The TMS Trender is a Windows based software package that can communicate with any number of intelligent automation devices over a wide range of communication protocols and network configurations.  Powerful communication components incorporated into the software allow the Trender access to all process information available from the connected devices, often pre-scaled into engineering units. 

Once this information is brought into the Trender computer, mathematic processes, logical functions, and custom programming code can be used to synthesize the information into a readily usable format.  The processed meta-data can then be displayed in graphic formats, logged to a database for system history and analysis, plotted versus time on trend screens, or sent back into the field to perform control functions. 

Built in alarm processes provide full alarm functionality by monitoring input data and generating alarm actions when inputs are outside pre-set limit criteria.

A typical Trender installation utilizes an IBM compatible industrial computer mounted inside a control console or industrial grade workstation.  Most often TMS Trenders are installed in engine room control spaces, ballast control rooms, or other equipment spaces; TMS enhances system usability in such work environments by employing touchscreen monitors as the primary operator interface device.  Removable keyboards and secondary pointing devices are provided to facilitate system configuration or modification, but not needed for normal system operation.  The Trender appears on the computer monitor as any one of a number of custom graphics screens.  Navigation between these screens is facilitated by link buttons organized in a navigation bar at the bottom of each screen.  By incorporating touchscreen functionality and carefully designing screen navigation to be intuitive to operators, TMS has developed an advanced operator interface that is fully accessible to the computer novice.