Plant data collection, or PDC for short, describes the collection of actual data on conditions and processes in plants. This data can be integrated into Plant Information Management Systems, which collect and integrate information about a production process, into Manufacturing Execution Systems, which is a level of a multi-layer production management system that operates close to the process, or intoSCADA systems.
Technically, the data acquisition is realized centrally, via screen workstations at central PPS systems, decentrally, e.g. via screen workstations at decentralized BDE systems. Barcode support is used to identify a work operation.