Our Work

Legacy CIMPLICITY projects consolidation and upgrade for 2-Strand Slab Caster. Work included combining 7 standalone legacy projects into a new single redundant project. New CIMPLICITY viewers referencing the main redundant project were configured and added to replace operator functionality previously supplied by the standalone HMI projects. Due to the need to continue interfacing with a collection of GE Series 6 (S6) PLCs, and having limited access to a supply of PCIMs, a separate standalone "S6 Bridge" project was incorporated and integrated with the main redundant project.

Custom utilities were developed to assist in performing automated project consolidation and conversion - as well as automated HMI screen conversion. The main redundant CIMPLICITY project was setup on a pair of virtualized Windows Servers (VMs). The VMs, and all new viewers, were properly integrated into a Factory Floor AD domain, and a collection of GPOs were created to define appropriate user environments across the entire system. User authentication for the new CIMPLICITY project was also migrated to AD domain integrated.

Upgrade of a collection of mature CIMPLICITY projects deployed on one of world's largest stainless-steel production lines. Large main project consisted of over 35,000 points, 1400 HMI screens (50% of which contained extensive scripting), SQL Server database logging for approximately 400 tables spread across 2 production databases (1 relational / 1 time series), large collection of script-based applications, and several C++/MFC/VB custom applications.  Key project work performed included:
 

• Custom project analysis utility to help establish final system configuration and migration path
• Custom utility functionality to automate major portions of upgrade
• A number of proof-of-concepts tests to help validate design and migration approach
• Operator UI paradigm shift to Thin Clients and Remote Desktop Services – complete with secure custom automated logon utilities
• Highly configurable intranet Web application providing WebView access to all HMI screens
• Conversion/upgrade of C++/MFC/VB custom applications 

  Upgrade project part of successful overall larger 3-million-dollar infrastructure upgrade.

Extremely flexible high speed custom .NET CIMPLICITY interface component for both point (PTMAP) and alarm managers (AMAP). Solution provides easy configuration via straightforward XML document structure. PTMAP functionality allows client applications to acquire unlimited sets of point values via simple snapshot requests – or by handling client requested on-change events. Simple setpoint functionality also available via PTMAP interface. Client applications can also effortlessly generate or update alarms using the AMAP interface.

This not for re-sale solution has been used exclusively by Persistent Technologies (PT) to deliver a multitude of cost-effective value-added CIMPLICITY based solutions – providing unique advanced integration and control functionality simply not available from any other supplier.

• Deployed in numerous solutions in the Steel Industry to produce several million tons of steel
• Unprecedented resiliency
• Used across several versions of CIMPLICITY
• Significant development cost savings afforded to customer due to high level of RAD capabilities

Deployment, configuration, and startup of WebSpace on dedicated VM to provide secure read-only wide area access to screens from multiple GE HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY Projects. Furnished unique approach to provide proper synchronized screen access for collection of CIMPLICITY projects configured with redundancy. Deployed solution also included options to access screens from both iPads and iPhones. User access integrated in with a Factory Floor AD domain.

Migration of hardware key-based licensing to GE Proficy Common Licensing to furnish licensing needs of an installation consisting of multiple GE Proficy software products. Licensing services deployed and setup on dedicated VM accessible from all plant floor subnets. Proficy licensing was sourced from Persistent Technologies and consisted of:
 

• CIMPLICITY Development and Runtime servers with various point counts
• CIMPLICITY Server Redundancy
• CIMPLICITY Terminal Services
• CIMPLICITY Viewer Development and Runtime
• Machine Edition
• WebSpace

For primary steel producer, upgrade of 3 legacy CIMPLICITY projects, including 1 UNIX based, to current version. CIMPLICITY server redundancy was added to all 3 projects. New computer servers were setup and deployed to host the CIMPLICITY redundant server functionality. All 3 projects included custom modeling and level 2 control functionality which was also upgraded/converted as part of the project

Custom production utility to provide process operators, with significantly limited computer environment capabilities, mechanism to easily control starting/stopping/restarting GE HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY viewer functionality - with automatic start screen activation.

Custom production utility providing select user configured GE HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY Alarm synthetic (TTS) voice annunciation. Utility designed to ensure operators acknowledge vital process alarm conditions - and take appropriate action. Flexible configuration settings included to facilitate the right amount of "annoyance factor" to help guarantee operators properly address such process conditions. Installation program also included.