PI ProcessBook, PI DataLink, and RtWebParts (CBT)

The PI ProcessBook, PI DataLink, and RtWebParts Computer Based Training (CBT) v2.0.1 course is now available as a self-paced learning tool for customers who would like to learn how to use our more popular PI client applications.  This class provides information on the basics of a PI system, and how the client applications interact with the PI Server.

The newest version of OSIsoft computer based training adds student tests that have been developed to help a student audit his progress through the material. The test questions are presented in a randomized order each time the lesson is used. Test results are presented to the user at the conclusion for printing and can also be configured to be delivered via e-mail to anyone in your organization.

The new student testing uses state of the art computer based training development tools to provide questions that offer a hint after specific number of incorrect tries. Students are presented with explanations of specific wrong answers. Questions include standard multiple choice and matching. A bookmarking feature is also available to students so that they can mark individual sections that they wish to come back to.


Test questions at the end of each chapter help you audit your progress. 

Included in the nearly 7 hours of voice and video demonstrations are all the new features of our client tools PI ProcessBook, PI Datalink, and RtWebParts.  Specifically, we concentrate on using PI ProcessBook and PI DataLink version 3.x and RtWebParts version 1.1.  We start out using the most basic features and progress through the advanced topics. In the last two chapters we describe the powerful new Analysis Framework feature of the PI server and how to use AF in PI ProcessBook.

Our PI ProcessBook lessons begin by discussing simple navigation and graphics.  Some of the topics we cover are how to open and use workbooks and displays, the different data elements, and how to use some of the many tools those elements have built in to drill down and get the information you need.  We progress through creating displays, including trends and multi-state symbols, using DataSets, and how to use PI ProcessBook to get access to relational data sources outside of PI.

In the PI DataLink segments we talk about everything from getting simple tag attributes and current values to reading arrays of archived data to incorporating complex performance equations into your data retrieval.

The RtWebParts steps through some of the basic web part configurations, illustrating for the viewer how easy it is to retrieve and visualize data in a thin client environment (Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser).

The new in depth training on PI Analysis Framework (AF) is new to version 2.0.1. AF is introduced and the concept of elements, element templates, data references, and models are taught. Included is instruction on using the PI ProcessBook Modeler Add-in to create simple models and how to make data references to PI points, AF calculations, and tables (including tables linked to a an external relational database).

The topics are laid out in a logical order in an easy to navigate menu system.  This means that you have the option of viewing the entire course from beginning to end, selecting only certain lessons at convenient times, or returning to the course at a later date for a quick refresher.  Each lesson is designed to be no longer than three minutes, so you can drill down to the information you need without sitting through a lot of information you don't.

The CD-ROM based tutorials are a one-for-one replacement of the PI ProcessBook, PI DataLink, and RtWebParts Class. It is a self-study course delivered on CD-ROM as a series of screen videos with narration accompanied by a workbook. The tutorials use screen video and voice playback to deliver software demonstrations and instructor lectures. There are tests at the end of each chapter to help you gauge your understanding of the material.

A menu lists each topic and how long it takes to complete.

The PI ProcessBook, PI DataLink, and RtWebParts (CBT) on CD-ROM (part # PI-CBT-CF1) is a series of short screen demonstrations with voice narration. These narrations are organized on a series of pages arranged in the same sequence as the class documentation that ships with the CBT. You can view the material in any sequence, so you can use this as a reference to quickly look up just the information you need. No installation procedure is required to run the videos from the web menu, although you can choose to automatically add a shortcut to the main menu to your desktop.  You can pause, fast-forward, and rewind the screen video clips. Each clip is listed with its duration in minutes and seconds. If you keep a copy of PI ProcessBook, Excel, or a browser with RtWebParts open, you can easily switch between applications to practice what was demonstrated. 

We estimate it would take a user 2 days to go through all the material, including doing the exercises that are demonstrated. There are more than 6 and 1/2  hours of video with voice narration. The tutorials include everything a user learns in the PI ProcessBook, PI DataLink, and RtWebParts Class.

The tutorials show all the software features one step at a time.

• PI ProcessBook (from the basics to the most advanced details)
• PI Datalink, including how to add a trend 
• Using RtWebParts
• How to build module database relative displays and reports.
• How to do ad-hoc calculations in PI ProcessBook.
• How to bring data from an ODBC compliant server into PI ProcessBook
• How to put OLE objects into PI ProcessBook
• An introduction to Analysis Framework (AF) and a simple AF model.
• How to use the PI ProcessBook Modeler Add in with AF Elements and Element Templates 

The latest features are included.

