The GE Fanuc Automation division of GE Industrial has announced the new version of its Proficy HMI/scada, iFIX 4.0. A key component of the Proficy automation software platform, iFIX 4.0's extendable architecture is capable of discovering PLC information, including configuration and tags, and its makers say that it can deliver new levels of developer productivity and efficiency.
"The recent release of iFIX delivers new technologies, developer and operator productivity enhancements, and tighter integration within the Proficy platform," says Daniel Coetzee, manager of Sub-Saharan Africa for the GE Fanuc Automation division of GE Industrial. "The iFIX 4.0 release features innovative device discovery and automated configuration capabilities, supporting the Siemens S7 PLC immediately, with support for Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) PLC networks and other OPC sources announced in the near future."
GE Fanuc is investing in interoperability to make it easier for customers to make best use of their existing environments while upgrading applications.
"iFIX 4.0 clearly enhances visibility into the manufacturing environment; by adding context to raw PLC data, and reducing development and maintenance costs," says Coetzee. "Furthermore, the tight integration with Proficy Change Management, delivering file versioning and application disaster recovery is an industry first.
"We are continuing to focus significant development effort on our core HMI/scada products that originated from both Intellution and GE Fanuc. We continue to deliver advanced functionality through integration with our Proficy components: Historian, Real-Time Information Portal, and Change Management, among others."
iFIX 4.0 delivers on operator productivity by offering canned functionality to drill into tag details, instantly trend variables, view enterprise data through hosted portal displays and deliver thin client connectivity to scada nodes through terminal services. Graphics tools deliver a variety of drawing productivity tools and advanced capabilities for 3D piping and connected object management.
iFIX 4.0 supports the latest technologies in:
Security
* Biometric connectivity for 21CFRPart11 electronic signatures.
* Encrypted networking between clients and servers.
* Authorised client connectivity.
Microsoft Products
* Integrated Microsoft VBA Version 6.4.
* iFIX iClient Support on Windows XP Tablet Edition.
iFIX 4.0 enhances support for FIX Desktop software. This enables users of FIX software to take advantage of the many advanced database and connectivity features of Proficy iFIX, while continuing to view and control their plant-wide processes in their existing graphics environment.
This simple add-on is transparent to an existing software infrastructure, allowing users to quickly and cost-effectively enhance their current HMI/scada investments without having to re-configure their system. Proficy iFIX with FIX Desktop represents a significant leap forward for users of both software technologies and reflects GE Fanuc's commitment to make advancements available to all its customers.
GE Fanuc has combined many of the latest features and the mainstream technology of Proficy iFIX with the traditional FIX Desktop that its customers have relied upon for more than 20 years - a convergence that can enhance existing user productivity and extend their capabilities, bringing this entire FIX software user base forward.
Available now, Proficy iFIX 4.0 with FIX Desktop allows users to:
* Get updated with the latest technology - FIX users can now experience many of the latest features of Proficy iFIX 3.5, including: new displays with ActiveX, OPC support, VBA and more; ODBC database and Historian connectivity; VisiconX relational database connectivity; and AB Productivity Pack.
* Implement quickly and cost effectively - no graphics conversion is required, helping users to keep their system up and running and eliminating the need for a costly re-configuration.
* Capitalise on proprietary FIX graphics - Proficy iFIX users now have access to the classic FIX graphic environment, which permits the launch of SPC, XY and histogram charts alongside the Proficy iFIX application with tools including FIX Draw, FIX View and History Trend Display.
* Continue to benefit from new enhancements - as Proficy iFIX continues to be enhanced and developed, FIX customers will be able to take advantage of future product improvements and migrate to a full upgrade quickly and easily, when desired.
About GE Industrial - GE Fanuc Automation division
The GE Fanuc Automation division of GE Industrial is a joint venture between GE and Fanuc of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, the GE Fanuc Automation division provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Industrial and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments.
For more information contact Daniel Coetzee, GE Fanuc Automation, 031 583 2602, [email protected]
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version