Current zenon version

With zenon 14, not only the project planners but also the equipment operators experience numerous improvements in the application.

Alarm management
For example, alarm management in the Alarm Message List (AML) has been simplified. Column-based sorting of entries and a filter line directly in the list make it easier to handle the AML in daily use. Additional columns also allow more information to be displayed.

Spontaneous gap detection during data recording and easier data handling
With values that only change sporadically, spontaneous archiving (archiving when values change) can result in gaps in the display of data. In zenon 14, a time period can be defined using spontaneous gap detection, after which the last known value of a variable is written to the archive. In the Extended Trend or in GraphQL interface queries, it is guaranteed that the data is readily available for the requested duration. This makes an important contribution to data integrity, facilitates the analysis of the data and at the same time keeps the storage requirements low.

In addition, it is even easier to work with data in Extended Trend: the selection of variables has been simplified and the identifier can now be displayed in the output list.

• The template project has a new look and feel and is compatible with the current Orchestration Studio. It has a basic project framework with menus, templates and image templates and can also be implemented as an HTML5 project. 
• An API extension has been implemented for importing MTP files from a marketplace. 
• The device status and the current device status can be displayed in MTP Device Management. The physical location of a device can also be recorded.
• With ready-made calculation blocks, internal modules can be added to the orchestration in Orchestration Studio using drag & drop.
• With the MTP Gateway, it is also possible to make non-MTP-capable devices compatible with the MTP standard in order to benefit from faster integration. The MTP Gateway paves the way for the transition to the concept of modular production without having to overhaul existing machines.

The improvements to the Web Visualization Service (WVS) enable visually appealing and high-quality Human Machine Interface (HMI) or monitoring solutions in web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Safari (iOS) with extended functionalities. The display of Faceplate screens is now supported and even large or complex process images can be kept in view with the zoomable zenon worldview. Furthermore, the WVS enables the selection of template recipes and the creation and execution of control recipes (no editor) by means of batch control. Additional command actions have been added to the command output for sending switching commands.

The OPC UA Server in the Process Gateway has been successfully tested for conformity and is listed as a certified product on the OPC Foundation website.

The OPC UA Process Gateway supports the sending of a translated language according to the language table of the project in the OPC UA event communication for AML / CEL. Events for the Chronological Event List (CEL) can now also be sent under Linux and historical data can be retrieved from archive variables.

The OPCUA32 driver enables the configuration of an optional prefix for variable names. This can be customized per connection to facilitate the import of variables from different servers with the same information model.

Validity information of the OPC UA certificates for the communication of the OPC UA client driver is available. This allows the timely renewal of certificates and can prevent downtime.

The S7TIA driver has been updated and supports version 19 of the TIA platform, as well as communication with a PLC with current firmware, even if only secure communication is allowed. The password for the access level can also be parameterized.

Under Linux, the Logic Service offers the functionality familiar from its use under Windows: the extended communication between the Service Engine and Logic Service means that variables created in the Engineering Studio can now also be used in the Logic Service. In addition, further fieldbus drivers are available under Linux. 
Thus zenon offers a platform-independent integrated solution with the Service Engine and the Logic Service.

It is now possible to monitor the current status of a process gateway in the Service Engine and to trigger an alarm if the gateway is no longer active. The monitoring of the integrated process gateway can be realized by using a variable.