This page presents the Modules that implements the platform’s core functionality. All of them are included with the product when you start and there's no need to install anything separately.
Modular Architecture
The platform's modular architecture allows you to create in one environment and deploy what you need to where you need it — from Server functionally to Edge. Overall, the modular architecture provides a more flexible and scalable solution for automation and control applications, allowing for faster development, easier maintenance, and greater adaptability to changing requirements.
The platform has a complete set of Rapid Application Development tools.
Included Modules
Modules are organized to deliver a simple way to encapsulate all the functionalities required when creating real-time industrial applications, from Edge to SCADA HMI and Enterprise systems.
Creates the Real-Time data model, including Tags and Templates. Dynamic tagless on-demand data connectivity with an external system is possible with the Dynamic TagProvider. Asset modeling enables the creation of a hierarchical view of the data.
Stores and retrieves time-series data. SQL historian engine is included in the platform with Canary Historian at no extra charge. Seamless integration with concurrent other historian tools, such as OSIsoft PI and InfluxDB. Out-of-the-box store and forward functionality.
Manages access control to the project configuration and security model for the user of the running project. User security allows FDA compliance applications, Active Directory integration, LDAP, and more. Easily define which display/objects are accessible based on the user profile and security groups.
Includes more than 50 native communication protocol drivers to PLC, transmitters, and field devices. Support OPC UA and DA, server, and client execution, and new industry standard like MQTT SparkPlug B.
Organizes the Tags around Groups and Areas, allowing an easy definition for Alarm conditions, Audit-Trail, email or SMS or voice notification, online and historian alarms visualization. Agnostic storage on any selected Database provider.
Manages multiple simultaneous connections with SQL database, processes to queries and tables customized for the values of real-time tags. Manages recipes and data files in ASCII, UNICODE or XML.
Delivers high-performance server-side and client-side scripting capability. Programming languages include C#, VB .NET, Python, and JavaScript. Easily create multi-threading applications with parallel execution for the task and add references to externally developed classes.
State-of-the-art drawing tool to create User Interface Displays, with an extensive set of fully customizable Symbols and Graphical components. Create Responsive Dashboard, as well as a traditional Process Diagram or SCADA High Performance Graphics. Deploy the displays in HTML5, or secure .NET SmartClient, to desktop mobile or web clients. Extend the user experience with advanced features, including Language Location, Engineering Units dynamic conversion, and Displays dynamic scheme of Theme colors.
Delivers tools specifically designed to assist in the commissioning of the applications, long-term maintenance, and development tests. Leverage the three decades of experience in start-up and factory-floor real-time systems.
TAT and Real-time Elements
TAT (Tags, Assets, and Templates) is the core components of real-time data modes and is the power of our platform. The platform's system has a built-in, real-time, event-driven, in-memory database that manages tags, assets, and events.
Real-time Tag Types
A typical HMI-SCADA system has only basic tag types, such as numeric and message tags. As the platform targets IT and MES systems, it goes far beyond basic tag types and supports real-time entities that match every SQL type and many .NET Framework entities, including Images and a complete DataTable in a single real-time tag.
Assets and Categories
Organize your project with categories and assets. An asset has tags and other application objects connected to your process hierarchy. The platform allows the implementation of ISA 95 modeling specifications, which can be essential in large systems.
Templates
Templates are user-defined structures, similar to .NET classes, that allow composition and hierarchy. Besides the built-in basic types, it is possible to create real-time tags based on templates that reflect physical assets, speeding up and simplifying application development.
Dynamic Arrays and References
The platform was the one and only real-time system with built-in support for tridimensional dynamic arrays, lists, and type-safe reference tags with dynamic assignments. This creates reusable components on displays, symbols, reports, calculations, and in any part of your project.
Import and Synchronize
Tags and templates can be imported and automatically synchronized from various data sources, including XML and CSV files, OSIsoftTM PI SystemTM and PI AFTM, Rockwell™ ControlLogix program files, and OPC servers.
SQL Databases and .NET
Built-in tag types allow direct mapping to any SQL database or .NET variables.
Learn more at Tags, Assets and Templates.
