--- title: Operator dashboard slug: how-tos/TCZs-operator docTags: HM2rWeeWAO1-Dgm69CZmi,G8BVEz3koxH3IqjirGj3V createdAt: 2026-03-29T14:45:03.930Z --- ## Introduction This document describes how to set up an operator dashboard focused on batch operations. We will do so using the [Faketory demo dataset](docId\:tJw2vWPK12gU3Z5AWHr4a), particularly the data pertaining to the Mixing area. **Audience:** Floor operators, shift leads **Purpose:** Real-time awareness and immediate action ## Dashboard layout 1. Current status 2. Realtime process trends 3. Batch steps history ## Step-by-step ::::::ExpandableHeading ### Creating variables `$line` and `$mixer` Using Grafana variables is a great way to make a dashboard dynamic. Using the[Factry Historian Datasource](docId:0oT9AErU3HFA48S2ukB4F) you can populate these variables with value from Factry Historian. :::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Create variable `$line` There are 2 production lines in Faketory, so to make the dashboard works for both, create a variable that represents which line is currently being visualised: `$line` ::: ::::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the name and label of the variable - **General** - Name: `line` - Label: `Line` :::hint{type="info"} Using lowercase for variable names is widely considered good practice. ::: :::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the query to populate the variable with values - **Query options** - Query Type: `Asset` - Filter by asset path: `/^Line/` - This **regular expression** search pattern matches all assets in the asset tree for which the path starts with "Line" - Parent assets: `No parent` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the selection options to only allow a single selection - **Selection options** - *deselect* 'Allow custom values' ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Create variable `$mixer` The `Line 1` and `Line 2` assets do not contain any properties themselves, so create a `$mixer` variable as well, but hide it from the dashboard. It will automatically change to the correct Mixer asset based on the `$line` variable. - **General** - Name: `mixer` - Label: `Mixer` - **Query options** - Query Type: `Asset` - Filter by asset path: `/Mixer$/` - Parent assets: `$Line` - **Selection options** - *deselect* 'Allow custom values' ::: ::::: ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/84xWjZM5bZfLBBINfa1l8-20260324-144010.png" darkSrc="https://archbee-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/ozvvHgcx4kaJi2s59dkHa-20260324-144010.png" size="40" width="774" height="1628" darkWidth="774" darkHeight="1628" position="center" caption="$line variable creation" showCaption="true"} ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/lWBDih23uLD23hTSSBiXg-20260324-144010.png" darkSrc="https://archbee-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/6HgTWoI6G38EBm-HjUESN-20260324-144010.png" size="40" width="774" height="1628" darkWidth="774" darkHeight="1628" position="center" caption="$mixer variable creation" showCaption="true"} :::::: :::::ExpandableHeading ### Creating a new row: `"Status $line $mixer"` Rows are a handy tool to organize a dashboard in specific sections that can be minimized or expanded on demand. This row will focus on the current value of the mixer properties. ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Click :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"} **> **`Row` Create a new row to visualize the current status of the selected mixer. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the new row options The new variables can already be tested by creating a dynamic row title: `"Status $line $mixer"` ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/BOEOoWz_Lxj0W0ah34ipB-20260324-144401.png" darkSrc="https://archbee-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/VUpqCBBqKgXeY3QQLTxXl-20260324-144401.png" size="40" width="1000" height="572" darkWidth="1000" darkHeight="572" position="center" caption="Status row configuration" showCaption="true"} ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Click `Update` ::: :::: ::::: :::::ExpandableHeading ### Add a new `Stat` visualisation ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Click :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"} > `Visualisation` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Select Data source: `Factry Historian Datasource` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the data source ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/Ki8J-TCUfP-s5-aykvHo2-20260324-153650.png" darkSrc="https://archbee-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/PV_Hfqu3aI6uJS0uID4MA-20260324-153650.png" size="60" width="1644" height="1344" darkWidth="1644" darkHeight="1344" position="center" caption="Mixer status datasource configuration" showCaption="true"} - Tab: `Assets` - Assets: `$mixer` - Properties: `Running` - Aggregation: `last` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Change visualisation to `Stat` In general you can use **stat panels** to display the last value of important properties. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the **stat panel** options - Panel options - Title: ` ` (*For the other properties it might make more sense to use a title. Leaving this empty makes the actual panel larger, which looks better.*) - Value options - Fields: `Line 1\\Mixer\\Running` - By default the stat panel only shows `Numeric fields` which do not include booleans. - Stat styles - Text mode: `Value` - Color mode: `Background Solid` - Graph mode: `None` - Value mappings - `true` -> `RUNNING`, Set color: `Green` - `false` -> `STOPPED`, Set color: `Red` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Resize the panel Go back to the dashboard, move the panel to the first row and resize the panel. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Save your dashboard ::: :::: ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/FEOH2Sb1ga9cNHJ_zbCny-20260325-082820.png" darkSrc="https://archbee-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/HZ50reVqnicXDb9Ck3zYL-20260325-082820.png" size="60" width="1074" height="618" darkWidth="1074" darkHeight="618" position="center" caption="WIP dashboard #1" showCaption="true"} This process can be repeated for other properties and the end result could look like this screenshot below. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/X4IIK3kXmiA_JDrzBytRn-20260325-083514.png "WIP dashboard #2") ::::: :::::ExpandableHeading ### Creating a new row: `Process trends` This row will focus on visualising the values of the mixer properties over time. ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Click :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"}** > **`Row` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the new row options :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/ECnaytXssISQk7sqLn1uD-20260325-093600.png" alt caption width="32" height="32"} Row title: `Process trends` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Click `Update` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Drag the new row to the bottom To drag a row, it must first be collapsed. 