A comparison of several commonly used configuration software; experts, please add more information!

Thread Content

The term “Configure” in configuration software means “to configure”, “to set up”, or “to arrange”. It refers to the process by which users can achieve the desired software functions through a simple, “building-block-like” approach, without having to write any computer programs. This is what is known as “configuration”. In simple terms, configuration software enables the monitoring and control of automated processes and equipment. It can collect various types of information from automated processes and equipment, display this information in more understandable formats such as graphics, transmit important information to relevant personnel through various means, perform necessary analysis, processing, and storage of the information, and issue control commands, etc. The Instrumentation & Control Engineering Network has compiled introductions and comparisons of several commonly used configuration software programs provided by netizens. Everyone is welcome to discuss and add to this information. Introduction to several common configuration software: 1. InTouch: Wonderware’s InTouch software was one of the first configuration software products to enter China. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the InTouch software based on Windows 3.1 was a refreshing experience, and it offered a rich library of graphics. However, the earlier versions of InTouch used DDE to communicate with drivers, resulting in poor performance; the latest version, InTouch 7.0, is entirely based on the 32-bit Windows platform and provides OPC support. 2. iFix: Intellution began as a company specializing in Fix configuration software; it was acquired by Emerson in 1995 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Emerson Group. The Fix6.x software offers concepts and user interfaces familiar to industrial control professionals, along with comprehensive drivers (which must be purchased separately). Intellution has named its latest product series iFiX; in iFiX, Intellution offers powerful configuration features, but the new version is not fully compatible with previous 6.x versions. The original Script language has been replaced with VBA (Visual Basic For Application), and Microsoft’s VBA development environment is integrated into it. Unfortunately, Intellution does not provide a tool for converting version 6.1 script language to VBA. In iFiX, Intellution’s products are tightly integrated with Microsoft’s operating systems and networks. Intellution is also one of the founding members of the OPC (OLE for Process Control) organization. iFiX’s OPC components and drivers also need to be purchased separately. 3. Citech: Citech from CiT is also a product that entered the Chinese market relatively early. Citech features a simple operating method; however, this method is geared more toward programmers rather than industrial control users. Citech provides a script language similar to C for secondary development, but unlike iFix, its script language is not object-oriented; rather, it is similar to C, which undoubtedly makes secondary development more difficult for users. 4. WinCC: Siemens’ WinCC is also a comprehensive configuration and development environment; Siemens provides C-like scripts along with a debugging environment. WinCC includes OPC support and enables the configuration of distributed systems. However, the structure of WinCC is relatively complex; it is advisable for users to undergo Siemens training in order to master the application of WinCC. 5. KingView: KingView is the first and most influential configuration software development company in China (most earlier brands have disappeared). KingView provides a file manager-style main operation interface, as well as script language support that uses Chinese characters as keywords. KingView also provides a variety of hardware drivers. 6. Controx (Kaiwu): Huafu Computer Company’s Controx2000 is a full 32-bit configuration development platform that offers industrial control users powerful functions for real-time curves, historical curves, alarms, data reports, and summaries. As one of the earliest software developers in China to join the OPC organization, Controx has built-in OPC support and offers dozens of high-performance drivers. It provides an object-oriented scripting language compiler, supports plug-and-play for ActiveX components and plugins, and enables connection to external databases via ODBC. Controx provides both network support and WevServer functionality. 7. ForceControl: ForceControl developed by Daqing 3D is, in terms of timing, one of the configuration software solutions that appeared in China quite early on. It’s just that force control was not widely promoted as a formal product in the early days, so it is not well-known to most people. Around 1993, the first version of Logic Control was developed, though it was still a version based on DOS and VMS at that time. Later, with the popularity of Windows 3.1, a 16-bit Windows version of ForceControl was developed. But until the release of ControlDesk for Windows 95, it was mainly used for some internal company projects. The 1.0 version of ForceControl under 32-bit systems already exhibited considerable architectural advancements. One of its most significant features is its three-tier structure based on a truly distributed real-time database; moreover, the structure of this real-time database is configurable and flexible. Between 1999 and 2000, LianKong achieved significant development; its latest version 2.0 saw substantial improvements in terms of functional features, usability, openness, and the number of I/O drivers available. In the design of many aspects, ForceControl takes domestic users into consideration, focusing on practicality while still adhering to the standards of a professional software. Furthermore, the company has invested considerable resources in product training and user technical support; it is believed that, in a relatively short period of time, its control software products will have a significant impact on the industrial control software industry. 