Overview
In today’s industrial environments, real-time data isn’t just valuable — it’s mission-critical. But raw tag values alone don’t always tell the full story. When monitoring assets via AVEVA PI System, understanding a tag’s status is just as important as knowing its value.
Tag status helps ensure your data is fresh, accurate, and trusted. It’s the key to avoiding false positives and missed events in your analytics or control logic.
Retrieving Tag Status: Your Options
- PI DataLink (Microsoft Excel)
PI DataLink is the most accessible tool for engineers and analysts working in Excel.
- Use functions like PIArcVal() or PISummary()
- Enable the option to return status or digital state alongside values
- Identify if data points are good, bad, questionable, or system-generated
This method is excellent for reports, quick checks, and offline reviews.
- AF SDK or PI Web API (For Developers & Integrators)
For more advanced automation or integration needs:
- The AF SDK provides direct access to the tag’s .Status or .IsGood properties
- The PI Web API offers similar access over HTTP/REST call
Use these when developing custom dashboards, alarm logic, or integrating data into third-party systems.
Why It Matters
Knowing a tag’s status can help you:
- Filter out invalid or unreliable values
- Diagnose data flow interruptions or sensor issues
- Automate alerts for stale or failed inputs
Without it, your decisions may be based on incomplete or misleading information.
Final Thoughts
If you’re not using tag status as part of your PI strategy, now’s the time to start. Whether you’re building advanced analytics pipelines or simply trying to improve visibility, status indicators provide essential context.
Our team at Innovative Werks can help you get the most from your PI System from tag configuration and status mapping to AF structure design and integration support.
📧 Need help implementing this in your plant or facility?
Contact us to schedule a consultation.