IMPORTANT NOTICE: Using a newer version of Productivity Suite to save or download a project created with a previous version may alter the project and its functionality. Making backup copies of existing projects is highly recommended.
New PLC simulator
The Productivity Suite Simulator provides a means to emulate parts of the Productivity Series hardware, including:
Added StrideLinx integration to CPU connections dialog
StrideLinx integration provides a secure connection to remote CPUs within Productivity Suite through a StrideLinx VPN Router. Once configured, Productivity CPUs connected through StrideLinx VPN routers are easily selectable from within the CPU Connections dialog.
Support for the new Productivity2000 Modules has been added.
Advanced array support for User-Defined Structure (UDS) definitions
Ex. Tag = MixingTank(1).Transfer_Pump(2).VFD.Run_Command - contains two nested UDS arrays (Transfer_Pump and VFD) inside the Mixing_Tank UDS definition.
Other Improvements
User Defined Structures
User Defined Structures (UDS) is a group of data types (BOOL, FLOAT, INT, pre-defined structures, etc.) which are defined by the user and re-used at will in the ladder code and/or fill-in-the-blank instructions.
1-dimensional UDS arrays are available for easy indexing through custom tag variables.
Other Improvements
Support for the new Productivity1000 Modules has been added.
Integration of the Protos X Field I/O system to be used as remote I/O
Expanded support for up to 15 expansion I/O modules
The new Durapulse GS4 parameters have been integrated into the Hardware Configuration.
Pre-defined widgets for the most popular Mail Servers (Gmail, Aol, Outlook, Yahoo) have been added to be used with the updated Send Email instruction.
Updated Send Email instruction allows for secure emails (TLS) and allows data log attachments.
Network Time Service and Time Sync instruction have been added allowing the PLC's internal real-time clock
and calendar to sync with the date and time from a specified time server.
EtherNet/IP EDS File Import
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Other Improvements
Productivity Suite now supports Electronic Data Sheet (EDS) file imports for EtherNet/IP device and network configurations. These ASCII text files describe the features of an EtherNet/IP device and can easily be imported into the hardware configuration of your Productivity Suite project. Once imported, these EDS files are stored globally across software versions.
Productivity Network
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Custom Protocol over Ethernet
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Firmware Upgrade Progress Indicators
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DataView Enhancements
The new Productivity Network (ProNET) feature adds the ability to share data, over Ethernet, with other Productivity Series CPU's quickly and easily.
ProNET uses the verbs 'publishing' and 'subscribing' to describe how one controller's data is exchanged with other controllers on the network. Publishing is analogous to sending data, and is done only if ProNET is configured to 'publish' one or more of its assigned tags. If so configured, the P-Series controller will broadcast a packet that contains the data from the selected tags. ProNET uses 1D arrays for storing data. There are a maximum of 32 publishers and/or subscribers can be defined (32 unique global identifiers available) on the data sharing network. A controller can be configured to publish 64-32 bit elements, 128-16 bit elements, or 256-8 bit or Boolean elements per publisher.
New Custom Protocol over Ethernet (CPoE) feature allows the ability to Send or Receive structured Hex-Based data to/from another device over Ethernet. This is particularly useful in situations where the Productivity series CPU must communicate with a device that has Hex-Based communications but does not support one of our standard protocols.
To configure your Custom Protocol over Ethernet Device, use the setup tools found in the Hardware Configuration window. The Custom Protocol over Ethernet options are found under the CPoE tab of the Hardware Configuration
Once the device is configured, use the Custom Protocol over Ethernet (CPE) instruction to Send or Receive structured Hex-Based data to/from another device over Ethernet.
Added Check marks to indicate each step is complete in Firmware upgrade window.
Bit of Word elements can now be viewed in DataView by right clicking on a word and selecting "show bit of word details".
Also added the ability to show control characters, to show string values in Hex (separated by spaces), and to show string values in decimal (separated by spaces) for string tags in DataView.
Return from Called Task
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Support for NEW MODULES!
New Instruction Return from Called Task (RFCT) used to Stop and immediately Exit from a Called Task
Added support for new P2000 modules: P2-04DAL-1, P2-04DAL-2, P2-08NAS, P2-08TAS, P2-08TD1S, P2-08TD2S, P2-15TD1, P2-15TD2, P2-32ND3, P2-32TD1P, P2-32TD2P.
Compare Project
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Force from ladder
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Project Conversion
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New Stop mode transfer limits
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Print to .PDF
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Ladder less pixelated
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Recent Projects
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I/O view
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Updated Instruction Panel
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Updated Instruction Shortcut
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Improvement to Printing
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Drag-n-Drop Dataview into Graphing
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Drag ladder instructions
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Right Click Tag Search
The Productivity Suite software now supports the Producitvity2000 PLC, the latest member of the Productivity family.
Compare Project allows users to select Productivity Series PLC project files (.adpro) and perform project-to-project comparisons on these files.
