Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellution s iFIX 3.

1.

Objective
Intellution continues its industry leadership role with the most flexible, productive and innovative solutions now added to the next generation of its SCADA product, iFIX 3.0. The iFIX 3.0 release represents advancements in many tools with the emphasis on two major objectives, data security and development efficiency. iFIX 3.0 builds upon the core functions of the iFIX SCADA system to provide data security and integrity. These enhancements can help both regulated and non-regulated industries take advantage of powerful electronic information collection and exchange, while maintaining the highest degree of confidence in the datas accuracy and validity. Additional features, wizards and tools have been added to the iFIX SCADA package to make it easier to create full-featured SCADA packages, which harness the powerful features available in iFIX. In this paper, the iFIX 3.0 features shall be reviewed and discussed. In addition, the use of these new features to build the most effective SCADA applications will be presented.

2.

Focus on Productivity
As Intellutions new release of the flagship SCADA system, iFIX 3.0 features a variety of new tools with an emphasis on productivity. Additionally, new security features will make implementations in a regulated environment possible.

2.1.

Data Integrity / Security

The new automated factory that had been envisioned for the 21st century is quickly becoming a reality. High-speed data collection and retention, tighter integration of plant floor application and business systems, and powerful analysis tools are already available. iHistorian from Intellution offers a world-class solution for the collection of process information. The new infoAgent web-based interface provides a portal for

analysis of data from multiple sources on the plant floor. With an organizations increased reliance on and desire to use electronic information, the security and integrity of this information has become a critical issue. Regulated industries have closely followed the FDAs 21 CFR Part 11 regulation as a guideline for implementing computerbased automation systems in this new environment. Intellution has added electronic signature capabilities to the iFIX SCADA system to provide additional data security. To track user changes, operational events and alarms, the iFIX ODBC alarm logger has been enhanced to become the complete system audit trail for the SCADA system. The integration of iFIX security to Windows has been made easier to manage with the use of a new tool called the Windows Security Synchronizer.

2.2.

Faster Development, Easier Management

The Intellution iFIX SCADA has the most powerful features and options of any comparable product on the market. Enabling users to take advantage of this power faster and more confidently was a chief objective of the new iFIX 3.0 release. Several new ease-of-use improvements have been added to iFIX, including: Create Picture Wizard Cross Reference Report Tool Multiple Object Creation Datalink Stamper Basic Animation Dialog InfoAgent Dynamo Virtual Keyboard Build Dynamo Wizard Chart Group Wizard New Software Support

3.

Achieving a High Degree of Data Integrity / Security

A major advancement in iFIX 3.0 includes tools and enhancements to provide security around data entry and collection. These new features were born out of Intellutions desire to provide the best technology to implement SCADA solutions in regulated industries. However, these new features can benefit any corporation that wants to achieve a high degree of data integrity through advanced security functionality.

3.1.

Tools to Achieve Compliance

iFIX 3.0 builds upon its core to provide the software automation tools needed to build compliant solutions faster and easier. The iFIX product includes a new electronic signature feature, which can be implemented on new iFIX solutions and even added to existing iFIX systems. Complimenting the electronic signature option are enhancements to the storage of alarms, events and electronic signatures in a compliant Audit Trail, using the iFIX ODBC alarm logger. The integration of iFIX security to Windows NT/2K security has also become easier with a new tool to synchronize user account information in Windows to iFIX.

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

3.1.1.

Implementing Electronic Signatures The iFIX electronic signatures are provided as a purchasable option, integrated into the iFIX process database. One of the keys to Intellutions approach to incorporating electronic signatures is the inclusion of this feature at the database tag level. Rather than drilling down through graphics or adding complex scripting to objects on each screen, the electronic signature is configured on the point requiring this verification and is then available whenever the point is displayed and used. This tag level integration of electronic signatures has several powerful implications, including: Integrating electronic signatures into your graphics designs, with the many options and styles of implementation, which vary from developer to developer, can be very difficult. The iFIX approach, which integrates the electronic signatures to tags in the process database, is far more disciplined and thus an easier place to manage the addition of electronic signatures. The electronic signature feature is activated any time a change is attempted on the tag value, from any graphic where the tag is used. iFIX will always exhibit the same behavior when the electronic signature tag is used. User accounts can be assigned the performed by and/or verified by privileges for executing signatures. Additionally, users can be assigned the right to execute an electronic signature against a data point by using iFIX security areas. The user must belong to the same security group that the data point is assigned to, in order to execute the electronic signature. The tag based approach allows for quicker and more accurate remediation of existing iFIX projects, where the existing process database can be exported, modified and then imported to add the electronic signature option. The electronic signature in iFIX is a combination of username and password. The username and password are defined in iFIX security. Note that iFIX security may be tied to Windows NT/2K/XP security, but this is not a requirement to use electronic signatures. User accounts or security groups containing user accounts are assigned one of two new privileges, Electronic Signature Performed By and Electronic Signature - Verified By. Additionally, user accounts should be assigned to one or more security areas, to define which tags the user can execute signatures and actions against.

