connectivity New features in IGSS 13 IGSS Release Note Interactive Graphical SCADA System

Transcription

1 IGSS Interactive Graphical SCADA System connectivity New features in IGSS 13 Release Note The most recent version of the IGSS SCADA system is Version 13 which was released in October

2 Contents Introduction 3 For Plant Operators and System Designers 4 IGSS Mobile app Now with trend graphs and improved security 4 Graphs: Set as default, Zoom area, pattern, transparency and more 6 Embedded Graphs - New, more flexible 9 Supervise adjusted to high resolution screens (Improved grid calculation) 10 Supervise New way to show Maintenance alarm on object 10 Supervise Alarm on Job Scheduler operation 11 Alarm lists User info, Auto-size column width, Combined headers, Filters 12 Alarm handling Allow user to remove alarm is now optional 15 Maintenance - Better way to organize maintenance jobs & export to CSV 16 Access control Electronic key system with RFID Login 17 Audit Trail Single SQL database can serve more servers (Dualized servers) 19 System Configuration - Improved server/operator communication after lost connection 20 Performance Faster startup time for large projects 21 For System Designers Development & Design in the Definition module 21 Project locking during system design e.g. for projects with many contributors 21 Symbols - User defined animated symbols & Analog and Digital in the Drawing toolbar 22 New design options for descriptors and images 23 Rectangular fields Now optional to show faceplate content 24 Color palette options 25 New options for buttons: Hover, commands and VBA Editor 26 Object names can also include atom name 29 Clone objects without reference 29 More info in station objects: IP address, current user, time to auto-logout 30 Smoother online configuration on running system 32 Drivers New and improved (Siemens S7, Allen Bradley, Schneider Electric Altivar & OPC UA) 32 Siemens S7 TCP/IP driver (72) improved 32 New driver for Allen-Bradley (92) 34 OPC-UA client (driver 88) improved 34 Driver 91 for Schneider Electric s Altivar Process faceplates 34 Integration with other Schneider Electric products (Altivar & epac) 34 IGSS faceplates with license-free driver and objects for Altivar Process Variable Speed Drives 34 IGSS integration with Modicon M580 epac process controller 36 How to get started with IGSS 13 38

3 3 Introduction IGSS version 13 introduces a range of new features and improvements to ensure that we meet the requirements of a modern, internet based SCADA system when it comes to remote access, connectivity, high uptime and user friendliness. Several novelties are developed on request from our many users. We have focused our efforts on key aspects such as: High performance, security and stability for the IGSS system itself as well as the mobile app to ensure uptime and optimum data collection. Faster start-up time for large projects, auto-spooling for optimum data retrieval after lost server/operator connection and access control using an electronic key system are some examples. Plants using Audit Trail with dualized servers can benefit from the fact that a single SQL database can now serve more servers. New tools, options and information for the plant operator make it easier to monitor and control the process, and to quickly identify deviations from normal operation. As an example, the IGSS Mobile App, highly appreciated by many plant operators as a vital tool for remote monitoring and control, now also incorporates trend curves. Other novelties include Maintenance alarm on object in diagrams, export list of maintenance jobs plus better ways to present information in the alarm list for optimum use of screen space. A new alarm on Job Scheduler operation will alert the operator if a planned report or back-up job is not executed as expected. Good quality of the graphical user interface (GUI) e.g. with optimization of the scalability for display on high resolutions screens and better ways to display information. A fast, efficient and safe SCADA mimic design process is facilitated e.g. with the Set as default function for graphs for reuse of graph settings, by now using the same form for standard and embedded graphs and with a new object cloning option. The new Project locking feature prevents that several people can edit a project at the same time and eliminates the risk of overwriting others work. Online configuration on a running system has also become smoother. More customization options include the possibilities to customize embedded graphs and create your own subfolders for maintenance job information (plant operators) and to import user-defined animated symbols (system designers). New design and command options for descriptors and images such as transparency, hover (mouse-over) effect, curved lines and polygons, stepwise send forward/backward, commands to launch macros and an option to not show a descriptor in a certain state e.g. not in alarm. Connectivity with other products and systems: Several drivers have been improved and extended with new features such as symbolic programming and new drivers are added. As something completely new, it is now also possible to integrate the IGSS SCADA system with other Schneider Electric products such as the Altivar Process Variable Speed Drives and Modicon epac Process Controller. On the following pages you will find more information on the IGSS version 13 novelties. For more details and how to guidance, we kindly refer to the online help function in the IGSS system or at > Support > Help and Manuals V13.

