REDUCE ERRORS & 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. Analyzing 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

• Archival Backups
• Change DetectionChange Documentation
• Historical Tracking
• Secured User and Workstation
• Disaster Recovery
• Controlled Editor Operations
• Automatic Change Notification.

 

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.

 

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 measuredsavings by reducing unscheduled downtime, reducing errors, security, increasing productivity. Payback is usually achieved in less than one year.

 

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.

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.

 

SOURCE WAREHOUSE

 

Centralized 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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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.

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 tion 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.