Multi-user editing added to zenon SCADA system

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Oct 20, 2005

The latest version of zenon SCADA/HMI software, zenOn 6.20, adds a multi-user capability to the editor and provides full project synchronisation for work done offline

The latest version of zenon SCADA/HMI software, zenon 6.20, adds a multi-user capability to the editor and provides project synchronisation for work done offline.

Multi-user operation during runtime has long been a feature of the zenon system; this capability has now been extended to the editing facility.

For the first time in HMI/SCADA technology, it is possible to save projects on a central computer and then edit them simultaneously from different workstations.

This allows a team of development engineers to distribute project work optimally and work in parallel.

For example, one project manager could be defining variables, while another team member sketches process images and still another colleague works on function definitions.

This multi-user editor functionality is coupled with an intelligent administration system that prevents overlaps during joint configuration.

Each element (variable, image, etc) that is currently being processed is locked so that no other team member can change the same element at the same time.

Another practical editing feature is the offline work mode which makes it possible to remove an entire project from the central computer, work on it offline at another location, and return it to the central computer to have it automatically synchronised with the central database.

This is especially useful, for example, when an engineer in charge of startup or maintenance wants to make changes in accordance with customer specifications to the project during the startup operation.

In conformance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, the modification history gives the user a full overview of all project changes, which can be displayed in full detail upon request.

In this way it is always possible to determine who changed what, when and where.

In addition, comments can be entered so that anyone can find out why a change was made.

The zenon multi-user capability saves time and keeps engineering costs to a minimum thanks to these parallel procedures.

This is yet another function that highlights the pioneering role of COPA-DATA, since it is currently unique worldwide and only available through zenon.