4 4 For Plant Operators and System Designers IGSS Mobile app Now with trend graphs and improved security To provide plant operators with an even better overview during remote monitoring, control and troubleshooting, object based trend graphs are now available in the IGSS Mobile App for smartphones and tablets, IOS as well as Android. You can: Monitor trends in real time Study trend curves (interactive) Read data and view high and low alarm limits (if set in IGSS) for Analog signals See object values and send set points or commands to the object remotely Zoom in on both values and time, pan and scroll. A Value Point Reader provides detailed data for a selected point in a graph. No additional configuration is needed on the mobile device. Just choose the plant area, process diagram, object and period you wish to examine.

5 5 Set up an IGSS project to display graphs in the Mobile App (System designer) The system designer needs to set up the relevant IGSS project to display objects in the IGSS Mobile App. This is done with a few settings in the Definition module, where the Visible in Mobile check box has to be selected in the Area, Diagram and Object Properties forms.

6 6 An active Logging parameter also needs to be selected in the Object Properties Data Management tab. If None is selected, it will not be possible to create a graph in the app. Improved security of the IGSS Mobile App The security for the Mobile app, which works for IGSS version 11, 12 and 13, has also been improved. Current app users are therefore recommended to check that their mobile device is set up to automatically update the IGSS Mobile App to the newest version, every time a new app version is released. Graphs: Set as default, Zoom area, pattern, transparency and more To create an even better graphical overview of process trends, a number of new options are added to the graph properties form, which now applies to both Standard graphs, Operator graphs and Embedded graphs:

7 Release note IGSS v13 7 Zoom area button in the tool bar: Whereas Zoom in lets you determine the period (X-axis) to be zoomed, Zoom Area allows you to zoom in on a custom graph area, defining both the value (Y-axis) and the period (X-axis). You can also do this by selecting Zoom in and pressing the Shift key while dragging an area in the graph. Atom (signal) value for the selected time can now be shown in the signal legend next to the object/atom information when the Show value button is activated. If you do not select the Show atom value for selected time box, the value indicator used to display atom values will be shown next to the signal lines in the graph chart. Pattern and transparency: You can draw a pattern in the area below a signal line with the option to make the pattern transparent.

8 8 Y-axis option for automatic scale with zero included. This function, where the graph automatically will adjust the upper and lower limits of the Y-axis based on the lowest and highest values in the signal data can now also be selected to display the value 0 on the Y-axis. Hide time labels, value labels and scales: If you prefer a clean graph with minimal information, e.g. for an embedded graph in a diagram, you now have the option to hide time and value labels and scales. More graph period options such as This week, Last week, X hours/days/months/years back. It is also possible to add a user-defined Start Hour, if you select an absolute period (Yesterday, this or last week/month/year), and Start Month if you select This Year. Graph offset for Today, Yesterday, This month now by default starts at the defined day and start time for reports. Set as default: If the graphs you create typically share many common properties, you can save the current defined general graph properties as default graph settings. Every time you create a new graph, the default properties are automatically filled in. This makes it faster and easier to create graphs. You can at any time change the default graph properties by selecting Set as default again.

9 9 Embedded Graphs - New, more flexible Embedded trend graphs are part of a diagram and display real-time data as a function of time. The Embedded Graph s user interface has been updated and is now based on the same form and functionalities as the Standard and Operator graphs including the new graph features, offering much more options than the Basic Embedded Graph such as Compare periods, graph, export to CSV etc. To further analyze your process, you can compare one periode against another by using 2 time axes. Consistency across graph types saves time for both operators and system designers. Like the other two types, the new Embedded Graph can be customized to suit individual needs even on-the-fly by operators, who previously had limited options to adjust an embedded graph. With IGSS version 13, the plant supervisor can now adjust embedded graph properties e.g. add signals, change signal colors, define what to show in the graph (object information, data points, values etc.) for temporary use. Once a diagram with an Embedded Graph is closed, it will reopen with the pre-defined graph properties that are set in the Definition module by the system designer. The form for the Embedded Graph Basic, used in older versions of IGSS, is still available, so existing embedded graphs can be edited.

