An innovative Mobile Operator Panel explored

Jan Rieks Zonderman from i.safe provides insight into the benefits of the Mobile Operator Panel.

In process industries, many critical decisions occur directly in the field. Operators respond to alarms, coordinate maintenance during turnarounds, and oversee production across widely distributed assets. Traditional workflows often create inefficiencies: either operators must return to the control room, delaying responses or rely on radio communication, which increases the risk of misinterpretation and error.

The Mobile Operator Panel from i.safe Mobile closes this gap by extending full HMI functionality into hazardous areas. Built on explosion-protected tablets and intrinsically safe connectivity infrastructure, this solution allows operators to access real-time process data, perform control actions, and document decisions securely at the point of work.

Technical foundation

The Mobile Operator Panel combines certified tablets, the Android-based IS940.1 or the Windows-based IS945.1 with the Ex-certified Connectivity System IS‑CS1A.1. This connectivity system includes an interface module that mounts inside Ex-rated enclosures, as well as a docking station providing power and data transfer within hazardous zones.

Through Ex-approved barriers, the interface module enables Ethernet, USB, and power connections while maintaining compliance for use in explosion-hazardous environments. Communication with SCADA or DCS systems is achieved via standard RDP or VNC protocols. When docked, the tablet remains continuously powered and charged, ensuring full readiness for mobile operation.

Practical implementation

In a petrochemical plant performing catalyst regeneration, field operators traditionally rely on radio calls to request valve positions or temperature readings. This interrupts control room workflow and increases the potential for communication errors.

With the Mobile Operator Panel from i.safe Mobile, operators in the field see the same process graphics as those in the control room. They can verify valve positions, analyse live temperature trends, and record each procedural step directly in the system. Actions become traceable through timestamped documentation, improving transparency and compliance.

In pharmaceutical production, where contamination control is essential, the Mobile Operator Panel located at the cleanroom entry allows batch monitoring, alarm handling, and recipe adjustments without removing equipment for charging,  eliminating revalidation efforts and maintaining GMP integrity.

Integration and operational benefits

Integrating the Mobile Operator Panel from i.safe Mobile requires minimal changes to existing automation infrastructure. Interface modules connect easily to a plant’s LAN. Legacy systems remain fully accessible using remote desktop protocols, preserving investment in existing controls.

Deployment of the Mobile Operator Panel delivers measurable performance gains across safety and efficiency parameters. Operators can access diagnostics immediately at the asset, cutting response times and improving fault resolution. Maintenance becomes more targeted, while emergency situations benefit from distributed situational awareness and faster, better-informed decision-making.

Facilities that align the capabilities of the Mobile Operator Panel with specific operational bottlenecks achieve the greatest value, whether by reducing delays caused by information gaps, improving coordination across teams, or simplifying documentation-intensive workflows.

By extending control system access safely into hazardous areas through certified devices, the Mobile Operator Panel from i.safe Mobile bridges automation capabilities with field realities, providing operational clarity exactly where it matters most.

For more information visit: www.isafe-mobile.com/en