Introduction   |   Technology   |   Modules   |   Versions   |   Features   |   Support   |   Toolkits
Features
 
FactoryStudio Versions - Comparison Chart
 
The information in the table provides a description of available functions that are dependent on the FactoryStudio Product Version. For common features on all versions, please see the Common Features table.
 
Feature Enterprise Standard Express Definition
Price contact us contact us free  
Real Time Data Points Variable with license Variable with license 75 Total number of real-time data points and any points in the historian, that are not in the real-time data base.
Simultaneous Protocols Variable with license Variable with license 1 Simultaneous communication drivers running during runtime Execution.
OPC server/client Included Included ---- OPC DA 3.0 Client and Server modules.
Number of projects open for edit Multiple Multiple Multiple Number of distinct projects that can be simultaneously open for edit on the same computer.
Number of projects in runtime Variable with license 1 1 Number of simultaneous runtime projects that can run on the same computer.
SaaS engineering model Included ----- -----    
# of Engineering users per project Variable with license One One Number of users that can open a particular project configuration at the same time.
.NET Languages VB.NET and C# VB.NET VB.NET and C# Supported .NET languages on the scripts.
Multi-Threading for scripts Multi--threaded Single thread Multi--threaded Scripts execution threading.
Array tags 3 Dimensions One dimension One dimension Tag variables can support arrays (multiple elements to each tag).
UserTypes inherence Multiple levels One level One level UserType is user defined structs and types for tags. Multiple levels of inherence means that a UserType can itself hold other structs and UserTypes as members.
Alarms Extended types Standard types Extended types Standard types: Hi, HiHi, LoLo, Lo, Deviation and RateOfChange. Extended types: Equal, GreaterEqual, Greater, Less, LessEqual, Changed, ChangedUp, ChangedDown.
# WebClients on Runtime Variable with license Variable with license One Number of simultaneous runtime display clients when running your project.
Embedded-SQL Database Builder Included ---- ---- Database Builder tools to create SQL compatible database for project data and to manage alarms and historian databases.
DeviceNode redundancy Included ---- ---- Built-In configuration to implement device node redundancy on field networks.
Server redundancy Automatic ---- ---- Built-In configuration to implement server redundancy (real-time data point redundancy)
Layouts Multiple layouts Single layout Single layout Dock multiple displays on frames to create a runtime dashboard.
Reports Report Editor and graphical objects Report Editor Report Editor and graphical objects Report Editor allows creation of text and XPS reports, including text, images and real-time data values. Graphical objects allow inclusion of real-time symbols and charts on the reports.
Advanced controls WebBrowser, XpsViewer, ReportViewer WebBrowser WebBrowser, XpsViewer, ReportViewer XpsViewer and ReportViewer are controls to show XPS and FlowDocuments on the runtime displays.
Track Project Modifications Track by object, table and Publish Track by table Track by object, table and Publish Tools for managing and logging the project configuration and released versions.
Historian Automatic Compress Included ---- ---- Allows configuration for built-in data compress on Historian and other advanced features.
Access external WPF controls Included ---- ---- Allows inclusion of external WPF Control DLLs when creating runtime displays.
 
Note:
 
FactoryStudio Enterprise Product includes licensing options that allow for the best “fit” for many project sizes. The variable parameters on the license are:
 
  Simultaneous communication drivers: Variable from 1 to Unlimited (*1)
  Remote runtime clients: Variable from 1 to 256.
  Remote engineering clients: Variable from 1 to 32
  Real-Time Data Points: Variable from 75 to Unlimited (*1):
   
    Real-Time Data Points for each version
   
Typical Application Real-Time Data Points
Panel 300
Machine 1,000
Line 2,000
Workstation 5,000
Plant 10,000
Server 25,000, 50,000, or 100,000
Unlimited unlimited (*1)
    *1: On Element Count and Protocols, “Unlimited” means that it is limited only by the computer hardware memory and performance.
 
