The incorporation of an HMI package is an integral part of the Process Control System that provides human intervention into the automation process. The HMI collects data from remote sources and displays the status information in graphics, tables, trends, and reports that system users and operators can easily understand. This allows for improved quality, productivity, profitability monitoring, and reduction of downtime. Some of the integrated tools for system configuration, monitoring, and data management common in a HMI package might include:

· Display of Real-Time Process Information
· Historical Data Collection, Storage, Retrieval and Analysis
· Alarm Detection and Annunciation
· Secure Environment Preventing Unauthorized Access
· Event Logging
· Recipes
· Reporting
· Networking Between Workstations On Factory Floor
· Redundancy to Minimize Downtime and Loss Of Data Due to             Equipment Failure