More power, flexibility from Proficy HMI/SCADA

GE Fanuc has announced the availability of Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX 4.5, providing comprehensive monitoring, control and data management for companies worldwide

This new version of the industry-leading visualisation product addresses a wide range of customer-identified needs including advanced reliability to improved ease of use, while adding more power and flexibility.

Proficy Change Management version 5.7, also announced, in combination with iFIX allows users to gain control over changes to their iFIX systems, enhances security, helps manage the application development Life Cycle and provides the ability to recover quickly from disasters.

Enhancements in this latest release provide even more detailed reporting capabilities to ensure the system integrity is maintained.

"Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX 4.5 delivers a wide range of features and benefits to address virtually every market and class of user, from end user customers to the largest OEMs," said Bernard Cubizolles, European Product Manager for the GE Fanuc Proficy Suite: "We focused on making both infrastructure improvements and customer requested usability updates, and added some exciting new capabilities".

iFIX 4.5 supports operation on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

The software automatically adopts the latest operating system look and feel throughout all of its applications and dialogues.

In addition to integration with its award-winning Proficy Change Management and Microsoft Windows Vista support, other major enhancements in iFIX 4.5 include: Dynamo Versioning.

With iFIX 4.5, Dynamos are given names, version numbers and descriptions.

iFIX 4.5 delivers tools to update Dynamos in pictures or across applications.

As a Dynamo is updated in the library, it is updated for use across applications automatically.

Multiple Display Instances.

With iFIX 4.5, you can have multiple instances of a display open, each displaying unique data through the use of Tag Groups.

These displays can be opened in different screen locations facilitating the use with multi-monitors.

* Double Precision Maths in the iFIX Process Database.

The iFIX Process Database can now deliver 15 digits of data precision for all internal calculations and data use.

Backward compatibility will be achieved with existing systems while enabling newer iFIX nodes to leverage the new data precision.

Support for up to 200 clients connected to one SCADA Node.

This is a doubling of our previous capability of 100 clients.

These are impressive numbers and we test to these levels.

* Better OPC Integration and Certification.

Integrating OPC with the Process Database is now easier and users can browse OPC Client Driver Tags right from an iFIX block.

"iFIX 4.5 is just what the customers ordered," continued Pai: "We took their input and provided more power, more flexibility, Change Management functionality and integration, and much more.

This HMI/SCADA product should not only meet, but exceed their expectations".

* Seamless Management and HMI Tracking.

Proficy Change Management 5.7 provides improvements to Machine Edition integration, HMI/SCADA support, and improved third party PLC support.

Version 5.7 allows schedule upload and compare capability for the GE Fanuc PAC controllers allowing automated backup of the logic and data in the PLC, as well as the ability to compare the PLC to the master version on the Change Management Server.

The scheduled compare capability is key to detecting unauthorised changes and backup ensures that users have an updated copy of their PLC programs in the event of a disaster.

According to Craig Resnick, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group, "Automation solution suppliers that offer change management as part of their HMI software suite are providing manufacturers with a tool to enable seamless management and tracking of HMI software changes at both the component and application levels, as well as specific change histories within the development environment.

Change management software is a key component in enabling synchronisation between all levels of the plant, and plays a key role in standardisation and collaborative operations management, which aids in transparency across business levels.

Interoperability also puts change management software in a critical role, managing a multitude of software in need of upgrade due to security, monitoring, and optimisation".

The new Proficy Change Management 5.7 strengthens an important component of the GE Fanuc Proficy software suite of products.

It helps users meet key uptime metrics and turns manufacturing processes into a competitive advantage.

With powerful capabilities including security, version management audit trails, central storage and automated backup and recovery, Proficy Change Management ensures that automation systems continue running safely and efficiently.

Both Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX 4.5 and Proficy Change Management 5.7 are available immediately.

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