Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect root causes of alarm patterns in process control systems are disclosed. An example method includes retrieving process control data generated in a process control system during a historical period of time. The process control data includes alarm data associated with alarms activated during the historical period of time. The example method also includes generating an alarm activation timeline for the historical period of time. The alarm activation timeline includes icons representative of the alarms to visually represent a temporal relationship of activation of the alarms, where one of the icons is representative of an alarm that is no longer active. The example method further includes storing the alarm activation timeline in a database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect root causes of alarm patterns in process control systems are disclosed. An example method includes retrieving process control data generated in a process control system during a historical period of time. The process control data includes alarm data associated with alarms activated during the historical period of time. The example method also includes generating an alarm activation timeline for the historical period of time. The alarm activation timeline includes icons representative of the alarms to visually represent a temporal relationship of activation of the alarms, where one of the icons is representative of an alarm that is no longer active. The example method further includes storing the alarm activation timeline in a database.

Abstract: A software update system automatically deploys software updates, approved by a provider of a process control system, to computer hosts that execute the process control system. The software update system includes a client application that generates a request for software updates applicable to the computer hosts and initiates automatic deployment of the software update to the host, and a server application that provides software update data to the client application in response to the request.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to maintain process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves identifying at least one of an update or an upgrade applicable to a configuration of nodes of a process control system. Software is provided for download to the process control system. The software represents an update and/or upgrade. Metadata for the software indicating applicability of the software to one or more nodes of the process control system is also provided for download. Automated installation of the software to one or more nodes of the process control system is facilitated based on the metadata from a workstation in communication with the one or more nodes of the process control system.

Abstract: A software update system automatically deploys software updates, approved by a provider of a process control system, to computer hosts that execute the process control system. The software update system includes a client application that generates a request for software updates applicable to the computer hosts and initiates automatic deployment of the software update to the host, and a server application that provides software update data to the client application in response to the request.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to maintain process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves identifying at least one of an update or an upgrade applicable to a configuration of nodes of a process control system. Software is provided for download to the process control system. The software represents an update and/or upgrade. Metadata for the software indicating applicability of the software to one or more nodes of the process control system is also provided for download. Automated installation of the software to one or more nodes of the process control system is facilitated based on the metadata from a workstation in communication with the one or more nodes of the process control system.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to maintain process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves retrieving first information and determining whether the first information is associated with a process control system. If the first information is associated with the process control system, second information is generated to indicate that the first information is associated with the process control system. It is also determined whether the first information is associated with a particular node of the process control system. If the first information is associated with the particular node of the process control system, third information is generated to indicate that the first information is associated with the particular node.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to maintain process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves retrieving first information and determining whether the first information is associated with a process control system. If the first information is associated with the process control system, second information is generated to indicate that the first information is associated with the process control system. It is also determined whether the first information is associated with a particular node of the process control system. If the first information is associated with the particular node of the process control system, third information is generated to indicate that the first information is associated with the particular node.