j5 Mobile 30.23.1206

In light of the increasing integration of mobile technology within industrial environments, operators are no longer restricted to desktop computers and control rooms for data collection and operational oversight. Mobile logging of activities, such as Inspection Rounds, plays a vital role in fostering a robust health and safety culture. Nevertheless, many plant operators continue to rely on traditional paper-based checklists and clipboards, resulting in manual data entry that can be time-consuming and prone to errors. This approach often leads to several challenges, including:

• Incomplete or missing data, potentially overlooking critical operational or safety issues
• Redundancy in data collection and repetitive Inspection Rounds
• Difficulty in locating or reading recorded information
• Delays in initiating corrective actions for operational and safety concerns
• Lack of comprehensive task guidance and control for personnel
• Disjointed photographic documentation of observed issues due to separate camera systems

Furthermore, despite ongoing efforts toward automation, a considerable portion of process data remains uncollected by automated systems, underscoring the importance of manual inspection activities being performed efficiently and, preferably, integrated with real-time data systems such as Data Historians.

To address these challenges, organizations worldwide have adopted j5 Mobile. This application is compatible with industry-standard devices operating on common mobile platforms, enabling field personnel to gather measurements and observations effectively. The system facilitates site walks by guiding users through predefined routes, allowing them to record readings, respond to questions regarding equipment status, and optionally attach multimedia evidence like photos or videos.

j5 Mobile can incorporate manually collected data that is absent from existing control systems such as DCS, SCADA, or Data Historians — notably the OSIsoft PI System®. For instance, data captured via j5 Mobile can be synchronized with the OSIsoft PI System®, contributing to a more comprehensive record of site events and conditions. The solution comprises multiple applications with specialized functionalities:

• An industrial-grade mobile Inspection Rounds system enhanced with tighter integration to the j5 Shift Handover module and an added scheduling view resembling a Gantt chart for visualizing planned versus completed inspections.
• An extension of the j5 Operations Logbook application that delivers real-time access to log entries — whether open or closed — on mobile devices. Field personnel can add new entries or comment on existing ones; these records are stored locally when offline and synchronized once connectivity is restored.
• An enhancement to the j5 Standing Orders application, providing access to high-level operational instructions that may require acknowledgment or reference during field operations away from the control center.
• The integration of IndustraForm® technology — a powerful and flexible tool enabling customers to create and modify custom mobile applications for operations management. This capability allows users to develop tailored forms for shift handovers and other procedures using the intuitive j5 IndustraForm® Designer.