While PI Vision is a powerful visualization tool, its out-of-the-box capabilities have clear limitations for serious industrial use. See how the Vision Suite Ultimate unlocks the features you've always wished for.
Limitation #1
The Problem: Data Entry Doesn't Exist
Native PI Vision is a read-only tool. This forces operators to rely on external tools like PI Manual Logger or cumbersome spreadsheets to input critical data like lab results, logbook entries, or downtime reason codes.
The Solution with Vision Suite Ultimate:
- Enable Operator Logbooks: Use Manual Data Entry+ and Manual Input Table+ to capture notes and readings.
- Integrate Lab Data: Allow technicians to input quality data directly into the system.
- Eliminate Spreadsheets: Centralize all manual data entry within the PI Vision environment.
Limitation #2
The Problem: Limited Event Frame Interaction
While PI Vision can display event frames, it treats them as static records. There's no built-in way to edit, categorize, or perform deep analysis on them without exporting the data first.
The Solution with Vision Suite Ultimate:
- Edit & Categorize Events: Use Events Table+ to add root causes, comments, and other critical context.
- Visualize Timelines: Use Gantt Chart+ to see event durations and overlaps for downtime analysis.
- Aggregate & Calculate: Use Event Analytics Chart+ to automatically calculate total downtime, count event types, and find your "Top N" bad actors.
Limitation #3
The Problem: Basic, Inflexible Visualizations
The default PI Vision symbols are functional but lack the power needed for advanced dashboards, especially for tasks like Statistical Process Control (SPC) or creating user-friendly navigation.
The Solution with Vision Suite Ultimate:
- Build Advanced Charts: Create Heatmaps, Sankey diagrams, Box Plots, and true SPC charts with Combo Chart+.
- Improve Navigation: Use Navigation Menu+ to build a consistent, professional navigation system.
- Enhance User Experience: Leverage tools like Asset Select+ and DateTime Picker+ to build truly dynamic dashboards.
Limitation #4
The Problem: No Automated Reporting Engine
Generating reports from native PI Vision is a manual process of taking screenshots and copy-pasting data. This is inefficient, inconsistent, and prone to errors.
The Solution with Vision Suite Ultimate:
- Automate PDF Reporting: Use Vision Report+ to automatically generate high-resolution PDF reports from any display.
- Schedule or Trigger Reports: Run reports on a daily/weekly schedule or trigger them based on a batch end event.
- Distribute Automatically: Have reports automatically emailed to stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays informed.
The Verdict: A True Enterprise Upgrade
Vision Suite Ultimate isn't just a collection of symbols; it's a fundamental upgrade that transforms PI Vision from a simple viewing tool into a comprehensive, interactive operational intelligence platform. It bridges the gap left by PI ProcessBook and adds modern capabilities that are essential for today's data-driven industries.
With Vision Suite Ultimate, You Gain the Power To:
- Enable full manual data entry and operator logbooks.
- Analyze downtime, OEE, and production losses with powerful event analytics.
- Build advanced visualizations like SPC charts, Sankey diagrams, and Gantt charts.
- Automate the generation and delivery of professional PDF reports.
- Create highly intuitive and user-friendly dashboards that operators will love.
Ready to Unlock the Full Potential of Your PI System?
Explore the full suite of tools and see how Vision Suite Ultimate can save your team hours of manual work and provide deeper insights into your operations.