In addition, the Compare Project Tool provides you with a graphical representation of your ladder logic and the ability to apply filters to perform a selective Compare. Once the Compare Project Tool has performed the comparison, it generates a report detailing the differences between the two project files.
Right click on any tag in your ladder logic program to "force" any contact or coil in the ladder editor (without having to launch a Data View window). An icon now will be shown next to any contact or coils indicating if it is forced on or off.
Added the ability to easily convert a P3000 project to a P2000 project or vise-versa using integrated conversion utility.
Some changes to a project cannot be handled by a Run Time Transfer, and must be downloaded using a Stop Mode Transfer. Here are the editing changes that will force the user to perform a Stop Mode Transfer (new limits in bold):
At any time, the availability of Run Time Transfer can be verified at the bottom of the Productivity Suite window.
Built in print to .pdf option added for printing both ladder and compare project features.
A selectable number of your most recent projects can now be quickly accessed from the Start Productivity screen
I/O View is a quick and easy way to monitor all hardware points installed in a system. A user can also force on or off any discrete or analog point using I/O View.
Analog channels display values numerically AND via a horizontal bar graph (color fill). Options for discrete I/O points include:
Updated Instruction Panel has collapsible categories, including a new favorites category that allows a user to quickly add their Favorite instructions to this area for quicker access.
Updated the Instruction Shortcut feature with a new look, and added FLS, DBN, & TMC instructions to the Instruction Shortcut. (Access the Instruction Shortcut by selecting a ladder loaction and typing a tagname. The Instruction Shortcut window will appear. You have the ability to choose from a list of instructions in the drop down of either contacts or coils to quickly add a new tag without having to enter the instruction first. This is one of several quick methods of entering tags and instructions into your ladder code.)
Users now have the ability to select rung(s) in ladder, and right click to send directly to printer, or print the entire task. Added ability to Print, Save, & Copy the DataView Graphing window with the right click option, and added the ability to turn "block details" on or off for printing.
This screen capture shows the effect of turing off block details, the Simple Timer instructions details are not shown, and the resulting print-out is much more concise.
You can now left click & drag selected tag(s) from a Data View window to anywhere in the graphing window to begin graphing of the selected tags.
Or you can right click on selected tag(s) and select Graph Tags to begin graphing.
Left click to drag an already placed instruction in ladder and drop it into another location in the same ladder window.
Press and hold the "Ctrl" key while dragging the Instruction, and a Copy of the selected Instruction will be made and dropped into the specified location in the ladder window.
You can directly access the tag search feature of find/replace via Data View, TagDB, or ladder editor by right clicking to initiate a search for other occurences of that tag. Find Tag name is populated and search results done with one simple click.
Tag I/O Reassignment
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Structure data types
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EtherNet/IP
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P3-SCM
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Full Duplex
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Binary Only Projects
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Data View Graphing
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Enhanced Tag Export
Tag I/O Reassignment allows a user to create tag(s), at will, without knowing what initial or final I/O modules will be installed in the system. With Tag I/O Reassignment a user can create tags, then later reassign these tags to I/O points once the module configuration is setup in the Hardware Configuration.
Structure data types are specific sets of tags combined together for convenience. Using Structures in instructions can speed up program development because multiple tags are created and assigned automatically. Simply check the "Use Structure" box and enter the name for your structure. The Productivity Suite software does the rest, creating all the tags required for that instruction.
If the "Default I/O tags" option is selected when modules are added to the system their default I/O tags are automatically assigned to each I/O point. With the option deselected when modules are added, none of the default I/O tags are assigned to the I/O points.
New Feature (P3-550 Only): Support for two types of EtherNet/IP messaging: IO Messaging and Explicit Messaging. IO Messaging is accomplished through a Class 1 Connection and Explicit Messaging can be accomplished through a Class 3 Connection or an Unconnected Message.
Version 1.10 includes support for the new P3-SCM (Serial Communications Module) - The P3-SCM is a serial communications module capable of Modbus, ASCII, and Custom Communication Protocols and able to power the C-More Micro through RS-232 (Port 1 Only).
Full Duplex is now supported on all RS-232 ports in a Productivity3000 system (P3-550, P3-530, P3-RS, P3-RX, and P3-SCM Modules). Full Duplex allows the RS-232 serial ports to transmit and receive simultaneously.
OEMs can now load a “binary only” version of a project onto a Productivity PAC from a USB thumb drive. This prevents users from viewing/editing the ladder code should they connect with the Productivity Suite software. Nor is it possible to transfer these “binary only” files from the PAC to pen drive thus further protecting OEM source code.
Data View graphing updated to allow options for line fill, line smoothing, and new tool tip to show data from a specific data point.
Tag Export & Project Save creates two separate files "name_extended.csv" & "name_basic.csv":
Apple iOS PACDATA app
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Go To Functionality
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MST bit Descriptions
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Add/Remove rows
The FREE PAC Data Remote Monitor App allows the user to connect to remote PAC systems from a Wi-Fi, or cellular network connections. The Remote user can monitor the local PAC system and user tags configured for remote access inside the tag database of the PAC.
