SCADA Developer Network

Two most wanted new features are included in this release and they are SQL driver and Tag Expression which were also announced in Beta news earlier. As usual, this public release also addressed several minor issues, so be sure to download a copy and enjoy greater stability and features.

You will be amazed by the power & versatility of Tag Expression.

Now you can integrate run-time tag with any database table entry like a breeze.

Windows shell explorer has slightly amended to tackle change of action problem upon re-installation.

We would also like to take this opportunity to alert user to avoid using Security Level which we planned to totally supersede by using Security Label. This is in conjunction with our goal to support more sophisticated but simplified security user system, we will remove security level from IntegraXor but concentrate on enhancing Security Role/Label with more versatile security control. Please avoid to use security level but use only security label to avoid future compatibility issue. If your existing project have already used security level, please write to us so we will help to upgrade your project.

Unlike many SCADA system only supports proprietary database system, IntegraXor once again open up another channel to integrate with external database system via SQL Driver. This driver is a little special as it’s not communicating with hardware devices but to a rational SQL database system that supports ODBC, by associating a specific database table column with a real-time I/O tag.

User only require to enter a very simple syntax to query the database, the same syntax can be used to query across any databases with ODBC driver, so user only need to learn once for all. Furthermore, user can choose to enter the syntax directly or use the built-in builder to click through a few options to compose the needed syntax. Download this gift that we managed to wrap in the very last minute before long holiday. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Raw data scaling has been highly demanded, although it can be accomplished via script. We always want to go extra miles to provide more than basic scaling, as such we are combining scaling and scripting into one, which is Logical Expression.

Performing scaling is straightforward, the UI needed is nothing more than a column for user to enter a numerical factor. However, scripting is more than mathematics, allowing linkage to other tags can be even more complicated. So combining two capabilities into one column can be quite challenging as we don’t want to add any difficulty for new user who just want to do a basic scaling. As such we have spent a very big effort in designing the UI to ensure it’s friendly and enticing as what can be seen in this release.

Note that the automatically switching mechanism is our effort to make user learn the hidden feature by accident. We are trying to hint that the $ sign is representing the raw source value. This technique is quite effective, some internal beta users started asking if they can replace the multiplication sign by minus or any mathematic operation? The answer is absolutely YES, not only user may enter any mathematical operator, but may also able to enter any logical operators. Read more in the user guide, or grab a copy to explore this feature.

The public release has finally released. Below is the summary of features again from previous Release Candidates.

• More flexible localized number formating. (#.##0,0###)
• Completely powerful expression. ($PressAbs ? 1.01325 : 1)
• Auto complete for Project Editor data entry.
• Redundant Network.
• Multiple connections to database for faster access.
• GUI for menu configuration.

The only feature that we haven’t introduced in previous Release Candidates but very obvious to user is that we have now added GUI for Menu Configuration in Project Editor. And it’s totally compatible with previous release. Yes, pretty soon you will see more GUI for existing configurations like Trending & Alarm, stay tuned.

We have spent lots of time on improving database performance. One of the technique applied is multiple/concurrent connections. You may find that browsing through trending data is now more responsive. Unfortunately concurrent connections is not supported by MS Access flat file database, as such we have added retry sequence for any failed transaction, but using MS Access for production database is not a reliable approach and it’s not recommended.

Be reminded again that commercially we were requested by our distributors to shorten the demo period from 2 days to 2 hours due to piracy problem. However, you may ask for longer runtime period from sales@integraxor.com if you need longer testing period.

Further from previous RC preview, now we are showing another exciting feature for user exploration: Network Redundancy. This feature added network/communication reliability without needing any additional programming work. All user needs to do is to configure the alternative communication path/link, and IntegraXor will take care of the rest, especially on tags handling.

The network configuration can be done for dual physical device redundancy.

Cost effective configuration also can be achieved on multiple ports device.

Our innovative SCADA designers have again come out with a simple yet friendly approach in configuration. The concept is truly designed based on the array of devices. So the naming is also based on the simbolic character in programming that indicating array namespace, square bracket: []. The best thing is there’s nothing added to clutter the existing user interface, and hence will not confuse new user but it’s always there and can be called out when it’s being invoked. Grab a copy of RC 3.70.4173 and check it out! All you need to do is to give an array of device a same name with array number like this: MyPLC[1] & MyPLC[2].

On the other hand, we have an announcement that we were forced to shorten the demo period from 2 days to 2 hours due to piracy problem that complaint by our distributors. We may implement this anytime soon in the next official release. However, you may request for longer runtime period from sales@integraxor.com if you need longer testing period.