Spot Operational Anomalies Faster with Simultaneous Trending

Have you ever suspected that one of your process variables is misbehaving, but you can’t quite pinpoint the culprit? With multiple sensors, PLCs, and devices all feeding data into your system, finding that one problematic data point—or how it affects others—can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

That’s where simultaneous trending comes in with Trend OPC Data

Simply put, simultaneous trending lets you view multiple OPC data points on the same graph—side by side—to see how they interact in real-time or historically. This allows engineers, operators, and technicians to:

• Correlate values: Spot relationships between process variables (e.g., flow, pressure, temperature).
• Pinpoint anomalies: Identify which variable is misbehaving and when.
• Optimize troubleshooting: Reduce the time it takes to analyze process disturbances.

Let’s break it down.

The above shows the trend graph where you can add multiple items—like Pump Current, Pump Flow, and Pump Level—all on a single display. This helps visualize interactions between these data points at a glance.

Demonstrates using the Ctrl key to select multiple items from the OPC server’s browse tree. Once selected, right-click and choose “Trend” to see them plotted together.

Illustrates how easy it is to drag and drop items onto an existing trend window—adding new data points on the fly for immediate analysis. This saves time by keeping everything on one screen rather than jumping between separate trends.

Imagine you’re monitoring a pump station. You’ve noticed the pressure keeps fluctuating, but is it due to flow variations, motor current changes, or tank level drops?

Here’s how to tackle it:

1. Select all relevant items: Use the Ctrl key to pick Pump Current, Pump Flow, and Tank Level.
2. Trend them simultaneously: Right-click and select “Trend.”
3. Instantly, you’ll see all three data points updating in real time on one graph.
4. Use the data cursor: Hover over key timestamps to get precise values for each variable.
5. Zoom and pan: Focus on anomalies using animated zoom or scroll the timeline.
6. Identify patterns: Notice that when the flow spikes, the pressure also increases—confirming a direct relationship.

• Faster troubleshooting: Quickly isolate issues by comparing multiple variables at once.
• Better decision-making: Understand how one variable affects another, enabling you to implement process improvements confidently.
• Increased efficiency: Reduce downtime by acting on insights drawn from simultaneous trending.

No installation is required — Trend data is on any computer immediately.

Built-in redundancy — Ensures seamless switching between primary and standby OPC servers.

Data visualization tools, such as data cursors, animated zoom, and panning, make it easy to analyze data on the fly.

Real-time and historical analysis — Trends in both live and archived data with ease.

Simultaneous trending of multiple data points is a game-changer for automation professionals. It transforms complex process monitoring into an intuitive, visual, and actionable experience. With Trend OPC Data, you can trend multiple items, dive into historical data, and troubleshoot like a pro—all with a few clicks.

If you haven’t tried it yet, check out the feature and see how much more efficiently you can manage your operations.