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

Figure 1: Assigning the new Electronic Signature Privilege

You can configure an iFIX tag to prompt for a single username/password (performed by) and also for a second username/password (verified by). Points should be placed into security areas. The security areas function the same as in previous iFIX releases, restricting access to data changes to users who are assigned to the same security area as the tag to be changed. With electronic signatures, any user who wishes to make a change to a tag executes a successful performed by signature, and if that user is assigned to the same security area as the tag, the data change is permitted. 3.1.2. Electronic Signatures in Action When a user chooses to change a data point, through any data entry dialog (in line entry, sliders, etc.), the electronic signature dialog appears. The dialog presents the user with important information such as the current value of the data point, a brief description of the intended action and also an area to enter in a comment. The user may pick from a list of pre-configured comments or type in free form text. Only users who have been assigned the performed by security privilege can execute performed by signatures. To execute the signature, the user enters in his username and password. Note that the user can navigate the dialog using only the keyboard and the enter or tab key, enabling the possible use of a bar code gun. When two signatures are required , both the performed by and verified by signatures are presented side by side so that the user verifying the action can see what he/she is signing for. Users can be assigned both the performed by and verified by privileges; however, iFIX will require that the performed by and verified by signatures be different for a single action.

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

Figure 2: Performed By Signature

Figure 3: Performed By and Verified By Signature

After the first electronic signature is provided, subsequent signings only require the password of the user who made the first signing. This behavior will continue until another iFIX tool, the iFIX screen saver, logs off the node and ends the continuous signing session. The iFIX screen saver, like any screen saver, is activated by the operating system when a configurable period of inactivity has progressed. To demonstrate the flexibility of this tag-based approach, consider a scenario where electronic signatures are required on some occasions, but not others. In this instance, use the iFIX process database to create two tags, pointing to the same address. One tag should be configured with electronic signatures and configured with an operator accessible security area. The second tag, not requiring electronic signatures, should be configured without the electronic signature option. 3.1.3. Collecting Alarms and Events The iFIX ODBC alarm logger has been proposed in previous Intellution papers as the place to collect the events and information that would form the Audit Trail. The iFIX ODBC alarm logger can collect events such as changes to tags, security access or violations, and system events such as starting up or stopping the iFIX application. This would seem to be all the information required to complete the Audit Trail; however, there are a number of important pieces missing. The new enhancements to the iFIX 3.0 ODBC alarm logger add these pieces, making this tool a complete Audit Trail of all events that occur within the iFIX SCADA application.

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

The iFIX ODBC alarm logger is configured using the SCU utility. During configuration, you choose to configure and build a database table to contain the Audit Trail data. The configuration screen provides a list of fields you can select to store in your database table. You can check a field to add it to your table. There are also check boxes to add all fields or remove all fields. The checkbox Create Table on Startup allows the Alarm ODBC service to create the table in your database if it does not exist. Note that the Alarm ODBC service will have to login with a user account that has the privilege to create a table for this feature to work. The iFIX ODBC alarm logger adds new fields to store additional information. New Column Tag Description Operator Login Full Name Performed By User Name Performed By Full Name Performed By Comment Verified By User Name Verified By Full Name Verified By Comment Message ID Definition The database tags description text Full name of the user who is logged in at the node where the change was made User name of the person performing an action that requires an electronic signature Full name of the person performing an action that requires an electronic signature Comment entered by the person performing an action that requires an electronic signature User name of the person verifying an action that requires an electronic signature Full name of the person verifying an action that requires an electronic signature Comment entered by the person verifying an action that requires an electronic signature A message identifier (in binary form) that uniquely identifies the record.

