GE

Intelligent Platforms

Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX

New Features
VERSION 5.8
November 2013

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

The new features of iFIX 5.8 include:

Improved Picture Scaling with the iFIX WorkSpace

o New Upgrade Picture to Screen Independent Enhanced Coordinate Expert
o New Button Caption Converter
o New Picture Properties for the Enhanced Coordinate System
o New Zoom to Fit
o Picture Zoom Behavior Changes
o Updates to Creating Pictures E-book
Security Enhancements
iFIX - SOA Service Provider
Support for new Microsoft Windows Software
Enhanced Failover Improvements
o Mission Control and SAC
o ScadaSyncMonitor
o ScadaRoleManager
o Database Manager
o Maintenance Mode
Updates to the iFIX Automation Reference
Support for Marathon everRun MX and everRun Extend Product
New Icons

CAUTION: If you installed the iFIX 5.8 Alpha and want to upgrade your setup to the final
release version, you will need to uninstall iFIX and reinstall it. Any development work that
might have been done using the Alpha build including maintaining, pictures, SCU,
dynamos, database, schedules, and so on is not supported.

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Improved Picture Scaling in the iFIX WorkSpace____________________4

a. New Upgrade Picture to Screen Independent Enhanced Coordinate Expert
4
b. New Button Caption Converter____________________________________________4
c.

New Picture Properties for the Enhanced Coordinate System__________5

d. New Zoom to Fit____________________________________________________________5

e. Picture Zoom Behavior Changes__________________________________________5
f.

Updates to Creating Pictures E-book_____________________________________6

g. Read Known Issues_________________________________________________________6

2. New Security Enhancements_________________________________________6

3. New iFIX - SOA Service Provider_____________________________________6
4. New Microsoft Windows Software Supported_______________________7
5. New Product Names___________________________________________________7
6. Enhanced Failover Improvements____________________________________7
a. Mission Control and SAC___________________________________________________7
b. ScadaSyncMonitor__________________________________________________________7
c.

ScadaRoleManager_________________________________________________________7

d. Database Manager_________________________________________________________8
e. Maintenance Mode_________________________________________________________8

7. Updates to the iFIX Automation Reference__________________________8

8. Support for Marathon everRun MX and everRun Extend Product__8
9. Features No Longer Supported Starting in iFIX 5.8_________________9
10.New Icons in iFIX______________________________________________________9
11.Items No Longer Included on the iFIX DVD__________________________9
About GE Intelligent Platforms_________________________________________10

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

1. Improved Picture Scaling in the iFIX WorkSpace

Starting in iFIX 5.8, there is a new and improved coordinate system (Enhanced
Coordinates) that allows you to scale pictures better in the WorkSpace. This option is
enabled for all new graphics. Existing legacy graphics remain in their original coordinate
system until you upgrade them to the new Enhanced Coordinate System. The Enhanced
Coordinate System features independence from restricting screen resolutions.

a. New Upgrade Picture to Screen Independent Enhanced Coordinate

Expert
A new 'Upgrade Pictures to Screen Independent Enhanced Coordinate' expert allows you
to convert legacy (iFIX 5.5 and earlier) Logical Coordinate System pictures and dynamo
sets to the new Enhanced Coordinate System. A picture upgraded to the Enhanced
Coordinate System retains its original aspects even when viewed on screens with
different resolutions. You can upgrade one, some, or all the pictures with the Upgrade
Pictures to Screen Independent Enhanced Coordinates dialog box.
During the upgrade process, the expert performs many tasks including:

Saves the pictures in the legacy coordinate system to an Upgrade backup

folder before the picture is upgraded. This allows you to revert back to the
original picture at a later time.
Checks the position of each object within the pictures as it is upgraded.
Creates a log file each time the expert is run and identifies objects that reside
outside the document's extents. You can examine the log file to determine if
your picture needs to be changed and then modify the document extents
accordingly.

After a picture is converted to the Enhanced Coordinate System, a new icon appears for it
in the system tree (to differentiate it from the older style pictures)
You can confirm the upgrade by using the Property Window to examine the new Picture
Properties for the Enhanced Coordinate System. For a listing of these properties, refer to
the New Picture Properties for the Enhanced Coordinate System section.

b. New Button Caption Converter

In addition, a Button Caption Converter allows you to scale Button Caption objects (text)
to fit Enhanced Coordinate System graphics. The Button Caption Converter expert
converts the caption text to scale across zoom factors and screen resolutions and
overlays an object on the original command button caption. Using the Button Caption
Converter, you can scale one, some, or all of the command button captions in a picture.

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

This is useful when viewing pictures and text with Zoom to Fit. The Button Caption
Converter supports the Enhanced Coordinate System only.

c. New Picture Properties for the Enhanced Coordinate System

The Enhanced Coordinate System uses the following new properties to reflect the height,
width, and coordinate system for pictures:

DocumentHeightEx - Specifies the document height in postscript points.

