Author: Ethan Wilke

FTMaintenance Select v1.1.16.1 Release Notes

Posted: 5/18/2021

Features

  • Asset Management
    • Record asset downtime on work orders.
    • Edit asset downtime records.
  • Deployment
    • Host and run FTMaintenance Select on your organization’s internal servers and network.
  • Reporting
    • Generate a report that displays the details of a work order.
    • Generate a report that displays the details of a service request.
    • Generate a report that displays work order costs.
    • Generate a report that displays asset costs.
    • Generate a report that displays a list of assets.
    • Generate a report that displays a list of assets by location.
    • Generate a report that displays a list of active work orders.
    • Generate a report that displays a list of past due work orders.
    • Query reports to see a filtered set of data.
    • Export a report in Excel file format.
  • Work Order Scheduling
    • View work orders on a calendar schedule, color-coded by maintenance type.

Solutions

  • Corrected an issue that prevented Floor records that utilize special characters from being edited.
  • Buttons related to adding Users or User Groups in Asset Configuration are more clearly labeled.
  • Drop-down menus in the Stockroom Items list now work properly.
  • The system now notifies users when illegal characters are used when entering a Description on a Service Request when creating a Service Request as a Guest.
  • When creating a Maintenance Category on a new Service Request, the Maintenance Category field now automatically displays the newly created Maintenance Category.
  • The system now properly validates phone numbers and email addresses when creating a Customer.
  • The character limit for the Equipment’s Model Number field has been increased.
  • The system now notifies users when the character limit is exceeded in the Asset Category field on an Asset record.
  • Meter Type and Unit can now be entered on a new or added Meter Reading.
  • The currently logged in User is automatically entered on a Downtime record.
  • The system now notifies users when the character limited is exceeded in the Inventory Item Number and Inventory Item Name fields of an Inventory Item record.
  • Downtime records can now be added when creating an Equipment record.
  • The list of Parts, Properties, and Building records can now be sorted in ascending or descending order.
  • A User’s Status is now displayed on the All Users page.
  • Meter Reading details, such as Date, Data Type, and Units, are now automatically populated when the associated Meter Reading Definition is selected.
  • Updating an Asset’s Location no longer changes the format of the address.
    The Service Request Configuration page now indicates the current Workflow Mode.
  • The Service Requests section on the FTMaintenance Select Home page is now hidden when the Service Request configuration option is disabled.
  • Asset Tree Nodes can now be filtered by Tag.
  • Error messages no longer display when creating a Downtime record.
    A Location’s Location Type can now be updated successfully.
  • When creating a Cost Center on a new Service Request, the Cost Center field automatically displays the newly created Cost Center.
  • When creating a Customer on a new Service Request, the Service Request automatically displays the newly created Customer.
  • One-time Tasks can now be deleted from Work Order records.
  • Error messages no longer display when creating an Equipment record with a Runtime Unit.
  • Values for Location Type now properly appear on the Add and Edit windows for Inventory Item Locations.
  • Notification Events are no longer disabled when located via a search.
    Tooltips now display when hovering the mouse cursor over the icons in the Actions column on the All Work Orders page.
  • Data with quotation marks can now be successfully imported.
  • Updating the name of a child Location no longer changes the Location Type for the parent Location record.
  • A new Customer’s Address now displays when a Guest creates a Customer from a Service Request.
  • A Phone Number can now be entered on a Vendor record.
  • Customers now display properly on Service Requests.
  • The Manufactured Date and Installed Date fields are now correctly populated when Equipment data is imported.
  • A Downtime record is automatically created when the Status of an Asset is changed to “Out of Service”.
  • Property data can now be imported.
  • An Area Unit field has been added to the Buildings import template.
  • A Vendor Email field has been added to the Parts import template.
  • Vendor Email and Vendor Description fields have been added to the Vendor import template.
  • Work Orders now save Labor Logs for multiple Labor Resources.
    Deleted Users can no longer be edited.
  • Transactions can now be performed on Buildings, Facilities, and Properties records.
  • The Meter Reading Definitions grid now properly displays Units.
  • Error messages no longer display when updating fields in the Meter Readings window.
  • A Downtime Entry’s Start Time now properly saves the time as either AM or PM.
  • Improved the selection of a State on a Work Order Customer record.
  • The “Requested on Behalf of” fields no longer disappear when editing or updating a Cost Center on a Service Request with a Status of “Pending” or “Approved”.
  • Corrected an error that prevented files from being attached to Equipment records.
  • The system now notifies users when illegal characters are entered into the Phone field of a Customer record.
  • Notifications for Blocked Work Order events now use the correct Notification Template.
  • The system now notifies users when incomplete Address information is entered on a Customer record.
  • A Customer’s Phone data is now saved when a new Customer is added from a Service Request.
  • Non-required Custom Work Order Fields no longer prevent a Work Order from being saved.
  • Adding a new Labor Resource from the Work Order Lead’s Name field no longer removes data from the Lead’s Name field.
  • Updating a Stockroom location from the Locations page no longer disassociates a Stockroom Location with its parent Location.
  • Corrected an error that prevented Units from displaying in the Meter Readings grid for a Facility or Tool.
  • A Meter Reading’s Unit is now retained when adding a Meter Reading to a Part.
  • Changes to a Meter Reading’s Units are now reflected in the Meter Readings grid.
  • The character limit for Task Number has been increased.
  • Asset Names that include spaces now properly display.
  • Improved the process for submitting a Service Request.
  • A Work Order Appointment’s Time now displays on all Appointment Blocks on the Work Order Schedule tab.
  • Units are automatically populated when a Meter Reading Definition is selected.
  • Floor names and numbers can now utilize a wider range of characters.
  • Service Requests with a status of “Approved” can now be updated to “Information Requested”.
  • Improved the process for editing a Downtime Entry record.
  • Tooltips now display when hovering the mouse cursor over the icons in the Actions column on the Reports page.
  • Corrected an issue that led to the inability to create or update an Equipment record.
  • Corrected an issue that caused an error when adding a Meter Reading from the Meter Readings Sheet.
  • Improved the ability to navigate to Draft Service Requests from other modules.

