From: Andy Peters
Sent: Fri Sep 29 10:43:00 2017
To: Jason Clifford
Cc: Jon Randall; Gerald Fisher
Subject: Industrial Systems Inc
Importance: Normal
Jason, I thought a lot about you guys last night! Unless you have any objections I think my next step is to set up a meeting with Industrial Systems Inc to go over a few things.
First, since you brought it up, I’d like to review with them the problem you are having with filter backwash timing. It seems like it would be a simple matter to wrap the backwash timer in an “if” statement that says “if the previous backwash was for headloss (high level), then don’t wait the full hour before calling the next filter’s backwash sequence.” Perhaps that next filter picks up again after just 15 min, or maybe they add an additional setpoint in the HMI that you can set for the time after which it picks up again. This problem just has “code smell” to me. But please correct me if I misunderstand the problem entirely – I will learn as I go.
Second, since I can’t find any contract with them here at City Hall, I want to check with them to make sure they understand we own the ladder logic programs they’ve built for us, and that you and me have access to them in their head revisions. I’d also like to know PLC model numbers, and software versions they are using – none of this appears in the O&M manuals as far as I can see, but is critical information. Imagine if Industrial Solutions called one day to say they were done with business! I also want to make sure they are properly protecting these files on a good code source control server…they better not tell me the head revision ladder logic source is the one loaded on the PLC! Also need to make sure that a level-of-service agreement is in place ensuring they give us good response time. I understand they are a good company, but these things are standard and I can’t find them anywhere. Maybe you have them?
Third, I’d like to know what they are loading Kaspersky anti-virus software on. I don’t trust Russian based companies for anti-virus software in PLCs or SCADA…remember the Iranian Centrifuge Incident??
Finally, I’m a little surprised there is nothing pinging the squawk box every hour or so, like a web server, that can send a notification to someone if the box is not responding. If there isn’t one, it’s a simple matter to spin one up here at City Hall, provided the squawk box can accept these kind of pings. And my thought is that any server that could handle pinging the squawk box can also be used for the Maintenance Crew’s new Work Order System they’ve agreed to have me look into.
Obviously I would do nothing to your plant, under any circumstances, without your approval!! I just want information, and to be sure your subs are giving you their best.
Am I okay to proceed?
Andy Peters
City of Molalla
Public Works Operations Supervisor
(503) 829-6855 x270
Cell: 503-793-0507
117 N Molalla Ave
Molalla, OR 97038