1. Click the collaps button on the left of the row title\::inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/fw4TG0cP5_8xL8UIjWZ8i-20260325-094151.png" alt caption width="32" height="32"} 2. Drag the row with the drag icon on the right: :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/zs22YxuxcaTOTXsq0e8E6-20260325-094028.png" alt caption width="64" height="58"} 3. Uncollapse the row ::: :::: ::::: :::::::ExpandableHeading ### Add a new `Time series` visualisation See [Trending Assets Properties](docId\:nFccWY9aovwF8xPvni13k). ::::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Click :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"} > `Visualisation` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Select Data source: `Factry Historian Datasource` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the data source - Tab: `Assets` - Assets: `$mixer` - Properties: `Temperature` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Change visualisation to `Time series` In general you can use **time series panels** to display how **numeric** values change over time. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the panel options - Panel options - Title: `Temperature` - Transparent background: `Checked` (*For most visualisations, this just looks better.*) - Legend - Mode: `Table` - Values: `Min` `Max` `Mean` `...` - Graph styles - Line width: `2` - Fill opacity: `10` ::: :::::WorkflowBlockItem \[Optional] Change the field name This makes the legend visually cleaner. ::::Tabs :::Tab{title="Option 1: Display name"} Standard options - Display name: `${__field.labels["AssetProperty"]}` ::: :::Tab{title="Option 2: Field name"} 1. Add the transformation `Labels to fields` 2. Select Labels: `AssetProperty` 3. Value field name: `AssetProperty` ::: :::: ::::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Resize the panel Go back to the dashboard, drag the panel to the second row and resize the panel. ::: :::::: This process can be repeated for the other properties `RPM` and `Level`. In the end result could look like this screenshot below. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/sP_xeFYGu-1fyKr6C0-9O-20260327-162624.png "WIP dashboard #3") ::::::: :::::ExpandableHeading ### Creating a new row: `Recent events` This row will focus on showing the latest batch steps in a table. ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Click :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"}** > **`Row` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the new row options :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/ECnaytXssISQk7sqLn1uD-20260325-093600.png" alt caption width="32" height="32"} Row title: `Recent events` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Click `Update` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Drag the new row to the bottom ::: :::: ::::: :::::::ExpandableHeading ### Add a new `Table` visualisation See [Viewing Event properties as a table](docId\:H6YbVqvQPr4V1M_xXdNpo). ::::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem *Click* :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"} > `Visualisation` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Select Data source: `Factry Historian Datasource` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the data source - Tab: `Events` - Query type: `Simple` - Assets: `$mixer` - Event types: `Filling step` `Mixing step` `Emptying step` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Add transformation `Merge series/tables` The query returns a separate table for each event type by default, this transformation merges those into one. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Add transformation `Filter fields by name` This transformation allows you to select the field you want and deselect the ones you don't want to see in the table by hand. Select at least: `EventType` `StartTime` `StopTime` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Add transformation `Sort by` After bringing the tables together with the merge transformation, the events are no longer in chronological order. Field: `StartTime` Reverse: `Checked` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Change visualisation to `Table` In general you can use **table panels** to display events with their simple properties. ::: :::::WorkflowBlockItem Configure the panel options - Panel options - Title: ` ` - To color the different EventType values in different colors, there are 2 options ::::Tabs :::Tab{title="Option 1: Cell type"} * Click `+ Add field override` > `Fields with name` - Fields with name: `EventType` * Click `+ Add override property` > `Cell type` - Cell type: `Pill` *(This will highlight different field values in standard different colors, which makes the event types more visually distinctive in the table.)* ::: :::Tab{title="Option 2: Value mappings"} - Value mappings - *Click* `Add value mappings` - Value: `Mixing step` - Display text: *Leave empty* - Color: *Choose color* - *Repeat for *`Filling step`* and *`Emptying step` ::: :::: ::::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Placement of the panel Go back to the dashboard, drag the panel to the correct row and resize. ::: :::::: ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/tNDp8cjMzmug8jT6JPiQK-20260327-203034.png "WIP dashboard #4") ::::::: :::::ExpandableHeading ### Add a new `State timeline` visualisation ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem *Click* :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/EhqvjhkKs3ATxhlx2CuQp-20260325-092933.png" alt caption width="116" height="48"} > `Visualisation` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem *Select Data source: *`Dashboard` Since the event data was already queried by the previously created table panel, we can re-used that dataset and the transformations for this new panel. Source panel: `pick the correct panel` Transform: `Checked` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem *Change visualisation to *`State timeline` In general you can use state timeline **panels** to display how **the state of something** changes over time. This panel type can also interpret a second timestamp to indicate the end of the 'state'. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem *Configure the* *panel options* - Panel options - Title: ` ` - Transparent background: `Checked` - Legend - Visibility: `Unchecked` - Value mappings - *Click* `Add value mappings` - Value: `Mixing step` - Display text: *Leave empty* - Color: *Choose color* *(Best to use the same colors as the previous panel.)* - *Repeat for *`Filling step`* and *`Emptying step` ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Resize the panel Go back to the dashboard, drag the panel to the second row and resize the panel. ::: :::: ::::: ## End result The end result should look like something like this screenshot below. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SMPo4IS9FkillUAMsur2c/uQa_KeS1dk2k0QajySW0I-20260329-143509.png "Finished dashboard")