Key Objectives of the Role
* Identify what machine and process data already exists within PLCs and control systems
* Establish safe, read-only access to that data
* Lay the foundations for a centralised cloud data lake
* Enable reliable data visualisation and reporting as the next phase
* De-risk future analytics, SPC, and optimisation initiatives
Key Responsibilities
1. PLC & Shop-Floor Connectivity
* Assess production equipment and identify:
o PLC make, model, and generation (eg Siemens S7, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron)
o Available communication protocols (OPC UA/DA, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
* Work with maintenance and controls teams to:
o Confirm Ethernet availability
o Identify safe read-only data access options
* Document machine connectivity constraints and opportunities
2. Data Discovery & Availability Assessment
1. Identify what process data is present at PLC level, including:
* Machine states (run/stop/fault/idle)
* Cycle counts and rates
* Fault and alarm codes
* Setpoints vs actual values
* Key process variables (eg temperature, pressure, speed)
2. Distinguish between:
* PLC-resident data
* HMI-only or report-level data
3. Create a clear data availability Matrix by line and asset