Best Practices

Introduction to Best Practices

To make the most of our platform, it is important to follow best practices that can help ensure your projects are efficient, reliable, and easy to maintain.

This section presents some general concepts then the links to specific guidelines applicable to each of the platform Modules.

On this page:

Key Concepts

Planning and Design

Before you start developing a project, take time to plan and design the system. This includes defining the scope of the project, creating a functional specification, and determining the requirements for the user interface, data collection, and alarm management.

Modularization

Modularization is an important best practice in FactoryStudio. It involves breaking down the project into smaller, more manageable modules that can be developed and tested independently. This approach makes it easier to debug and maintain the project, as well as reuse modules across different projects.

Version Control

Using version control software is essential when working on projects. This allows you to track changes, revert to previous versions, and collaborate with other team members more effectively. Git is a popular version control system that integrates well with FactoryStudio.

Documentation

Creating documentation for your projects is crucial for ensuring that other team members can understand and maintain the project over time. Make sure to document the project structure, module dependencies, data sources, and other important aspects of the project.

Testing and Debugging

Testing and debugging are essential steps in the development process. Make sure to thoroughly test each module and the system as a whole before deploying it. Debugging tools such as breakpoints, watches, and log files can help you identify and fix issues quickly.

Security

Security is a critical consideration when building automation and SCADA systems. Make sure to follow best practices for network security, password management, user access control, and data encryption. FactoryStudio includes built-in security features such as user authentication and role-based access control.

Troubleshooting

Ideally, you can troubleshoot problems even before they happen in the field. Always review the troubleshooting topics on each module to ensure your solution is not at risk of being affected by the issues described in that item.

Performance Optimization

Optimizing the performance of your projects can help ensure that they run smoothly and efficiently. Consider using techniques such as caching, indexing, and data compression to improve performance. Also, make sure to monitor system performance regularly to identify and address any issues.