to discover how HanPrism can transform your data management and propel your organization into the future.