FTMaintenance Select v1.1.9.5 Release Notes

Posted: 4/16/2021

Features

  • Usability
    • Search for units of measure based on their type, including quantity, length, mass, time, temperature, speed, and density.
  • Service Request Management
    • Send email notifications to the service requestor.
  • Notifications
    • Automatically notify labor resources via email when they are added to a work order.

Solutions

  • Work orders can now be deleted from the global work order schedule.
  • Confirmation messages for asset restrictions in asset configuration are clearer.
  • Requestors now receive a warning message when the required Service Request Description field is not filled out.
  • Text for recipient names and email addresses now wraps to fit the space provided.
  • An indoor location’s location is now displayed as a path in the Name column.
  • Locations now require all address data to be entered.
  • Stockroom location numbers are no longer required.
  • A service request’s Priority color-coding now works correctly.
  • Error messages no longer display when entering valid characters in a service requests’ Requestor Email and Requested for Email fields.
  • Error messages no longer display in a service request customer’s email field when creating a new customer record from a service request.
  • The system now notifies users when character limits are exceeded or illegal characters are entered into Inventory Name and Description fields of an Inventory record.
  • The system now notifies users when character limits are exceeded in Serial Number, rTotal Usage So Far, Usage at Installation, and Daily Runtime fields of an Equipment record.
  • The system now notifies the user when required fields are not completed when creating a new Downtime record.
  • Special characters now display properly in the Locations grid.
  • Work order information now displays correctly on the Global Schedule.
  • The warning message for Zip Code fields has been improved.
  • Corrected an error that prevented the user from saving an asset record without viewing the custom fields tab.
  • The system now notifies users when character limits are exceeded or illegal characters are used when creating a Facility Type from a Facility record.
  • Locations associated with an asset can now be deleted.
  • Special characters used in Location names now display correctly.
  • Administrators can now hide service request and asset pages from users.
  • Special characters entered in a location’s Name no longer prevent updates.
  • Valid locations can now be updated or deleted from the Locations page.
  • Work orders scheduled from a work order’s Schedule tab now properly display in the global schedule.
  • Special characters (i.e., plus sign) can now be used in an asset’s Name.
  • Administrators can now delete users.
  • Asset names now appear correctly in runtime schedules.
  • Meter reading units are now maintained when assets are updated.
  • Asset records now properly display a tool’s Type.
  • A meter reading definition’s Units now display correctly.
  • Meter reading definitions are no longer hidden from the list after the definition has been updated.
  • Asset names now display correctly when editing asset records from a work order’s Assets tab.
  • Part names now display correctly when viewing or editing part records from a work order’s Parts tab.
  • Tool names now display correctly when viewing or editing tool records from a work order’s Tools and Assets tabs.
  • Deleted users can no longer be updated.
  • User must now fill out all required fields on a meter reading.
  • Date and Value fields are no longer carried over from previous meter reading entries.
  • Notes are no longer deleted when a work order is created.
  • The system administrator user can no longer be deleted.
  • The user management page now defaults to a list of active users.
  • Stockroom location names now appear correctly on the Locations page.
  • Indoor locations are now properly nested beneath their parent location.
  • Adding GPS coordinates to an asset’s location no longer causes errors.
  • Viewing the Stockrooms and Storage Locations tab on a new inventory item record before it is created no longer causes errors.
  • Saving work order configuration settings no longer causes errors.
  • Adding indoor locations to parent locations no longer causes errors.
  • Adding new labor resources to work orders no longer causes errors.
  • Changing an asset’s Status to “Out of service” now creates a downtime record.
  • A location’s Type is no longer removed from the Locations grid when an asset with a location is updated.
  • Adding new indoor locations to a location from an inventory item’s Stockroom and Storage Locations tab no longer causes errors.
  • Location Types are now properly labeled in the Locations grid.
  • Users are no longer redirected to the FTMaintenance Select Home page when clicking a username in the Users grid.

FTVersionTrak v2.1.2 Release Notes

Posted: 3/1/2021

Solutions

  • Multiple File Units
    • Working directories to which Step 7 project files are checked out can be specified.
  • Repository Search
    • Wildcard characters are supported when searching for files.
  • Other
    • Added support for expiration dates past 12/2021. Click here for more information.

FTSolution for APT v2.4.0 Release Notes

Posted: 3/1/2021

Features

  • Individual Projects, or all Projects within a Solution, can be archived to and restored from a single backup file.
  • The date and time of the internal PLC clock and calendar can be set when online in Debug mode.
  • A summary of the PLC status, including memory usage, faults, and scan times, is available when online in Debug mode.
  • Contrasting colors indicate forced Symbols in the I/O Symbol Tables.
  • Forced values appear in the Forces dialog.
Solutions
  • CFC Editor
    • Fixes the issue of Scaled Integer declarations not shown in the list of the symbols valid for assignment to Process Variable settings of an object. For example, the settings of Wild Process Variable of Ratio Station CFB.
    • Resolves the issue of CFC Diagrams not registered with the project they belong to.
  • Declarations Editor
    • Addresses an issue of an internal symbol $DP_VERSION showing in the drop-down list of symbols that can be used for a symbol setting for which a valid assignment is either an integer literal or an integer constant declaration.
  • Solutions Management
    • Fixes error “The file cannot be added. A duplicate object has been detected” shown to user when a unit is removed and then re-added as an existing item in the same application session.
    • Fixes error “Object reference is not set to an instance of an object” shown when user executes command “Generate Reports” on an object file node that is shown under the Compile folder of the project in Solution Explorer, but the object file is missing in the file system.
  • Other
    • Added support for expiration dates past 12/2021. Click here for more information.

