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Reduce Errors and
Downtime
Manage programmable device program and documentation
changes made by multiple users from multiple locations. AutoSave
increases productivity and reduces errors by providing a common central
clearinghouse of all changes. Managing changes dramatically increases
efficiencies and ensures peak software and process performance.
Analysing historical changes allows you to identify bottlenecks and
observe trends in programming practices.
Increase Productivity
AutoSave is an enterprise source management solution
providing a comprehensive suite of tools to protect, save, restore,
discover, and track changes for industrial programmable devices and
documents. AutoSave unifies plant automation software under one common
user interface. Use of AutoSave results in a secure, well documented,
controlled environment which dramatically reduces coordination
constraints, wasted effort, and safety concerns. Integrated with editor
packages, AutoSave provides:
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Archival Backups
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Change Detection
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Change Documentation
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Historical Tracking
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Secured User and Workstation
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Disaster Recovery
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Controlled Editor Operations
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Automatic Change Notification.
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Protect Users and
Assets
Manage versions and ancestors of all automation project
files, programs, documentation, and associated historical tracking and
configuration information stored in a central secured location.
Discover Unknown Modifications
Monitor changes to programmable devices and track history of updates. The
AutoSave server periodically uploads programs from networked programmable
devices, discovers differences, sends an email alert of those changes, then
creates a new program ancestor. The email message contains a hyper-link to the
differences report.
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Seamless Operation
Reliable Programs
The secured AutoSave Client captures and saves program updates on the AutoSave
Server as they are edited. The AutoSave Server periodically uploads programs
from networked devices, detects and reports changes. New program versions can
be created for synchronization with client workstations.
Optimized Processing
An AutoSave Agent is for sites with large numbers of devices to be uploaded in
a limited amount of time. The scheduled compare feature can be distributed
among several Agents for parallel processing of the unattended upload and
compare.
Integrated Technologies
The client/server architecture, exclusive client-directing, streamlined
error-reduction technology, and licensed interfaces from manufacturers
provides seamless integration between AutoSave and editor software.
Easy upgrade - Scalability
Add extra client modules for new editor coverage of all program source and
documentation changes under a secure environment. When a new version of
AutoSave is released, the AutoSave Clients are updated automatically from the
Server.
Protect Your Investment
Development and maintenance of this control software is considerable. AutoSave
protects and secures the software by reducing costly errors while increasing
profits, security, and efficiency.
Economic Justification
Return on investment with AutoSave is measured in terms of cost savings by
reducing unscheduled downtime, reducing errors, security, increasing
productivity. Payback is usually achieved in less than one year.
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Archiving
On Demand Upload & Save
Programs are uploaded using the AutoSave Agent or clients. This function
uploads logic and data files from the device and saves all the files on the
server, while creating a new current copy and making an ancestor of the older
copy.
On Demand Download & Recovery
AutoSave provides on demand rapid recovery of failed devices with access to
the latest program version of all programs. If a device fails, the correct
program can be restored quickly. Whether a plant has 5 devices or 5,000,
AutoSave reduces unscheduled downtime and protects against accidentally loaded
devices regardless of the number and types of personnel involved.
Automated Update
Periodically check for differences between the device and the current copy. If
the versions are different, the program in the device is automatically saved.
This ensures the most up-to-date program version is always in use at each
workstation and a current backup is readily available.
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Change Tracking
Historical Tracking
Every step of the programming change process is documented and a detailed
history of each version is maintained. Client activities are logged and stored
on the server, enabling verification of each change. A revision history report
lists the date and time of changes to the program logic or documentation, the
location of each change, who made the change, what was changed, and user
comments. Activity Logs track transactions relating to programs, such as edit
session compares or printouts.
On Demand Compare
Any two copies of a program, such as current, local, ancestor, or version, can
be compared to each other or to the processor. This comparison is done on
demand and may be performed from any client with access to the device program.
Scheduled Compare
Compare procedures can be scheduled and automatically performed. Automatically
comparing the program in the device and a program stored in the AutoSave
library can detect and identify changes between the program that may have been
unknown or unauthorized. Thus protecting your process, people, and equipment.