Table 1: New Alarm ODBC Columns

A new message type has been added call the ESIGNATURE, that will be used by the ODBC alarm logger to identify electronic signature records captured by the program. The backup file used for store and forward function is now encrypted and will cache alarm and event records when the alarm logger ODBC service is paused or cannot establish a connection to the relational database. A process database tag may be optionally specified as a means of alerting the user through an alarm or graphic animation that the alarm logger is not connected to the database. The event description field, which in the past stored a text description of the event, has also been enhanced to include the users full name of the user

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

logged in to make the data change and also the current and previous values of the database tags. The final addition to the database is the addition of a unique message ID field. This field is useful to include in other custom database tables as a means to associating the event to the context of other information, such as a batch ID of the current batch running. 3.1.4. Synchronization to Windows Security Why integrate iFIX security to your Windows NT, 2000 or XP security configuration? One reason is that Windows security offers several features that can enhance iFIX security, such as the enforcement of password length and uniqueness and password lockout features. Another reason is ease of administration. Passwords for user accounts can be changed in the Windows security database and reflected on all iFIX nodes where the security is tied to that Windows user account. The new Windows Security Synchronizer adds powerful features this synchronization process. The Windows Security Synchronizer configures users iFIX application features and security areas in the Windows security database as local groups. User accounts defined in Windows are then included as members in these new local security groups. The synchronization of this information in the Windows security database is then pushed one way, from Windows to iFIX. The Windows Security Synchronizer does not update automatically, but rather must be run as a utility to apply changes from the Windows definition to iFIX and assure that security profiles are accurate.

3.2.

Quick Implementation
The new tools included in iFIX 3.0 are enhancements that are built around the existing iFIX architecture. These enhancements build on the strength of the iFIX product by using its flexible process database, ODBC Alarm and Event logger and integration to Windows security - all features which have existed since the first release of iFIX. 3.2.1. Upgrading the Process Database As mentioned before, the electronic signature feature is integrated into the process database and configured on a tag-by-tag basis. When upgrading your iFIX from previous releases, these fields are added automatically to your process database tags, while a backup of your process database is also created. While the fields are added automatically, electronic signatures are not. To add electronic signatures to existing or new applications you must first identify what tags and I/O changes require electronic signatures. Then you can add the electronic signatures to the tags directly in the Database Manager. While sorting through thousands of tags is indeed a daunting task, we will discuss a new cross reference tool later in this paper that can help make the process more efficient. The cross reference tool, which is new in iFIX 3.0, can help you to identify which tags are accessible on various application screens to apply electronic signatures to the right tags in the process database.

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

Figure 4: Configuring Electronic Signatures

3.3.

Strategies for Implementation

Implementing an automation project for a regulated environment is not a small undertaking, as many companies and engineering teams are discovering. The iFIX SCADA stands alone in the completeness of tools and options to provide the key features for compliance, secure audit trail, security configuration linked to the powerful Windows security engine, and electronic signature features. Before embarking on a project, it pays to use good engineering and lifecycle design practices and understand the requirements of your automation project before jumping into an implementation or even a remediation. 3.3.1. Identify Security Groups, Users, Security Areas Many of the demands of compliance can be satisfied with a well-designed security system. The security system should be easy to understand, having clearly defined levels and boundaries. The users of the system must be identified. The system features and functions must be identified and contrasted against these user groups. Identify what system functions and features require secure access. Ease the configuration of the user accounts by assigning them to one or more security groups. Assign system privileges to these security groups and the privileges become available to all users in the group. Finally, determine what areas of the system require restricted access and contrast those areas to the security groups. From there, you can create the system security areas to segregate system areas and access.

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

3.3.2.

Identify Parameters that Require Electronic Signatures Identifying the items that require signatures requires an analysis of your current process SOPs, GxP expectations and the use of the data the system generates. Batch control and operations may be items that require electronic signatures. Examples are the release of raw materials for production, verification of tank and equipment preparation, and batch start, stop, hold and abort actions. Additionally, some system setpoints and alarm ranges can be protected with electronic signatures.

3.3.3.

