Release Notes Version 3.20

Streamlining for easier ordering and license handling​.

• License options come in package sizes:
  • 1
  • 10
  • 25
  • Unlimited

^{1 .. Dashboard RW sums up any command functionality with write direction e.g., like the ULC UX widget.​}

^{Dashboard RO provides read-only access to data (“Standard Dashboard”)​.}

^{* .. Unlimited instances of 1 type of protocol can be used.}

Harness the power of modern scripting languages.

Providing a new WinCC OA Javascript Manager for Node.js enables you to use JavaScript/TypeScript to implement your own business logic.

Increased cloud awareness.

Further Improvement for Web Visualization​.

Provides HTML5 Dashboard with extended functionality.​

Faster and more flexible archiving​.

• A local PostgreSQL® database installation can now be done automatically. This is also the recommended backend type to be used. It will be set as new default during project creation. This will save valuable configuration time. Of course, any other archiving option (including RDB Oracle®) can still be used for new projects as well.
• No additional WinCC OA license costs if backend and database are running on the same WinCC OA server (1 local instance, independent from the database type).
• Disaster Recovery System for maximized system availability is supported for NGA PostgreSQL® as well (previously only available for RDB Oracle®archiving).
• Improved read performance for PostgreSQL® backend through optimized indexing.
• AMS/APM Solution packages will be available for PostgreSQL® with a later update for 3.20.

Importer for switching projects to the Next Generation Archiver

• The NGA Importer provides the possibility to convert the complete configuration of an existing RAIMA/Value Archive (HDB) project to SQLite®/NGA.
• Import existing historical data into NGA projects.
• All historical values and alarms can be imported.
• Import data even during normal operation due to automatic importer speed threshold.
• Newest values are imported first.
• Note: SQLite® for last value and data model storage is only available in combination with NGA.
• Switching to NGA – as future-proven archiving option - was never easier.
• No extra costs, as operation does not have to be stopped and importing can run automatically in the background.

Increases flexibility for SVG images.

• SVG graphics can now be colored per individual element.
• Fillable Primitive Shapes have a new attribute fillSvgElement.
• The elements inside the SVG use the given fill-string and the given color for this fill type.
• Color schemes, active icon schemes and even blinking colors are supported.
• An SVG selector in the CTRL Script Editor helps identifying the individual elements.

SVGs make – along the Layout Management feature – adapting to different screen resolutions very easy. Now the engineering to show alarms on different parts of a graphical symbol is easier than ever before.

Faster and more convenient debugging.

• Works now for object-oriented CTRL++ scripts too.
• Numerous usability enhancements.
• Breakpoints can be stored now.
• All loaded scripts available.
• Easier access to variables.
• Threads overview for easier comprehension of workflows.
• Support of all data types (even including $-parameters).
• Missing features like step in/out are now available.
• Option to automatically break new threads on startup.
• Modules are now dock-able, arranging them to specific needs is possible .
• Give the new CTRL Debugger a try!
• With numerous usability and feature enhancements it will now really save valuable time to identify and fix errors in CTRL code.

Faster engineering for Multi-language projects.

• This new feature is 100% compatible with any of your existing panels or message catalogues (which can still be used).
• Streamlines any multilingual project and drastically reduce translation efforts.
• A source language can be defined per (sub)project level.
• Only one XML translation file per language.
• With its common standard format, the file is ideal to be used and integrated in the workflow of professional translation service providers.
• Qt Linguist tool finds all instances in panels and scripts, which allows for easier and faster translations.
• Usage of the translated texts happens automatically during runtime.
• Specific configuration is always possible, maintaining full flexibility to handle a situation where similar words are used within a different context.

Save time and money with fast and comprehensive AI generated answers.

• WinCC OA online documentation is available for 3.18, 3.19 and 3.20, in English and German.
• Address: https://www.winccoa.com/documentation.
• Newly integrated WinCC OA Assistant powered by OpenAI's own ChatGPT.
• Full access to over 6000(!) help pages.
• Find the right answers to your most urgent questions in the shortest possible time.

Common Name Service can now also be used in queries.

• The already existing Plant Model is used for different views on the WinCC OA data model. It adds flexibility and data comprehension capabilities.
• It can now also be used in queries for alarms and values.
• We will continue to enhance the rang´e of functions supporting CNS in upcoming WinCC OA versions.
• Example:

  dpQuery SELECT ‘.motor.kpi:_original.._value' FROM 'System1.Plant4:Line1:' WHERE _DPT = “Packaging“

Allows several instances of online backup.

• Ring buffering for the Online Backup feature.
• Available for HDB(Value Archives), RAIMA and new SQLite database​.
  Note: Backups for the NGA databases must be performed in an individual manner.​
• Definable number of backup instances enables a balance between resilience and storage space.​
• In case of an error, one no longer has to worry about the backup becoming corrupted, as an older, still working instance of the same backup can be restored.​

Wider range of development actions now possible.

Small but very useful.

• When scaling any selected objects, holding the CTRL key now keeps the aspect ratio, so no more unwanted stretching occurs. Works also in combination with the snap-to-grid functionality (Shift key).
• Dragging & Dropping a picture from the project tree to a panel now creates a new filled rectangle shape with the default size of the picture.
• A new action "Adjust to Image Default Size" changes all selected "fillable" primitive shapes to the default image size.
• Usability and feature enhancements have been added in the search dialog for faster and easier searching for contents of panels, libraries and scripts.
• In the script editor and the script editor EWO, you can set/delete a bookmark - see chapter Script Editor - Add Bookmarks. You can also use the new functions removeAllBreakpoints(), restoreBookmarks(), restoreSettings() and saveBookmarks().

Save time and money with a variety of engineering improvements.

Save time & money.

• Files, folders or colors now can be moved or copied within the project tree​, even into unlocked sub projects.
• Recursive deletion is now also possible​.
• Those operations – if accidentally triggered – may even be interrupted​.
• A “protection mode” helps to keep folders type-clean (e.g., allowing pictures only in the pictures folder)​.
• Pictures are shown directly as preview instead of a generic icon.

Interesting feature line-up

• Stream Cloning: Only one stream from the camera necessary. This increases performance, as the same video material is re-used (e.g. regular stream recording is used for special alarm recording as well).
• SVG Overlays: Allows you to display layered meta information without altering the video, e.g. updating camera information over existing, situation- and location dependent information or company branding/logos. SVG scripting is also possible (Tiny SVG restriction applies). Additional editor option comes with a later update.
• Privacy Zones: Full color or blurring possible, exclude zones in the video material which fall under special privacy restrictions - Additional editor option comes with a later update.
• PlaybackProxy: Functionality available since 3.19. Primarily used for network segmentation (does not include caching for clients) and easier configuration of firewalls. Also enhances security, as fewer ports must be opened on the client devices. Additional VideoManager support will be added with a later update.
• Layout-dependent Bandwidth Management: Depending on the available stream display size, different stream resolutions can be used. Configuration of stream resolutions must be done in advance (e.g. Low/Middle/High). Automated selection of stream quality is possible. Other stream qualities are paused.

• WinCC OA comes with the newest 6.5 LTS version of Qt
• Due to the QT upgrade, some drawing details have changed. A configuration option is available to restore the legacy behavior:

  [ui]
  compatLegacyPainting = 1                  //Default is 0, Set to 1 to activate legacy behavior

  This affects:

  • Drawing of diagonal lines
  • Font rendering
  • Fill pattern