Autonomous Performance Monitoring of an On-Line Real-Time Decision Support System

Abstract Many manufacturing environments are only semi-automated and still require operator input for key aspects of operations. Decision Support Systems (DSS) are a useful means of improving the performance of human-in-the-loop control aspects of operations. Passive DSS systems can empower operators to make optimal decisions while still allowing them to retain control of the plant. However in practice DSS systems are not always utilised to their full potential and ‘operator discretion’ can result in sub-optimal plant performance. An on-line real-time DSS has been implemented to help operators minimise redundant cleaning cycles in a brewery. Autonomous monitoring functionality has been developed to provide visibility and transparency of the actual use and performance of the DSS.