Tag Historian and Trend Charts
Store and Forward on Edge HMI and Edge Gateway applications
Universal Time and Daylight Saving
These features are also available for the Tag Historian database management, as described for the Alarm and Events.
Process Analysis and Batch Systems
Compare two curves on the same chart from two different start times, ideal for batch and process analysis.
Vertical and XY plots
Vertical waterfall and XY charts are available, with all properties accessible through real-time tags or in the code behind scripts.
Annotations and Alarms Overlay
The platform comes with customizable open project templates so you can overlay annotations stored in SQL database, or alarm conditions and acceptance, on top of the trend charts.
Real-time Online Charts
Online charts run at the client display level, even if there is no historian to the selected tags. Built-in trend chart control is available for desktop, web, and mobile clients.
Customize and Save at Runtime
Empower operators to customize tag groups, scales, and the whole appearance of the trend charts at runtime; save and share the configuration.
Snapshots, Tables, and Reports
It is possible to add trend charts to web and PDF reports, image snapshots, and value data tables. Exports are available upon operator commands or any process event.
OSIsoftTM PI System Database
For high-performance, large applications, instead of a SQL database, it is possible to keep tag historians on the PI System database. The pure .NET SDK level connection with PI (no COM, OPC, or OLEDB required) provides high performance and single-click tag definition synchronization.
Data Quality and Timestamp
Tag Quality is stored and presented on the trend charts. The platform can handle up to 0.1 ms interval timestamps, therefore, the precision will be whatever the evolution of networks and data acquisition devices will bring in the future. Your data management based on the platform is prepared for long-term usage and process enhancements.
Real-time SPC calculation
With real-time SPC (Statical Process Control) calculation, it is possible to set up control charts and process capability analysis for any process parameter measured in real-time, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate. The system constantly monitors the process data and alerts the user if any parameter goes out of control or if there is any deviation in the process from its standard performance.
Security and Redundancy
Group and User Permissions
The platform offers flexibility to define privileges based on groups or specific users. Permissions can be global or tied to a specified display, object, or input action.
Runtime Users
Dynamically create users and store credentials in SQL databases. Get users from Active-Directory or third-party system for integrated security or unified login.
User Policies
Identification policies, session duration, control, automated logoff, e-sign, audit-trail, and a user management features bundle are available.
FDA and NERC Regulated Applications
Our platform allows delivering applications in compliance with Title 21 CFR Part 11, and it was designed following the applicable recommendations from NERC, such as the CIP- 007-1-Cyber Security-System Management.
Core-Level Security
Security must be implemented at the core, not applied externally. Our modules have built-in security-related components designed from the core.
Hot-standby Fault-tolerant Servers
The platform automatically initializes and continues to synchronize the primary and secondary servers. The Device communication channels are also easily set up for redundant physical networks and redundant PLC nodes.
Database Redundancy
Alarm and Historian databases can be assigned to a third-party external cluster or replicated automatically when running on the platform's servers.
Project Configuration Synchronization
Engineering tools provide features to simplify configuration and updates in redundant scenarios.
Hot-swapping
Redundant or stand-alone servers allow dynamic switching of project versions, without interrupting service for connected clients and keeping the real-time database loaded.
Redundancy at the Core Level
All modules (Real-Time tags, Devices, Alarms, Historians, Scripts, Clients, and others) were designed from the ground up to meet redundancy and hot-swapping requirements.
Learn more at Security and Users.
Devices and Protocols
Native Communication Drivers
Connectivity is a key feature. We include a wide variety of industry-standard protocols and enable built-in communications with PLCs, historians, databases, and other devices. We are adding new drivers continuously, and our SDK makes it easy to add any additional non-included driver.
OPC Client and Server Support
The platform is in full compliance with the OPC Server and Client specifications. The OPC client provides all the necessary integrations for any protocol not included with the product.
Remote Data Servers
Drivers, native or OPC, and data acquisition can run on remote computers to perform tasks such as retrieving data from RS-232 devices or eliminating the requirement for DCOM OPC configuration.