Implement the ODBC Alarm Logger The iFIX SCADA system can capture system alarms and system events. System events include user login and logout from the node, access to system features, system startup and shutdown and security violations. The Alarm ODBC Logger can be used to generate a system audit trail.

3.3.4.

Access to the Audit Trail Intellution provides the tools necessary to generate secure access to the system audit trail. Intellution offers the VisiconX tools for quick access to system data on iFIX screens. The VisiconX tools can be configured without scripting, linking to table data in the audit trail. The controls can also be integrated to other controls, like Microsofts Calendar Control to filter data by date. VisiconX offers a read only view of data in a table format that is easy to read and navigate. iFIX also offers the Crystal Reports runtime. Crystal Decisions Crystal Reports is a tool that can be used to build professional reports and charts. The runtime allows you to display, print and email reports within iFIX. Events that trigger Crystal Reports automatic printing are integrated into the iFIX system. Finally, iFIX also offers integration to Adobes Acrobat to generate an audit trail report in a persistable, read-only file format, the PDF. The PDF file can be distributed and archived easily.

Figure 5: Viewing the Audit Trail Events with VisiconX

Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

4.

Rapid Development
What tools would make developing SCADA applications faster, leaving engineers more time to concentrate on solving system design issues? This is the question the iFIX development team asked of themselves as they embarked on this latest release of the iFIX SCADA product, iFIX 3.0. As it turns out, there are several enhancements in iFIX 3.0 that can accelerate the implementation of your solution. These tools place the iFIX SCADA in a new class for productivity and user friendliness.

4.1.

Graphics
Because of the extensive level of detail required, building graphics is by far the most time consuming effort in SCADA development. iFIX 3.0 has an unprecedented number of tools that enable the quick and easy development of your graphics including animated links, dynamos and even support for ActiveX controls. New to iFIX 3.0 are additional wizards and tools to make it possible to use all the power of the iFIX product, in a fraction of time. 4.1.1. Create Picture Wizard The Create Picture wizard is a tool that helps you choose the layout of one or more pictures in your project. The wizard will allow you to quickly build an application with headers, footers, main displays and popups and allow you to manage the size and position of these windows faster than ever before. In iFIX 3.0, when you choose to create a new picture, the Create Picture wizard will appear. On the screen you are presented with different options for the type of picture to create. Create Picture(s) from a Predefined Configuration Create a Custom Picture Create a Default Untitled Picture

Figure 6: Create Picture Wizard 10 Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

4.1.1.1. Predefined Configuration You may choose from one or more predefined picture configurations. When you display the Create Picture Wizard, you are presented with a dialog that depicts the workspace layout of your pictures with representative window sizes and color-coding. This view gives you the opportunity to view the windows together before you actually have to make all of these windows. Most SCADA projects require one or more common windows displayed at any time during the applications run. Often, a common header and footer are displayed and it is the main body of the screen, between the header and footer, which varies graphically. The Create Picture Wizard provides the user with several configurations of windows that the user can browse through. There are several configurations of header, main and footer and additional samples that show a split screen with a left hand side toolbar type graphic. If the predefined window arrangements do not suit you, choose a window configuration that comes close to what your needs are and click the Modify Configuration button to customize the predefined configuration. The Modify Configuration dialog box will appear where you can change window dimensions. Make the modifications and return to the Choose Configuration page. Once you have established the picture(s) and their layout, click Next and the Select Filenames page will appear. Select which of the pictures in the configuration you want to create and specify filenames for those pictures. To disable a picture, clear the check box next to the generic name. Disabled pictures will not be created. For enabled pictures, enter a filename in the field next. 4.1.1.2. Custom Picture The custom picture selection allows you to specify the properties of a new picture to be created. There are two options presented for you to select, Use Specified Dimensions, where you may specify the size of the window to be created or Use Dimensions of Existing Picture, where you can choose to dimension your new window by selecting from a list of existing pictures. Once dimensions are chosen, click Next and define any custom attributes you would like the window to have. Finally, click next and provide a new filename for your picture. 4.1.1.3. Create Default Untitled When you select this option and then the Finish button, the wizard exits and creates the typical Untitled picture in the current size of your WorkSpace. This is the traditional behavior that iFIX used in previous releases, which essentially bypasses the wizard.

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

4.1.2.

