FactoryPMI is a Java based SCADA product by Inductive Automation containing three main components: the runtime, gateway, and designer. FactoryPMI version 1.0 was released in 2003 and deprecated at version 3.3 in 2010 with the release of Ignition. As of March 2013, FactoryPMI is still being sold and supported.
The FactoryPMI Runtime or Client is a Java application typically launched from a web browser. It acts as the HMI interface for end users and can be used to view realtime or historical process data or control industrial applications. The runtime can be launched one of three ways. As an Applet inside a web browser, via Java Web Start, or in Full Screen Exclusive mode, where it occupies the whole screen without borders or toolbars, typical of an industrial Touchscreen application.
The Gateway is a web page configurable, customized version of the Apache that uses JGroups multicasting for clustering. It runs a servlet that uses a single port to mediate client requests. It supports SSL/TLS and compresses communication between gateway and clients.
The FactoryPMI Designer is a WYSIWYG IDE that is used to create SCADA applications. Like the runtime, is a Java Web Start application. The FactoryPMI designer began as a form of Sun's Bean Builder and has grown to facilitate industrial applications and incorporate Jython as the scripting engine.
Features listed from vendor web site.
Unlimited Clients FactoryPMI allows an unlimited number of clients to connect from anywhere using web launched distribution.
Web Launched Uses Java Web Start deployment technology.
Active Directory Authentication Supports Microsoft Windows Active Directory authentication.
Instant Change Deployment Saved changes in the FactoryPMI Designer are automatically pushed to all running FactoryPMI Clients.
Clustering Connect two or more FactoryPMI Gateways to create a redundant cluster. Client load-balancing automatically spreads traffic over the entire cluster for a scale-out model.
Powerful Scripting Language FactoryPMI uses the popular Python scripting language, enabling you to create advanced projects and fulfill custom requirements.
Powerful Charts and Tables
SQLTags Proprietary means to "turn any SQL database into a high-performance industrial tag database".
The FactoryPMI designer began as a form of Sun's Bean Builder.
In 2010, the company updated FactorySQL and FactoryPMI with Ignition by Inductive Automation. It created a central user interface for both FactorySQL and FactoryPMI. Ignition has a modular architecture. Ignition is the platform, and FactorySQL and FactoryPMI became modules within that platform. FactorySQL has been renamed to Ignition SQL Bridge Module, and FactoryPMI has been renamed to Ignition Vision Module. Two other modules are also available: the Ignition Reporting Module, and the Ignition OPC-UA Module. The OPC-UA module can also be downloaded for free, and used as a stand-alone OPC-UA server.
Inductive Automation is a promoter and contributor to the Open Source community. FactoryPMI utilizes a number of such projects including: MySQL, Apache, JFreeChart, Jython, Hsqldb, jTDS, Bean Builder, and numerous others.