FasTrak Software Key Programming Utility Update

Posted: 3/1/2021

The software key programming utility used to program FasTrak hardware keys has been changed to program expiration dates into the indefinite future. The following new software versions have been released to support this change.

  • PLC WorkShop for Siemens 505 V5.11
  • 505 Simulator V2.34
  • PLC WorkShop for Modicon V5.81
  • Modicon Simulator V1.06
  • PLC WorkShop for S5 V5.13
  • PLC WorkShop for Square D V6.23
  • FTVersionTrak V2.1.2
  • ControlShop
    • FTLogger V3.06
    • FTTrender V2.06
    • FTAlarm V4.04
    • FTBatch V2.03
  • FTSolution for APT V2.4.0
  • FTSolution for APT Hardware Debugger V1.0.1
  • FTSolution for APT Simulator V2.34
  • FTVersionTrak for APT V2.1.2

FasTrak Hardware Key
When inserted into a computer’s USB port, a FasTrak hardware key enables the full functionality of the software. The key has been programmed with an expiration date that corresponds to a customer’s warranty or maintenance agreement period. When a maintenance agreement is renewed, the key is reprogrammed with the corresponding expiration date. Software will continue to run after a key has expired. However an expired key cannot be used with a newer version of the software. FasTrak recommends that customers update their keys each time they renew their maintenance agreements so that they can take advantage of any new features as they are added.

FasTrak Site License
Some customers use keyless site license files instead of hardware keys. The site license file enables the full functionality of the software. Some customers use installation keys to install FasTrak software products and site license files; the installation key is not used to run a software product. This type of site license is referred to as a key-on-install site license. The following information does not apply to customers with keyless or key-on-install site licenses.

Software Upgrade Required to Update FasTrak Hardware Key Beyond 2021
In order to update FasTrak hardware keys with expiration dates beyond 2021, customers will first need to upgrade to the software versions listed above (or subsequent versions) on all computers that are used to run the software.

Note:  For users of PLC WorkShop for Siemens 505 V4.70 and earlier, upgrading will introduce a file format change that was made in V4.80 released on 7/31/2014. Program files created or saved by Version 5.11 and higher will not be accessible by V4.70 and earlier WorkShop versions. V5.11 WILL accept program files created in all earlier versions of WorkShop.

Note:  For users of PLC WorkShop for Modicon V5.49 and earlier, upgrading will introduce a file format change that was made in V4.50 released on 12/16/2005. Program files created or saved by Version 5.81 and higher will not be accessible by V5.49 and earlier WorkShop versions. V5.81 WILL accept program files created in all earlier versions of WorkShop.

Customers Who Do Not Wish to Upgrade Software Versions
Customers who do not wish to upgrade to these new software versions will be able to continue running older software versions. When running the software with a key that has gone out of date, a message will display indicating that the key has expired. After the message is cleared, the software will continue to run as normal. Customers covered by active maintenance agreements, but with keys that have expired, will be able to upgrade to a later software version at any time by contacting FasTrak’s Technical Support team at 262.238.8088, Option 3 or by email.

Please contact Technical Support at 262.238.8088, Option 3 or by email if you have any questions about upgrading your software or updating your FasTrak hardware key.

FTVersionTrak for APT v2.1.2 Release Notes

Posted: 3/1/2021

Solutions

  • Multiple File Units
    • Working directories to which Step 7 project files are checked out can be specified.
  • Repository Search
    • Wildcard characters are supported when searching for files.
  • Other
    • Added support for expiration dates past 12/2021. Click here for more information.

FTSolution for APT V2.4.0 Release

Posted: 3/1/2021

FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of FTSolution for APT V2.4.0. FTSolution for APT is a Microsoft Windows-based direct replacement for Siemens-obsoleted DOS APT software designed to extend the life of Siemens and CTI 2500 Series PLCs and APT programs.
Along with other performance improvements, FTSolution for APT V2.4.0 adds the following capabilities:
  • Archive and Restore:  Individual Projects, or all Projects within a Solution, can be archived to and restored from a single backup file.
  • Set PLC Clock:  The date and time of the internal PLC clock and calendar can be set when online in Debug mode.
  • PLC Status:  A summary of the PLC status, including memory usage, faults, and scan times, is available when online in Debug mode.
  • Forced I/O Indication:  Contrasting colors indicate forced Symbols in the I/O Symbol Tables.
  • Forced Values in Forces Windows:  Forced values appear in the Forces dialog.

View release details

Purchase FTSolution for APT to take full advantage of this, and future, enhancements. Purchase includes a warranty offering 12 months of free updates and technical support.

FTSolution for APT v2.3.1 Release Notes

Posted: 10/29/2020

Solutions

  • Debug
    • Fixes the Connect Error “Object reference not set to an instance of an object” received when going into Debug mode in a project using SFC compiled in a software version prior to 2.3.0.
  • Project Upgrade
    • Fixes issue of incremental download being disabled when the customer upgrades from software version prior to 2.2.0 to software version 2.2.1 or newer, and opens a project compiled in a software version prior to 2.2.0.
    • Resolves issue of redundant checking for required project upgrade during project load, when the project has already been checked and found not to need the required upgrade.

FTMaintenance Select Launch Announcement

Posted: 9/24/2020

Computer displaying the all-new FTMaintenance Select computerized maintenance management system interface.