8. GE’s Cimplicity is a human-machine interface and data acquisition and supervision control software developed by GE Fanuc in the United States, capable of providing enterprise-level solutions. The CIMPLICITY system is a modular software structure that consists of a software core, basic systems, optional modules, and device communication components. An important feature of the CIMPLICITY system is its ability to support multiple platforms. The computer hardware systems on which CIMPLICITY can run include personal computers with Intel series microprocessors, DEC Alpha workstations, HP-9000 series systems, IBM PowerPC, IBM RS-6000, and DEC VAX, among other types. The computer operating systems it can support include the latest popular 32-bit Windows versions such as Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 95 ； UNIX systems and VMS systems, etc. 9. RSView Supervisory Edition is a human-machine interface software released by Rockwell Automation, based on the Windows 2000 operating system. It is used to monitor, control, and obtain data on all production operations across an entire enterprise. 10. NI Lookout is the most user-friendly industrial automation configuration software on the market! With Lookout, it is easy to monitor industrial processes and collect data. Lookout supports dozens of PLC communication protocols, such as Modbus, AB, and Siemens, among others. Lookout also supports OPC communication. Lookout can also integrate seamlessly with NI’s hardware product FieldPoint. The file is large; it is only suitable for a width of 11. Wizcon is an advanced SCADA application development tool that system integrators use to create sophisticated applications for various industrial fields. Wizcon’s highly user-friendly graphical user interface, excellent HMI capabilities, Internet access, a step-by-step development process, and factory-wide integration capabilities make it the most versatile SCADA system for factory automation. Wizcon enables communication between various levels within an enterprise as well as with other departments, allowing operators and factory managers to access various types of data. Managers can obtain real-time data in the office using a familiar operating environment and query tools. In fact, as an open system, Wizcon allows users to combine different hardware and software components to create comprehensive automation solutions that help protect existing investments while improving productivity and product quality. 12. MCGS (Monitor and Control Generated System) is a configuration software developed by Tongtai Software Company. It is a configuration software system based on the Windows platform, used for quickly creating and generating upper-level monitoring systems, and it can run on operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000. Comparison of functions of several common configuration software 1) Graphic functions: Cimplicity has the most powerful graphic functions, with a rich variety of graphics in its library. It supports color gradients for objects from one screen to another; however, the inserted objects must be formatted accordingly, otherwise it may cause system crashes. One image per process; running the script is multi-threaded, so although the images are large, the execution speed is fast. It features object-linked copying, which allows, similar to MIX, avoiding multiple modifications when the same object appears in multiple scenes; however, it has the drawback that the master template must be in an active state at runtime. Editing is separated from execution; there are independent programs for alarm management and historical trend analysis. VBA is embedded within it, with its own internal functions as well as a wide range of VB functions. The way VBA is organized differs from conventional usage methods. ActiveX and OLE insertion are supported, but certain properties of controls have been locked down. The expansion capabilities of points are as powerful as those in iFIX; the unlimited number of virtual variables does not consume any points. However, it is difficult to set alarms for expanded points, and there are issues with outputs, while historical records work fine. It supports multi-condition configuration, providing an excellent solution for configuration schemes. InTouch: It supports ActiveX controls, but lacks error protection for third-party controls; it features a limited set of internal functions for common monitoring tasks, while more complex functions such as reporting can only be accomplished with the help of other tools. Whether it is a UO point or not, including global variables, they occupy Tag points; the expansion of these points is limited to analog input and bit-wise decomposition. Supports the find and replace functions for configuration objects. In object composition, the configurations of the original individual objects disappear after they are combined, necessitating alternative approaches in the design of state transitions. WinCC: Its graphics capabilities are similar to those of InTouch. There are 16 colors that can be used simultaneously in the palette. The provided library of graphics is limited, and it does not support AutoCAD graphic formats. The expansion of the number of points is also the same as in InTouch; only analog input is supported, with bit-level decomposition. WinCC offers publicly available bit manipulation functions, allowing users to read bits within analog data and set up alarms accordingly. It also features bidirectional OPC support and ActiveX compatibility. Using an internal language, the environment is similar to C. This also makes it easy to expand its functions. 