Creating the Graphics Once the wizard has helped create the picture, there are several new features available in iFIX to make adding new objects easier than ever before. 4.1.2.1. Multiple Object Creation A new feature added to the iFIX development environment will allow you to choose an object and create multiple copies of it without having to reselect the object from the toolbar each time. To take advantage of this new option, double-click on the icon for the object in the toolbox. The button remains depressed, indicating that the multiple object creation feature is now enabled. Once you begin drawing an object, you can reposition and draw it again any number of times. When you are done with your drawings, press the ESC key or click on the depressed icon in the Toolbox to end the drawing session. This tool removes many unnecessary clicks and drags to make the creation of a complex graphic faster. Multiple creation mode is available for the following objects: Rectangles and rounded rectangles Straight lines and polygons Ovals Arcs Polygons Text Charts Bitmaps Current date and current time links 4.1.2.2. Data Link Stamper The data link stamper is not new to iFIX. What is new, however, is that you can now specify the source of data and format before specifying the position of the data link. When you click on a data link icon in the Toolbar, the dialog appears to choose the data link tag or tag group source. After you have completed your choices, the data link stamper icon appears and allows you to position the data link with the mouse. When you click on the graphic, the data link is displayed at the point of your click. The size of the data link is based on both your source selection and the user preference font. 4.1.2.3. Basic Animation Dialog After the Multiple Object Creation feature has been used to create four ovals to represent our process areas, we need to animate these objects. In the past we would need to hunt through many layers of tabbed dialogs to find the settings we needed, for each object, but in

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

iFIX 3.0, the lauded Animation Dialog has been brought over from FIX32 and updated. For users of FIX32, this dialog will appear as it always has. For new users, it will dramatically simplify your understanding of the options available to you when you add animations to an object. The dialog is organized into different key animation features, each with a set of command buttons and check boxes to enable these animation features. Color choose the source for foreground, edge or background color of the selected object Movement choose the source for position, scaling and object rotation Fill choose a source for determining object fill Visibility choose a source for object visibility

Figure 7: Basic Animation Dialog

Choose the command wizard button to add scripting to the click event of the object. You can choose from several canned global functions that are presented by the wizard in a selectable list. Acknowledge Alarm Acknowledge All Alarms Alarm Horn Close Digital Tag Close Picture Disable Alarm

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

 Enable Alarm Locate Alarm Open Digital Tag Open Picture Print Crystal Report Ramp Tag Value Replace Picture Set Tag Auto Set Tag Manual Toggle Digital Tag Toggle Tag Auto/Manual Toggle Tag Scan State Turn Tag Off Scan Turn Tag On Scan Write Value to Tag Double-click one of the choices in the list to choose the function to be the default behavior on the click event. Advanced users of iFIX can be assured that all of the powerful animation features and object events that were available in previous iFIX releases are still available in iFIX 3.0. On the Basic Animation Dialog, click the configure button under the advanced animations selection. The iFIX animation dialog displays as the more traditional iFIX tabbed dialog known to most iFIX users. This dialog provides the user with every option in every detail to allow the developer to finely tune the animation. 4.1.2.4. Build Dynamo Wizard Once objects have been created and animations have been applied, it is time to save the graphic. Intellution iFIX 3.0 now allows users to save their objects as dynamos using the new Build Dynamo Wizard. This wizard will allow you to save one or more graphics as dynamos in a dynamo set. Sets of dynamos from previous releases of iFIX are still available. Now, however, you have the power to transfer your favorite graphics using a dynamo for this function. Dynamo sets exist in files that you create and save. These files can be copied, just like pictures and tag groups, and distributed to multiple systems. 4.1.3. Using the Chart Group Wizard The iFIX SCADA is supplied with a Trend Chart Control that allows a user to present a trend display in an iFIX picture. The trend display can show either real time data from the iFIX process database or from the iFIX historian. The trend display has several property pages, available both during screen design and run time, to choose the pens to display, along with their scaling, color and other features. New to iFIX 3.0 is the Chart Group Wizard, which allows you to save multiple pen configurations to files and reapply those configurations.

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

This new feature allows you to create very flexible trend displays using a single trend object. You can allow the users of your application to choose from a prebuilt set of chart group files or allow them to create, modify and save their own trend displays. When you consider that for every process and for every user a different set of data or different view of that data becomes important, this new tool dramatically increases the power and flexibility of the trend display in iFIX.