FactoryStudio Versions – Common Features
 
Engineering Framework  
Project selection tool Displays project information on table, card and 3D views; Manage search paths and remote server connections.
Local or Remote project configuration Access your projects locally or from a remote Project Server, or "in the Cloud" with zero installation.
Engineering development framework Advanced and user-friendly tools to create your projects.
Application themes In order to accommodate your personal preferences, change your skin themes at any time; choose between three built-in skin themes
Web look-and-fell and auto-save Create your projects using an intuitive web look-and-feel interface, let the system automatically track and save your configuration.
Built-In Drawing tool State-of-the-art WPF (XAML) built-in designer for displays and symbol libraries.
Object Name Independency Easily rename any object name or point, without effecting the project configuration.
Cross-Reference and UseCount tools Real-time tracks the use of all project objects (not only points, but also displays, reports, datasets, etc.). Easy double-click access to verify references.
Intellisense on business objects Display available properties and auto-complete objects (points, alarm groups, datasets, etc.) across all configuration tables, scripts and display drawings.
Intellisense on .NET classes Intellisense support for VB.NET and C# .NET classes on scripts.
Security and Users management Define Permissions groups and protect/control access to configuration tools. Protect displays at script and document level.
Import/Export CSV/Excel and OPC Import and Export configuration tables to Excel and CSV files. Import tag definitions from OPC databases.
Track changes on tables Track creation and modified datetime on all objects and configuration tables.
Build Verification Utility Verifies and compiles all project displays and scripts producing a summary table with easy double-click navigation.
Share development Notes Creates shared "Post-it" messages on desktop across all of your development team.
Help and Web search tools Access to local and online help tools and search engine.
 
Reliability and Performance  
100% Managed code No unmanaged code, C++ pointers, global shared DLL or COM objects, or legacy structs that could potentially impact the reliability of your product foundation.
.Net scripts compiling 100% of the scripts, tags and expressions are compiled and verified during the engineering configuration, raising both reliability and performance of the runtime operations.
Process Isolation Communication drivers, database queries, reports and scripts run on their own isolated processes which enhances the robustness of your system and allows for better performance from multi-core computers.
Thread Exception Isolation Communication drivers and scripts also allow multi-threading on the same process, using the .NET infra-structure; for exception identification the working classes are also isolated.
Strong type and references verification Reference tags, properties configuration and scripts verify the variable types during the configuration avoiding unexpected behaviors during runtime.
Modules, scripts and network profiling Advanced tool to verify the execution time for each task and verify communication between modules.
 
Realtime Database (Tags)  
Extensive support to Tag Types Digital, AnalogInt, AnalogDouble, AnalogDecimal, Text, Timer, Counter, DateTime.
Built-In DataTable tag type Access dataset query results on standard .NET DataTable object.
Reference tags Use Reference tags to switch the tag link on runtime execution.
Tag Arrays Define tag arrays (one to three dimensions depending on product version)
User-defined structs and Types Define your own extension types to the real-time database.
Tag properties Extensive set of tag properties accessible on both configuration and runtime.
 
Historian and Trend  
Connection with ADO databases Historian information can be saved in any external Database with ADO.NET support.
Built-in SQL database When not defined as an external database, logging is on the internal built-in SQL database.
High resolution Millisecond time-stamp (when available) uses the remote IO time, not the computer time.
Trigger by tag or by group Allows the saving of a record according to tag change, or based on process events.
Historian Deadband by tag Allows the definition of the minimum tag variation to trigger recording.
Minimal TimeSpan configuration Allows the definition of a minimum interval for recording, enabling the creation of more compact databases.
Database tables with multiple tags Allows the creation of a group of tags, and stores the tags on the same DataTable to speed up recording and loading. You can add more Tags while retaining backward compatibility.
Built-In trend visualization object Online and historical graphical object, runs locally and on the web.
 
Alarms  
Multiple alarm conditions Hi, HiHi, Lo, LoLo, RateOfChange and Deviation.
High resolution Millisecond time-stamp; when available uses the remote IO time, not the computer time.
Built-In visualization object Online and historical visualization object, run locally and on the web.
Alarm group and item objects Access Alarm properties directly, e.g., “total alarms active”, with no requirements to create application tags.
 
