What's new?

New in Version 8.1

Maintenance

Modern Angular frontend and scalable backend for improved performance (Maintenance (FC_Maintenance))
Responsive design for optimal use on mobile devices
Enhanced user rights for efficient teamwork (including administrative maintenance manager)
Customizable maintenance workflow for flexible processes
Editable machine types, type plates, and repair classes for maximum adaptability
Display of type plate information in visualization (free attributes)
FlowChief Document Management (DMS) integration for structured document management
Share function for easy forwarding of machines, incidents and maintenance tasks
QR code generation for quick access to defined machines and maintenance tasks

Energy Data Management e-Gem

EnergyXplorer (replaces the selection and monitoring area)
- Central interface for engineering and monitoring of metering points
- Simplified editing through cut, copy, and paste functions for metering points
- Intuitive, user-friendly navigation
- Picker replaces the metering point basket for optimized selection
- Context menu for direct access to analysis functions
- Export of the current metering point list as CSV
Selection of metering points via a hierarchical cost center structure
Expansion of the economic efficiency analysis according to DIN EN 17463 (VALERI) in the PDCA module
Integration of e-Gem Reports into e-Gem
Optimization of manual value input and metering value entry
New icons for functions, media, and organization
Integration of the new Analytics Tool
Redesign of counter maintenance - maintenance measures can be defined directly in e-Gem
Set a default date in the date dialogue which can be selected in other date dialogues

Analytics

New function module Analytics (FC_Analytics) for rule-based plausibility and consistency checks
- Automatic detection of deviations in regular operation
- Integrated analysis of historical values and master data
  - Free & expandable usage
- One rule per system available
- For free unlimited rule usage with the Add-On FC_Analytics
Available rule types
- Archive values: value comparison, reference value comparison, time range comparison, value count
- Switching frequency
- User logins: successful & failed logins

Webreports

Editor improvements (Table Editor / Tile-Editor)
- Min/max values per column can be toggled (previously only per page)
- Sum/average row per page can be toggled (previously only per column)
- Customizable predecessor/following values (font, background color, font size for timestamps and values)
- Empty columns can be inserted
- Repeatable blocks (column repetitions) now also possible for columns with tag data sources
- PlantXplorer can be opened directly from the editor (menu "Column Options")
- Copy and move pages
- Configurable column width
Reporting Optimizations
- New report type "Lifetime" report with selectable resolution (annual or monthly values, complete timepoint recording)
- Header rows in table reports can be fixed or scrolling (individually savable per report)
- Archive value correction directly possible in the report
- 30-minute values in free reports
- Meter change can be entered directly via the context menu
- Offset meter quantity display across all archive levels possible (if enabled)
- All editable cells will indicate a pen (blue: laboratory values, orange: measured values)
- Restore of the last position after report refresh
- Configurable display of substitute values
Customizable display & export options
- Full-screen mode
- Formatting of report creation date configurable
- Conditional formatting
- Signature lines can be freely defined
- Page numbers displayed in PDF export
- Additional column header "Function" to show the applied calculation function
- URL parameters enable preselection of any report pages
- Button to enlarge the current report to full-screen mode
Context Menu & Navigation
- Extended context menu entries for switching to other modules
- Context menu now displays all process variables used in WebReport calculations, calculated values, or e-Gem metering points
Improvements in Tile Editor
- Resolution can be set centralized for the entire report
- Multiple selection of process variables in the editor (depending on Widget)
- Image Widget now enables to browse for the desired source
- Tile editor now supports instantiation (tag suffix can be set in report, e.g. *.CPU.LOAD)
Further improvements
- Consistent integration of e-Gem reports
- Improvements in the ExcelReporter (e.g. addressing of cells via predefined name)

Visualization

Textbox for displaying continuous text.
Client-specific reactions.
Correct Z-order for embedded curves, message lists, Plant Explorer, widgets, maps, and breadcrumbs.
Slider: Improved touch operation.
Support for predefined placeholders in "value". The placeholder is replaced with the desired value at runtime and sent to the server (Actions).
The tag of the animated process variable can be copied from the visualization to the clipboard.
The message list now also displays the "relative time" (e.g., "14 minutes ago").
The instance of a visualization object can now be changed via a configured action (action: Load XML instance).
Blinking elements now blink simultaneous and no longer in their own rythm
Optional clustering of maps markers
Select google maps navigation from the context menu of maps markers.

