CIMPLICITY® HMI - Plant Edition™ Version 6.0 is shipping now.   This new version introduces a graphical VCR playback option, CIMPLICITY SQL 2000 based on Microsoft's SQL 2000 product, ThinView software to support Compaq iPAQ PDAs for mobile information access, an upgraded Pager option, as well as several alarm, graphical, and OPC product enhancements.
This new version also supports the latest Microsoft Windows XP Operating System software.      

New Features and Functions
VCR Option Module

GE Fanuc is introducing a new product option module with Version 6.0 called VCR.  VCR stands for Visual CIMPLICITY Replay. This new option provides ability for users to playback point data from their historical archive (CIMPLICITY SQL) through their CimView Screens.  A software VCR control is provide that provides the user with several key features including – From .01x to 10x Real-Time Playback Speed Search Capabilities Stop Search Start Search VCR also provides the ability to replay multiple screens simultaneously.  Advanced users can also create a custom ControlPanel via an integrated COM Interface.

CIMPLICITY SQL 2000 product option with the release of HMI Version 6.0.  GE Fanuc continues its teaming with Microsoft to combine the power of CIMPLICITY with Microsoft® SQL Server™.  CIMPLICITY SQL 2000 provides users with the power of Microsoft SQL 2000 integrated with their CIMPLICITY software applications.
 
Existing customers with CIMPLICITY SQL will need to purchase this latest version of of the product based on Microsoft SQL 2000, as Microsoft does not provide an upgrade option for moving from SQL 7.0 to SQL 2000. 

A separate product bulletin has been issued covering the details of CIMPLICITY SQL 2000. 
 
ThinView Products

It’s Here! Thinview software for PalmView GE Fanuc has upgraded its award winning ThinView software to support the PalmView application.  The PalmView application provides the ability for users to interact with CIMPLICITY HMI graphic screens via wireless ethernet on a Compaq Ipaq PDA. In addition to viewing information, setpoint capabilities are also provided.  The bi-directional information flow capabilities of PalmView allows users to easily interact with their systems through one of the most popular PDAs available. PalmView Benefits: –  User Mobility –  Wireless Ethernet communications allows unprecedented mobility. –  Quick and Easy Access to Critical Information –  Mobile users can easily connect and view or enter process information.

A separate product bulletin has been released on the new ThinView software applications. 

CIMPLICITY Pager - New Version
Changes in FirstPage, as provided by the vendor, will be included in the release. The documentation will be restructured to minimize the amount of re-write that must be done for a release.

HTML Formated Product Documentation The speed and ability to find help on the wide variety of topics has been greatly enhanced in Version 6.0 with the introduction of HTML styled documentation.  All CIMPLICITY documentation is provided electronically on the product CD with quick and robust search capabilities.    

What's new in Alarm Enhancements
- Alarm Class Enhancements
- Alarm Sound Extension based subconditions of the alarm
- Dynamic Update of Point Values in Alarm Display  
 
CimView Enhancements
Version 6.0 introduces a configurable CimView pop-up keypad.  The CimView /keypad option now supports customizing the keypad. 

CimView Thumbnails

Managing your CinView screens has never been easier with the introduction of Thumbnail viewing support.  Thumbnails allow the user to view a smaller view of a screen before opening the screen from the Workbench.  This helps the user quickly locate and open the correct screen they which to view or work on.  The thumbnails are visible in Windows Explorer, the Workbench, and the CIMPLICITY Plant Edition Web Access pages.

Point Description Visibility Enhancement
The ability to display point descriptions has been added to the Trending, Point Control Panel, Alarm List, and the Point Cross Reference tool applications.  

UNC Filename Support
CIMPLICITY HMI is based on a robust, client / server architecture.  This architecture allows users to construct multi-node plant wide systems where the processing and application can be spread over several HMI servers.  To simplify the maintenance and support for these multi-node systems UNC Filename Support has been added to the CIMPLICITY Workbench.  This allows the user to easily access projects on remote nodes without having to pre-map the harddrives for the remote systems.  The CIMPLICITY Workbench can automatically locate and map remote CIMPLICITY projects allowing for a centralized view and maintenance of the other HMI systems.

Windows XP Support
The table below indicates the HMI application / operating systems supported by Version 6.0. 

Servers	· Windows XP Professional (For less than 10 Clients, No Terminal Services) · Windows 2000 Server (Required for more than 10 Clients, Terminal Services) · Windows NT- Strongly recommend upgrading to XP or 2000
Viewers	· Windows XP Professional · Windows 2000 Professional or Server · Windows NT · Windows 98/ME – Runtime only.  Strongly recommend upgrading to XP

 
What’s added in Device Communications
·          OPC Client – Extended Tracing
·          OPC Client Configuration Framework within the CIMPLICITY Workbench
·          OPC Client Performance Enhancements
·          GagePort OPC Server with an enhancement to report unchanged values to OPC Clients
·          Support VersaMax SE PLC using Triplex Devcom
·          Support for Quantum PLC over Modbus Plus  

If your have active SAFE contract, logon to www.cimplicity.com to request for new upgrade.