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The Solution Center (Tutorial)

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Created by admin, last modified on Sep 16, 2025

Solution Center (Tutorial) teaches you to:

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walks you through the primary interface for managing FrameworX solutions. Learn to navigate the Solution Center, create and organize solutions, manage licenses, and prepare solutions for configuration in the Designer. These hands-on exercises establish the foundation for your entire development workflow, teaching you how to efficiently manage solutions before moving to configuration.

Prerequisites:

  • FrameworX installed

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  • Solution created in Solution Center

In this page:

  • Getting Started (2 min)
  • Create Your First Solution (3 min)
  • Organize Solutions (2 min)
  • Connect to Remote Server (3 min)
  • License Management (2 min)
  • Diagnostic Tools (3 min)
  • Multi-User Setup (3 min)
  • Backup and Recovery (2 min)
  • Best Practices
  • Troubleshooting

Manage multiple solutions from one place

Master centralized solution administration. Solution Center provides:

  • Multi-solution management dashboard
  • Version control and deployment
  • License management
  • User administration across solutions
  • Template and library sharing
  • Import/export operations
  • Solution migration tools

Key Skills:

  • Solution organization
  • Template management
  • Bulk operations
  • Cross-solution configuration
  • Administrative workflows

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Solution Center →  

Getting Started (2 min)



1. Launch Solution Center and Explore Interface

Start Solution Center

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  • Double-click FrameworX desktop icon
  • Or navigate to Start Menu

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  • FrameworX → Solution Center

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Interface Tour

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???????????????????????????????????????
? FrameworX Solution Center      (?)  ?
???????????????????????????????????????
? Server Info | License | About       ?
???????????????????????????????????????
? [New] [Edit] [View] [Run] [Manage]  ?
???????????????????????????????????????
? ??????? ??????? ???????           ?
? ?Tank ? ?SCADA? ?Demo ? Solutions ?
? ??????? ??????? ???????           ?
???????????????????????????????????????
Status: Connected to Local Server

Navigate each section:

  • Title Bar: Note the help icon (?) for documentation
  • Navigation Panel: Click through "Server Information", "Your License", "About FrameworX"
  • Action Buttons: New, Edit, View, Run and Manage
  • Solution List: Currently empty or showing example solutions (you can change between "List", "Cards" and "Table")

2. Create Your First Solution

Create New Solution

  1. Click New button
  2. In the New Solution Wizard, select the Product Edition FrameworX and click on Next
  3. Choose Multiplatform and click Next
  4. Fill the required information:
    • Name: MyFirstSolution
    • Description: Solution Lifecycle Tutorial
    • Template: Select "Blank"
    • Location: Note the default path (Documents\FrameworX\Solutions)
  5. Click Create New Solution

Observe Results

  • Solution appears in the list
  • Note the .dbsln file created in the folder
  • Designer automatically opens (close it for now - we'll use it in the next tutorial)

3. Navigate Solution Views (2 min)

Change Display Modes

Test each view using the toolbar buttons:

  • Card View: Shows thumbnail previews
  • List View: Compact text listing
  • Table View: Detailed properties in columns

Explore Solution Properties

In Table View, observe:

  • Name column
  • Modified date
  • Size (in KB)
  • Status indicators

Right-click your solution to see context menu options

4. Check License Status (2 min)

View License Information

  1. Click License in Navigation Panel
  2. Review your license details:
    • License Type (Development/Runtime/Combined)
    • Tag limit (e.g., 5000 tags)
    • User limit
    • Expiration date
    • Current status

Understand License Impact

Note which features are available:

  • Development license = Can edit in Designer
  • Runtime license = Can run solutions
  • Combined = Both capabilities

5. Organize Solutions in Folders (3 min)

Create Folder Structure

  1. Open Windows Explorer to Documents\FrameworX\Solutions
  2. Create these folders:
   Solutions/
   ??? Development/
   ??? Testing/
   ??? Archive/

Move Solution to Folder

  1. In Windows Explorer, cut MyFirstSolution.dbsln
  2. Paste into Development folder
  3. Return to Solution Center
  4. Click Refresh (F5)
  5. Solution now appears under Development folder

Test Organization

Create two more test solutions directly in different folders:

  • TestSolution1 in Testing folder
  • BackupSolution in Archive folder

6. Use Search and Filter (2 min)

Basic Search

In the search box, try:

  • Type "My" - filters to MyFirstSolution
  • Clear and type "Test" - shows TestSolution1
  • Clear search to show all

Advanced Filters

Try these filter patterns:

  • Status filter: Type :stopped to show only stopped solutions
  • Date filter: Click filter icon and select "Modified: Today"

7. Export and Import Solutions (3 min)

Export Solution

  1. Select MyFirstSolution

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Verify Connection:

  • Check status bar: "Connected: Local"
  • Green indicator = Ready

Create Your First Solution (3 min)

Step-by-Step Creation

  1. Click New Button

  2. Configure Solution:

    Name: MyFirstSolution
    Template: HeaderLayout
    Product: FactoryStudio
    Location: Default folder
    Description: Learning Solution Center
    
