Abstract: A method includes accessing, from a data store, at least one predefined data classification for asset data associated with multiple assets in an industrial process control system, wherein the at least one predefined data classification is associated with one or more first policies, wherein the data store stores a plurality of data classifications for asset data. The method also includes receiving user input of a customization to the at least one predefined data classification to generate at least one customized data classification associated with one or more second policies. The method further includes storing the at least one customized data classification in the data store. The method also includes collecting asset data from at least one of the multiple assets. The method further includes processing the collected asset data according to the one or more second policies associated with the at least one customized data classification.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a notification to a first end-user device, where the notification is associated with an event in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes receiving a first read receipt identifying when a user of the first end-user device opened the notification or viewed or read details about the notification at the first end-user device. In addition, the method includes storing the first read receipt or information related to the first read receipt in association with the notification and/or the event. The method could also include transmitting the notification to a second end-user device and transmitting a first indication to the second end-user device, where the first indication indicates that the user of the first end-user device opened the notification or viewed or read the details about the notification.

Abstract: A method includes accessing, from a data store, at least one predefined data classification for asset data associated with multiple assets in an industrial process control system, wherein the at least one predefined data classification is associated with one or more first policies, wherein the data store stores a plurality of data classifications for asset data. The method also includes receiving user input of a customization to the at least one predefined data classification to generate at least one customized data classification associated with one or more second policies. The method further includes storing the at least one customized data classification in the data store. The method also includes collecting asset data from at least one of the multiple assets. The method further includes processing the collected asset data according to the one or more second policies associated with the at least one customized data classification.

Abstract: A method includes discovering one or more assets associated with a system. The method also includes determining first data that could be collected from each of the one or more assets by cross-referencing the one or more assets with a collection model. The method further includes determining second data that is to be collected from each of the one or more assets by cross-referencing the first data with requirements of one or more applications that use data from the one or more assets. In addition, the method includes automatically generating a schedule for collection of the second data from the one or more assets.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a notification to an end-user device, where the notification identifies an event in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes obtaining contextual information associated with the event, where the contextual information includes one or more types of additional information associated with the event. The method further includes transmitting the contextual information to the end-user device. In addition, the method could include receiving a request for the contextual information from the end-user device, where the contextual information is transmitted to the end-user device in response to the request. The contextual information could be obtained from multiple devices or systems automatically in response to the request.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information associated with an event in an industrial process control and automation system, the information obtained from one or more sources of data related to the industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes determining whether the event has previously occurred. The method also includes responsive to the event previously occurring, generating a notification for a mobile end-user device using the received information associated with the event. The notification includes at least one resolution for the event.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to cloud data includes a cloud computing system having a customer database including first and second customer data for a first and second customer. A management computer includes a processor having a memory device and digital logic, wherein memory device or digital logic is configured to implement a data access control process. The management computer transmits to the cloud computing system selections received from the first customer including a selected first and second third party user, a first data restriction for the first user, and a second data restriction for the second user. The first data restriction permits the first user access to a first data subset of the first customer data. In response to a data request from the first user, the first user is provided access to the first data subset.

Abstract: A gateway is configured to perform a method that includes receiving data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting the received data to the second device via the second protocol.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining information associated with multiple events in an industrial process control and automation system, where the information is obtained from one or more sources of data related to the industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes outputting the information to a notification system configured to generate multiple notifications for mobile end-user devices using the retrieved information. Obtaining the information associated with the multiple events includes using one or more queries to obtain at least part of the information from at least one of the one or more sources. The one or more queries support detection of events from the at least one source that is not configured or able to provide event information to the notification system.

Abstract: A method includes discovering one or more assets associated with a system. The method also includes determining first data that could be collected from each of the one or more assets by cross-referencing the one or more assets with a collection model. The method further includes determining second data that is to be collected from each of the one or more assets by cross-referencing the first data with requirements of one or more applications that use data from the one or more assets. In addition, the method includes automatically generating a schedule for collection of the second data from the one or more assets.

Abstract: A method includes generating an obfuscation of a notification and transmitting the obfuscation to an end-user device via an unsecure notification infrastructure. The method also includes, in response to a request from the end-user device, transmitting the notification to the end-user device via a secure connection. The request from the end-user device can also be received via the secure connection. The method could also include receiving information associated with an event and storing at least one of the notification and the information in association with the obfuscation, where the notification contains the information. The event could denote an event associated with an industrial process control and automation system. The obfuscation could include a unique identifier associated with the notification or a summary of the notification.

