Optimistic data retrieval in a process control environment

A historian memory storage device and a historian processor including a counter, said historian memory storage device storing statistical data and storing processor-executable instructions for execution by the historian processor for implementing a historian connection module and a historian server module, said processor-executable instructions configured for, when executed by the historian processor:

• receiving in the historian device, a query for a result over a timeframe by an historian device from a client device connected to the historian device;
• selecting by the historian device, data points within the timeframe;
• identifying in the historian device, data points as having a ‘GOOD’ quality, a ‘BAD’ quality, or a ‘DOUBTFUL’ quality;
• setting, in the historian device, an ‘OPTIMISTIC’ quality rule mode wherein the historian device includes in the retrieval calculations data points with both a ‘GOOD’ quality and a ‘DOUBTFUL’ quality except that ‘BAD’ quality data points will not be included in a calculation;
• wherein the determined amount of products by the historian device is based on the included data points;
• and
• wherein the historian device returns the determined amount of products to the client device.