4.2.

Data Entry Options

Space and environment on the plant floor are seldom supportive of the traditional keyboard and mouse, and as a result, they are often unavailable there. The iFIX 3.0 SCADA application adds a new configurable popup keyboard display that provides a flexible data entry option alternative to the hardware equivalent. 4.2.1. On Screen Keyboard Popup The new On Screen Keyboard is a separate application, MYTSOFT.EXE. The keyboard application can be started without iFIX, and the keyboard display shows the standard 101 key keyboard with additional features. The keyboard display is configurable. The user can choose to display an 88 key display by hiding the number keypad. Keys can be moved using the edit feature. The keyboard size can be changed (increased or decreased). The many powerful configuration options allow you to control the appearance and real estate used by the keyboard and display the keyboard you need for your application. The ability to size the keyboard allows you to create the keyboard keys at the right size to be used in any touch-screen environment. The large minimize button on the keyboard allows you to hide the keyboard. Whenever the keyboard is minimized, you will notice a keyboard icon will appear in the upper right hand corner of your application window. You can click this icon to display the virtual keyboard again. The keyboard icon will appear on any active window for any application. Unlike previous data entry options, the new On Screen Keyboard is not just limited to iFIX SCADA applications. Once activated, the On Screen Keyboard is available to every application on the machine. This allows you to use iFIX with any applications on the machine and offer your operators a consistent data entry tool for all applications.

Figure 8: Virtual Keyboard

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

4.3.

Web Integration
The iFIX application was built to support Microsofts ActiveX component technology. With this support, users have always been able to embed Microsofts Internet Explorer application in an iFIX picture to display pages from the Internet or corporate Intranet. Still, the inclusion of this ActiveX is not trivial and to build in navigation buttons and program the correct URL address can be difficult. With our increasing use of Web technology in the new infoAgent tool, Intellution is now making the integration of web content into an iFIX application as simple as drag and drop with the infoAgent Dynamo. 4.3.1. infoAgent Dynamo The new dynamo allows you to include web content on any iFIX screen. That web content can include browsable infoAgent screens, HTML reports from Intellutions iDowntime software, or any other web page. Simply drag and drop the infoAgent dynamo from its dynamo folder. You will be prompted to enter your URL address, which can be either derived from a local file path or from an HTTP web server. Finally, position the dynamo the way you want on the screen. With the increasing importance in integrating web-based information, this new dynamo will see plenty of use in SCADA systems, now and in the future.

Figure 9: infoAgent Dynamo

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

4.4.

Managing the Application

During development of any medium or large size SCADA system, the task of recording what links are used on what screens, scripts and schedules can be daunting. Good documentation and management in the early stages of your project can mitigate some of this effort. However, how can you evaluate what level of completion you and your engineering team have achieved midway through your projects schedule? Moreover, developing good testing documentation is still necessary and when you actually sit down to test the system and record the test results, how long is this testing going to take? When must every link be verified? Fortunately, a new tool is included with the iFIX 3.0 SCADA, the Cross Reference Report Tool. 4.4.1. Cross Reference Report Tool The Cross Reference Report Tool provides several powerful options. It will allow you to locate every data source in the selected picture, or every object in the selected picture, or the occurrence of a data point in one or more pictures. The Cross Reference Tool can be used to document a system, provide verification of system screen and scripts during testing and to quickly troubleshoot a system. You can activate the Cross Reference Report Tool by double clicking the tool name off the root of the system tree display. When you select the Cross Reference Report Tool, the new Cross Reference Report window is displayed and the Quick Find dialog is displayed. While the Quick Find dialog is displayed you may select one or more pictures displayed on the main window in the object display tree. The Quick Find dialog provides check boxes for the three main options: Picture Cross Reference Finds all tags contained in the selected picture, schedule, User Global, or object. Tag Cross Reference Finds a specific tag, tag substitution, or symbol in the selected picture, schedule, User Global, or object and all Tag Group Definition files. Enter the string in the Tag Cross Reference field or click the Browse (...) button to open the Expression Editor. Objects Cross Reference - Finds all objects within the selected object. To search for specific objects, enter any filter string that would be found in the Object, Property, Resolved, or Tag Group File columns in the Find What field. To find all objects, leave the Find What field empty or enter <ALL>.