DocumentWidthEx - Specifies the document width in postscript points.
Enhanced Coordinates - Identifies the picture coordinate system as either: True
(Enhanced Coordinate System) or False (legacy Logical Coordinate System)

d. New Zoom to Fit

With the Enhanced Coordinate System, a Zoom to Fit option resizes the entire picture
area to fit the current window size while suppressing scroll bars. The objects within the
picture do not change their logical position and dimensions even when the picture is
brought to a new screen resolution, which is different from the resolution on which the
picture was developed. Zoom to Fit does not change the location of the objects/shapes
within your picture, but scales the picture for viewing only.

e. Picture Zoom Behavior Changes

With the Enhanced Coordinate System, Zoom acts differently. That is, with the legacy
Logical Coordinate System, you had to decrease the Zoom Factor to increase the Zoom
Percentage. With the Enhanced Coordinate System, you must increase the Zoom Factor
to increase the Zoom Percentage.

With the Logical Coordinate System - Zooming In (greater than 100%) is applied
by reducing or decreasing the viewport; thus, the zoom factor is less than 1.
ZoomOut increases the viewport, thus, the Zoom Factor is greater than 1.

With the Enhanced Coordinate System - Zooming In to a picture increases the

zoom factor, and Zooming Out reduces or decreases the zoom factor.

The following table lists the zoom percentage and corresponding zoom factor for each
coordinate system. For example, a zoom percentage of 200% is represented as a zoom
factor of 0.5 for the Logical Coordinate and 2 for with the Enhanced Coordinates System.

Zoom

Zoom Factor

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

Percentage

Logical
Coordinate

Enhanced
Coordinat
e

50%

1.5

0.5

100%

1.0

1.0

150%

0.25

1.5

200%

0.5

2.0

f. Updates to Creating Pictures E-book

There is new, valuable information throughout the Creating Pictures e-book. Helpful hints
for upgrading legacy pictures to the new Enhanced Coordinate System are included on
the following topic pages:

Picture Coordinate System

Upgrading a Picture to Enhanced Coordinates
Selecting Zoom to Fit
Converting a Button Caption
Controlling a Pictures Magnification
Tips: Sizing and Locating a Picture

g. Read Known Issues

Be sure to read the Known Issues tab for issues you may encounter.
NOTE: Please be aware that any pictures that you upgrade with the ALPHA will not be
supported in the iFIX 5.8 final release.

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

2. New Security Enhancements

To protect your information from unauthorized sources, iFIX 5.8 provides the following
security features:

The Network Password is now masked and case-sensitive when you enter it in
the SCUs Network Configuration dialog box.
There is a new field called Password Confirmation in Network Configuration
dialog box in the SCU. The user is now required to enter the password twice
(the second time for confirmation).
Due to security enhancements, if the SCU file is copied to a different machine,
a popup message appears warning you that it is invalid when the SCU file is
open and/or when iFIX starts. You will be required to enter the network
password in SCU if you need to establish network connection with the Enforce
Trusted Computing enabled.

3. New iFIX - SOA Service Provider

The new Proficy iFIX - SOA Service Provider allows you to access iFIX tags and get active
alarms in Proficy Workflow. Proficy Workflow clients can read and write iFIX tags and
fields, and get active alarms by connecting the Proficy Workflow Server to Proficy iFIX.
The iFIX - SOA Service Provider consists of the Proficy iFIX Data Provider and the Proficy
iFIX Service Provider components. The Proficy iFIX Data Provider provides services to
publish iFIX tags to the Proficy Workflow server. The Proficy iFIX Service Provider provides
services to connect Workflow to the iFIX node and allows you to read and write iFIX tags
and fields and get active alarms.
For more information on this new feature, refer to the Using the iFIX - SOA Service
Provider e-book

4. New Microsoft Windows Software Supported

iFIX 5.8 supports the following new software:

Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit or 64-bit) Professional or Enterprise Edition

Microsoft Windows Server 2012, Standard or Enterprise Edition.
Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 7, Service Pack 1

For more information on supported software and hardware, refer to the Getting Started
guide.
IMPORTANT: Currently, Environment Protection is not supported on Microsoft Windows 8
and Microsoft Windows Server 2012.

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

5. New Product Names

iFIX WebSpace has been replaced with Proficy WebSpace. The Proficy WebSpace
continues to provide an easy-to-use, full-featured web client that enables you to extend,
expand and enhance your new or existing HMI/SCADA iFIX system.

6. Enhanced Failover Improvements

The following improvements are provided to enhance alarm distribution and data
synchronization in an Enhanced Failover configuration. In addition, there are improved
system operations during Maintenance Mode and SCADA failover.

a Mission Control and SAC

The following improvement was made to the Mission Control with SAC tab selection
screen:

Status box shows accurate SAC Average and Max Time.

h. ScadaSyncMonitor
The following improvements were made to the ScadaSyncMonitor screen:

Detects when ScadaSync.exe is running or not running. On the

ScadaSyncMonitor screen, a red transport lines area indicates that
ScadaSync.exe is not working and a message displays under the navigational
buttons. A green transport lines area indicates that ScadaSync.exe is running
and there is no message under the navigational buttons.
The status of both the local and remote nodes display at the top of the
ScadaSyncMonitor screen.

i. ScadaRoleManager
Enhancements to ScadaRoleManager include the following:

Detects absence of TCPTASK when ScadaRoleMgr determines that a SCADA

node does not have a good network connection.
Sets the initial node status (ACTIVE or STANDBY) quickly and provides a
message to its log file when it detects a partner at startup.
Allows the primary node to go active when the ScadaRoleManager detects an
inactive secondary node to ensure that when nodes are started simultaneously,
one node will have a cold start.