Imager

Shortcut Shift + Mouse Wheel for horizontal scrolling.
New option for multiline text in the Text Out component.
New drawing component Textbox for multiline annotation texts.
Certain drawing components can now be converted into another (similar) type via their context menu, e.g., TextIn ↔ TextOut, Pipe ↔ Polyline.
Extended options in the Slider and improved preview display.
New shortcut Page Up/Page Down to switch the active layer, combined with the Ctrl key to select the topmost or bottommost layer.
Export of all process image texts in the project to the clipboard without explicitly opening the images (e.g. for translation).
In-memory aggregation: Support for charts, widgets, and archive value export.
Animation based on client-side auxiliary variables.
Automatic encoding of special characters in file paths (bug fix).
Extended options via context menu: "Create new element from selected one" as svg/xml, with or without drawing element
TextOut box can indicate meter reading, amount or current value
Reactions for TextIn boxes now possible
Support of WMS layer in maps component - WMS URL including selection of layer, CRS and style

Web Sewage Journal for Wastewater Treatment Plants

Optimized report templates are available for download.
- General:
  - Monthly Report:
    - NEW: Optimizations for display in the new full-screen mode.
    - NEW: Improved column grouping using border padding.
    - NEW: "Remarks" column now has a minimum width for improved presentation.
    - NEW: Additional pollutant parameters, if available in the system (required pollutants may need to be manually added or configured via a separate template file in the system).
  - Annual Report:
    - NEW: Optimizations for display in the new full-screen mode.
    - NEW: Improved column grouping using border padding.
    - NEW: Additional pollutant parameters, if available in the system (required pollutants may need to be manually added or configured via a separate template file in the system).
  - Official Inspections:
    - NEW: Improved column grouping using border padding.
  - Energy Report:
    - NEW: Improved column grouping using border padding.
- Hessen:
  - EKVO Client for Hessen
  - Declaration form:
    - NEW: Qmax
- Niedersachsen:
  - Declaration form
    - Excel Template for 2023
    - Excel Template for 2024
- New Functions in the DWA Operation Export for Baden-Württemberg:
  - Portal upload as an option directly integrated into the reporting service.
  - Only daily values and additional fields (as required by the portal from 11/2024).
- Additional exported pollutant parameters, export for industrial plants

Widgets

Extended Aggregation Interval for Charts: It is now possible to display cumulative values for specific time ranges (e.g., between 2 and 4 AM per timestamp).
Value Widget: Now displays the status color of values in the frame (e.g., fault, replacement value) along with a tooltip.
Chart Legend: Can now be disabled via the context menu.
Carpet-Plot/Multi-Carpet-Plot: Color mapping for an adjustable value range, either as absolute measurement range or percentage-based.
Carpet-Plot: Improved color range settings by defining colors for 0/50/100%.
Sankey Now supports archived values.
Measuring Instrument: Optionally displays linked limit values.
Context Menu for Measuring Instruments and Values: Can now be hidden.
Load Profile: Now supports 15-minute and 1-hour values.
Line and area charts can be displayed smoothed - individually for each process variable
Time comparison now supports an optional colour which will be softened for older periods, automatically.

Plantexplorer

Shortcut CTRL+H: Opens the "Find and Replace" dialog.
Shortcuts CTRL+X (Cut) and CTRL+V (Paste): Now available in the plant tree.
Report Templates (WebReports): Can now be opened directly from the context menu in WebReports.
Thumbnails in File View: Besides image files, visualization objects (.xml) are now displayed. Thumbnails are also available in the detail view.
"Value Ranking" Tab: Now displayed for PV types AO, DO, and SO, indicating which input variable the output value was forwarded from.
FlowChief Connect Station: When creating a new station, the station number is automatically initialized with the next available number.
Insufficient Permissions Alert: If a value is set without sufficient permission, a login dialog appears to authenticate a user with the required permissions.
"Open With" Context Menu: Now includes predefined time ranges (e.g., Today, Yesterday, Day Before Yesterday, Last Week, Week Before Last, etc.).
Select Plant Tree Node for a PV: The node where the PV is located can now be selected via the context menu.
"Copy (Tree Structure Only)" Context Menu Option: Available in the plant tree.

FlowChief Connect (formerly GPRSmanager)

The FlowChief remote control solution "GPRSmanager" is now called FlowChief Connect (FC_Connect).
PLC Libraries:
- Panasonic:
  - FIX: Function block FC_ETHERNET
- Siemens S7-300:
  - NEW: Support for TIA 20.
- Siemens S7-1200:
  - NEW: Support for TIA 20.
  - FIX: Function block FC_ETHERNET_SSL
- Siemens S7-1500:
  - NEW: Support for TIA 20.
  - FIX: Function block FC_ETHERNET_SSL
- EATON:
  - FIX: FC_LOCAL_TIME
- Beckhoff
  - TwinCAT 3

New in Version 8

Security

Session-Management changed from URL-based to Cookie based - for enhanced security and stabilize browser sessions
Siemens S7 TCP/IP Driver: Support of TLS encrypted communication via „Secure PG/PC- and HMI communication“
Improved system architecture through relocation of data to the database (Document Management)
- Additional security perimeter by separating files from the host system
- Application of user access rights (read, edit)
- Ideal suitability for critical infrastructures
Optimization of the resilience for the high availability solution for redundant systems
Improvement of security measures within the entire system and program components

Document Management System (DMS)

Flexible document management solution (Document Management) and shifting of configuration and operational files into the database
Optimization of the WebDAV Service for the secure provision of files via HTTPS (user management)
NEW: File manager for management of files within the Plantexplorer (Files)
NEW: Datei-Browser for an easy selection of files during configuration
NEW: Widget (File Management) for context sensitive presentation of files in the Visualization and Dashboard
Benefit: Simplification of the system architecture through reduction of fragments
Benefit: Secure system architecture for critical infrastructures
Benefit: Facilitation of Backup- and Recovery processes
Benefit: Simplification of the system architecture for high availabilitiy (redundant) environments
Benefit: Simplification of the system architecture for Portal-, Cloud- and Hosting solutions
Benefit: Numerous new solutions through simple integration of files into the entire application