Today, FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. has officially released FTMaintenance Select – an all-new computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) solution – designed for modern industrial maintenance professionals who require real-time access to their maintenance data. FTMaintenance Select delivers a powerful suite of features for managing work orders, equipment and facility assets, MRO inventory, preventive maintenance, and other maintenance resources.

Cloud-based FTMaintenance Select will allow teams to access their maintenance data from any internet-connected device. Speaking about the benefits FTMaintenance Select will provide to customers, FTMaintenance Product Expert Dave Dulak said, “The FTMaintenance Select platform has been designed to be future-proof for our clients.”

Market Opportunity

Industrial automation is essential to meeting the challenges, and leveraging the opportunities, of global urbanization. For over 30 years, FasTrak has been helping organizations across the world better serve their communities and markets with software products for PLC programming, file change management, and maintenance management.

The introduction of FTMaintenance Select demonstrates a deep commitment to helping organizations improve maintenance operations, reduce asset and facility downtime, and continuously improve products, services, and processes. “FTMaintenance Select is going to address the needs of industrial companies, organizations involved with facility management, companies that manage distributed assets, and third-party maintenance providers,” says Dulak. Industries served by FTMaintenance Select include manufacturing, facility and property management, food and beverage, government, healthcare, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, power and energy, water, and many others.

This new product launch is driven by the following market factors:

  • A commitment to customers: FasTrak is dedicated to providing high-quality maintenance management software to a global user base.
  • Technological convergence: The line between CMMS and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software is becoming more and more blurred. While EAM and other enterprise solutions often lack satisfactory maintenance management functionality, the gap is quickly closing.
  • Competitive landscape: The need for “one stop shops” for maintenance and asset management solutions is growing rapidly. Historically, this has added cost and complexity to product offerings. Maintenance teams in all organizations desire simple, easy-to-use, integrated software solutions.

FasTrak believes FTMaintenance Select is well-positioned to meet the needs of an evolving maintenance management market. “FTMaintenance Select is uniquely built to easily change and adapt to the ever-changing requirements of customers, which protects their investment into the future,” says Enterprise Architecture Manager Mohamed Elbendary.

FTMaintenance Select Platform

FTMaintenance Select is more than just a powerful CMMS product – it’s an entire software platform that will allow organizations to easily scale their maintenance operations as their business grows. This platform enables FTMaintenance Select to expand through connections to other business and productivity applications. “FTMaintenance Select integration connectors enable customers to automate workflows and share data with other departments and organizations, such as customers or business partners,” says Elbendary.

FTMaintenance Select CMMS will be expanded with companion mobile applications, making it a perfect fit for today’s highly-mobile maintenance teams. Organizations with advanced maintenance operations will be able to extend FTMaintenance Select with an Application Programming Interface (API), enabling the flow of critical information between FTMaintenance Select and other applications including:

  • Business intelligence applications
  • Custom and on-premise applications
  • Field devices and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT)
  • Document and file management applications
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
  • Other third-party applications

Learn More About FTMaintenance Select

FTMaintenance Select is a feature-rich, easy-to-use maintenance management solution delivered on a flexible, web-based platform. FTMaintenance Select is designed to rapidly evolve, adding new features and functionality, performance enhancements, and other improvements. Users automatically receive all product updates. Contact us to learn more about FTMaintenance Select.

FTSolution for APT v2.3.0 Release Notes

Posted: 9/14/2020

Features

  • The Step and Transition label numbers in Sequential Function Charts can be renumbered to more closely match the graphical order that determines their actual order of execution.
  • Groups of PCS Tag attributes can be selected at the same time.
  • Help articles have been added for Cyclic Function Blocks.
  • Help buttons that display Help articles for each selected CFB type have been added in the CFB editor.