10 10 Supervise adjusted to high resolution screens (Improved grid calculation) To ensure the best possible scalability of SCADA mimics for optimum presentation on high resolution screens, which are increasingly used for plant monitoring, we have in IGSS 13 adjusted the grid calculation function. The grid helps the system designer position and align graphical elements, which is especially important when more than one high resolution monitor is used for plant supervision to ensure the same high visual quality on all screens. The grid calculation ensures that graphical elements are positioned at the exact same location within a diagram without being twisted or displaced, when the IGSS system does an automatic resizing for a different screen size and resolution. Improved grid calculation for optimum scaling Supervise New way to show Maintenance alarm on object Maintenance jobs can be set up in the Maintenance module to issue an alarm when the job is due. Maintenance alarms are shown on the list of Active alarms in the Alarm module next to the object alarm (e.g. high value, low alarm, high alarm etc.) and object note, if any. IGSS can also be set up so the operator can see in the Supervise diagram if there is a maintenance alarm for the object. There are now two ways to present the alarm on the object s descriptor symbol: Alarm indication on symbol (set in Object properties Display tab): The object symbol (the red <!> in below example), indicates when there is some kind of alarm by e.g. color change or blink. If the object has both an object alarm, maintenance alarm and/or object note at the same time, the symbol will show the alarm color/pattern of the alarm with the highest priority other alarms are not visible. When the highest priority alarm is dealt with, the symbol will indicate the next priority alarm and so on.

11 11 Marks instead of alarms to indicate object note and maintenance alarm (set in System Configuration s Supervise & Language tab): A new option in IGSS version 13, and an alternative to using the symbol to indicate that there is maintenance alarm for the object, is to show a mark - a colored triangle icon in the upper right-hand corner next to the descriptor symbol. A similar option already existed to indicate an object note (alarm number 96). The color of the triangle is identical to the defined alarm color for the maintenance alarm and the object note. If the object has both an object note and a maintenance alarm, the one with highest priority will be shown. When that has been dealt with, the triangle will change to the color of the lowest priority other alarm. When the Use marks instead of alarms. option is used together with Alarm indication on symbol (right side of the illustration), the operator can immediately see that there is both an object alarm (the <!> symbol changes color, here to red) and an object note or maintenance alarm (a colored triangle). To display a maintenance alarm in the Supervise diagram and the alarm list, the alarm must first be defined in the Definition module (Edit > Alarm texts ) and then selected under Alarm fired when job is due in the maintenance job form in the Maintenance module. Supervise Alarm on Job Scheduler operation Wouldn t it be nice to know if a scheduled job such as a report, back-up procedure or reminder, you have defined to be automatically executed at a specified time or frequency in the Job Scheduler module, is not executed as expected? IGSS 13 can be set up to count the execution time for a scheduled job and issue an alarm in the Alarm list if Job Scheduler does not run as expected e.g. if it is blocked by an un-ended job. If desired, the JobScheduler counter (an analog object) can display the status of an ongoing Job Scheduler job in e.g. a system status diagram. JobSchedulerStatus 1

12 12 The Job Scheduler alarm and counter work like this: While the job is running, IGSS counts the time passed, which is indicated on the JobScheduler Status object, where the number increases by 1 every minute. If the planned job is completed successfully within the pre-defined maximum time (e.g. 10 minutes), the JobSchedulerStatus number is automatically reset to 0 = no ongoing job. If the initiated job exceeds the maximum time allowed, this will trigger an alarm on the alarm list. Until the Job Scheduler job is completed (or reset or deleted), the JobSchedulerStatus counter will continue to increase value by 1 every minute. To set up a Job Scheduler alarm and time counter, the system designer creates a new Analog object called JobSchedulerStatus in the Definition module, defines an alarm for the maximum allowed time in the Object properties form s Analog tab plus selects an alarm text in the Atom mapping tab. It is recommended to create a new alarm text dedicated to the Job Scheduler (Edit > Alarm texts ). Alarm lists User info, Auto-size column width, Combined headers, Filters Speaking of alarms; Several new options have been added to the Alarm module - both to provide more information and to optimize the format of the Active Alarms list to suit your needs and make optimum use of your screen space: User information: To show all possible stored information three additional fields have been added: -- Start user (who started the alarm), -- End user (who ended the alarm) and -- Last user (to be used when the alarm list uses a filter with format as print set. It will show the relevant one

13 13 of the two previous and the existing field User (user at acknowledge). The new fields are selected under Customize > Alarm list format. Auto size the width of all columns based on content is a quick alternative to manually adjusting column widths. If this option is selected, can I still change the column width myself? Yes, but after a little while, the column will jump back to automatic width.

14 14 Combined date and time headers are now available for the list of active alarms in the Alarm module as well as embedded alarm lists in Supervise: Start date/time, Acknowledge date/time, End date/time, Arrival date/ time, Last change date/time. Object values at alarm status times: Four new fields have been added to make it possible to see the value of the object at the time where the alarm arrived: -- Value at start : Value of object when alarm started -- Value at acknowledge : Value of object when alarm was acknowledged -- Value at end : Value of object when alarm was ended -- Value at last change : For use when alarm list use a filter with format as print set. It will show the relevant one of the three previous fields Filtered alarm list format can now be changed when the filter is changed. A new field Alarm list format has been added to the filter. Here you can select one of the formats defined in Alarm list format and Sort order dialogues or you can specify <None>, which is default. The format will not change when you select the filter. If you select one of the named formats, this format will be enforced when you select the filter. If you have saved both a list format and a sorting with the same name both will be enforced.

