Tag Management in InTouch HMI: Best Practices for Scalability

Learn how to structure and manage tags effectively in AVEVA™ InTouch HMI for better scalability, readability, and long-term maintenance.

Tags are the foundation of any InTouch HMI project. Poorly managed tags can lead to confusion, troubleshooting nightmares, and scalability problems when projects grow. Establishing a proper tag management strategy early on saves time and improves long-term maintainability.

Tag Management Best Practices

  • Use a clear naming convention: Follow a structured hierarchy (e.g., Plant.Area.Equipment.Parameter)
  • Group related tags logically: Organize by equipment type or process area
  • Document tags: Keep a tag dictionary that maps names to functions and physical signals
  • Leverage indirect tags: Use tag parameters and indirect addressing to reduce duplication
  • Plan for scalability: Anticipate project expansion and reserve ranges for future tags

Example & Best Practice:

In one project, two engineers used different naming conventions — “Pump1_Status” and “P1.State”. This created confusion during scripting and troubleshooting. After introducing a plant-wide convention (Plant1.Pump01.Status), collaboration became easier and errors decreased.

Best practice: Standardize tag naming before project build. Train all engineers to follow the same structure and enforce it during reviews.

Tags may seem small, but poor tag management can cripple large HMI projects. By implementing structured naming, grouping, and documentation, your InTouch applications will be easier to scale, troubleshoot, and maintain.

Want to master tag management and learn advanced strategies like indirect tags and parameterization?

Join our AVEVA™ InTouch HMI Training and get hands-on practice in building scalable, professional-grade tag structures