Campaign management for batch processes

Abstract

A campaign management technique for batch processes enables a process control system user to flexibly create, edit and execute batch process campaigns. The campaign management technique uses a campaign management function that sends messages requesting batch information to a batch executive function. The batch executive function extracts the requested batch information from a database and sends responsive messages containing the requested batch information to the campaign management function. The campaign management function displays the requested batch information to a user via a graphical display and enables the user to select batch information to be included within a batch process campaign. The user can create a campaign having multiple types of batches, which can include special startup and cleanup batches. The campaign management function releases batches of a campaign for execution by the batch executive function according to a user-specified batch execution mode, which may queue a ready batch in the batch executive function prior to the completion of a currently executing batch. A user can add batches to a campaign and/or can modify or delete unreleased batches of a currently executing campaign. Additionally, the campaign management function is tightly integrated with a data historian function and a security function and automatically sends campaign execution messages to the data historian and uses the security function to control user access to the campaign management function.