15 15 The root nodes Active alarms and Alarm log are not related to any filter. You may, however, want to change the format when these are selected. For that a new menu item Set filter list format... has been added in the Customize menu. This can set the format for any node in the filter tree. Alarm handling Allow user to remove alarm is now optional IGSS is as default set up so that operators with the right to inhibit alarms can also permanently remove an alarm from the active alarm list by selecting Remove alarm in the Actions menu. The alarm will be removed from the active alarm list - even if the alarm has been inhibited or acknowledged - and placed in the alarm log with the name of the user who removed it. If Audit Trail functionality is enabled for the project, the Audit trail database will also be updated. However, removing an alarm should be avoided as this will lead to inconsistency, with the object displayed in alarm condition on the diagram but no alarm in the Active alarm list. It is recommended that the Remove alarm function is only used by the system integrator and at very rare occasions e.g. if a system designer has made changes to an object in alarm state, making it impossible for the operator to end the alarm. A new option in IGSS version 13 therefore makes it possible for the system administrator to decide whether or not to Allow user to remove alarm. This is done in IGSS Master s System Configuration s Alarm tab.

16 16 Maintenance - Better way to organize maintenance jobs & export to CSV When creating, editing or copying maintenance jobs, all related job descriptions and job notes are as default stored in the Report folder s Maintenance sub-folder. This could result in a very long list of files. To provide a better overview of related maintenance job files, users with the right to define and edit maintenance jobs now have the option to create and select new sub-folders inside the Maintenance folder for storage of job descriptions and job notes. Subfolders are created in the IGSS Maintenance module s Configuration tab in the New Job or Edit Job forms under Job Description and Job Note. You can either click the Browse button and select Make New Folder, or click the \Maintenance\ field next to File, and select Make New Folder. If you try to move or save a file to another folder, already hosting a file with the same name, the IGSS system will issue a warning.

17 17 Export to CSV The File menu in the Maintenance module has got a new possibility to export lists of All maintenance jobs and Maintenance jobs due to a comma separated (CSV) file format, which can be used in third party programs such as Excel, Word or Notepad. Access control Electronic key system with RFID Login To fulfil a customer request, IGSS User Administration has got a new option to login using the Euchner Electronic Key System (EKS) instead of entering username and password in the IGSS user interface. How does it work? In practice, the user inserts a physical electronic Euchner key tag with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder into a special tag reader connected to the IGSS workstation via Ethernet TCP/IP. If the key tag s 8-digit serial number matches the number stored in IGSS, the key tag holder gets immediate access to the IGSS functions, which have been defined for the actual user group in the User Administration module. To enable login with the electronic key tag, the system administrator needs to do the following:

18 18 1. Select the Euchner EKS login option in IGSS Master in System Configuration s Access Control tab and enter the IP address for the Ethernet TCP/IP associated with the EKS device. 2. Enter the 8-digit serial number of the Euchner Key ID in the User Administration module in IGSS Master s Design and setup tab. The number can be retrieved from various sources e.g. by inserting a physical key tag into an Euchner key tag reader connected to the workstation and then clicking Get current in the User administration form. NB! Logon with an electronic key tag does not require any additional login or password. It is therefore essential to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to key tags. Should it happen, or if a key tag is lost or defect, the IGSS System Administrator can immediately disable the Euchner EKS login option and grant authorized users access using the built-in IGSS Access Control, and enter the serial number for a new key tag ID.

19 19 Audit Trail Single SQL database can serve more servers (Dualized servers) The Audit Trail module records all actions performed by the plant operators at an IGSS operator station and store this information in an SQL server. Previously, Audit Trail could only collect data from one SQL database per IGSS server either via the IGSS server or an associated operator station. For plants operating with more than one IGSS server (Dualized server concept) you would previously need one SQL database per IGSS server and hence audit trail information would be stored several places. Furthermore, if the IGSS server or operator station hosting an SQL database for Audit Trail was out of service, no actions would be recorded during that time. With IGSS version 13, it is now possible that one Audit Trail SQL server can collect data from several IGSS servers. In addition to the benefit of having all audit data stored on the same SQL server, providing plant operators and auditors with one common overview, this also ensures that if one IGSS server is down, the associated operator actions will still be logged. A new Server column has been added to the Audit Trail log, so the plants staff for each record of actions at an operator station can see which IGSS server the operation is connected to. To make one SQL database serve more IGSS servers, the system designer or administrator just needs to select the same SQL server name instead of different ones when defining the SQL server and database settings for Audit Trail in IGSS Master s System Configuration.