OPC Data Server FactoryStudio Station
It is possible to deploy the platform as a stand-alone OPC Data Server that uses native protocols and provides data to other systems through its OPC Server interface.
Automatic Synchronization
We provide a Tag Import Wizard and automatic definition synchronization for OPC Servers, Rockwell ControlLogix L5K files, CSV files, Beckhoff TwinCAT, OSIsoftTM PI System, and PI AFTM; Also, we are adding new wizards continuously.
Process Isolation and Multi-threading
Data communication runs in its own .NET domain, with a WCF layer to isolate the drivers from the main real-time database. For maximum performance, multiple threads are created for each protocol and device node.
Diagnostics Tools
A complete set of testing, deployment and diagnostics tools provides fast and reliable application development and installation.
Built-in Performance Monitoring
The platform generates statistics to help with troubleshooting and tuning of high-performance applications. Some of the performance-related statistics gathered include system messages, success and error messages, dynamic block creation, and cycle time and execution time on each block.
Dynamic Addressing
Everything in the driver configuration, from the station node IP to address and tag mapping, can be changed online using the project script. It is possible to create standard applications with runtime setup to specific conditions for where it is being deployed.
Extensive Communications Drivers Library
We provide an extensive Communications Drivers Library that allows users to connect to a wide range of industrial devices, PLCs, and other systems. The library includes hundreds of pre-built drivers for popular protocols and devices, such as Modbus, OPC, Allen Bradley, Siemens, and many others.
Infrastructure designed from the Core
Check Communication Drivers.
Learn more at Devices Communication.
Alarms and Events
Real-time Alarm Processing
The Alarm module was created on pure .NET managed code, with multi-threading and exception control, for maximum performance and reliability. Combining the Alarm, Dataset, and Script modules, you can log and bookmark process execution events, like downtime, startup, shutdown, batch control, and continuous process analysis.
Storage and Replication
Users can save Alarm Historian data in any local or remote SQL database. When using redundancy, the platform provides automatic synchronization of the database. The replication guarantees the accuracy of the same data on both servers, even when using different providers.
OSIsoftTM PI EFTM Event Frames
The system also has seamless, SDK-level, connectivity with PI BatchTM and PI EFTM for data presentation, charts, and custom data management.
Universal Time and Daylight Saving
The platform leverages UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on all logging and online date time objects; so that Alarms, Events, and Historical data are accurately time-stamped for when they happened, no matter where the user is or any daylight saving settings.
Audit Trail and Alarm Areas
We provide an one-click configuration to enable audit trail on Operator Actions, Database and Reports Events, User logon and logoff, System events, and custom tags events. Data is archived in SQL tables with project-defined encryption.
Alarm Visualization Component
We provide a built-in graphical visualizer for alarms, whether on a PC, web browser, or iPad.
Filtering, SQL queries, grouping, printing, saving, acknowledging, and exporting are some of the included built-in features.
Notification Subscription
Project scripts with access to the entire Microsoft .NET Framework can subscribe to alarm events to implement custom actions, such as notification and calculation methods.
Store and Forward
When using remote databases, a store and forward option is provided, so a local cache is created while the connection is not available and forwards the data when the database connection is re-established.
Localization
It is possible to translate online messages and query results from the Alarm Historian database on the fly to local languages based on automated dictionaries.
Learn more at Alarms and AuditTrail.
Datasets and SQL
Real-time Queries and Tables
Any data source that supports ODBC, OLE-DB, or ADO. NET can be connected with the application. An easy syntax allows creating or customizing any query or table search with real-time tags.
Client-Server Architecture
It is possible to process real-time queries either from the server or from the client computer, asynchronously or synchronously. In order to achieve an improved performance, multiple requests from distributed clients are cached and synchronized in the server.
Multiple Database Connections
The platform provides seamless integration with any third-party database, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, Informix, SQL Lite, PostgreSQL, and others.
Data Gateway
Connecting client queries through Firewall protected security zones, such as moving data between the Automation Network and the IT network, is no longer an issue. FactoryStudio provides a built-in firewall-friendly data gateway. Data queries from clients are routed in a secure way through any platform's system.
