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Is the introduction to the configuration and the comparison of software written objectively? The configuration software – “Configure” – means “to set up,” “to configure,” or “to adjust.” It allows users to achieve the software functions they need in a simple manner, similar to building with blocks, without having to write computer programs; this is what is meant by “configuration.” Simply put, configuration software enables the monitoring and control of automation 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 the relevant personnel through various means, perform necessary analysis and processing on the information as well as store it, and issue control commands, among other things. ?The Instrument 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 more information. Introduction to several commonly used 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 offers 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 this series, Intellution offers powerful configuration capabilities, 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 within 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 operation method, but it is more geared towards programmers rather than industrial control users. Citech provides a scripting language similar to C for secondary development, but unlike iFix, its scripting 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 has built-in OPC support and can configure distributed systems. However, WinCC has a complex structure, and it is best for users to receive training from Siemens to master its use. 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’s Controx2000 is a full 32-bit configuration development platform that offers industrial control users powerful features 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: In terms of timeline, ForceControl by Daqing 3D is also one of the earlier configuration software programs to appear in China. It’s just that since early force control was never widely promoted as a commercial product, it remains unknown 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. However, until the release of the Windows 95 version of ForceControl, it was mainly used for some internal company projects. Version 1.0 of ForceControl in 32-bit format already exhibited considerable advancement in terms of architecture; one of its most notable features was its three-layer structure based on a truly distributed real-time database, with this real-time database structure being a configurable and dynamic one. Between 1999 and 2000, ForceControl 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. In addition, the company has invested significant resources in product training and user technical support; it is believed that within a short period of time, its control software products will have a major impact on the industrial control software industry. 8. GE’s Cimplicity is a human-machine interface and data acquisition and supervision control software launched 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 communication protocols for dozens of PLCs, such as Modbus, AB, Siemens, and so on. 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 interface, excellent HMI capabilities, Internet access, a gradual learning curve for development, and its ability to enable integration across the entire plant make it the most versatile SCADA system for factory automation. Wizcon facilitates communication between various levels within an enterprise as well as between different departments, allowing both operators and plant 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, designed for quickly creating and generating upper-level monitoring systems; it can run on operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000. Comparison of functions of several common configuration software programs 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 image to another; however, the inserted objects must be formatted accordingly, otherwise it may cause the system to crash. 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 screens; 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 functions 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. 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 report generation can only be accomplished with the help of other tools. Regardless of whether UO points are used or not, including global variables, they consume Tag points. The expansion of points is limited to analog input reading and bit-wise decomposition. It supports the search and replacement functions for configuration objects. In object composition, the configuration of the original individual objects disappears after combination, forcing a search for alternative approaches in state change design. WinCC: Its graphical functions are similar to those of InTouch; 16 colors can be used simultaneously in the palette. The library of graphics available is limited, and it does not support AutoCAD graphic formats. The number of bits that can be handled is also the same as in InTouch. Only analog values can be read, with bit-level decomposition possible. WinCC provides tools for performing bit operations, allowing for the reading of bits within analog values as well as the setting of alarms. It supports two-way OPC communication as well as ActiveX. 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 the need 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 related to TAG definition 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 functions of a C/S architecture software – it allows monitoring of all data points at remote nodes without the need to add any additional tags. It also enables the addition, modification, and deletion of database entries in remote nodes online, thus enabling true remote configuration. Therefore, remote dial-up is used to modify the on-site database display, and any changes to the databases at any nodes on the network are made entirely online, without the need for restarts. WinCC, InTouch, and Cimplicity have no remote configuration capability; only local configuration and network copying to remote nodes are possible. Any modifications made to database tags will take effect only after a reboot. Both iFDX and Cimplicity can be accessed over 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 associated products; as a result, the hardware they support (PLCs, DCS) is limited. iFIX and InTouch are based on Component Object Model technologies (COM, DCOM), and they have interfaces for almost all hardware used in industrial applications. Being developed by companies specialized in monitoring software, they are more practical for use in the field and offer better stability in terms of performance. Their communication design is very convenient, making it relatively easy to establish connections. 5) Management aspects – Security management: In terms of project management, it can meet the management requirements at an industrial production level; it involves level-based control aimed at operators. However, regarding the security protection of the operating system, if it’s not possible to reboot (e.g., when Ctrl+Alt+Del or the Windows key is disabled), iFIX configurations can be applied directly so that they take effect without needing to restart 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 features both a separate alarm manager and alarm controls; however, it does not provide zone-based management of alarms. InTouch and iFIX adopt a control configuration method, which is relatively more flexible. iFIX also provides a program for reading records of historical alarms, which includes records of login operations as well. Cimplicity, WinCC, and InTouch all have their own logs; both Cimplicity and iFIX have their own Alarm ODBC. Regarding reports: Since Cimplicity and iFIX have built-in VBA, and iFIX also features SQL language with full support for ADO and RDO, it is possible to easily access and manipulate common office software such as Office 97, as well as various database management systems 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 does not have direct database manipulation tools; it uses its own SQL functions to handle data input and output. The latter two are clearly less convenient than the first two when it comes to comprehensive management. Locking methods: iFIX uses a hardware dongle; InTouch uses a combination of a hardware dongle and software licenses (which can be copied); WinCC uses floppy disk authorization (which cannot be copied); Cimplicity employs algorithm-based 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 the tasks permitted by that authorization can be performed; WinCC allows for modifications for a limited period of time. Thank you!