GE Proficy iFIX - end of life?

[Saffa]

Hi guys,

We have a new client who is running a distributed SCADA system using iFIX as the HMI. It's a bit of a mess and really needs a rebuild with standardised graphics, something better than 1024x768 and no bloody Times New Roman font!

I have not worked with iFIX before but it comes across as a bit of a "mature" product. Doesn't appear to be a lot of work being done on it. Now I may be wrong but I'd love to hear from those of you that use it. Would you recommend keeping it, doing the training and and building a new set of screens, or would you dump it in favour of something else?

My preference would be a Wonderware System Platform solution but it's a fairly big cost for the client simply because I don't really know or like an existing product!

 

[Paullys50]

I would say it needs to be migrated as well but I won't endorse System Platform. I haven't kept up on iFix but I was in a similar situation about a year ago. Huge project potential and iFix was in place, low resolution changed and massaged over the years and it was simply time. I wanted no part in adding features to that iFix installation simply because of the man hours and risk involved.

Working on a 1024 x 768 application.....yuck.

I made a pretty solid pitch for migration, but unfortunately the overall project was to much and was put on hold, can't say that I was saddened by that news. I had absolutely no desire to take on that risk because it surely meant a very long commissioning and not a chance at staying in budget.

Not sure how big of an application you have, but it's always worth the effort to pitch a migration strategy.

 

[RussB]

iFix (Proficy HMI/SCADA iFix) is alive and well, depending on your actual version there may be an easy transition to today's version.
Most would put it 'Clouds' above WonderWhere.
Read all about it here: http://support.ge-ip.com/support/index?page=prodhome&cat=HMISCADAIFIX

 

[Saffa]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think the client has kept up to date, only one version behind I think. Will find out more next week when we actually get access to their servers. The main problem has been lack of a standard when implementing graphics and naming etc. It's just a big job to tidy up from here (over 15,000 tags i think). I recently did an Intouch upgrade from old to new and standardised graphics. .. was weeks of work and was only a 2k tag count.

I'll just have to give iFIX a go I think!

 

[RussB]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think the client has kept up to date, only one version behind I think. Will find out more next week when we actually get access to their servers. The main problem has been lack of a standard when implementing graphics and naming etc. It's just a big job to tidy up from here (over 15,000 tags i think). I recently did an Intouch upgrade from old to new and standardised graphics. .. was weeks of work and was only a 2k tag count.

I'll just have to give iFIX a go I think!

If you do take this on you may find some good information and assistance here too: http://forums.ge-ip.com/forumdisplay.php?f=80