OSIsoft CBTs are licensed for individual users, but unlike many of our other applications, we encourage users to remove the tutorials when they are finished to pass on to the next student. Typically a site with dozens of PI users will only need a few licensed copies that are shared as people make time to use them. The tutorials can also be installed to run on a network server (with the appropriate number of user licenses).

• Describe what the PI system is
• Draw a diagram of the architecture of a PI system
• Describe how the data flows in PI
• Describe what a point is
• List the basic point attributes and their usage
• Express absolute time in the proper format
• Express relative time in the proper format
• Select proper parameters for the exception test
• Select proper parameters for the compression test
• Create new connections to a PI server using a common dialog window
• Modify existing connections using a common dialog window
• Search for points using a common dialog window
• Look at point attributes using a common dialog window
• Describe the PI Performance Equation (PE) syntax
• Describe the PI Module Database structure
• Access PI ProcessBook 
• Use workbooks
• Navigate workbook files (.piw)
• Open workbook entries
• Create a workbook 
• Create text entries
• Create display entries 
• Create link / OS command entries
• Use displays to read process information
• Create displays
• Create and edit static elements 
• Create and edit dynamic elements
• Create and edit MultiState elements
• Resize and reposition elements on a display
• Create and use PI calculation and ODBC data sets in displays
• Insert command buttons
• Insert Symbol Library images
• Insert external graphics
• Build module relative displays
• Identify invalid elements using the status report
• Install the add-in in Excel
• Describe Excel time format
• Use the context (right-click) menu
• Refresh the data
• Edit an array
• Get a current value
• Get a tag attribute value
• Get an archived value
• Get compressed values
• Get sampled values
• Get calculated values
• Get filtered values
• Get PI expressions values or summaries
• Insert and configure a PI trend
• Build module relative reports
• Write values to PI
• Define RtWebParts/RtBaseline and its relation to the RtPM architecture
• Explain what is a “Portal” (In a sense of enterprise portal)
• Navigate through a SharePoint environment, distinguishing sites, search, web part pages, document libraries and lists.
• Add a new web part page
• Add RtWebParts web parts to a web part page
• Configure RtWebParts web parts to show PI data (RtGauge, RtTrend, RtGraphic, RtValues, RtTimeSeries)
• Create connections between web parts
• Configure the RtTreeView web part to display module-relative data in RtWebParts web parts or navigate to a web page
• Configure the RtTimeRange web part
• Explain the SVG format and how to download the SVG Viewer
• Create .svg files from ProcessBook displays
• Insert ProcessBook .svg files in a SharePoint document library
• Build an PI ActiveView web page
• Use an PI ActiveView web page
• Create a PI ActiveView web page using the export display .pdi file in ProcessBook
• Configure and use the RtActiveView web part
• Describe the PI AF architecture
• Explain the configuration of the AF components and how they are related
• Explore an AF database in the AFExplorer
• Add the AF dockable windows in ProcessBook
• Load an AF database in ProcessBook
• Add an attribute to a display using the AF Property window
• Change the units of measure of an attribute
• Promote an element to the composite level
• Display AF data in a dynamic symbol
• Import an AF model to a display
• Assign a symbol to a template
• Assign an element to a symbol
• Change the analysis and case using the AF Analysis Toolbar
• Change the modeler preferences
• Install the PI AF add-in for Excel
• Get the database, the model and the model analysis
• Get an element, a case and a table value
• Get attribute values
• Get element properties
• Set the default database, model and model analysis

System Requirements
The tutorials do not require a copy of either PI ProcessBook, PI Datalink, or RtWebParts. However, if you are licensed for these products you can practice the tutorials by switching between the demonstration and the application.   If you want to try the exercises, the PCs should be able to connect to the local PI server using our client tools so that live data will be available. It is possible to use the tutorials without a live connection to a PI server; however, the users will not be able to complete some of the examples.

• Microsoft Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000, XP or later version
• 90 MHz processor
• 16 MB of RAM
• Windows-compatible sound card and speakers or headphones

• Internet Explorer 5.0+
• Camtasia Player (included with software)

• PI ProcessBook
• PI DataLink
• RtWebParts
• Microsoft Excel
• Connection to a PI server
• PI ActiveView (optional)*
• Microsoft Access (optional)*

* - some of the ODBC examples use data from a Microsoft Access database.

The files used including the screen video and voice narration remain stored on the CD-ROM and are not installed locally.

What is Included
The CBT includes the CD-ROM with 7 hours of voice and video demonstrations, and a printed copy of the class lecture notes and exercise workbook.  The workbook is the same workbook we use in the public instructor led class. 

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Order CBTs Now
To order either the full or demonstration version of a class please go to our CBT Order Page, select the CD-ROM course(s) you would like to order, and follow the prompts.