20 20 All that is needed to update an existing Audit Trail data base to serve more than one IGSS server, is to run a special script AuditTrailUpdate1to2.sql, located in the GSS folder s subfolder SQLscripts. For records written before this change, the Server field will be blank. When you create a new Audit Trail database, the field is automatically created with the updated version of audittraildb.sql. System Configuration - Improved server/operator communication after lost connection A new Auto spooling option in IGSS System Configuration makes it possible to retrieve operational data in a more dynamic way in case of a lost connection between the IGSS Server and an operator station using distributed drivers. After a lost connection event some choose to reduce the spooling scan rate for a distributed driver to ensure that data can be transferred within a reasonable amount of time and without causing problems for the operator station and the network. As an alternative to collecting and sending new data at the normal rate (100% spooling rate) while at the same time transmitting the stored data - which could lead to data congestion - or with a scan rate significantly reduced to 1/10 or 1/100 (10% or 1% of normal, which means less data collected) a new Auto option for dynamically reduced scan rate has been added. The Auto option reduces the spooling rate of new data dynamically at 7 predefined scan rates, with full data collection and transfer at the beginning of a lost connection event, and then less and less until the connection is reestablished. Auto spooling is set in System Configuration the IGSS Master module s driver settings for the relevant workstation and distributed driver in the Advanced tab.

21 21 Performance Faster startup time for large projects Previously, it could potentially take a while to start up the IGSS server for large projects with many operator stations defined in System Configuration e.g. when an operator station connected to its server, and when you changed server from the Supervise module. With IGSS 13 these processes have been optimized so that systems with many operator stations start up just as quickly as systems with few. For System Designers Development & Design in the Definition module Project locking during system design e.g. for projects with many contributors With the launch of IGSS Version 13, a system designer has now got the opportunity to lock a project. This prevents the risk of having the project open for editing by several people at the same time and thus several simultaneous versions of the same project. It has always been possible in IGSS that several people could open and work on the same project in the Definition module at the same time. However, this posed the risk that when one person deployed the project, this would overwrite recent changes made by others. To help prevent this, a new feature in IGSS 13 now makes it possible to lock a project. When a project is locked, others cannot get access to work on the same project in Definition before the project is unlocked. When project locking has been enabled by the system administrator in IGSS Master, a system designer can first access Definition to edit the project when he or she has locked the project in IGSS Master. Note, that project locking requires that Access control has been enabled, and that users and user groups are defined. If Project locking is not enabled, it is not possible or necessary to lock the project first but then anyone else (with access rights, if required) can also work on the same project. How does project locking work? The System Administrator enables project locking in IGSS Master s System Configuration module.

22 22 Now every system designer has to log on in IGSS Master s Home tab and lock the project in the Design and Setup tab to get access to open the Definition module to create and edit a project. When you are done editing, remember to release the lock again so others can work on the project. If you try to open Definition to work on a project which is locked by another, the IGSS system will issue a warning message. In IGSS Master s Status pane you can see if the project is locked, and who has locked it. If that person is not available, a system administrator can force a release of the lock in IGSS Master s Design and Setup tab. Symbols - User defined animated symbols & Analog and Digital in the Drawing toolbar User Defined animated symbols The extensive built-in symbol library in IGSS Definition that offers 70 different categories with common symbols for machinery, components, etc. is extended with a Custom category. This allows the designer to import any kind of custom made vector based symbol in.wmf format, an image file format that is portable between applications. You can import your own symbols by clicking the Animated symbol tool in the Drawing Toolbar, right-click the symbol and select Properties. Mark the Custom Category, click Import custom, select the.wmf image file you wish to import. You can now choose the imported image in the Custom Category. After import, it is possible to adjust the color and animation pattern of the user-defined symbols according to their state (on, off, alarm level etc.).

23 23 Analog and Digital symbols added in Drawing toolbar Two new buttons in the toolbar gives a short cut to creating new analog and digital symbols. New design options for descriptors and images Draw lines and polygons as curves is a new option in the Polygon and Polyline tool that allows you to draw new shapes with curves. You can activate the Draw As Curve tool under Geometry in the polygon object properties. Move objects and descriptors forward and backward stepwise: When designing process diagrams, the position of overlapping objects and descriptors can now be changed by sending an object forward or backward in incremental steps as a supplement to the Send to front or back function. You can use either the Format menu or the + and keys. Transparency on drawn descriptors and images is a new option in the Descriptor Properties menu.