Click here for more info and to download the app.
The Productivity3000 CPU must have compatible network settings with the device running the PACData App, or the CPU must be accessible from the Internet. Tags must be selected in TagDB prior to project downloaded for tags to be available for monitoring.
The Productivity Suite now supports a great new way to jump to a specific task (and rung or column) within your ladder code:
Right Click anywhere in your code, & select "Go To" from the drop menu...
...or Select "Go To" from the Edit Menu:
Either way - the Go To menu will appear:
The descriptions for these bits were always shown on the hardware configuration screens, now you can access them via the tag database, and they will show up in your ladder code (if you choose to display tagname comments):
The software now allows insertion or deletion of a row(s) from a Dataview window
ViewMark Instruction
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Improved Cross Reference
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Value Cursor in Data View
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Improved Hardware Configuration
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Remote Access tab
Configuring messages to send to a ViewMark message display is as easy as copying some text from the ViewMarq software into the new VMW instruction. The instruction can update Numerical and String Variables using Auto polling. The instruction allows the use of Static or Dynamic Syntax and can communicate via Ethernet, RS-232 & RS-485
Right click anywhere in your ladder to view the cross reference options. Filter on tags, tasks or instructions...
Expand any of the items in the list to view all instances of that element in your program. Then double-click to jump to that location in your code.
The new Value Cursor allows visual placement on a specific set of point(s). Hover the cursor to see the value of that point
The Hardware Configuration window has received a face-lift. Improved graphics, drag and drop capability for both modules and bases, as well as
clearly identifiable "hot swap" indicator for I/O modules that are hot swappable. And now you can right click system components in the menu
to create a personal list of favorites for those items that you use the most.
But don't forget about Auto Discovery, it is still the fastest way to configure
your Productivity3000 and any connected GS drives - just populate your rack and connect the drives, once you apply power and connect a programming
cable - just visit the Hardware Configuration dialog and click "Read Configuration". The Productivity Suite will read your entire setup
in a few seconds, and you'll be ready to start programming.
The web server setup configuration options have been moved to new Remote Access tab under the processor configuration dialog, in anticipation of an exciting new feature that will be added in the next release. Stay tuned for more details.
Web Server
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High-Speed Instructions
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High-Speed Module Testing
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Bit of Word
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PID Tuning Display
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New Toolbars
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Search & Replace Enhancements
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Updated “Firmware update” Tool
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Leading Zeros for PKS instruction
The P3-550 CPU now includes a web server. Click here for more info
Several new instructions have been added to support the new High-Speed Input Module (P3-HSI) and the new High-Speed Output Module (P3-HSO).
Learn more about the new instructions in the help file (online here) or download the software (it's a free download).
The High-Speed Module Tester is a software utility that allows a user to test the P3-HSO module's inputs and outputs. It is highly recommended to simulate your P3-HSO functions before attempting to control the module from your PAC program. This utility can be useful with debugging, confirming field wiring and verifying external device operation. The High-Speed Module Testing dialog box is accessed from the Application Tools window, a screen shot is shown below:
Programmers can now access an individual bit of any of the following 'word' data types:
To access a bit value, simply enter the tagname of the 'word tag' followed by ":" and the bit number (as shown at right).
Note: Since the token is a colon (:), any existing tagnames that contain this character must be changed in order to use this new feature. Once you enable the Bit of Word Tags option, the software will scan the project for existing tagnames that contain the Bit of Word Token (:) and assist you with a search and replace.
The Ladder Editor, Data View, & Task Management toolbars have all been updated with new icons, and offer new features.
New Data View Features:
New Task Management Feature:
The PID Tuning dialog will now monitor (and allow you to tune) up to 5 separate PID loops without losing data as you move between the tabs. There are also two new ways to assign a PID loop to a tuning window, either 'right click' the PID instruction in your ladder task and select "PID Tuning", or choose the PID loop from the pull down menu in the upper left corner of the PID Tuning Dialog box.
The Find / Replace dialog now allows searches/replacement of partial tagnames. Great for cloning whole sections of code, just copy the rungs you wish to clone, and then search and replace on the beginning of the tagname strings, as shown in this example. The tagnames that are slated to be changed are shown on the very right of the list [in brackets]. Use the check boxes to make sure that tagnames are changed only on the desired rungs.
Tagnames listed to the right of the instruction are the tagnames that will be replaced if that line is 'checked'.
You can also filter search results to only search the new High-Speed Instructions (HOME, REG, SMOV, SPOS, VMOV and WHSO). Results can be further refined by selecting a particular High-Speed module and/or channel.
The Firmware Upgrade tool has been revamped with several new feature and enhancements:
Allows selection of Left or Right justification. If Right align is selected, the Add Leading Zeros for Integers option can be selected.
Note: This is applied to all integer tags assigned to the instruction.
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