Q: Is Alarm Scout software or a service? A: Alarm Scout is a service. The user is required to install a minimal amount of software that aggregates alarm data into a single file and a utility that transfers the data to Honeywell. All of the processing of data, report preparation, and transmission of those reports to customers, is offered by Honeywell on an annual subscription basis.
Q: What is the overall value of Alarm Scout functionality?A: On most control systems, alarms go off continuously throughout a shift, making it difficult for operators to distinguish “nuisance” alarms from those indicating conditions that actually need their attention. Alarm Scout provides users with a consolidated, high-level report that can reveal trouble spots in their systems that need attention to enhance performance, improve safety and eliminate unnecessary alarms.
Q: Does Alarm Scout deliver one type of report to users, or are they customized for particular groups of users?A: Customers can configure the service to automatically deliver reports to particular groups of users in the most appropriate context. For example, operations personnel can get Alarm/Change reports, which detail the most frequently alarmed points, and reports on BADPV. Maintenance personnel would be more interested in reports that track console engineering issues and change management.
Q: How often does Alarm Scout deliver these reports?A: Here, too, users can configure the system to meet their needs. Reports can be delivered daily, monthly or even yearly to enable users to spot useful trends.