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ERS Environmental Compliance & Reporting Solutions Features | Tools | Customers | FAQ | Brochure | Demo CD Frequently Asked Questions Who uses the ERS system? How long has the ERS system been on the market? How long does it take to implement an ERS system? How does ERS collect data from my existing control systems? How safe is my data? What are the advantages of using ERS versus writing my own software? Does the ERS system offer any redundancy capability? Does Prism Systems offer ERS design/installation services and training? What if I need help upgrading my existing data collection systems prior to implementing ERS? Can I maintain the ERS system myself? How quickly can my system grow to meet the expanding needs of my facility? Does ERS require any special hardware or proprietary software Who uses the ERS system? The ERS package is currently deployed in plants all across the U.S. The applications range in size from small facilities with 2-3 emissions sources to large plants with dozens of emission sources and parametric devices. The ERS system is easily scalable to accommodate wide range of applications and budget requirements. How long has the ERS system been on the market? The ERS package has been on the market for over 4 years and is a stable, reliable product. Additionally, Prism Systems continually enhances the ERS product to provide the most up-to-date environmental management solution available. How long does it take to implement an ERS system? Implementation time varies based on the size and complexity of your applications. Simple applications can be up and running in as little as two weeks. Our applications team works closely with every customer to define your application needs and provide am accurate scope and schedule for each project. How does ERS collect data from my existing systems? The ERS package provides direct connectivity for common PLC, DCS and loop controller platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon, GE Fanuc, Moore, Bailey, Yokagawa and others) and also has native drivers for common data historian & database packages such as OSI PI and Industrial SQL. This allows ERS to connect "directly" to your control and data collection platforms. Since there is no need to install extraneous software modules, this approach provides a very high level of performance in terms of data throughput. How safe is my data? Data integrity and data security are key elements of the ERS design. The heart of any successful environmental management system is the timely collection of accurate data. This includes the accurate collection of real-time data and the ability to securely archive potentially large volumes of historical data as well. The ERS package uses proven, industry-standard database technology to insure the integrity of your facility's data. Additionally, the ERS system provides for multiple levels of redundancy to insure maximum data integrity. Some of the redundancy features can include: data buffering in the PLC/DCS, redundant network connections (Profibus, Ethernet, etc.), support for server-side RAID capabilities, and tape and network data backup support. What are the advantages of using ERS versus writing my own software? Many companies consider developing an environmental solution "in-house" with the belief they can reduce the costs of their environmental plan yet still maintain confidence in their compliance program. However, the reality is that approach often has the opposite results. Most company's IT and/or engineering resources are already spread thin. Many companies may have the in-house expertise but they rarely have the time to implement a comprehensive, reliable environmental management package from scratch. Just as importantly, most simply don't have the time or resources to maintain the system after it is installed. The development plans tend to be "rushed" and the functionality reduced to the minimum needed to "get by". The result is a often a "minimum" solution that increases your compliance exposure and that no one is really please with in the end. With the unique design and ease-of-use of ERS, companies have the choice of purchasing a fully-implemented, turn-key system or utilizing the ERS package as a huge jump-start for their own in-house implementation. ERS allows your team to do as much or as little of the implementation that you feel comfortable with. Additionally, an ERS system can be deployed in phases allowing your plant to add functionality on a schedule that is accommodating to your budgetary needs as well as your plant's production requirements. As a result, an ERS implementation is almost always more cost-effective than developing your own, un-proven solution in-house. With ERS you'll be much happier with end result and you also get the piece-of-mind of using a field-proven solution that is fully backed by Prism System's experienced support staff. Does the ERS system offer any redundancy capability? The ERS system provides for multiple levels of redundancy to insure maximum data integrity. Some of the redundancy features can include: data buffering in the PLC/DCS, redundant network connections (Ethernet, Profibus, etc.), support for server-side RAID capabilities, and tape and network data backup support. Does Prism Systems offer ERS design/installation services and training? Absolutely. Prism Systems maintains a staff of experienced controls engineers and software professionals that can provide complete, turn-key project solutions. We offer training, on-site startup assistance, project design services, project management services, remote diagnostic support and as well as complete turn-key installations. What if I need help upgrading my existing data collection systems prior to implementing ERS? Not a problem. Prism Systems is has a full-service control & automation group that can help. We maintain a number of partnerships with key technology providers. We are a certified Siemens Solutions Provider, a Rockwell Software Strategic Partner, a WonderWare Archestra partner, a Microsoft Certified Partner, and an Intellution Certified Partner to name a few. In short, we can help with almost any aspect of your control and/or data collection systems in addition to providing a turn-key environmental solution. Can I maintain the ERS system myself? Sure. Most customers do. The ERS package provides a host of tools and diagnostic features that make it easy for customers to maintain and update their own applications. Adding alarms, events, tasks, etc., are all easily accomplished via ERS's convenient web-interface. How quickly can my system grow to meet the expanding needs of my facility? The base ERS package can accommodate systems of almost any size. When your facilities needs grow you won't need to buy additional modules, licenses, etc., to expand your system. Adding functionality is a simple process of developing a scope and utilizing the ERS tools you already have. As always, Prism Systems environmental group is a readily available resource if you want help expanding your application. Does ERS require any special hardware or proprietary software? No. The ERS software architecture uses an industry-standard Server-based design. The ERS system resides on a Server within your facility and each ERS user can access the system from any networked computer using a standard web browser. There are no client software applications or licenses to buy and all of your data stays within your facility. Your IT team can specify the hardware platform of their choice as long as it meets the basic performance requirements of your application. The ERS Server can also be included in your facility's IT data backup procedures adding an additional level of data security.

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