Solutions

  • CFC Editor
    • The use of a recipe element in a CFB setting, that prevents compile, is now flagged as an error in the CFC Editor.
    • Removes internal symbols from the drop-down list of options of a CFB setting.
    • Fixes an issue of a CFC edit causing an application lock up or a crash when user responds with a “Yes” to the “This file has been modified outside the editor. Do you want to reload it?” prompt.
    • Boolean literals TRUE and FALSE are no longer allowed for use on symbol settings.
  • Configuration Editor
    • Addresses an issue of compiler errors being shown for the errors in configuration settings that existed before user had changed the controller type and no longer exist in the current configuration.
  • Cross Reference
    • Removes CFC file names from the “Find what:” drop-down list of symbols of Cross Reference window.
  • Demo Mode
    • Fixes an issue of application closing when user opens a project created by fully licensed software in the unlicensed software.
    • Fixes an issue of application closing when user opens a project created by unlicensed software in the fully licensed software.
  • Full Compile
    • Fixes an issue of incorrectly generated code for a Rate Limiter symbol when a Rate Limiter uses:
      • An Analog Output for its Output setting, and
      • A symbol of one of these types for its Input setting: Scaled Integer, Analog Output, Word Input, Word Output, BCD Input, or BCD Output.
    • Loading a program that was compiled and download in software releases prior to 2.3.0 and contained a Rate Limiter symbol that meets these the above criteria will result in project upgrade.
    • Fixes an issue of incorrectly generated code for an Output Limiter symbol when an Output Limiter uses:
      • An Analog Output for its Output setting, and
      • A symbol of one of these types for its Input setting: Scaled Integer, Analog Output, Word Input, Word Output, BCD Input, or BCD Output.
    • Loading a program that was compiled and download in software releases prior to 2.3.0 and contained an Output Limiter symbol that meets these criteria will result in project upgrade.
    • Fixes an issue of incorrectly generated code for an Outswitch Select symbol when an Outswitch Select uses:
      • An Analog Output for any of its Output settings, and
      • A symbol of one of these types for its Input setting: Scaled Integer, Analog Output, Word Input, Word Output, BCD Input, or BCD Output.
    • Loading a program that was compiled and download in software releases prior to 2.3.0 and contained an Outswitch Select symbol that meets these criteria will result in project upgrade.
    • Fixes an issue of incorrectly generated code for an Correlated Lookup Table symbol when an Correlated Lookup Table uses:
      • An Analog Output for its Output setting, and
      • A symbol of one of these types for its Input setting: Scaled Integer, Analog Output, Word Input, Word Output, BCD Input, or BCD Output.
    • Loading a program that was compiled and download in software releases prior to 2.3.0 and contained an Correlated Lookup Table symbol that meets these criteria will result in project upgrade.
    • Fixes an issue of internal NNL extensions of locally-declared variables (.NNL.TRIGGER, .NNL.TIMED, .NNL.ECODE, .NNL.EVENT, .NNL.ERS, .NNL.FIN, .NNL.$NL_SFINT, .NNL.IID, .NNL.SNUM, .NNL. INIT, .NNL.ENABLE.TRIGGER) being permitted in a setting of a symbol.
  • PCS
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for PCS tags of Input and Output settings of a Subtractor CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for a PCS tag of an Output setting of a Derivative CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for a PCS tag of an Output setting of a Divider CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for VALUE PCS tag attribute of PCS Tags of Process Variable and Time Constant settings of a First Order Lag CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for VALUE PCS tag attributes of PCS Tags of Lead and Lag Time Constants settings of a First Order Lead Lag CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for a PCS tag of an Input settings of an Inswitch Select CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for VALUE PCS tag attributes of PCS Tags of Input settings, Output setting, and Enable Flag of Input settings of a Low Select CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for VALUE PCS tag attributes of PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Math CFB.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was generated for VALUE PCS tag attributes of PCS tags of symbol settings that use WX/WY address locations.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag UNITS attribute of an Output setting of a Summer CFB was missing.
    • Fixes an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong value was used for Series 505 S-memory addresses of the PCS tags of Analog Alarm extensions.
    • Adds the name of the symbol and its extension to the PCS Attributes dialog.
    • Removes a header line (Record, GroupNumber,Description) from install.tag file when none of the Process Groups has a non-blank description.
    • Removes a header line (Record, Recipe,Component,Tag,Attribute) from install.tag file when there is no recipe in the program that has been marked for PCS.
  • Project Upgrade
    • Resolves an issue of Download incremental changes only option not available on a project upgraded to the current software version.
      Resolves an issue of incremental object files generated by compiling in the previous software versions being lost due the project upgrade to the current software version.
  •  Report
    • Adds unit descriptions to the Configuration report, Units to Compile section.

FTSolution for APT V2.3.0 Release

Posted: 9/14/2020

FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of FTSolution for APT V2.3.0. FTSolution for APT is a Microsoft Windows-based direct replacement for Siemens-obsoleted DOS APT software designed to extend the life of Siemens and CTI 2500 Series PLCs and APT programs.
FTSolution for APT V2.3.0 incorporates:
  • The ability to re-sequence SFC Steps and Transitions
  • The ability to select groups of Cyclic Function Block PCS Tag attributes at the same time
  • Help articles for Cyclic Function Blocks
  • Help buttons in the CFB editor that display Help articles for each selected CFB type
  • Other performance improvements

View release details

Purchase FTSolution for APT to take full advantage of this, and future, enhancements. Purchase includes a warranty offering 12 months of free updates and technical support.

FTVersionTrak for APT v2.1.1 Release Notes

Posted: 7/31/2020

Solutions

  • Multiple File Units
    • Directory units that are checked out and checked in use only their designated Working Directories in the local file system.
    • Multiple File Unit members of user-selected versions are correctly compared.
  • Version Control Operations
    • The Compare Folders dialog box correctly displays the versions selected in the History dialog box.

FTSolution for APT v2.2.3 Release Notes

Posted: 7/16/2020

Features

  • Added a Syntax Check option for 545, 555, 575, and CTI 2500 Series controllers, which allows users to check a program for errors that would prevent the controller from entering Run mode.

