Automatic Power-Outage Recovery with an Antaris Process FT-NIR Analyzer and RESULT Software

Significance of the topic

The reliable restart of process analytical instruments after a factory power outage is critical for continuous manufacturing, process diagnostics and regulatory compliance. Minimizing manual intervention shortens downtime, preserves process history, and supports rapid recovery of production control systems. For near-infrared (NIR) process analyzers such as the Antaris FT-NIR paired with RESULT software, a structured, automated recovery strategy reduces risk of human error and accelerates return to steady-state operation.

Objectives and study overview

This technical note documents a practical, stepwise configuration to enable automatic power-outage recovery and optional automatic workflow startup for an Antaris FT-NIR process analyzer running RESULT Operation software. The goal is to describe how to: restart the instrument-host PC automatically after power is restored; allow secure remote logon if required; launch RESULT Operation on boot; and optionally load and initiate a predefined RESULT workflow automatically using either the software’s industrial automation settings or OPC tags.

Methodology and configuration steps

The recommended approach consists of four coordinated actions implemented on the analyzer host system and RESULT software:

• Enable automatic power-on in the PC BIOS: Identify and set the AC Recovery (or equivalent) option in the Power Management section of the BIOS so the computer automatically powers on after grid power is restored.
• Provide for secure logon remotely when required: If unique user authentication is mandated, enable Microsoft Remote Desktop on the Windows host so an authorized user can log on remotely after reboot. Coordinate with IT to ensure this meets security policy.
• Auto-launch RESULT Operation at user login: Place a shortcut to RESULT Operation in the Windows Startup folder (or configure Start Menu properties) so the application starts automatically when the user session is established.
• Auto-select and start a RESULT workflow (optional): Configure either RESULT’s Industrial Automation Options to use a PLC input (Start Workflow line number set to the desired Process Communications Controller line and declared digital) or use OPC to control RESULT. For OPC, write to the tags Name, WorkflowPath and RunningState (for example via an OPC client) to load and initiate an existing workflow listed in RESULT’s Select Workflow menu.

Used Instrumentation

The setup and procedures described require the following components:

• Antaris FT-NIR process analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
• Host PC running RESULT Operation software
• Microsoft Windows operating system (BIOS configuration and Remote Desktop features)
• Process Communications Controller (acts as bridge to RESULT alongside any PLC)
• OPC client or server infrastructure (for remote tag-based control)
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) where relevant (to provide digital lines for workflow start)

Main results and discussion

Applying these settings produces two practical recovery modes:

• Ready-to-run mode: After power restoration, the PC powers up, a user session is available (local or remote login), and RESULT Operation is launched and presents the system in a ready state for manual or supervised operation. This minimizes operator steps to resume sampling.
• Automatic workflow mode: RESULT can be configured to automatically select and execute a specific workflow on startup either by reading a PLC line or by receiving OPC tag commands. This enables the analyzer to resume defined process monitoring tasks immediately without operator interaction, useful during plant-wide recoveries where automated sequencing is preferred.

Key practical considerations include BIOS variations across hardware (AC Recovery option location differs), cybersecurity and IT policy for enabling Remote Desktop, and ensuring that only validated workflows available in RESULT’s menu are invoked automatically. The Process Communications Controller provides flexible integration with factory automation systems and acts as a safe bridge between RESULT and plant PLC networks.

Benefits and practical applications

Automating power-outage recovery provides several concrete benefits:

• Reduced unplanned downtime through faster analyzer availability.
• Improved process continuity and data capture during transient recovery periods.
• Lower operator workload and reduced potential for human error during restart.
• Greater utility for regulated environments by permitting controlled, documented automatic restart sequences when compliant with security and validation policies.

Typical applications are continuous process monitoring in chemical, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing where NIR analyzers contribute to real-time quality control and PAT (process analytical technology) strategies.

Future trends and possibilities

Advances that could further simplify and harden automatic recovery include:

• Tighter integration with plant-wide orchestration and MES/SCADA systems to coordinate analyzer restart with upstream/downstream equipment.
• Hardened, security-focused remote access methods (e.g., VPNs, jump servers, MFA) to meet stringent regulatory and IT requirements without sacrificing automation.
• Enhanced status and health reporting via OPC UA or cloud-enabled telemetry so that recovery behavior and analyzer diagnostics are visible to centralized monitoring.
• Built-in watchdog and persistent-state features in instrument firmware or RESULT software to resume precisely where operations left off, including sample sequencing and audit trails.

Conclusion

Implementing BIOS auto-power-on, establishing secure remote logon capability, configuring RESULT Operation to auto-start, and using RESULT’s Industrial Automation or OPC interfaces to trigger workflows enable robust, largely unattended recovery of an Antaris FT-NIR process analyzer after power outages. This approach shortens the path to resumed monitoring, supports process continuity, and can be adapted to meet regulatory and IT security requirements.

Reference

Hirsch J., Technical Note 51262, Thermo Fisher Scientific: Automatic Power-Outage Recovery with an Antaris Process FT-NIR Analyzer and RESULT Software, 2006.