Advanced DataGrid
Our platform provides a fully-featured DataGrid object that presents tables and queries from databases, as well as shows the contents of any tag, assets, or real-time objects. Drop the table, query, or tag in the Grid Data Source to create front-end visualization, edit any real-time object, or edit any database.
Learn more at Datasets and SQL.
Scripts and .NET
Built-in Code Editor
Our platform includes an integrated script editor for developers to create custom functionality for their applications. The editor provides a powerful set of tools to help you test and evaluate your scripts. Debugging tools include assigning breakpoints, stepping into code, stepping over code, executing line by line, and watching the values of objects change with each step.
Scripts are executed natively as managed code within the .NET Framework, meaning users cannot create a script that would inadvertently cause the system to shut down. This feature provides a greater level of security and up-time for your application.
Server and Client Domains
Using the platform's script editor, users can create scripts that execute on the server for a global reach, or they can do it on the client side for a local reach.
Tasks, Classes, and Expressions
Users can create Tasks, .NET classes, and function libraries. In some cases, creating one-line expressions rather than full methods may be more efficient or desirable. For that purpose, the platform provides an expression editor that allows access to all .NET operands and classes.
Object Orientation, Project Elements
All project elements, including Tags, Datasets, Alarms, devices, and status of communications, are immediately accessible via IntelliSense. Since they are native .NET objects, no temporary tag calls are required. A single operation allows users to move data from Tags to .NET external Data-tables.
C#, VB.NET, and Code Translation
Our platform includes industry-standard languages of C# and VB.NET. Engineers no longer have to suffer through using old proprietary, single-threaded or interpreted scripting editors. Translate your code between C# and VB.NET anytime to better leverage your expertise.
Events and Scheduling
It is possible to trigger tasks and expressions to execute by date, time, condition, calendar, tag change, or interval. Execution is distributed among processes, each running in its application domain and isolated from the real-time database, for maximum system security and performance.
Learn more at Datasets and SQL.
Reports and Data Access
Built-in Report Designer
Our platform includes a user-friendly simple Report layout editor integrated with the engineering workspace. The rich text format uses underlying XAML flow document technology from WPF, Windows Presentation Foundation; which enables the inclusion of graphics and flexible formatting.
Runtime Display Snapshots
The runtime displays can be opened in the background or saved to image files, allowing you to create rich graphic snapshot reports. Current displays and layouts can also be printed or saved as an image to disk.
Report Append and Text Data Logging
Use the report generator's ability to append files, based on the project configuration and real-time tags, to create CSV and text logging files for scenarios that require the information to be created as time goes by, such as batch reports and shift reports.
Dynamic Graphical Symbols
It is possible to include any symbol from the real-time displays in the Report. The symbol dynamic behavior, such as color, text output, and rotation, are all updated using the current tag values when generating the report. It is also possible to add user controls such as Trend and Bar.
Tables and Queries
Add contents of database tables and queries to the reports. The queries and report generation execute in isolated processes, not interfering with the real-time processing.
Data Access Toolkit
A complete .NET Data Access library is available to create custom reporting solutions or to integrate with Microsoft Office, SQL server reporting services, or other vendor tools. A COM model API is also available to be used from Excel VBA and JavaScript applications.
Learn more at Reports and Data Access.
Graphical Displays
Advanced Graphical Technology
Our platform is the first complete product where all configuration and execution tools are pure Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), the latest graphical technology from Microsoft. WPF uses the full potential of the current graphics cards and computers, providing superior quality and performance.
Dynamic 3D Models
Connect real-time tags to control properties in 3D models created with 3DMax or other systems that support the .3DS extension.
Smart Symbols
Smart Symbols are asset and template-based reusable graphical components, with runtime dynamics or static binding and centralized management. The symbols keep a live link with the library, which means you only need to modify the symbol once and it will automatically apply to all displays.
Code Behind and Expressions
Develop code behind using C#, VB.NET, or HTML5/Javascript, expressions on dynamic animations, or client-side event-driven scripts.
Touch Panel Applications
Customizable on-screen keyboard, multi-touch support, momentary buttons, and other features deliver rich touch panel systems.