Web-Operating Journal for Sewage Plants

Individually adaptable and totally integrated solution for operating journals for sewage plants in the FlowChief system (Operating Journal for Sewage (FC_WebReports_BTB_KA))
Realisation within Webreports (all features available)
Automatic generated monthly and annual journals, based on the configuration (Tagging operational values)
Simple engineering through provision of variable lists for common values (continuous measurements, laboratory values, calculated values)
Automated completion of official forms
Integrated export to official (German) authorities (e.g. DWA Betrieb – Baden Württemberg und DABay Bayern)
Adequate for multiple plants on one FlowChief system
New license option FC_WebReports_BTB_KA (functional modul without PV-scaling)

Widgets

New Widgets
- String Manual Value - for an easy creation of notes in the Dashboard
- Plantexplorer – Create PV lists with an individual filter, integrated in the visualization
- File Management – Embed files from the DMS into Dashboard, Visualization or Reports (e.g. finalized reports, delivery notes, manuals, routing slip)
- Playlist – Individual slideshow of various FlowChief modules
- Comparison Table – Comparison of various periods as table
- Value table / Chart Combination – Combination of value table and bar chart for the comparison of various periods
New Widget functionalities
- Visuobject: Supports parameter handover
- Automatic value refresh of archive charts (pull)
- Optimized presentation of titles
- New context menu for cross navigation – switch to other modules while keeping the selected process variable
- Display of indivdual aggregation levels (e.g.: 2h, weeks, quarters), see In Memory
- Line- and Columns-Widget support multiple comparison periods
- Line- and Columns Widget support evaluations based on e-Gem parameters (e.g. organisation, medium or cost centers)

e-Gem

Widgets (Line- and Columns) support evaluation based onn e-Gem parameters (e.g. organisation, medium or cost centers)
PDCA action tool :
- Flexible tool for the documentation and monitoring of energy goals and tasks
- Covers the requirements of ISO 50.001, especially paragraph 6.2 "Goals, energy goals and planning of their fulfillment"
- Analysis of the efficiency of measures during their implementation
Medium now supports plausibility thresholds (evaluation as flow diagram and reports)
Optimized Flow Charts
- Improved support of meshed hierarchies
- Optional presentation of cost center assignments
- Plausibility mode, based on defined threshold
- Context menu for cross navigation to other functionality modules
- 3 year comparison for simple value plausibility
Regressionsanalyse for static modeling of relations between various process variables
- Direct creation of function equations for normalizing consumptions
- Supports multiple influencing variables (multi dimensional)
- Covers all requirements of key figures according to ISO 50006 ab
Optimization of reports
- Flexible report generation based on e-Gem parameters (e.g. Organisation, Medium, Cost Centers)
- Plausibility for the detection of significant discrepancies
- Identification of energy intensive consumptions for the SEU detection, according to ISO 50001
Optimized energy controlling
- Support of hierarchical cost centers
- Historicization of cost center assignments
- Combined amount/cost reporting with flexible groups, based on the hierarchic cost center structure
Counters
- Enhanced master data of Counter devices (e.g. calibration appointments) including a link to maintenance

Meter reading now supports converter factors

Plantexplorer

Optimization of the Plantexplorer widgets for a flexible integration of PV-lists in the Visualiszation and Dashboard
Search bar within the Plant Tree (folder name and tag)
Individual setting of the width of the plant tree
New column in the Process Item list: Local time, timestamp UTC, tagging, comment
The selection of files is now easily performed with the Datei-Browser
New display: Files for document management
Extended context menu for process item types AO, DO and HS: System Log (e.g. for the display of a switching history)
Search/Replace supports the modification of the parameters „Condition 0“ and „Condition 1“
The properties tab Register Value Marshalling supports the direct MQTT publishing and settings can be inserted in the process item
The details search supports the wildcards * (randon number of place holders) and ? (placeholder for one character)
Expanded Tagging for key values of waste water plants (see BTB)

WebReports

New option for displaying amounts and meter reading in two columns
Relocation of report templates to the DMS (Document Management) (formerly Programdata/FCReports; new installations and updates)
Optional output of a 2h-interval in daily reports
Hide and show option for the report type within the editor (WebReports) and runtime
Adjustable timestamp format
Optional fade in of column numbers
Optimized layout of the table editor
Defined standard aggregation for report type free report
IfThen functionality for the translation of values into random outputs (e.g. weather keys)
Finalize reports by archiving them in the DMS
New functionalities when adding new columns and process variables
Individual page breaks between columns
Expanded data source with tagging
Highlighting of manual value columns
Insert laboratory and manual values directly in the report
Tab Navigation between columns for a fast and flexible insertion of manual values
Optimized layout of the table report
Fixation of timestamp columns and header while scrolling in large reports

What's new?

New in Version 8.1

New in Version 8

New in Version 7.1