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

Figure 10: Quick Find, Cross Reference Report

With each choice, you can apply several report options: Resolve with Tag Group File If the selected picture or object contains Tag Group symbols, this option resolves those symbols by attempting to match symbols with the Tag Group Definition file and find all substitutions. This option is available for all Report types. Include VBA Scripts Allows the Cross Reference Tool to search through scripts within the selected picture for the tag(s). Both the Picture and Tag reports return the tag, if found, but the Object Report returns all lines of script. Add Summary Report Adds a summary to the end of the report detailing the number of objects, number of tags, and the VBA project reference information. After you have completed making your choices, click the Find button. The dialog disappears and a status bar appears, displaying the percentage to completion as the wizard analyzes your application. In addition to the Quick Find dialog, the Report Wizard display allows you to setup your report with more flexibility. Like the Quick Find Dialog, the Report Wizard allows you to choose the three report types, but an additional tab allows you to select multiple files to search through when the report generates. You can change the order of the search hierarchy by selecting the appropriate file and clicking the up and down arrow buttons on the dialog.

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

By default, the results of the analysis are displayed in the Cross Reference Tool screen. Additionally, options are available to allow you to Save Report to File or Print Report, automatically upon generation. Of course, you can save the report or print it from the screen as well.

Figure 11: Cross Reference Results

5.

Integration Support for the Latest Tools

The iFIX 3.0 release includes support for the latest versions of software.

5.1.

Support for Windows XP, 2000 and NT

iFIX 3.0 supports Windows XP (Professional Edition), Windows 2000 (Professional, Server and Advanced Server) and Windows NT (Workstation and Server). For Windows 2000 Terminal Server, the terminal service features are also supported by iFIX, allowing you to deploy thin clients that can access an iFIX application running on the server.

5.2.

SQL Option for SQL Server 2000

The SQL option that can enable the database blocks for logging iFIX data, based on events or time will now support Microsofts SQL Server 2000 release. The SQT/SQD blocks are receiving renewed popularity as a tool to log process data and event data to a relational database for creation of electronic batch records.

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Designing SCADA/HMI Applications with Intellutions iFIX 3.0

5.3.

Crystal Reports
Intellution continues its support and integration of the most popular tool for Windows reporting, Crystal Decisions Crystal Reports. The latest release of Crystal Reports, version 8.5, includes new features for report development and web support. iFIX will now support reports created with Crystal Reports 8.5 and continues to include the custom VBA events that can be used to print reports automatically.

6.

Conclusion
Intellutions iFIX 3.0 provides key advancements in data security, integrity and development efficiency. The iFIX SCADA incorporates support for capturing electronic signatures to validate data point changes. The electronic signatures provide the features necessary to help create 21 CFR Part 11 compliant applications using the iFIX SCADA package. Electronic signatures are built upon the sound security features already included in iFIX (application privileges for performed by or verified by signings, security area assignments, and optional integration to Windows security). Electronic signatures are applied to the process database tags, not the graphics, making any implementation manageable. The Alarm ODBC Logger has been enhanced to provide store and forward features and several additional fields to create a complete and reliable audit trail. The management and synchronization of iFIX security linked to Windows has become easier with the Windows security Synchronizer. The Cross Reference Report Tool provides a powerful way to troubleshoot and document graphics and scripts. Graphic development enhancements have been added, including the Multiple Object Creation Mode, Datalink Stamper, Basic Animation Dialog, Build Dynamo Wizard, Chart Group Wizard, Create Picture Wizard. These enhancements extend the power of the iFIX SCADA features, making it easier to implement SCADA solutions. Virtual Keyboard integration allows you to build SCADA solutions for touch screen environments. The infoAgent Dynamo allows you to integrate infoAgent displays into the iFIX system. infoAgent is Intellutions web-based trending and analysis solution, providing remote access to multiple sources of information. This release of iFIX represents a major transition of the SCADA product, from visualization and control of plant automation, to information aggregation. The iFIX SCADA product, which can be used to develop an environment that is compliant with important regulatory requirements, is now the tool that will allow the plant floor to be leveraged as a competitive advantage in the 21st century.

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