Exclusive set of Dynamic Animations
Unique new dynamics, such as opacity, shine, and skew, combined with move, scale, color change, rotate, and others, applied to any object, provide the most comprehensive set of animations. No more difficult laborious workarounds dealing with drawing tools created on top of legacy graphics systems.
Images, Colors, and Transparency
Images are added to the project database for centralized management. Low and hi resolution versions of the image are automatically created, optimizing the project. Transparency, alpha color, image brushes, and all designer tools are available.
Advanced Controls
All Windows controls are included, as well as a web browser, child displays, doc viewer, and many others. WPF controls, such as scheduler controls, Gantt, or live video cameras, can be added to extend functionality. Legacy Active-X controls can also be used for compatibility.
Deployment Scenarios
Our platform is based on a unified-package architecture, so the server is always the standard platform software. However, all
modules (such as Scripts, Device, Historian, Database, etc.) may be placed on different computers in a distributed system context. The server computers can run in different Operating Systems, which connects many client visualization stations and allows flexible deployment scenarios.
From Standalone to World-Wide
The platform's family of products is uniquely designed to provide the most reliable, flexible, and powerful application development platform. Users can build an application to run on a small device with limited amount of I/O, run on a production line or a commercial building, or provide information across the globe to those that need them, from any device, anywhere.
The same configuration tool can create applications for desktops, mobile, HTML5, and embedded devices.
Data Aggregation from multiple locations
The platform is perfect for collecting data from multiple locations and access it at a centralized location. Hundreds to thousands of distributed FactoryStudio nodes provide data acquisition and publish the collected data to a cloud server or a corporate office.
Multiple User Security
Users can use Application Security, Windows Authentication (Active-Directory), or WS-Federation concurrently, which all map to the same application server.
Symbols and Components
Map Symbols to Assets
Create assets and templates based on reusable components with runtime binding, standard graphical visualization, and centralized management.
Linking Tags to Symbols
Our platform has many quick application development tools. One example is the ability to define Categories in which Tags and Symbols can be tightly integrated. Using Categories expedites screen development by specifying graphical symbols to automatically be used in displays simply by copying Tags and pasting them into displays.
For example, users can define a default Pump symbol and all its attributes to use in displays. Then, by specifying a Tag to have the same Category as the Pump, it comes in as the default Pump symbol for that category when the user paste the Tag into the display. There is no need to go through the manual steps of placing individual symbols on the display and assigning the attributes.
Import Objects and XAML
Import images and symbols from the most popular formats used today. XAML standard simplifies the automated import of displays from legacy HMI and SCADA systems.
Extended Symbol Library
Our platform has its native library of symbols created with properties assigned to them. To help users create the most advanced graphical displays, our platform was the first software package of its type to include the SymbolFactory.NET library of over 5,000 vector-based graphics at no charge! This library is installed with every platform's development package and is unlimited in terms of how many symbols you use and how many times you use them.
Learn more about Symbols at Drawing the User Interface.
Diagnostics Tools
Technology Foundation
A solid foundation is required to achieve operational stability. The platform was designed by carefully selecting secure, efficient, flexible, and modern technologies; all without carrying undesirable legacy baggage.
Project Configuration
Many errors in the field for projects created with tools from another software come from undetected configuration errors that occurred during the project development. Instead of the trial and error outdated method, our platform has added many features that target consistency checks and complete configuration verification in the engineering environment.
Test and Field Deployment
Possible errors and famous SCADA viruses, such as Stuxnet, were due to deployment security breaches. The platform's design includes specific features to simplify and secure field deployment.
Maintenance and Operations
Operational stability, the number one requirement of most automation systems, is based on a chain that embraces the complete project life cycle: the Selection of Technologies, Project Configuration, Test and Field Deployment, as well as Operations and Maintenance.
Each configuration row has the date it was created and modified.
A summary view of every change made to each table is available.
Build commands can create project labels and save partial, uncompleted versions.
Publish command creates runtime-only projects with release version control.
The platform automatically logs who changed what for all project configurations.
Learn more about Symbols at Running Projects.
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