How to Log FactoryTalk View SE Data to MySQL Database

Logging FactoryTalk View SE data to a MySQL database enables centralized, scalable storage of your HMI runtime data for analysis, reporting, and historical tracking. By integrating FactoryTalk View SE with MySQL, you can leverage the flexibility of SQL queries, connect to various BI tools, and maintain a robust data archive beyond what FactoryTalk Historian or local files offer.

What You’ll Need

• FactoryTalk View SE installed and configured with your HMI project
• Access to a MySQL server (local or remote)
• MySQL Connector/ODBC driver installed on the FactoryTalk View SE machine
• Basic knowledge of SQL and database management
• Access rights to create tables and write data on the MySQL database
• FactoryTalk View SE Client or Runtime with proper permissions

Step-by-Step

1. Prepare your MySQL Database:
   • Create a database schema dedicated to your FactoryTalk data, e.g., factorytalk_data.
   • Design tables to store your HMI tags or events. Typical columns include timestamp, tag_name, tag_value, and quality.
   • Ensure the database user has INSERT privileges on these tables.
2. Install and Configure MySQL ODBC Driver:
   • Download the MySQL Connector/ODBC driver compatible with your OS from the official MySQL site.
   • Install the driver on the same machine running FactoryTalk View SE Runtime.
   • Use the ODBC Data Source Administrator to create a System DSN for your MySQL database.
     • Set the DSN name (e.g., FactoryTalkMySQL), server, database, user, and password.
     • Test the connection to confirm it works.
3. Set Up FactoryTalk View SE to Log Data:
   • Open FactoryTalk View Studio and load your SE project.
   • Navigate to the Data Logging or Alarm and Event Logging setup sections depending on the data type.
   • Configure a new Data Log or Alarm/Event Log that targets an ODBC connection.
     • Choose ODBC Database as the logging destination.
     • Select the System DSN you created for MySQL.
     • Define the table and column mappings according to your MySQL schema.
   • Set the logging frequency and triggers (e.g., tag change, scan rate).
   • Save and publish your project to the FactoryTalk View SE Runtime.
4. Test the Logging Functionality:
   • Run the FactoryTalk View SE Runtime with your project.
   • Generate or simulate data changes on your HMI tags.
   • Verify that new records appear in the MySQL database tables as expected.
5. Set Up Automated Maintenance and Monitoring:
   • Consider implementing database maintenance such as archiving old data or indexing for performance.
   • Monitor ODBC connection health and FactoryTalk View SE logs for errors.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect or missing ODBC DSN configuration: Failing to configure the System DSN properly will cause FactoryTalk View SE to be unable to connect to MySQL.
• Insufficient database permissions: The MySQL user must have INSERT privileges on the target tables; otherwise, logging will fail silently or with errors.
• Mismatch between FactoryTalk data format and MySQL table structure: Not aligning column types and names between FactoryTalk logging setup and the MySQL schema leads to failed inserts.
• Ignoring time zone differences: FactoryTalk timestamps may be in local time, while the MySQL server may use UTC, causing confusion in data analysis.
• Not testing with sample data: Deploying to production without verifying data flow often causes prolonged downtime troubleshooting.

Tips

• Use consistent timestamp formats: Store timestamps in UTC and convert in your reporting layer to avoid time zone issues.
• Batch inserts if possible: Some logging configurations allow buffering data and inserting in batches to reduce database load.
• Monitor FactoryTalk and MySQL logs: Regularly check logs for connection errors or data rejections to catch issues early.
• Backup your MySQL database: Implement regular backups to protect your logged data from corruption or loss.
• Consider data retention policies: Plan how long to keep logged data in MySQL to manage database size and performance.

Troubleshooting

If data does not log correctly from FactoryTalk View SE to MySQL, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify ODBC Connection:
   • Use the ODBC Data Source Administrator to test the DSN connection to MySQL.
   • Check for driver compatibility issues or missing dependencies.
2. Check FactoryTalk Logs:
   • Look for error messages related to database writes or ODBC failures in the FactoryTalk View SE runtime logs.
   • Ensure the logging service or runtime has proper permissions.
3. Validate Database Schema:
   • Confirm that the target tables exist and have the correct structure.
   • Check for constraints or triggers that might block inserts.
4. Test with Simplified Data:
   • Try logging a single tag or a minimal dataset to isolate the problem.
5. Review Network and Firewall Settings:
   • Ensure the FactoryTalk View SE machine can reach the MySQL server on its port (default 3306).
6. Update Drivers and Software:
   • Ensure your MySQL ODBC driver and FactoryTalk View SE software are up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can FactoryTalk View SE log data directly to MySQL without ODBC?

No, FactoryTalk View SE does not have native MySQL support. Using an ODBC connection is the standard method to interface with MySQL databases.

Is it possible to log alarms and events to MySQL as well as tag data?

Yes, FactoryTalk View SE supports logging alarms and events via ODBC, but you must configure separate logging setups and ensure your MySQL tables accommodate those data types.

Will logging to MySQL impact HMI performance?

Logging introduces some overhead. To minimize impact, consider batching data inserts and optimizing database indexing. Also, monitor system resources closely during initial deployment.

How do I handle historical data archiving in MySQL?

Implement scheduled database jobs or scripts to archive or purge old data to maintain performance and storage capacity.

Can I use this method to feed data into third-party analytics tools?

Yes, once data is in MySQL, it can be accessed by any tool that supports MySQL connections, enabling flexible reporting and analysis.

What security considerations should I keep in mind?

Secure your MySQL server with strong passwords, restrict network access, and consider encrypting data in transit. Also, control FactoryTalk View SE user permissions carefully.

By following these steps and recommendations, you can successfully log FactoryTalk View SE data into a MySQL database, creating a versatile platform for data analysis and historical tracking. With proper setup, maintenance, and monitoring, this integration can enhance your industrial data infrastructure significantly.

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