24 24 Descriptor visibility When NOT in one of the following states: For descriptors such as animated symbols, rectangles, lines, graphs etc. connected to digital objects, you can define if the descriptor is to be visible in a process diagram all the time or only when selected object(s) relevant for that descriptor are in one or more predefined state (e.g. on, off, error, slow, fast). With IGSS version 13 you can now also relate visibility to when an object is NOT in predefined state(s). Rectangular fields Now optional to show faceplate content A new option Show faceplate content has been added to the attributes of the rectangular field, a click-sensitive area which is used to reference e.g. other diagrams to achieve a zooming effect. Previously, if a rectangular field was connected to a faceplate, the content of the faceplate would always be shown. From IGSS version 13 the system designer can decide whether or not to show the faceplate content inside the rectangle.

25 25 Rectangular field connected to the faceplate Well 1, showing the faceplate content (previously default, now optional) in Supervise. If the option Show faceplate content is NOT selected, a rectangular field connected to the faceplate Well 1, is shown as a blue rectangle. In the Definition module, the rectangular field connected to the faceplate Well 1 is always shown as a grey rectangle, no matter if Show faceplate content is selected or not. Color palette options IGSS version 13 and 12 are as default set up with Modern so-called flat colors for the Definition and Alarm modules, whereas IGSS version 11 and older uses Classic colors, which are brighter and sharper. To enable you to update diagrams, created in IGSS 11 or older, the Graph properties form now allows you to choose between different color schemes: Classic, Modern and Default. Each set of Modern colors are mapped to a set of Classic colors, and you can convert the color schemes back and forth. You can also mix your own colors. Default colors are a number of pre-selected modern colors that will be used as default line colors for graph signal lines if you don t select any others: Blue for the first signal, the following are red, green, light blue, orange, purple, grey, brown etc.

26 26 If you want to use the Classic color palette in general for both Alarm and Definition/Supervise, select this option in IGSS Master s System Configuration. New options for buttons: Hover, commands and VBA Editor Several new options are available: Hover effect: You can add an extra dimension to the navigation by adding a Hover (mouse-over) effect to a command button connected to an object, area, diagram, graph etc. When you place your marker over the button, a visible change in the button s appearance indicates that it is clickable. Choose between the following styles: None, Lighten, Darken, Contrast, Underline text or Switch colors (background color changes to the text color and vice versa).

27 27 Commands to launch a macro to a diagram, faceplate, file etc.: Buttons are often used to open a graph, another area or diagram, or a file. With IGSS 13 it has now become possible to include macros in the button command. Macros can include the entire name or parts of the object to launch in the command. Examples of commands to launch a macro: -- The command $(gsspath)\eng\def.chm will expand to the path to the IGSS Definition module help file DEF. chm located in C:\Program Files (x86)\schneider Electric\IGSS32\V13.0\GSS\eng would be. -- To launch a diagram named MyDiagram created in the program Notepad, you can e.g. write the command notepad $(diagram 2, -3).txt, which will expand to notepad Diag.txt and open any notepad text file where Diag are the letters following character 2 from the left ndcharacters -3 from the right. Valid commands enforced on buttons, command and radio buttons plus check boxes for digital objects templates: Previously, the operator could in Supervise on the above descriptors choose all possible commands defined by the system designer for a given digital object - also commands that did not make sense e.g. to stop an object that is already stopped. With IGSS 13, the operator can now only select the valid, relevant commands, and invalid commands are greyed out as shown in the examples below to the left. So, when e.g. a pump is stopped, the only option is start and vice versa. For right-click menus and combo boxes this was already the case.

28 28 Suppress valid command definitions is a new button option related to templates and properties for digital objects. Here you can select whether (Yes) or not (NO) the button is allowed to send all possible commands available in the Command/State Config tab of the Template properties for the digital objects even commands that were not defined as valid commands. Enable/disable button descriptors with VBA code: System designers who use Visual Basic (VBA) code to control objects, atoms, alarms etc. can now also enable and disable a button descriptor from VBA using the new IGSSButtonControl property. To enable a button named e.g.dix_6189, you write DIX_6189.Enabled = True (default after startup). To disable it, write = False instead.

