• No specific HTML editor required.
• Use any web browser with Java capability (including non-Windows based browsers).
• Full support for Java applets and servlets
• Multiple web servers supported in a single SoftPLC
• Up to 10 browser clients per page supported simultaneously
• Each Web Server task can be allocated only a small, fixed slice of SoftPLC time, ensuring SoftPLC remains a deterministic controller

SoftPLC's Web Server applications are limited only by your imagination. The three most common uses are:

Operator Interface

Rather than purchasing a dedicated HMI or SCADA license for each system/user, create web pages to display production data or machine status, or to allow operators to make changes to machine operating parameters or select recipes. These pages can then be viewed on any web browser. Useful for both local in-plant as well as remote access over the internet!

• No per user license fees - many browsers can connect simultaneously from any station on the network
• No software licensing fees or annual support/upgrade costs
• Minimal computer hardware requirements - the system only needs to support a web browser
• SoftPLC supports multiple web sites to separate pages viewed by job function, etc.
• SoftPLC includes an embedded firewall for secure access
• SoftPLC's web server supports Java Servlets which have the advantage of being able to pass through firewalls without special access rules

System Documentation

SoftPLC has tremendous storage capacity. This makes it inexpensive and easy to store all the system documentation and tools you may need to maintain the machine/process - right in the controller! A web page with a menu of documentation choices can easily be created for user access to virtually everything needed to maintain the equipment. Store:

• User manuals you create, or vendor equipment
• CAD Drawings
• Bill of materials, I/O Lists
• Troubleshooting flowcharts
• Program documentation, Logic printouts
• Software programs/utilities to configure equipment
• Photos or even video clips

View Data Logs/Reports

With its extensive capacity, SoftPLC can easily become a data-logger and report generation system. Use LOGDATA ladder instruction(s) or a servlet to save time-stamped process values to a file. This file can then be viewed from a web page. Example file formats are *.csv, *.xml, and *.dbf.

Some useful tools are included with SoftPLC's web server, which can be used to build simple operator interface screens by developers using only HTML skills. Also included are some example web pages that can become a template for your own pages.

SmartPage

SmartPage can be used to display live data from a SoftPLC. SmartPage works by filtering an HTML page looking for hyperlinks in a special format, which reference data table values. The modified HTML page is created in SoftPLC, and is then sent to the browser with live process information in it. SmartPage can display data values, variable text, and variable graphics based on the current process data.

SmartForm

SmartForm allows a web browser to write word and bit values to a SoftPLC using HTTP protocol, even through security of IT firewalls. SmartForm can be easily used to select recipes, change process setpoints or other data values, or to turn on/off devices.

Security

This Authentication tool allows you to password protect any file in any directory, such as a web page or document. The security model is based on the HTTP protocol's built-in authentication support (called HTTP authentication) which is structured on a simple username/password model.

For information on usage and configuration of these tools, please see the manual.