New web-based visualisation software offers cloud computing in parallel with existing SCADA systems

Phil Black - PII Editor 15/11/2011

134 3 minutes read

New web-based visualisation software offers cloud computing in parallel with existing SCADA systems — software

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New web-based process visualisation software is now available that offers users a genuine cloud computing solution that runs standalone or in parallel with an existing, site-standard SCADA system. The software provides an unlimited number of web clients and is cost effective to implement and expand due to add-on software modules.

Available in the UK from M.A.C Solutions (UK) Ltd, WEBfactory 2010 everywhere is a process visualisation/HMI software suite that is fully compatible with Microsoft platforms for web-based visualisation, control and monitoring of industrial process plant and machinery.

Users can choose to display visualisation pages in any web browser, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari. WEBfactory is vector-based and so automatically adjusts to the screen resolution of the customer’s individual HMI. The software runs on Microsoft Silverlight and does not use ActiveX or JAVA applets, which improves application security significantly.

The software is available in three editions: WEBfactory 2010 CE for individual machines; WEBfactory 2010 Embedded for small and medium-sized machines and installations; and WEBfactory 2010 Advanced and Ultimate for large machines and installations.

As Dennis Price, Product Manager at M.A.C Solutions (UK) Ltd comments: “WEBfactory is not just another SCADA system but is the world’s first genuine web-based visualisation system and cloud computing solution for SCADA systems, but which can also be installed as a standalone SCADA system, providing all of the added benefits that a SCADA system offers. We are therefore very excited to be able to offer this software to our UK customer base. The software is very cost effective for the customer because they only buy what they require at that time. The user can then expand the software over time in a practical, cost effective manner by means of modular software add-ons.”

WEBfactory offers a number of unique advantages for the end user. All applications run over the Internet and require no separate installation on the display device and therefore no change to the existing IT infrastructure (Firewall or Router).

WEBfactory is also 100% ActiveX and JAVA-free. ActiveX controls and JAVA applets are often seen by IT departments as potential risks in terms of IT security and so are often blocked by security settings. WEBfactory operates entirely free of these components, providing improved operational safety and application security.

Regardless of the screen resolution of the customer’s HMI displays, WEBfactory is vector-based and so automatically adjusts to the screen resolution of the machine installation.

All editions of WEBfactory include WEBfactory Studio, which is used for connecting the control system to field level and for administration of process variables and signals, as well as setting up parameters for alarm management, fault reporting, historical data and trending.

Also included is WEBfactory Smart Editor, which simplifies the professional design process, enabling the user to quickly assign (via drag-and-drop) parameters to the machine installation for improved page visualisation. No special skills or programming knowledge is required here.

WEBfactory Symbol Libraries provides users with a comprehensive library of symbols and animated graphics. Templates can be saved in the library and reused or adjusted for subsequent installations, saving valuable design time for the user.

Importing data and graphics from existing systems is also straightforward. WEBfactory supports almost all graphics file formats, including AutoCAD drawings and Adobe Illustrator files. All graphics files are converted to XAML format and can be animated or viewed as 3D models directly in WEBfactory.

WEBfactory Tools is also included in every edition, providing analysis functions for communicating information to field level and to individual operator stations.

Interfaces to all common PLC controllers are available in WEBfactory. Add-on interfaces are provided via OPC DA/XML/UA, Modbus TCP/RTU, Siemens RK512/3964R, BACnet and other native drivers.

“WEBfactory supports multi-user management, ensuring modular access rights up to the signal level,” states Dennis Price. “There’s also detailed alarm management, which means that parameters can be assigned to critical process events, as operational or alarm messages, then prioritised, filtered and acknowledged manually or automatically. Data transmission is fast and secure using fully event-controlled transaction algorithms. In addition, visualisation projects can be saved in all Unicode languages and switched online during operation.”

WEBfactory also provides comprehensive reporting software. Using WEBfactory’s ReportingPro software, aggregated process and system data, which is stored in a Microsoft SQL database, can be made available to users with the appropriate access rights via a web browser. These reports can be tailored to suit the individual, in the form of dynamic graphs and/or numerical analysis reports. Historical process data and trending is also possible. All historical data and reports can be exported in Excel, PDF, HTML or RTF format.

For more information on WEBfactory, please visit the M.A.C Solutions website at www.mac-solutions.co.uk or telephone 01527 592999 or email sales@mac-solutions.co.uk