Key takeaway
A strong HMI migration protects the operator workflow, communication settings, recipes and future recovery path.
Capture behaviour before replacing hardware
Screenshots are useful, but behaviour matters more. Record menu flow, alarms, recipes, password levels, setpoint changes, communication status and any operator habits built around the old panel.
Understand the controller link
The HMI may communicate with PLCs, drives, temperature controllers, sensors or custom boards. Protocols, tag maps and addresses should be confirmed before the new panel is selected.
- Serial or Ethernet communication
- PLC/controller type
- Tag names or addresses
- Recipes and data storage
- Panel size and cutout
Decide what to modernise
Not every screen should be copied blindly. Some screens may need clearer alarms, better navigation or safer permission handling while preserving the required machine behaviour.
Leave the recovery path behind
Project files, backups, settings and restore instructions are part of the deliverable. Without them, the site can become locked into another undocumented system.