zenon Release 2020: zenon 8.20 and zenon Analyzer 3.40

This year's update of the zenon Software Platform once again simplifies project planning and takes the next logical step towards full digital connectivity in industrial and energy automation. When information from production processes is not analyzed and evaluated properly, equipment operators are unable to leverage its full potential. In 2020, comprehensive, flexible and automated reporting and analytics functions come as standard with zenon Analyzer 3.40.

zenon 8.20 provides many detailed improvements in authorization and authentication. For example, password history and complexity rules now allow security requirements to be fulfilled easily. New drivers in the portfolio include, for example, Euromap 63 interfaces for injection molding machines. Further upgrades to the web engine now support the alarm causes familiar to the editor, while applications run even more robustly overall.

zenon runs on Docker

With the release of zenon 8.20, the software platform now runs on Docker for the first time. With Docker container technology, services and processes are isolated from each other. All the applications and functionalities that zenon needs are composed in a handy package that can be launched from its own file system. In the past, it was possible to store the entire infrastructure centrally, using virtual machines, but it was not always practical due to the resources required. With container technology, specifically Docker, this can be achieved in a way that conserves resources. This increases performance and enables almost limitless scalability. Above all, it saves on hardware costs, since multiple runtimes can run on one server. The zenon Runtime data is stored on the host system and is therefore permanently available.

Execute projects even more efficiently with Smart Objects

With zenon 8.20, users are once again making their projects a little more efficient. The new Smart Objects represent more than just an upgrade of the editor. Smart Objects in zenon are a grouping of related elements such as icons, variables or features. Once created, templates for Smart Objects can be instanced multiple times in the project. The resulting object instances are assigned the properties defined in the higher-level class (the templates for Smart Objects). All elements and links are generated automatically by zenon and the user can also individually adjust the individual Smart Objects. Because the object orientation is firmly grounded in zenon philosophy, all content can be maintained centrally.

Categorization of events

To make the Chronological Event List (CEL) more needs-based and more efficient to use, users can now use the categorization function with version 8.20. So far, all events have been output in detail, which could sometimes lead to information overload. From now on, all possible events can be assigned to one or more categories. As a result, only those entries that are relevant for the current application are output. With zenon 8.20, assignments in the zenon Editor can now be edited independently or the list can be expanded to include your own categories. One event can be assigned to several categories. Based on this categorization function, content can be filtered regardless of the language or text display.

Proactive not reactive

pyZan Library is a major update for zenon Analyzer 3.40. The name combines the Python programming language and zenon Analyzer to highlight the strengths of both technologies for users in predictive analytics. Thanks to the Library, the zenon software platform transfers, as necessary, detailed (process) data as well as metadata from zenon Analyzer. Users can further process this data in projects custom-tailored to their requirements, using Python and working outside zenon. This enables users to program freely and equips them for any scenario.

Reports in Corporate Design

To better personalize reports in zenon Analyzer, the design of the footers can be aligned with corporate standards. Similarly, in headers not only texts but also colors and graphics, such as logos, can be applied and inserted freely. All of these customizations can be saved as templates and re-used in the future. In addition, with zenon Analyzer 3.40, the width of headers and footers can be adjusted dynamically and reports are adapted automatically to all formats.

Flexible chart displays

The XY chart display is even more versatile in zenon Analyzer 3.40. Previously, it was not possible with this report to create a relation between more than two variables. The new release enables users to compare multiple variables in a diagram. For example, values for variables such as pressure, density or electricity consumption can be set in relation to temperature and displayed in a diagram. This allows for new insights into production processes. Additionally, paper printouts can be reduced significantly, resulting in flexible, sustainable reporting solutions for production operations.

More time intervals in reports

zenon Analyzer 3.40 offers users with twice the number of time filters in a report. Ten time periods are now supported instead of the previous five. This enhancement came directly from customer feedback and ensures even more relevant information is available about comparison periods in order to help customers make better decisions. The options for reporting with zenon Analyzer 3.40 have also been expanded. Fifty report templates can now be displayed in one report, which significantly increases the scope of reports for users.

Grow your knowledge free of charge!

You’ll discover all the new features and enhancements of the new zenon version when you take our free zenon update online training course. Working by instinct is good, but knowing is better.