Reports  
Built-In Editor User-Friendly text editor, allows for the inclusion of tables, images, hyperlinks and text formatting.
Supports Text, HTML and XPS Save your reports in multiple formats. XPS format allows easy deployment in distributed environments.
Copy and Paste from Word If you prefer to edit in Word or an HTML or RTF editor, just copy and paste your content.
Easily embedded real-time tags With one click add real-time data values on reports.
 
Configuration and Runtime Security  
Secure project configuration User Login and Password can be protected for each module configuration.
Global security for displays Assign permissions level to open displays on runtime.
Runtime security per object Each object inside a display can have its own security level for input and commands.
Define Permissions groups Set users as Groups on common Permissions to speed up your configuration.
Dynamically create users on Runtime Runtime users can be created by scripts inside the runtime application.
Runtime users ADO database Runtime users are saved in an ADO database to simplify security integration.
 
Datasets  
Access Text, CSV and XML files Define real-time binding with tags and file contents.
Define Multiple Database Sources Easily manage multiple Database connections.
Tag mapping with DataTables High level configuration utility to manage the database tables used by your project.
Define queries and mappings Manage multiple queries triggered by process events and filter conditions using real-time data points.
Powerful data grid visualization object Comprehensive and powerful data grid object to create User Interfaces, local and on the web.
Table and queries properties Access properties (e.g., row count), directly; creation of application tags not required.
 
Scripts  
Create VB.NET functions and procedures Access FactoryStudio objects directly from the code.
Run scripts on Events and scheduling Easy connection to tags and process events using scripts.
Support for class libraries Create your own classes accessible to other scripts and displays.
Built-in .NET editor with intellisense Intellisense helps you to select tag names and business objects properties.
Support for exceptions and trace messages Built-in exception support on all created scripts. Trace function simplifies runtime diagnostics.
Access to .NET Framework classes The entire .Net Framework, external components and services are easily integrated.
 
Displays and Symbols  
Integrated WPF Designer User-friendly and powerful drawing editor for screens, using latest WPF graphical technology.
Rich set of animations See Tatsoft article on SCADA animations (link).
User extensible symbol library Save objects and dynamic properties; create your own graphical library.
Support for linked symbols When linked, update the symbol on the library and the modifies
Windows .NET common controls RadioBox, CheckBox, ListBox, ComboBox, MenuItem and Menus.
Advanced objects Web browser, Calendar, calculator, circular panel.
Easily create layouts and dock panels Runtime user interface supports frames with automatic resizing capabilities.
XAML partial trust WebClients Displays created on the application can be remote-accessed using secure XAML partial trust calls.
 
Devices and Networks  
Import data point configurations Copy/paste from Excel, Import CSV or OPC server databases.
Communication runs on an isolated process Full protection for runtime environment and enhanced performance on multi-core CPUs.
Easy configuration for multiple channels Automatically create multiple threads on multi-serial or TCP-IP protocols.
Abstract naming for Nodes and Stations Provides an easy way to rename and maintain IP address and IO network configuration.
Dynamically create optimized blocks Just select your Read and Write points and, based on the protocol, optimized blocks are created.
Points configuration follows Device syntax When addressing Device Points the same addressing is used as that of the PLC programming tools.
Channels and nodes properties Access properties directly, e.g., node status; application tags are not required.
Customize write events Easy setup for commands and events, write all events or only up or down value changes.
 
Runtime and Diagnostic tools  
Test Mode Run project with protections, e.g., read-only on external devices or temporary files on historian.
Module Information Advanced tools for performance profiling and internal systems diagnostics.
Localization tools Create the Operator User Interface in any number of languages, and dynamically switch it on in runtime.
Trace Window When creating your application this tool provides tag monitoring and system diagnostics messages.
Property Watch Verify and simulate tag values and properties, start and stop functional modules.
 
Deployment tools  
Open Multiple Projects Simultaneously open multiple projects on the same computer.
Remote Engineering Remotely access and edit your project configuration.
Run as a Windows Service Run the runtime server installed as a windows service.
Switch applications protection Protect from ctrl-alt-del, windows key, and any other unauthorized application switch on operator interfaces.
Startup shortcuts Use simple startup shortcuts and parameters for startup customization.
Project single file and embedded resources The entire project configuration is saved on a single secured file including all images and bitmaps used on displays and reports.