HMI Design
At Acuitē, helping clients maximize the value of the human-machine interface (HMI) to the control system is our core business. Whether you just need a push in the right direction, or someone to guide your HMI project from start to finish, Acuite has a solution you can count on. Our team includes HMI design experts with extensive backgrounds in the process industries, together with expertise in Human Factors Engineering, Usability and User-Centered Design.
Whether you are using our APG™ HMI solution or another package, we can help you get the most value from your HMIs.
Why Worry and HMIs?
A well-designed HMI can significantly reduce the mental effort required to maintain good awareness of process status and to make timely and accurate control decisions. This allows operators to “get ahead of the plant” so they can focus on proactive monitoring and process optimization, instead of getting caught in the cycle of constantly reacting to the most recent alarms. Thus, by investing in good design, the HMI can be transformed from a tool that merely allows operators to run the process, into a tool that actively helps them to run the process well.Going beyond guidelines
Emerging industry standards and guidelines have begun to consolidate many of the basic principles of good HMI design. However, the vast diversity of processes, control systems, and HMI packages means that putting this guidance into practice is not always straightforward. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The right question to ask is therefore how you can get the most out of your HMIs, for your process, in your operations context. This is where Acuite can help.Our Process
A well-executed HMI design project creates value both during design and in on-line operations. In the design phase, we promote a front-loaded iterative process in order to get the designs right the first time, which means fewer post-implementation changes. We engage the experience of your operations team and incorporate their knowledge in the HMI. The close involvement of your operations team in design helps to generate operator acceptance, while also building in-house expertise to support a long-term sustainable solution.Example Services
Our HMI design services can be tailored to fit your needs regardless of the scope or size of the project. Acuitē will work with you to:- Evaluate your current HMIs against best-practices to locate high-leverage areas for improvement
- Develop HMI Philosophy and Style Guide documents
- Select and/or customize an HMI object library
- Train your design team in the background and application of HMI best-practices
- Perform a systematic information requirements analysis to identify the ideal content and organization of graphics
- Develop high-level process overviews and/or detailed operating graphics
- Design advanced visualizations for specialized monitoring needs
- Develop operator documentation and training materials
