Ringsaker Replaces 140 Operator Panels to Reduce Costs and Simplify Operations

The result is lower investment requirements, significantly shorter installation times and greater operational flexibility.

– Guard Mobile HMI is used by most of our team, and overall, we're pleased with the solution. We no longer need to install screens at every station, and we can operate the facilities directly from our phones. It also gives us peace of mind knowing that we can still access the system through the local network if the external connection goes down, says Kai Olafsen, Operations Supervisor at Ringsaker Municipality.

The Challenge: Multiple Stations and Costly Equipment

Ringsaker is one of the largest municipalities in Innlandet County, with approximately 36,000 inhabitants and a vast geographical area stretching from Lake Mjøsa to the mountain region of Sjusjøen.

The municipality is responsible for a wide range of water and wastewater infrastructure, including numerous smaller pumping stations spread across a large area.

Traditionally, these stations have been equipped with physical Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panels, allowing operators to monitor and control equipment locally.

However, this approach presents several practical and financial challenges:

• Hardware investment, programming and commissioning at each station
• Two to three weeks of HMI design and programming per station
• Travel costs associated with updates and modifications
• Limited screen space when adding new components

Operators also need to physically enter the pumping stations, often working in cold, noisy and less-than-ideal environments.

The Municipality's Objective: A Simpler, Standardised Solution

When Ringsaker began upgrading its control network as part of the transition to 5G, the municipality also wanted to standardise the solutions used across its pumping stations.

– When we started upgrading the control network, we wanted the same solution across all our pumping stations. Traditionally, we would have needed to install physical HMI panels at every station, but we realised this would be both expensive and inflexible.

– We therefore wanted a solution that would allow us to use mobile phones instead of fixed screens. That way, we can connect directly to the facilities from our phones when working in the field, Olafsen explains.

A new HMI panel costs approximately NOK 10,000. With close to 200 stations, the screens alone would represent an investment of around NOK 2 million, excluding installation, programming and maintenance.

Developed in Collaboration with the Municipality

As part of the project's technical requirements, Ringsaker challenged Guard to develop an alternative to traditional operator panels.

– The solution was developed in connection with the Ringsaker project. Their requirement was to use mobile devices instead of physical screens at the stations. The experience gained from this project means the solution may now also be relevant to other municipalities facing similar challenges, says Rune Wasler, Functional and Project Manager at Guard.

The result was Guard Mobile HMI, a solution that effectively moves the operator interface from a fixed physical panel to a mobile phone or tablet.

From Weeks of Programming to One Hour

One of the most significant differences between traditional HMI systems and the mobile solution is the time required for configuration and modifications.

– With traditional HMI solutions, each screen has to be designed and programmed manually. With Guard Mobile HMI, the automatically generated code is updated, and the interface is ready to use. This reduces both the time required and the complexity of the work, says Andreas Bjerkø Olsen, Project Engineer at Guard.

Setting up Guard Mobile HMI at a new station takes approximately one hour, compared with several weeks of HMI design and programming using traditional solutions.

If a new instrument needs to be added, for example, the interface can be updated through automatically generated code in the PLC, without manually redesigning the screens.

Reliable Operation, Even During Network Outages

The solution operates locally at the station and does not depend on external communication.

– The solution uses local Wi-Fi. As long as the station has power, operators can connect and control the equipment,” explains Bjerkø Olsen.

This means operators can continue to operate the facility even if the connection to the central SCADA system or external network is lost.

Experience from Daily Operations

After using the solution in daily operations, the municipality has gained valuable practical experience.

– I've spoken with the colleagues who use the solution most frequently. They've experienced a few instances of slow connections and varying Wi-Fi range at certain stations. When I've used it myself, it has worked well, says Olafsen.

The Result: Faster Setup and More Flexible Operations

Guard Mobile HMI has now been installed at approximately 140 pumping stations across Ringsaker Municipality.

For the municipality, this means:

• Lower investment requirements per station

• Significantly less time spent on setup and modifications

• Reduced travel costs

• Simpler maintenance

• Better visibility and control of smaller, remote stations

– For smaller stations located far away, this is an efficient way to gain an overview and make necessary adjustments without having to travel back and forth,” says Bjerkø Olsen.

Operators can monitor and adjust equipment directly from their phones while sitting in a vehicle outside the station, rather than having to work inside noisy and demanding environments.

A Practical Solution for Smaller Pumping Stations

Larger and more complex facilities still require more advanced visualisation tools.

– For smaller pumping stations, particularly in holiday home areas or along extensive pumping networks, Guard Mobile HMI has proven to be an efficient and flexible solution for local operation,” concludes Bjerkø Olsen.

Facts: Guard Mobile HMI

Guard Mobile HMI is a mobile-based solution for local PLC operation, providing an alternative to traditional physical operator panels.

The Challenge with Traditional HMI Systems

Physical operator panels require dedicated hardware, programming and testing. They also introduce lifecycle costs when systems are modified or expanded.

Traditional solutions often operate without centralised user management or multi-factor authentication.

Guard Mobile HMI Provides

• Secure mobile access to PLCs through Guard Industrial Gateway
• Integration with Microsoft Active Directory or other central identity providers
• Support for multi-factor authentication and biometric login
• Encrypted communication and access based on operational needs
• Local operation independent of external IT infrastructure

The objective is to reduce costs and time spent on installation and maintenance while maintaining operational reliability, information security and ease of use.