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

j. Database Manager

The Database Manager connects to a redundant SCADA node by specifying the

physical node name instead of the logical node name. You can explicitly choose
the SCADA node and therefore are not subject to connection failover.

k. Maintenance Mode

Upon exiting Maintenance Mode, alarm acknowledgements and simulation

register changes made on the secondary SCADA node are copied to the
primary SCADA node.

For information on Enhanced Failover enhancements, refer to the "Enhanced Failover" ebook.

7. Updates to the iFIX Automation Reference

The following new properties and methods were added to the iFIX Automation Interface:

EnhancedCoordinates Property - This read-only property specifies whether

the current pictures uses screen independent coordinates (Enhanced
Coordinates) or the legacy Logical System Coordinates.
DocumentHeightEx Property - Specifies the height of the document in
postscript points for the Enhanced Coordinate System.
DocumentWidthEx Property - Specifies the width of the document in
postscript points for the Enhanced Coordinate System.
ZoomtoFit Method - Enables or disables the 'Zoom to Fit' feature on a picture
using the Enhanced Coordinates System.
ConvertToEnhancedCoordinate Method - Converts the x or y coordinates of
a point in legacy Logical Coordinates to the corresponding value in Enhanced
Coordinates.
ConvertToOriginalCoordinates Method - Converts the x or y coordinates of
a point in Enhanced Coordinates to the corresponding value in legacy Logical
Coordinates.
ScrollToPosition Method - Scrolls the picture to a specified position using X
and Y coordinates. For use on a picture using the Enhanced Coordinate System
only.

For more information on the new properties and methods, and for updates to existing
properties and methods, refer to the iFIX Automation Reference e-book.

Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

8. Support for Marathon everRun MX and everRun Extend

Product
iFIX 5.8 has been tested with Marathon Technologies everRun MX, and everRun MX
Extend Software products. Testing was performed using Marathon everRun MX 6.1.1.
GE Intelligent Platforms will support the functional operation of the iFIX 5.8 product that
is running on a supported operating system in a validated Marathon everRun MX
environment. GE Intelligent Platforms cannot guarantee performance of the software in
a Marathon everRun MX Protected Environment due to the wide range of parameters
associated with the hardware, configuration, memory settings, 3rd party software and
network performance all of which can affect performance. GE Intelligent Platforms cannot
provide support related to the performance of the software running in a Marathon
Protected Environment if determined that the issue is related to the Marathon Protected
Environment. GE Intelligent Platforms does not provide support for configuration of
hardware, networking, and IT security parameters associated with the protected
environment.
It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the performance of the iFIX 5.8
software and application are adequate to meet the needs of their runtime environment.
GE Intelligent Platforms does not support issues related to functionality that is not
available as a result of running in the Xenserver virtual environment. Examples include
the functionality of card level drivers such as Genius, DH/DH+, SA85 as well as functions
requiring direct video access. GE Intelligent Platforms cannot guarantee the functionality
or performance of 3rd party products used with the application. The customer needs to
check with the vendor of those applications for their ability to run in a virtualized
environment.
Each Marathon Technologies everRun MX instance that is using our software is required
to have a valid license.
It is recommended that you consult the Marathon web site for questions concerning
compatibility issues with Hardware and Software before installing Proficy iFIX 5.8.
http://www.stratus.com/Services/CustomerSupport/everRun-Always-On-ApplicationAvailability-Support

9. Features No Longer Supported Starting in iFIX 5.8

10.

FIX Desktop
Screen regions in the Viewport are now obsolete.

New Icons in iFIX

The WorkSpace, the SCU, and other areas of iFIX now display new and improved icons.

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Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

11.

Items No Longer Included on the iFIX DVD

FIX Desktop Installer
The iFIX Sample System
iFIX WebSpace (now replaced by the Proficy WebSpace DVD)
Proficy Historian for SCADA (it now has its own DVD)

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Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX New Features, VERSION 5.8

About GE Intelligent Platforms

GE Intelligent Platforms is an experienced high-performance technology company and a
global provider of software, hardware, services, and expertise in automation and
embedded computing. We offer a unique foundation of agile and reliable technology
providing customers a sustainable competitive advantage in the industries they serve,
including energy, water, consumer packaged goods, government & defense, and
telecommunications. GE Intelligent Platforms is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. For
more information, visit www.ge-ip.com.

2013 - GE Intelligent Platforms. all rights reserved.

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