2) Data point management: All of them provide a unified environment for defining data points. InTouch and Cimplicity offer only a limited number of data types, but Cimplicity provides sampling techniques for monitoring points. WinCC has a relatively larger range of data types, while iFIX offers the most diverse set of data types, including many pre-built function blocks such as history blocks, trend blocks, calculation blocks, PID blocks, and timing blocks. This allows tasks such as calculating equipment operation time and performing data conversions to be carried out without having to do so on the screen. Additionally, iFIX provides more than a dozen signal generators, which are very useful during debugging and make it convenient to carry out various tasks. In the 4 software programs, data point management in iFIX operates independently of the display interface, reflecting real-time information from the field. Once the data points are set, they immediately reflect the status on site (provided that communication is successful). Cimplicity also provides an information platform for viewing checkpoints; it can be used to monitor the status of checkpoints during operation, and to view checkpoint configuration information during editing, thereby enabling the replacement of configurations. Both iFIX and Cimplicity provide input and output functions for data management libraries; they allow TAG information to be exported to Excel, a spreadsheet program that is very convenient for use. It is easy to carry out the complicated tasks of defining TAG points in Excel, after which the data can be imported back into the database. 3) Network functions: All of these monitoring software solutions have network capabilities, but their performance varies. WinCC, Cimplicity, and InTouch are based on projects, and they search for items using project names on the network; OX is based on nodes, using node names for searching. WinCC, Cimplicity, and InTouch require parameter settings, whereas iFIX can automatically locate network nodes as long as there is a physical connection, eliminating the need for manual settings. It is the first Client/Server HMI software that possesses all the features of C/S architecture software, allowing monitoring of all data points at remote nodes without the need to add any tags. It also enables the addition, modification, and deletion of database entries in remote nodes online, thus truly enabling remote configuration. Therefore, remote dial-in modification of the on-site database interface allows for changes to any database node on the network in a completely online manner, without the need for restarts. WinCC, InTouch, and Cimplicity lack remote configuration capabilities; they only support local configuration and network copying to remote nodes. Any changes made to the database settings must be restarted for them to take effect. Both iFDX and Cimplicity can be accessed via the Internet using the IE browser. 4) Communication functions: WinCC and Cimplicity are monitoring software packages developed by Siemens and General Electric respectively for use with their respective products; therefore, the range of supported hardware (PLCs, DCS) is limited. iFIX and InTouch, on the other hand, are based on Component Object Model technology (COM/DCOM), and offer interfaces for almost all types of industrial hardware. These are companies specializing in monitoring software, making their products more suitable for on-site use, with greater stability in practical applications. Their communication design is very convenient, making it relatively easy to establish connections. 5) Management aspects: Safety management – In terms of project management, it meets the requirements for level-based management in industrial production; it provides level control for operators. However, regarding the security protection of the operating system, features such as the inability to restart the system (with Ctrl Alt Del or the Windows key locked), can still be implemented through direct iFIX configuration, allowing the changes to take effect without restarting the software. Other software has more complex operations and settings, and it also requires the system to be restarted in order to function. Alarm management: GE’s Cimplicity offers the most comprehensive alarm functions, as it comes with a separate alarm manager and alarm controls; however, it does not provide zone-based management of alarms. InTouch and iFIX use a control configuration approach, which is relatively more flexible. iFIX also provides a program for reading historical alarm records; this includes records of login operations as well. Cimplicity, WinCC, and InTouch all have their own logging capabilities; Cimplicity and iFIX also have their own Alarm ODBC functions. In terms of reporting: Since Cimplicity and iFIX have built-in VBA support, and iFIX also supports the SQL language as well as ADO and RDO, they can effectively access and operate with commonly used office software such as Office 97, as well as general database software like SQL Server, Access, Oracle, and FoxPro. WincC, on the other hand, uses Sybase’s SQL Anywhere as its ODBC component and relies solely on this product. InTouch has no direct database manipulation tools; it uses its own SQL functions to handle data input and output. The latter two are clearly less convenient for comprehensive management compared to the former two. Locking method: iFIX uses a hardware dongle, InTouch combines a hardware dongle with software licenses (copyable), WinCC relies on disk-based licensing (non-copyable), and Cimplicity uses algorithmic control. Due to the poor stability of the operating system software itself, damaged license disks and system crashes can cause a great deal of trouble for designers and those who use the system in practice. With the floppy disk authorization method, once authorized, only tasks within the scope of that authorization can be performed; WinCC allows for modifications for a limited period of time.