Solutions

  • Full Download
    • Added the transitions in PLC mode (from Run to Hold, from Hold to Run, from Run to Program, or from Program to Run), that occur during full or incremental download of the program, to the download report.
  •  Import
    • Fixed an issue of Value of Lag Time Constant setting of a First Order Lead Lag object not being imported.
    • Fixed an issue of Controller Name – when set to default in APT (Controller Type) – not being imported and left blank.
    • Resolved an issue of Process Groups not being imported.
    • Addressed an issue in PCS tag description, where backslash and/or double quotes entered by a user in PCS tag editor were removed from PCS tag description in install.tag file.
    • Addressed an issue of PCS tag Deadband imported value being inconsistent with a value entered by user in APT (double precision).
  • Incremental Compile
    • Resolved an issue of user being unable to do an Incremental Compile after adding an I/O module unused in the program. Prior to this fix, if the only change in a previously compiled program was an addition of an I/O module, and user attempted to do an incremental compile, the software would cancel an incremental compile with the error message “The compiled program is up to date.”
  •  PCS
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag attribute of a recipe is missing an address.
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong type of address (V address) was used in a PCS tag OUT attribute generated for the Output setting of a PID Loop. With this fix, a LMN type of address associated with TOUT extension is used in the PCS tag OUT attribute of a PID Loop.
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong type of address (V address) was used in a PCS tag VALUE attribute generated for the Output setting of a Inswitch Select CFB. With this fix, a WY type of address associated with OUTPT extension is used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of an Inswitch Select CFB.
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong type of address (V address) was used in a PCS tag VALUE attribute generated for the Output setting of an Output Limiter CFB. With this fix, a WY type of address associated with OUTPT extension is used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of an Output Limiter CFB.
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong type of address (V address) was used in a PCS tag VALUE attribute generated for the Output setting of an Rate Limiter CFB. With this fix, a WY type of address associated with OUTPT extension is used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of a Rate Limiter CFB.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where an entire address, including an address type was used for Loop addresses of PCS tag attributes. APT drops the address type (keeping address values only) of the following L-addresses: LCFH, LCFL, LMX, LERR, LSPH, LSPL, LTS in the PCS tag attributes. With this fix, L-Addresses types are omitted, and only address values are used in PCS tag attributes.
    • Resolved the issue in Install.tag file, where Controller Type name was used when Controller Name is left blank (default). With this fix, FTSolution matches an APT in leaving the Controller name blank in Install.tag file, if the Controller name is left blank in the project’s Configuration file.
    • Addressed an issue of HLIM (High Output Limit setting) and LLIM (Low Output Limit setting) extensions being shown in the PCS tag editor of a Feedforward Output Adjust CFB, when APT would not allow tagging of these extensions.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where an entire Loop V-flags address, including the address type -LVF -was used in an address of a PCS tag attribute. APT drops the address type of an LVF address in the PCS tag attributes, replacing it with LSTATUS followed by the address value. With this fix, FTSolution matches APT in replacing the LVF address type with LSTATUS followed by the actual address value in a PCS tag attribute.
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong type of address (V address) was used in a PCS tag PV attribute generated for the Process Variable setting of a Resistance Temperature Detector I/O symbol. With this fix, a WX type of address associated with RAW extension is used in the PCS tag PV attribute of a Resistance Temperature Detector I/O symbol.
    • Addressed an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong type of address (V address) was used in a PCS tag VALUE attribute generated for the Calculated Variable Value attribute of Out 1 setting (OUTPUT1 extension) and the Calculated Variable Value attribute of Out 2 setting (OUTPUT2 extension) of a Split Range CFB. With this fix, a WY type of address associated with OUTPUT1 and OUTPUT2 extensions are used in the PCS tag VALUE attributes of a Split Range CFB.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a description of a process group was missing quotation characters, making it different from what had been entered by user.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag TEXT_1 attribute of Text Declarations and Text Array Declarations was missing.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag PV attribute of an Analog Input I/O symbol.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag OUT attribute of an Analog Output I/O symbol.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of a Steady State Gain setting (GAIN extension) of a Dead Time Compensator CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of Lead Time Constant and Lag Time Constant settings (TAU1 and TLEAD extensions) of a First Order Lead Lag CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of Output settings (OUT extension) of an Integrator CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of Input and Output settings of a Math CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of Setpoint setting of a Motor Position Control CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag STATUS attribute of Output setting of a Proportional Time Control CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag CHANGE (Deadband) attribute of a Real declaration.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag PV attribute of the Module Address setting of a Resistance Temperature Detector I/O symbol.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of the ‘As the input changes’ setting of a Scale CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag Output Value (OUT) attribute of the STATUS extension of a Scaled Integer.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of the First Time Constant setting (TAU1 extension) and Second Time Constant setting (TAU2 extension) of a Second Order Lag CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of the Lead Time Constant setting (TLEAD extension), First Time Constant setting (TAU1 extension) and Second Time Constant setting (TAU2 extension) of a Second Order Lead Lag CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag VALUE attribute of the Out 1 setting (OUTPUT extension) of a Split Range CFB.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag PV attribute of the Module Address setting (RAW extension) of a Thermocouple I/O symbol.