Automatic Change Notice
When a change is made to a program, designated users are immediately notified
via e-mail. Detailed, logic-to-logic and selected data table value comparison
reports are generated and users are notified of differences via e-mail. These
e-mailed results, generated for scheduled, program, or demand compares, are
viewed via a Web browser that features hypertext links to detailed logic and
documentation differences.
Current Working Program
In the AutoSave client/server environment, the server stores the program files
in their native file format. When the client requests a program from the
server, a copy of the files, along with the latest documentation, is sent to
the programming editor for use by the client. A lock is created so that other
users are advised of who else is using the program, when and where. Since the
Current Copy is stored on the server, authorized users can access the latest
copy, enhancing productivity and safety. When a device program is downloaded,
all users can be sure they are downloading the most recent "known"
version.
Local Workstation Copies
Many change management plans call for all programs to be readily available in
case of network outages or standalone emergency workstations. This is
accomplished by configuring AutoSave to keep the latest working copy on a
specific local workstation as well as securely stored in the Server Library.
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Source Warehouse
Centralised Version Control
Multiple versions and ancestors of all project files, programs, and
documentation are kept in a secured central location on the AutoSave Server.
Version control maintains accurate records of which software version is in
use, when changes were made and who made the changes. The secured central
repository for all program and documentation versions enables users to share
files and know immediately the state of changes.
Numbered Ancestor Copies
AutoSave manages a designated number of previous copies. For example, using a
setting of "4" maintains the Current Copy and three preceding
copies. When a change is made, a new Current Copy is saved and the oldest copy
is deleted. To ensure all copies are retained for as long as needed, a minimum
amount of time during which Ancestors will be maintained is established for
the facility.
Named Version Copies
For optimum security, user-saved, master copies are not created automatically.
Each Version must be created and described by authorized users with
appropriate privileges. Only authorized users can compare and recall Versions.
A maximum number of desired Versions can be specified for a program or device.
Fast Transfer and Single Objects
All programs, files, and documents are managed as compressed objects using ZIP
technology. Programs with multiple files are all contained in the single
object. This allows the transfer of the file set from the server to the client
quickly and enables backup and easy recovery of the program contents to tape
or another hard drive.
File Locking
When the user opens a program the file is locked and indicates who has the
file checked out. The system can deny access to others while the program is in
use or to allow a read-only copy. When the user completes editing and saves
the changes, the file is automatically unlocked. Users with appropriate
privileges may manually lock a file.
Location Protection
Client computer workstations can be configured to accept or inhibit access to
a program or area of the plant. This ensures that only specified programming
workstations can be used for editing purposes. Safety is of paramount concern
when downloading or editing a control device online. Line of sight programming
is achieved with the AutoSave Client access features.
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Central Server
The AutoSave server acts as the master control center,
coordinating all security, versioning, and change-related activities from one
central and secure location.
System Security
All scheduled events such as Scheduled Compare, AutoUpdate, and change
notification are managed by the server. The AutoSave Server acts as the
central authorization point for all system operations. Each time an AutoSave
Client comes online and a user logs in, the Server determines the level of
privileges and authorization for the user and workstation.
Version Control Library
Program files are stored and managed in an open standard Microsoft Windows
directory which can be secured using appropriate network IT/IS security
methods.
Enterprise Network
AutoSave supports standard plant networking protocols, drivers, and
devices. AutoSave uses the same communications you enjoy with your programming
editor.
Comprehensive Plant-wide Support
In many older plants programming changes are made by multiple users on
multiple PCs and multiple programs. There are numerous floppy disks located
throughout the plant, each containing different program and documentation
versions. Inefficiencies are inevitable, costly and even dangerous. With an
increase in programs and a decrease in automation personnel, effectively
managing this situation is a growing challenge. AutoSave eases your management
burden and helps you seize plant-wide control of your automation environment.
Security
User Access Protection
Only authorized users are able to access programs and make changes. Access is
controlled by logins and passwords which authenticates passwords and
privileges according to the class of the user (e.g., maintenance,
engineering). Privileges are designated by area and/or by device for each user
class.
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