29 29 Object names can also include atom name In addition to showing the object name and eventual description, IGSS 13 has a new option in the Object properties Display tab to show atom name (i.e. I/O points or data tags for e.g. high alarm, low value, actual value, low scale) in the diagram. Clone objects without reference The new Clone function in the Object browser s Object menu is a faster way to copy and paste an existing object in one go into the Object browser s object list. It is also a faster way to create a clone (copy) of an existing unreferenced object, which does not have any visual representation in a diagram, than using the Group Manager in the Edit menu. When you copy an object using the Edit or right-click menus in a diagram, the object will be copied to the clipboard and need to be actively pasted into the desired location e.g. the active or another diagram. The new clone will have the same object name but with the extension_1. It is recommended to change this to a new, unique name. It will also inherit the same defined Object properties as the original. You can connect the cloned object to a descriptor in a diagram, if you don t want it to remain an unreferenced object.

30 30 More info in Digital Station Objects: IP address, Current user, Time to auto-logout To provide a good overview of IGSS system status e.g. as a diagnostic tool for trouble shooting, system administrators often create a diagram in the Definition module that shows objects with special functions such as Node ssatus Objects, Digital Station Objects, Notifier Objects etc. Three new options have been added to the Digital Station Objects, where you can use the free value atoms 2, 3 and 4 in the Atom Mapping tab to show additional system information in a user-friendly format (Display tab): IP Address User logged in Time to auto-logut John Doe -12:34 IP Address in 2 different formats (Free Value 2 in the example shown below): You can set up a Digital Station Object to show the IP4 address of an operator station connected to IGSS in different formats.

31 31 Current user logged in (Free value 3 atom): A Digital Station Object can also show the ID of user(s) logged in to IGSS operator stations and, if desired, have the user ID shown as user name (If defined in IGSS Master s User Administration module). Time to auto-logout (Free value 4 atom): If automatic logout after a predefined time has been defined for a given user or user group, you can use the Free value 4 atom to show the remaining time to auto-logout in minutes. In the Display tab you can chose between different formats to have the time shown.

32 32 Auto logout and time is defined in IGSS Master s User Administration module. Smoother online configuration on running system Thanks to the previously mentioned improvements such as improved server/operator communication after lost connection (optimized auto-spooling) and faster start-up time for large projects, the system designer will experience that changes made in the Definition module while IGSS is running will be implemented seamlessly and faster. Drivers New and improved (Siemens S7, Allen Bradley, Schneider Electric Altivar & OPC UA) The list of PLC drivers supported by IGSS is continuously being extended, both with new drivers and with new features to existing drivers to optimize the communication and for faster data transfer. Recent updates include: Siemens S7 TCP/IP driver (72) improved The connection properties of the Siemens S7 driver 72 have been expanded with more advanced features in addition to e.g. event based communication: Multi-reading of scan records - Up to 20 times faster read Multi-reading is packing of more scan records into one message that will be sent to the PLC. The response message from the PLC will contain data for the scan records in the message to the PLC. If desired, you can pack the multi read message further by selecting the checkbox Use merge scans if possible. Then all messages with the same data group and following each other by offset and length will be packed together as one object in the message. This can be relevant if you are using a short segment length to get a better pack functionality. Support for S7 400H (Redundant PLC) IGSS is now able to connect to the primary and secondary part of the redundant S7 processor type 400H PLC and to collect data from the active part if the other is inactive.

33 33 Segment length: Individual segment length per node and maximum segment length have been extended from 256 to 512. Optimized bit-read: To avoid a lot of reading of bits in the PLC it is possible to read the whole word of the bits (bits have to be in the same data group and word offset) in the PLC and then split the bits in the driver before they are sent to IGSS bit objects. To activate this function select the checkbox. Symbolic driver configuration: As an alternative to specifying a specific value name for the PLC addressing when configuring the driver, you can now use symbolic programming using the AGLink40_Config.exe program. With symbolic addressing you can program the PLC without having to worry about the internal data storage, and you can optimize readability of your PLC programming.

