HMI/Scada product benefits from improved user interface

Paul Boughton
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is releasing the latest version of its powerful Proficy HMI/Scada Cimplicity control and visualisation product. Cimplicity 8.0 boasts a new user interface to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO), increase productivity, and improve ease of use for developers.

Claire Cerrato, the general manager for automation software products at GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, says: "This new version of Cimplicity will keep customers ahead with advanced visualisation and platform technologies for a sustainable advantage. Cimplicity 8.0 delivers unprecedented insight into operations with powerful features that help reduce costs and increase productivity. It also supports the latest operating systems and development platforms with Microsoft Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to ensure that customers are well positioned today and into the future for scalability and growth."

Cimplicity 8.0 introduces a new way for developers to interact with their HMI/Scada application. With a new look and feel for the Cimedit development environment, based on Microsoft-fluent User Interface (UI) technology, users will realise time savings and reduced costs. The new UI follows the Ribbon Bar concept, which enables quicker access to galleries and the ability to create custom menus, thereby increasing productivity.

In addition, Cimplicity 8.0 introduces a new graphics-rendering engine, including larger development canvas functionality for runtime and development, transparency abilities, improved gradient shading, anti-aliasing, native picture support, and a pipe object tool. With a built-in Cimview rubber-band zoom tool that enables dynamic zooming from the toolbar, users have enhanced visual accessibility.

Cimplicity 8.0 features a dynamic time handling capability; changing time zones 'on the fly' is now native to Cimplicity 8.0. With applications being accessed globally, this capability is key to handling multiple global clients and clients progressively moving through time zones.

Another new feature in Cimplicity 8.0 is the Digital Graphical Replay (DGR) 2.0, which lets users replay and analyse past events in slow motion, real time or up to ten times the speed; this enables users to identify and troubleshoot issues and prevent repeat occurrences. DGR 2.0 provides the ability to replay trend data for more intelligent decision-making and accelerated issue resolution.

Cimplicity 8.0 requires only a Microsoft Windows Vista/Server 2008 standard user account. It has been thoroughly tested to ensure full operation while using a standard user account with no User Account Protection (UAP) security prompts, therefore reducing the risk of unauthorized file/program access and core system issues.

GE Fanuc says Cimplicity 8.0 offers seamless integration with the company's Proficy software suite and leverages an open system design to protect current and future investments.

Cerrato concludes: "The depth of enhancements in this new product demonstrates GE Fanuc's commitment to investing in Cimplicity. Our customers told us what they wanted in a new Cimplicity and this new version delivers value-added features relevant to today's tough business climate."

For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com/cimplicity

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