Alarm processing, deployment planning & personnel management in one device!
The reception and processing of technical alarms, the forwarding to responsible persons and the meticulous documentation of the events are the tasks of STEBalarm – the system that handles large tasks with ease. Interface and communication flexibility, redundancy, multiple protection, user comfort and a variety of practical functions are included in this simple device, which can be operated via web browser with striking simplicity. Whether connected to a control system as a simple alarm device or used in a network as a solution for networking several systems; STEBalarm integrates flexibly and offers the highest level of security and comfort. * on-call = on-call service
Single or networked
STEBalarm can be connected to control systems as single device or operated in a network. The networking of the decentralized stations, resp. the coupling to a central station is usually done via internet. STEBalarm devices are equipped with internet technology to establish the VPN tunnels needed for communication. The VPN tunnel can also be used for other data communication (e.g. DCS – PLC).
With a networked system structure, the individual devices are connected within a network with a central unit, which serves as a central configuration point and sends alarms from the entire network. The individual devices can, however, monitor the alarms of their own controller, send these independently and also report failures in the communication-connections this is particularly possible because the configuration of the control centre (persons, mobile etc. and standby duty plan) is continuously transferred into the individual devices.
In addition to processing alarms transmitted from controllers via Modbus TCP or via digital or analog signals to STEBalarm, STEBalarm also receives alarms from process control systems via the ESPA 4.4.4 interface. In addition, STEBalarm can forward SMS and e-mail messages sent by the control system to the persons responsible. Last but not least, STEBalarm controls telephone exchanges for call forwarding according to the on-call schedule.
At the choice of the user, STEBalarm alerts via pager, SMS or e-mail.
Operation and functions
STEBalarm is operated with the web browser on a PC or via smartphone. The web server integrated in STEBalarm can be made accessible via the internal customer network or, with appropriate security measures, on the Internet. Users and their phone and pager numbers and email addresses can be created, changed and deleted by the user himself. It is also possible to define the communication channel via which the respective persons are to be contacted in the various cases.
Top: Alarms can be acknowledged or rejected with a single click to forward them immediately.
Alarm handling and planning
STEBalarm allows an individual on-call schedule with hourly resolution. This allows for a realistic representation of schedules (no standard solution from 24 to 24 hours). The escalation levels can be defined, whereby additional prioritisation is possible. Thus, depending on priority, the alarm can be triggered at any time or only during office hours. Critical alarms can also be sent in two different ways to increase security. During maintenance work, all alarms of a building can be temporarily suppressed in order not to provoke false alarms. If an on-call employee is already on duty and busy, he can reject an incoming alarm via SMS or by clicking on the user interface. In this way, the alarm is immediately forwarded to the next responsible person in accordance with the on-call schedule without any loss of time. Optionally, a fairness generator can also be activated, which first alerts employees with few assignments due to past events.
Top: On-call scheduling is carried out via an intuitively usable user interface, which simplifies work with entry aids.
Additional systems
STEBalarm has deliberately been developed as an open and modular alarm system that can be retrofitted. Thus it remains open for all expansion possibilities at any time. There is a multitude of additional systems that can be used optionally. These include various plug-ins, e.g. a Modbus mapper. A multiclient-capable Modbus map transfers coils (%M) and input bits (%I) to a coil map (%M) or holding register (%MW) and input register (%IW) to a holding register map (%MW). Communication status queries for each individual element and a collective status message are possible. The Modbus mapper is suitable for connecting single client Modbus devices which are additionally networked with other systems (e.g. DCS) or if many different Modbus/TCP alarm sources are available.
STEBalarm also allows meter data acquisition via M-Bus (with Solvimus M-Bus Master) or Modbus. There are different readout modes, the data are stored on a server. STEBalarm offers even more functions, such as exporting the configuration of the STEBalarm system and the additional systems in JSON format. Exported or manually created configurations can also be imported in reverse. And finally, further customer-specific adjustments are possible at any time on request. Because flexibility is a top priority at STEBATEC.
