USER-INTERFACE IN THE 1990S

The process control industry is highly competitive. Most systems have similar features. However, a major factor to consider in the selection process is the user interface. This is where the user, operator, engi neer, production control engineer, scheduler, etc., obtains the inform ation he/she needs to effectively operate the plant in a safe and effi cient manner. In discussing the scope of the user interface, three maj or areas will be reviewed: the functional areas of the production proc ess and how the user interface fits into that domain in terms of funct ional scope, the user trends in terms of emerging operational trends a nd their impact on functional requirements, and the user interface con cepts including control room operations, control room layout, non-cont rol room operations, and solution management.