Abstract: A method includes receiving information identifying multiple events in an industrial process control and automation system and routing the events to one or more subscribers, where the one or more subscribers include a notification system. The method also includes translating the events into notifications using the notification system and transmitting each notification for delivery to one or more mobile end-user devices. The method could further include identifying multiple rules, where each rule defines at least one condition and at least one action. Each condition is associated with at least one event, and each action is associated with information related to the at least one event. In addition, the method could include determining whether the at least one condition of each rule is satisfied based on the information identifying the multiple events, where the notifications are generated based on each rule whose at least one condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A gateway is configured to perform a method that includes receiving data from a first device using a first protocol. The first protocol is a cloud based protocol. The method also includes determining that the received data is intended for a second device that uses a second protocol. The method further includes converting the received data from the first protocol to the second protocol. In addition, the method includes transmitting the received data to the second device via the second protocol.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining information associated with a service provider's activities with respect to multiple computing systems at multiple locations. For each location, the method includes identifying multiple key performance indicator (KPI) scores using the information, where the KPI scores are associated with different characteristics of the service provider's activities with respect to the computing system at that location. For each location, the method also includes identifying an overall location score associated with that location for the service provider using the KPI scores associated with that location and weights associated with the KPI scores. The method further includes identifying an overall multi-site score associated with the multiple locations using the overall location scores associated with the locations. In addition, the method includes generating a graphical display based on at least one of: the overall location scores, the overall multi-site score, and the KPI scores.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining information associated with a service provider's activities with respect to a computing system. The method also includes identifying multiple key performance indicator (KPI) scores using the information, where the KPI scores are associated with different characteristics of the service provider's activities with respect to the computing system. The method further includes generating a graphical display containing one or more of the KPI scores, where each KPI score is presented in the graphical display using a graphical indicator that identifies the KPI score and where the KPI score falls within a range of scores. The characteristics of the service provider's activities could include multiple characteristics related to contractual requirements of a service agreement and multiple characteristics related to performance characteristics of computing devices and computing networks in the computing system.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a notification to an end-user device, where the notification identifies an event in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes obtaining contextual information associated with the event, where the contextual information includes one or more types of additional information associated with the event. The method further includes transmitting the contextual information to the end-user device. In addition, the method could include receiving a request for the contextual information from the end-user device, where the contextual information is transmitted to the end-user device in response to the request. The contextual information could be obtained from multiple devices or systems automatically in response to the request.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining information associated with multiple events in an industrial process control and automation system, where the information is obtained from one or more sources of data related to the industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes outputting the information to a notification system configured to generate multiple notifications for mobile end-user devices using the retrieved information. Obtaining the information associated with the multiple events includes using one or more queries to obtain at least part of the information from at least one of the one or more sources. The one or more queries support detection of events from the at least one source that is not configured or able to provide event information to the notification system.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a notification to a first end-user device, where the notification is associated with an event in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes receiving a first read receipt identifying when a user of the first end-user device opened the notification or viewed or read details about the notification at the first end-user device. In addition, the method includes storing the first read receipt or information related to the first read receipt in association with the notification and/or the event. The method could also include transmitting the notification to a second end-user device and transmitting a first indication to the second end-user device, where the first indication indicates that the user of the first end-user device opened the notification or viewed or read the details about the notification.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining multiple annotations associated with multiple data items in an industrial process control and automation system. The method also includes, for each of the data items, obtaining a unique identifier for the data item. The method further includes storing, in a database, each of the annotations in association with one or more of the unique identifiers that correspond to one or more of the data items associated with the annotation. Different ones of the data items can be associated with different applications executed in the industrial process control and automation system. The multiple annotations could include user comments associated with one or more notifications identifying at least one event in the industrial process control and automation system. The unique identifiers can identify the one or more notifications, the at least one event, and/or at least one asset parameter associated with the at least one event.

Abstract: A method includes generating an obfuscation of a notification and transmitting the obfuscation to an end-user device via an unsecure notification infrastructure. The method also includes, in response to a request from the end-user device, transmitting the notification to the end-user device via a secure connection. The request from the end-user device can also be received via the secure connection. The method could also include receiving information associated with an event and storing at least one of the notification and the information in association with the obfuscation, where the notification contains the information. The event could denote an event associated with an industrial process control and automation system. The obfuscation could include a unique identifier associated with the notification or a summary of the notification.