    • Resolved an issue in Install.tag file, where a wrong initial value was used in the PCS tag STATUS attribute of Output setting (DOUT extension) of a Valve Sequencer CFB.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag UNITS attributes of OUT, INPUT, IOUTPUT, and IINPUT extensions associated with Input and Output settings of a Correlated Lookup Table CFB were missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file where a PCS tag UNITS attribute of IINPUT extension of Dead Time Delay, Integrator, First Order Lag and Second Order Lag CFBs was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag UNITS attribute of an Output setting of a Derivative CFB was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag UNITS attributes of Input and Output settings of a Divider CFB was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag UNITS attribute of Output settings of a First Order Lag CFB was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag UNITS attribute of Output settings of an Integrator CFB was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag UNITS attribute of Output settings of a Divider CFB was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where PCS tag UNITS attribute of a CFB setting, that uses an element of an Array that has an assigned Engineering Units value, was missing.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for an INPUT extension (Process Variable setting) of a Dead Time Delay CFB, when APT does not generate it.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for an INPUT extension (Process Variable setting) of a Derivative CFB, while APT would not generate it.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for an Input setting of a First Order Lag CFB, when APT does not generate it.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for an Input and Output settings of a First Order Lead Lag CFB, when APT does not generate it.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for an Input and Gain settings (INPUT, IINPUT and TAU1 extensions) of an Integrator CFB, when APT does not generate it.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for Input setting (IINPUT extension) and Output settings (OUT extension) of a Second Order Lag CFB, when APT does not generate it.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where a PCS tag was generated for Input setting (INPUT extension) of a Second Order Lead Lag CFB, when APT does not generate it.
    • Addressed an issue where both, OUTPUT and IOUTPUT extensions of a Valve Sequencer could be tagged, regardless of the type of the actual variable used in the assignment of the Output Name setting of the Valve Sequencer CFB. APT allows only one of the OUTPUT and IOUTPUT extensions to be tagged.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog status being enabled for VALUE PCS tag attribute of a Process Variable setting (IINPUT extension), Dead Time setting (DTIME extension), and TAU1 extension of a Dead Time Delay.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog and Upload statuses being enabled for PCS tag VALUE attributes of a Dead Time settings (DMODE extension) of a Dual Mode, while APT disables them.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog and Upload statuses being enabled for PCS tag attributes of Feedforward Output Adjust , while APT disables them.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog status being enabled for PCS tag VALUE attributes of a Time Constant settings (TAU1 extension) of a First Order Lag, while APT disables them.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog status being enabled for PCS tag VALUE attributes of a Dead Time setting (DTIME extension) of a First Order Lead Lag, while APT disables them.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog and Upload statuses being enabled for PCS tag attributes of Calculated Variable Value attribute, Input setting of High Select, while APT disables them.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog status being enabled for PCS tag attributes of Calculated Variable Value attribute, Input setting of Math CFB, while APT disables them.
    • Resolved an issue of AutoLog status being enabled for PCS tag VALUE attributes of a Real Array element, while APT disables them.
    • Addressed an issue of inconsistent PCS attribute names of Cylinders, Motors, Presses, and Valves, where Control attribute was in some cases spelled as Ctrl, and Command was in some cases spelled as Cmd.
    • Addressed an issue of wrong PCS attribute names of Motors and Valves, where Motor Stop Command Timeout was incorrectly called Motor Close Command Timeout, and Motor Start/Run Command Timeout was incorrectly called Motor Open Command Timeout.
    • Addressed an issue of wrong PCS attribute names of a Three Position / Type 1 Batch Press, where Motor Stop Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Close Command Timeout, and Motor Start/Run Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Open Command Timeout.
    • Addressed an issue of wrong PCS attribute names of a Three Position / Type 1 Batch Valve, where:
      • Motor Stop Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Close Command Timeout
      • Motor Start/Run Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Open Command Timeout
      • Motor Feedback Override Control was incorrectly called Valve Setpoint Control
      • Motor Setpoint Control was incorrectly called Valve Mode Control,
      • Motor Mode Control was incorrectly called Valve Status
      • Motor Status was incorrectly called Valve Feedback Override Control
    • Addressed an issue of wrong PCS attribute names of a Three Position / Type 2 Batch Press, where Motor Stop Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Close Command Timeout, and Motor Start/Run Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Open Command Timeout.
    • Addressed an issue of wrong PCS attribute names of a Three Position / Type 2 Batch Valve, where:
      • Motor Stop Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Close Command Timeout
      • Motor Start/Run Command Timeout was incorrectly called Valve Open Command Timeout
      • Motor Feedback Override Control was incorrectly called Valve Setpoint Control
      • Motor Setpoint Control was incorrectly called Valve Mode Control
        Motor Mode Control was incorrectly called Valve Status
      • Motor Status was incorrectly called Valve Feedback Override Control
    • Addressed an issue where AutoLog of Output Range and AutoLog of Low Range of a Scaled Integer PCS Tag could be selected by user (APT only allows selecting AutoLog of High Range), that resulted in H_RANGE and L_RANGE PCS tag attributes showing twice in Install.tag file.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where fractions were used instead of integer numbers for Close Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_1) and Open Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_2) PCS tag attributes of a Motor Position Control CFB.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where fractions were used instead of integer numbers for Close Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_1) and Open Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_2) PCS tag attributes of a Single Drive / Dual Feedback Valve Device.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where fractions were used instead of integer numbers for Close Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_1) and Open Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_2) PCS tag attributes of a Single Drive / Null Feedback Valve Device.
    • Fixed an issue in Install.tag file, where fractions were used instead of integer numbers for Close Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_1) and Open Command Timeout (TIMEOUT_2) PCS tag attributes of a Three Position Batch Valve / Type 1 Valve Device.
    • Resolved an issue where INPUT extension (Input Name setting) of a Threshold Select CFB could be tagged in APT, but not in FTSolution.

