GE Fanuc launches Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX 5.0

The new version of the supervisory control software from GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms features next-generation visualisation and real-time information management.

The iFIX 5.0 comes with a new look 'n' feel for workspace and database manager, based on the Microsoft Fluent User Interface (UI) technology.

The UI follows the Ribbon Bar concept that allows users to access tools during application development and configure Quick Access Toolbars for frequently used tools.

It organises all configuration tools in the form of galleries that provide a view of all available options and reduces the user's 'time to access'.

The iFIX 5.0 is operating system neutral, meaning that users operating on Microsoft XP to Vista can use the upgraded features of the software.

Its Enhanced Failover feature enables users to synchronise real-time data, every aspect of the tag database and alarms across the network.

The iFIX also includes a charting tool that expands the software's capability to display X-bar, R-bar, S-bar, histogram and logarithmic charts, in addition to real-time and historical charts.

With support for advanced CGI graphics and a wide range of plotting types, the charting tool enables configuration of different line and display styles.

Bernard Cubizolles, product manager software for GE Fanuc Europe said: 'iFIX 5.0 is able to combine with GE Fanuc's Proficy Historian.

'The two products provide a true real-time data management solution and the release of iFIX provides a one-time configuration capability for iFIX and Proficy Historian databases.' In addition to configuration, iFIX enables users to read time-stamped data into their process graphics from Proficy Historian using iFIX's standard Datalink.

VisiconX tools within the iFIX have the capability of connecting directly to Proficy Historian tables for display of data grids into graphics without configuring SQL queries.

Another enhancement to the software comes in the form of more than 500 pre-built graphic objects called Dynamos which include ISA-specific symbols.

These Dynamos support versioning to track any changes made to the master Dynamos.

Other features of iFIX 5.0 include: Discover and Auto Configuration: allows users to read PLC configurations from its PLC file and configure the driver, database and Proficy Historian from one location; Graphic Thumbnail Support: iFIX 5.0 now supports the 'thumbnail view' of its graphics in Windows Explorer, which has also been extended into the iFIX Workspace, where users can view snapshots of their graphics as they move the mouse over the graphic names; Custom Scaling for Analog data within Database tags: allows users to configure one tag, which reads in their non-standard raw values and outputs an EGU specific value; Loadable Blocks: specialised database blocks that have been created over the years based on requirements.

Back to top