How to Retrieve a List of PI Points Used in AF Analytics

How to Retrieve a List of PI Points Used in AF Analytics

Working with OSIsoft PI System can sometimes be a complex endeavor, particularly when you're trying to access specific configurations or metadata across your PI System setup. One common task that many engineers face is retrieving a list of PI points utilized within their AF (Asset Framework) Analytics. Although a direct, out-of-the-box method doesn't exist, there are effective workarounds you can employ to achieve this goal. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to list all the PI Points used in AF Analytics by exporting and parsing XML data.

Utilizing PI Builder and XML Export

To retrieve the PI Points linked to AF Analytics, you can export your AF database and parse through the relevant sections to isolate the PI Points. This process might sound daunting, but with the right tools and approach, it can be quite manageable.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Export the AF Database:

   • Utilize PI System Management Tools (SMT) or PI Builder to export your AF database. PI Builder, which integrates with Microsoft Excel, can be particularly useful for this task because it allows you to handle the data in spreadsheets directly.

2. Locate PI Point References:

   • After exporting, locate the section or column labeled AttributeConfigString. This column holds the configuration strings and often contains references to the PI Points.

3. Filter and Refine Data:

   • With the data in hand, you need to filter out unnecessary columns and remove any empty rows. This step will help you isolate the actual PI Point names or identifiers that are being utilized by your analytics.

4. Cross-Reference with Analysis Data:

   • For accuracy, you should cross-check the extracted PI Points with the list of analyses to ensure you’ve captured all points used in calculations and logic.

Simplifying the Process

To streamline this process, consider scripting or automating parts of it using the PI AF SDK and C#. Such scripts can iterate through analysis rules and corresponding outputs, gathering PI Point references systematically.

Automated scripts can drastically reduce the manual overhead and errors, providing a robust solution to retrieving these lists on-demand, particularly in environments where point configurations change frequently.

Conclusion

While it's unfortunate that there isn't a single-click solution for pulling PI Points used in AF Analytics, the method described here is effective and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. By fully understanding the structure of the exported data and employing available tools such as PI Builder, engineers can gain comprehensive insights into the analytics framework, ensuring that all the necessary data points are accounted for in their analyses.