Software Toolbox Technical Blog

If you're reading this, you likely have some use cases for working with InTouch LGH history files.  A classic way for InTouch users to log historical process data since just about the beginning of InTouch availability, there are still many of you out in the world with some usage of LGH logging to store historical data (or you at least have some legacy files you need to somehow utilize).

This blog post will discuss some unique ways to utilize LGH historical logging beyond the obvious use case of simply historizing process data being collected by InTouch.

You may have heard about the latest OmniServer release – OmniServer V3.0.  OmniServer V3.0 includes enhancements to licensing and support management, as well as, several usability enhancements to the configuration interface including a new topic wizard and updated Configuration User Interface.  Well, we've also recently released a subsequent V3.0 build containing support for CSV import/export of protocol Command/Response Messages.

Continuing our blog series about specific V3.0 features - this blog post will detail the new import/export functionality designed to increase your efficiency and the ease mass editing protocol messaging on larger protocols when you're working with OmniServer to integrate your non-standard process devices.

With the release of Cogent DataHub Version 8, we have had a lot of interest in OPC UA connectivity. The following short video blog demonstrates step-by-step just how easy it is to make an OPC UA connection between two DataHub nodes while also demonstrating how to manage security certificates in DataHub when making OPC UA connections.

If you've ready any of my other recents posts regarding specific industries, you already understand how one of TOP Server's primary differentiators is the wide variety of different drivers/protocols to choose from for communicating with the multitude of device makes and models out there in the automation world.  Drivers for all of the major PLCs in manufacturing like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi and many more have always been conveniently organized into driver suites.  But what about options for Water & Wastewater?

Continuing our series about specific industries covered by TOP Server, keep reading to find out specific details about the drivers and features available in TOP Server for the Water & Wastewater industries including several great features that should make your lives easier in TOP Server V6.0.

By now, I’m sure you’re aware of the Cogent DataHub v8 release.  Since announcing the release date, we have had many good questions from existing users like you.

This blog post will address the most common questions we have received and provide the answers you need to plan your DataHub V8 migration.

You may have heard about the upcoming release of Cogent DataHub Version 8 on March 1.  The new features in Version 8 are focused on enabling the Cogent DataHub to deliver high-quality data communication – secure, fast, and fully integrated within the plant and beyond.

In this blog post, to give you a bit more insight into what you can expect, I will provide further details on each of the new features.

One of TOP Server's key differentiators is the wide variety of different drivers/protocols to choose from for communicating with the multitude of device makes and models out there in the automation world.  TOP Server has always had all of the major manufacturers like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi and many more conveniently organized into driver suites.

So what about specific industries such as Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Power & Utilities, Building Automation or IT & Infrastructure?  TOP Server also has convenient vertical industry suites, as well.

Continuing our series about specific industries covered by TOP Server, keep reading to find out specific details about the TOP Server Power & Utilities Suite including several great features that should make your lives easier in TOP Server V6.0.

At its core, a communication protocol is just the ‘language’ that devices speak, right? Just a collection of rules that govern how components of a system are going to interact with each other, and what the capabilities of the system might look like.

In this post, I will discuss why you should bother learning anything about communication protocols in the first place. I will discuss the value of knowing what a communication standard is and why some people (myself included) commit so much time to learning them.