FTSolution for APT V2.2.3 Release

Posted: 7/16/2020

FTSolution for APT is a Microsoft Windows-based direct replacement for Siemens-obsoleted DOS APT software designed to extend the life of Siemens and CTI 2500 Series PLCs and APT programs. Demonstrating our commitment to preserving your investment in APT language systems, FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of FTSolution for APT V2.2.3, which incorporates:

  • Syntax Check option for 545, 555, 575 and CTI 2500 Series controllers, which enables users to check a program for errors that would prevent the controller from entering Run mode
  • Other performance improvements

View release details

Purchase FTSolution for APT to take full advantage of this, and future, enhancements. Purchase includes a warranty offering 12 months of free updates and technical support.

FTSolution for APT v2.2.2 Release Notes

Posted: 4/1/2020

Solutions

  • 505 I/O
    • In FTSolution, to insert a module that is defaulted to occupy multiple slots into a specific slot, the target slot must have the required number of consecutive slots to be unoccupied. Prior to this release, an attempt to insert a module that required more than one slot into a slot with one or more of the required consecutive slots already used, would fail with the following error: “Module to large for slot location”. With this fix, if a module’s default slot count is greater than the slots available at the slot location, the software will automatically reduce the slot count to allow the module to fit, and notify the user with this message: “Slot size reduced in order to fit.”
  • Full Compile
    • Previously, if customer changed the Process Variable of an Analog Alarm, Dual Mode, Ratio Station, Dead Time Compensator, PID Loop, or an On/Off continuous function block to use .IIN extension, FTSolution displayed the following error in the Settings Editor: “Validation error in object objectname, setting Process Variable…”. An attempt to compile the program would result in a compile error with the same error message. With the fix to this error, FTSolution no longer generates an error when a Process Variable of an Analog Alarm, Dual Mode, Ratio Station, Dead Time Compensator, PID Loop, or On/Off object is set to use .IIN extension.
  •  Import
    • APT allows either “N” or “FALSE” as a value for Manual set PCS Tag option to indicate that Manual set is off, while FTSolution only accepted “N”. As a result, any PCS Tag in which Manual set was set to “FALSE” in APT, was imported into FTSolution as “on”, instead “off”.
  •  PCS
    • Removed an extra PCS tag parameter , unit name, from the PCS tag line in PCS tag file.
    • Removed from a PCS tag file an extra PCS tag  attribute line – UNITS (Engineering Units) – generated for an array element.
    • Added to PCS tag file a Ratio Station PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file a Feedforward Setpoint Adjust PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file a Feedforward Output Adjust PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file a Dual Mode PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file a Dead Time Compensator PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file a PID Loop PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file a Dead Time Compensator PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
      Added to PCS tag file an Analog Alarm PCS tag  Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines of PCS tags generated for Input and Output settings of a Scale.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) PCS tag  attribute line generated for a PCS Tag of an On/Off that uses Analog Input for its Process Variable setting.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input settings of a Low Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Low Select when its Output setting is set to an Analog Alarm.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines to PCS tags generated for Input settings of a Threshold Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Outswitch Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Input setting of an Inswitch Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Median Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a High Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of an Average Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines to PCS tags generated for Summer’s Input and Output settings.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Subtractor.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Multiplier.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Output setting of a Divider.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Input setting of a Square.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Output setting of a Square Root.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Absolute Value.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Process Variable and Output settings of a First Order Lead Lag.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Process Variable and Output settings of a First Order Lag.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Process Variable and Output settings of a Second Order Lead Lag.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Process Variable and Output settings of a Second Order Lag.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Valve Sequencer.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Split Range.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Input setting of a Proportional Time Control.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Position Feedback and Setpoint settings of a Motor Position Control.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Output Limiter.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Rate Limiter.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Integrator.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Process Variable and Output settings of a Derivative.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute lines generated for PCS Tags of Input and Output settings of a Dead Time Delay.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Monitored Variable setting of an Anti-Reset Windup Protection Select.
    • Added to PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for PCS Tag of Monitored Variable setting of an Anti-Reset Windup Protection Constraint.
    • Removed from a PCS tag file a Recipe line generated for a Recipe without tagged elements.
    • Removed from a PCS tag file an Engineering Units (UNITS) attribute line generated for an array element that has blank Engineering Units.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is now used instead of 0 in Initial Value of a PV attribute line generated for an Analog Alarm.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is now used instead of 0 in Initial Value of a PV attribute line generated for an PID Loop.
    • Actual values of Process Variable Low Alarm, Low Low Alarm, High Alarm, High High Alarm, and Rate of Change Alarm settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of L_ALM, LL_ALM, H_ALM, HH_ALM, and ROC_ALM attribute lines of a PCS Tag of a PID Loop.
    • Actual values of Tuning Parameters Derivative Time, Integral Time and Proportional Gain settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of RATE, RESET, and GAIN attribute lines of a PCS Tag of a PID Loop.
    • Actual values of Process Setpoint Yellow (Low) Deviation Alarm and Orange (High) Deviation Alarm settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of L_DEV and H_DEV attribute lines of a PCS Tag of a PID Loop.
    • Actual values of Process Variable Low Alarm, Low Low Alarm, High Alarm, High High Alarm, and Rate of Change Alarm settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of L_ALM, LL_ALM, H_ALM, HH_ALM, and ROC_ALM attribute lines of a PCS Tag of an Analog Alarm.
    • Actual value of Process Setpoint, Minimum Setpoint setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of TARGET attribute line of a PCS Tag of an Analog Alarm.
    • Actual values of Process Variable Low Range, Low Alarm, Low Low Alarm, High Alarm, High High Alarm, and Rate of Change Alarm settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of PV, L_ALM, LL_ALM, H_ALM, HH_ALM, and ROC_ALM attribute lines of a PCS Tag of an On/Off.
    • Actual values of Process Setpoint Yellow (Low) Deviation Alarm and Orange (High) Deviation Alarm settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of L_DEV and H_DEV attribute lines of a PCS Tag of an On/Off.
    • Actual value of Timeout Preset setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of CURRENT attribute line of a PCS Tag of a Fast Timer.
    • Actual value of Timeout Preset setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of CURRENT attribute line of a PCS Tag of a Slow Timer.
    • Actual values of Process Minimum Setpoint and Process Variable Low Range settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of PV and SP attribute lines of a PCS Tag generated for a Ratio Station.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of PV attribute line of a PCS Tag of an Analog Alarm.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of PV attribute line of a PCS Tag of a PID Loop.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of PV attribute line of a PCS Tag of an On/Off.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Value of PV attribute line of a PCS Tag of an Analog Input.
    • Actual values of Process Variable Low Range and Process Minimum Setpoint settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of PV and SP attribute lines of a PCS Tag of a Feedforward Setpoint Adjust.
    • Actual values of Process Variable Low Range and Process Minimum Setpoint settings are used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of PV and SP attribute lines of a PCS Tag of a Feedforward Output Adjust.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range setting is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of PV attribute line of a PCS Tag of a Dual Mode.
    • Actual value of Process Variable Low Range and Process Minimum Setpoint settings is used now (instead of 0) for the Initial Values of PV and SP attribute lines of a PCS Tag of a Dead Time Compensator.
    • In APT, an Initial Value of a PCS Tag Deadband (CHANGE) attribute is given a double precision value, while FTSolution used single precision.

FTSolution for APT V2.2.2 Release

Posted: 4/1/2020

FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of FTSolution for APT V2.2.2. FTSolution for APT is a Microsoft Windows-based direct replacement for Siemens-obsoleted DOS APT software designed to extend the life of Siemens and CTI 2500 Series PLCs and APT programs.

View release details

Purchase FTSolution for APT to take full advantage of this, and future, enhancements. Purchase includes a warranty offering 12 months of free updates and technical support.