Visualisation product improves easy use

Proficy Change Management version 5.7 allows users to gain control over changes to their iFIX systems.

GE Fanuc Automation has released Proficy HMI/Scada - iFIX 4.5, providing monitoring, control and data management for companies worldwide.

This new version of the visualisation product addresses a wide range of customer-identified needs, including reliability andease of use, while adding more power and flexibility.

Proficy Change Management version 5.7 allows users to gain control over changes to their iFIX systems, enhances security, helps manage the application development life cycle and provides the ability to recover quickly from disasters.

Enhancements in this latest release provide even more detailed reporting capabilities to ensure the system integrity is maintained.

"Proficy HMI/Scada - iFIX 4.5 delivers a wide range of features and benefits to address virtually every market and class of user, from end user customers to the largest OEMs", said Prasad Pai, iFIX Product Manager for GE Fanuc.

"We focussed on making both infrastructure improvements, customer-requested usability updates, and added some exciting new capabilities".

iFIX 4.5 supports operation on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

The software automatically adopts the latest operating system look and feel throughout all of its applications and dialogues.

Proficy Change Management 5.7 provides improvements to machine edition integration, HMI/Scada support, and improved third-party PLC support.

Version 5.7 allows schedule upload and compare capability for the GE Fanuc PAC controllers, allowing automated backup of the logic and data in the PLC, as well as the ability to compare the PLC to the master version on the Change Management Server.

The scheduled compare capability is key to detecting unauthorised changes and backup ensures that users have an updated copy of their PLC programs in the event of a disaster.

According to Craig Resnick, Research Director, ARC Advisory group, "Automation solution suppliers that offer change management as part of their HMI software suite are providing manufacturers with a tool to enable seamless management and tracking of HMI software changes at both the component and application levels, as well as specific change histories within the development environment".

"Change management software is a key component in enabling synchronisation between all levels of the plant, and plays a key role in standardisation and collaborative operations management, which aids in transparency across business levels".

"Interoperability also puts change management software in a critical role, managing a multitude of software in need of upgrade due to security, monitoring, and optimisation".

The new Proficy Change Management 5.7 strengthens an important component of GE Fanuc's Proficy software suite of products.

It helps users meet key uptime metrics and turns manufacturing processes into a competitive advantage.

With capabilities including security, version management audit trails, central storage and automated backup and recovery, Proficy Change Management ensures that automation systems continue running safely and efficiently.

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