QUICK FACTS
CyberMetrix uses Visual Numerics' PV-WAVE and TS-WAVE to develop
sophisticated diesel engine testing systems for one of the world's
largest diesel engine manufacturers. Complex visualization and key
time series functionality allows CyberMetrix to build flexible manufacturing
testing systems that deliver accurate, real-time results for key
decision making.
THE PROBLEM
CyberMetrix, Inc. is a technical solution provider based in Columbus,
IN. They specialize in providing engineering solutions to Fortune
500 manufacturing companies. As a result, when the world's largest
diesel engine manufacturer, a global power leader, needed someone
to build an application to convert their volumes of data into valuable
results, it was not a surprise that they turned to CyberMetrix,
a long-time supplier.
The world's largest diesel engine manufacturer offers customers
a proactive preventative maintenance package for owners of its high
horsepower engines deployed in mining applications. This service
combines continuous field data collection, engine performance analysis,
diagnostics, and rapid communications to the field support personnel
to provide optimum engine availability and prevent unscheduled maintenance
downtime.
The success of this service has resulted in increasing volumes
of data that analysts must assess and turn into actionable information.
The diesel engine manufacturer needed a fast, easy and interactive
way to transform the large volumes of engine data they collect intouseful
information for their customers to make important daily decisions
about their engine operations. They collect data through an electronic
control module that is continuously recording vital diesel engine
statistics and performance trends.
Bruce
Thomason, CTO of CyberMetrix, faced the challenge of designing an
application that not only identified which engines required focused
attention, but one that would visualize the engine operations. CyberMetrix
needed standard templates to view information and a method for the
engine manufacturer's analysts to develop new standards to allow
the analysis environment to evolve for changes in engine technology.
"We were looking for an extensible commercially supported system
with both analysis and visualization capabilities, as well as the
ability to handle large volumes of time series data," says Thomason.
THE SOLUTION
In order to reduce development costs, CyberMetrix chose to leverage
an existing commercial scientific visualization package for time
series analysis, TS-WAVE by Visual Numerics. TS-WAVE is a highly
extensible application that allows plot creation and batch processing
of large amounts of data. Time history and X-Y plots can be defined
in an interactive mode that utilizes the Visual Data Analysis technology
of PV-WAVE.
"I have used PV-WAVE for over 15 years and am confident in its
analysis and visualization capabilities," said Thomason. "The addition
of a specialized tool like TS-WAVE to that product family really
was the 'icing on the cake' for this project. It is the only commercial
cross-platform solution of its kind that is flexible enough to build
high-end, custom applications and is able to handle large datasets
from almost any source."
CyberMetrix used TS-WAVE as part of their own custom tool that
integrated the existing information architecture from the diesel
engine manufacturer. They were able to create a user interface to
prioritize, identify and select specific engines that need special
attention. Their resulting solution, which they named Proact Data
Viewer, successfully provides analysts with a summary view of engine
information across multiple mines. Additionally, CyberMetrix was
able to give the engine manufacturer's analysts the ability to drill
down into a specific engine's operating conditions in a wide variety
of ways.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
When CyberMetrix began its search, the ideal solution was described
as "a tool that can empower end-users to perform ad-hoc analysis
and reporting for engine diagnostics. It would be an extensible,
commercially supported system with both analysis and visualization
capabilities, as well as the ability to handle large volumes of
time series data."
"TS-WAVE is the only commercially available tool that meets all
of these needs. It provides a significant reduction of development
costs as well as enhances the productivity of the analysts," said
Bruce Thomason. "We were able to quickly build a powerful application
for the world's largest diesel engine manufacturer that provides
the flexibility and time-series capabilities they need to efficiently
build world-class products."
WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS, SERVICES,
AND SUPPORT
Visual Numerics has provided technical software
solutions for numerical analysis and visualization for over 30 years.
The company's software products help users understand complex data
from a variety of sources and build business-critical applications.
Visual Numerics offers two product lines: the IMSL® Numerical
Libraries for powerful mathematical and statistical analysis and
the PV-WAVE® visual data analysis development environment. Visual
Numerics also offers customized consulting services for applications
that involve mathematical, statistical, or visual data analysis
to meet today’s business analytical needs.