34 34 New driver for Allen-Bradley (92) As a supplement to the existing Allen Bradley driver 87, typically used for older equipment, a new Allen Bradley driver 92 with symbolic addressing, among other things, is now included in IGSS. OPC-UA client (driver 88) improved The OPC UA (Unified Architecture) client, a standard IGSS driver and the next generation OPC, makes it possible to retrieve real-time values from 3rd party OPC UA servers to IGSS objects. It is based on open standards and provides secure and reliable access to real-time and historical data as well as events. Like recent versions, IGSS 13 includes both an OPC UA client and server, offering both a communication and security model that is suitable for cross-platform applications - from embedded to enterprise applications. IGSS version 13 s OPC UA client offers enhanced encryption of the communication with a new security policy option Basic256Sha256 that can be selected, if supported by the OPC UA server. Note that the IGSS OPC UA client requires one IGSS driver license. Driver 91 for Schneider Electric s Altivar Process faceplates A new, dedicated Schneider Electric Altivar Process Modbus/TCP driver (91), which communicates to only Altivar variable speed drives, has been developed for IGSS. The Altivar driver 91 as well as related objects are licensefree. Read more below about the IGSS Altivar integration below. Integration with other Schneider Electric products (Altivar & epac) Companies that use certain types of Schneider Electric hardware can benefit from a new possibility to integrate data from this hardware directly into the Schneider Electric IGSS SCADA system. The integration between different Schneider Electric products gives the process operator a better overview during process monitoring, control and troubleshooting. It also saves time and costs during the design phase as well as license fees, as drivers and objects from Schneider Electric s own products are considered as family-related and hence free of charge. IGSS faceplates with license-free driver and objects for Altivar Process Variable Speed Drives To facilitate quick and seamless integration of process monitoring and control data from Schneider Electric Altivar Process ATV 600 variable speed drives for process and asset optimization and energy management into the IGSS SCADA system, we have developed a special IGSS faceplate, a template for reusable diagrams. The faceplate is available for IGSS version 12 and 13. As Altivar ATV 600 variable speed drives contain up to 1,800 process parameters, it can be quite time consuming to design mimics. The new IGSS Altivar faceplate, which already includes a significant amount of the most typical parameters, offers inspiration and makes it much easier and faster for SCADA designers to set up mimics and PLC mapping, saving engineering time and costs.

35 35 Example of IGSS diagram presenting data from an Altivar Process variable speed drive, incorporating a significant amount of objects all free of charge. The Altivar ATV 600 template can be downloaded free of charge at under Downloades > Faceplate library. The integration of data is facilitated by a new, dedicated Schneider Electric Altivar Process Modbus/TCP driver (91) in IGSS, which communicates with Altivar drives only. The Altivar driver 91 is free i.e. it is to be excluded when counting IGSS driver licenses needed for a project. Moreover, objects using driver 91 are also free and do not count in the total number of objects for an IGSS license.

36 36 Example of mimic in IGSS presenting both process data from an Altivar variable speed drive web page directly inside faceplate as well as useful background information in this case pump curves that helps the operator optimize the operation of the equipment without having to first consult other systems or sources of information. IGSS integration with Modicon M580 epac process controller Information from the Schneider Electric Modicon M580 epac Ethernet Programmable Automation Controller & Safety PLC using the BMENOC311 communication card can also be incorporated into IGSS diagrams, eliminating the need to install a separate PLC for this. This allows the operator to see not only process data but also code from the PLC program directly in the IGSS user interface, which is especially useful for troubleshooting.

37 37 In case of alarms, the operator can immediately check the PLC information and programming code in IGSS and locate eventual problems without having to consult a separate program or an external expert. Time synchronization To ensure that no data are lost and that information presented is correct, it is essential that all elements of an IGSS system IGSS server, operator stations and PLC. are synchronized timewise. To get real-time epac information displayed in an IGSS diagram, time therefore needs to be synchronized between the two systems as part of the integration. This is done in IGSS Master s System Configuration module. First, a mailbox needs to be set up to facilitate the time synchronisation.

38 38 Then time synchronisation parameters are set up for the PLC node. Now data will be transferred from epac to IGSS with correct time stamp. How to get started with IGSS 13 If you are already using an older version of the IGSS SCADA system and would like to update to version 13: If you have a Support and Upgrade Agreement, you can at any time upgrade your IGSS System to the newest version free of charge using the Update IGSS Software function in IGSS Master s Information and Support tab. If you need support for the update, IGSS Support will provide this free of charge for updates from version 9, 10, 11 or 12 to version 13. If you do not have a Support and Upgrade Agreement and want to update your IGSS license to version 13, contact IGSS Sales. If you are considering using IGSS and want to know if this is the right solution for your needs, contact IGSS Sales. If you want to get a taste of IGSS 13, you can download the IGSS FREE50 free edition, a full-featured SCADA System with the same full functionality but limited to setting up a project with 50 objects.

39 Learn More Click here to download IGSS V13 SCADA software. With the launch of IGSS Version 13 a system designer now has the opportunity to lock a project. System designers can now work in parallel on the same SCADA project in IGSS Definition. Read PDF Retrieve operational data in a more dynamic way with a new spooling option called Auto. It is now possible for the plant operating staff to make their own subfolders in the IGSS Maintenance. Schneider Electric Denmark A/S Lautrupvang Ballerup Denmark Phone: July Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. Life Is On Schneider Electric is a trademark and the property of Schneider Electric SE, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners