Maintenance portals in automation networks - requirements, structures and model for Web-based solutions

Applications on top of industrial communication networks are gaining increased importance. Special emphasis is paid to maintenance aspects, helping to decrease the total cost of ownership of automation systems. The combination of different classes of data is typical for maintenance tasks. Web technologies provide an effective way to fulfill these requirements. However, it is important not to focus on the technology aspects, but to define requirements from the application perspectives. The paper presents appropriate structures for a Web portal for maintenance purposes. It is based on a model, describing the relations between topological and functional entities of the application system and the Web technologies used. Implementation aspects and experiences from prototypes to be discussed. Finally, conclusions and an outlook for future developments are given.

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