  3. Click Create

    • Solution appears in list
    • Designer launches automatically
  4. Exit Designer (we'll use it later)

    • File → Exit
    • Return to Solution Center

Try Different Templates

Create three practice solutions:

Solution NameTemplatePurpose
SimpleHMIBlankCanvasBasic display
TankMonitorHeaderLayoutNavigation structure
DataLoggerTabsMulti-page setup

Exercise: Create each solution, note the differences in templates

Organize Solutions (2 min)

Folder Structure

  1. Create Organization Folders:

    • Navigate to Documents\FrameworX\Solutions
    • Create folders:
      Solutions/??? Development/??? Testing/??? Production/
      
  2. Move Solutions:

    • Drag MyFirstSolution.dbsln to Development folder
    • Click Refresh in Solution Center
    • Solution appears under Development

Change View Modes

Toggle between views using toolbar:

  • Card View: Visual thumbnails
  • List View: Compact text
  • Table View: Detailed properties

Tip: Use Table View to compare solution sizes and modification dates

Connect to Remote Server (3 min)

Setup Remote Access

  1. Configure Server (on host machine):

    • Click Server Information
    • Set AccessKey: Demo123
    • Note IP address: (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
  2. Connect from Client:

    • Click Server Information
    • Enter Server: 192.168.1.100
    • Enter AccessKey: Demo123
    • Click Connect
  3. Verify Connection:

    • Status shows "Connected: 192.168.1.100"
    • Remote solutions appear in list

Web Access

Access from browser:

http://192.168.1.100:10108/solutions?accesskey=Demo123

Security Note: Always use AccessKey for remote connections

License Management (2 min)

View License Status

  1. Click License Panel

  2. Review Information:

    Type: Development
    Tags: 5000
    Users: 5
    Expires: 2025-12-31
    Status: Active ?
    

Activate New License

Online Activation:

  1. Enter Product Key
  2. Click Activate
  3. Confirmation appears

Offline Activation:

  1. Get Site Code
  2. Send to vendor
  3. Load License File

Monitor Usage:

  • Tags Used: 234/5000
  • Users Connected: 2/5
  • Days Remaining: 105

Diagnostic Tools (3 min)

Property Watch

Monitor live tag values:

  1. Start a solution (Run button)
  2. Click Manage → Property Watch
  3. Browse to Tags
  4. Select tag to monitor
  5. View real-time values
  6. Modify value (if permitted)

Trace Window

Debug system messages:

  1. Click Manage → Trace Window
  2. Select modules:
    • ? Device
    • ? Script
    • ? Server
  3. Set Level: Info
  4. Watch messages flow

Module Information

Check system health:

  1. Click Manage → Module Information
  2. Review status:
    TServer: Running ?TWebServices: Running ?Device Channel 01: Connected ?Database: Online ?
    

Exercise: Start TankMonitor solution and use Property Watch to monitor a simulated value

Multi-User Setup (3 min)

Enable Collaboration

  1. Solution Properties:

    • Select solution
    • Right-click → Properties
    • Enable: Multi-User Editing
  2. User 1 - Open for Editing:

    • Select solution
    • Click Edit
    • Status: "Editing - User1"
  3. User 2 - Join Session:

    • Connect to same server
    • Select same solution
    • Click Edit
    • Choose: Join Existing Session

Collaboration Features

Test these multi-user scenarios:

User 1 ActionUser 2 SeesResult
Add new tagTag appearsReal-time sync
Modify displayChanges showImmediate update
Save solutionSave promptCoordinated save

Note: Changes sync immediately between users

Backup and Recovery (2 min)

Manual Backup

Export Solution:

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  1. Right-click → Export
  2. Save as: MyFirstSolution_backup

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  1. .dbback

Verify Backup:

  1. Choose Backups folder

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  1. Note the .dbback file created

Import Solution

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  1. Click New Import

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  1. Browse to your .dbback file

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  1. Rename to: MyFirstSolution_Restored
  2. Click Import

Auto-Backup Setup

Configure in solution:

Backup Interval: Daily
Keep Versions: 7
Location: \Backups\Auto\

Best Practice: Backup before major changes and test restore monthly

Best Practices

Solution Naming Convention

[Project]_[Type]_[Version]_[Date]
Examples:
- PlantA_HMI_v1.2_2025-09
- TankFarm_SCADA_Dev_2025-09
- Line3_DataLogger_Prod_2025-09

Folder Organization

Solutions/
??? Development/     (Active development)
??? Testing/        (QA validation)
??? Production/     (Released versions)
??? Archive/        (Old versions)
??? Templates/      (Reusable bases)

Security Checklist

  • ? Set unique AccessKey
  • ? Change default passwords
  • ? Limit folder access
  • ? Regular backups
  • ? Monitor connections
  • ? Close unused sessions

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

ProblemPossible CauseSolution
No solutions visibleWrong folder pathCheck Server Information paths
Can't connect remotelyFirewall blockingOpen port 10108
Designer won't launchNo dev licenseCheck License panel
Solution lockedOpen elsewhereClose other instances
Backup failsDisk spaceCheck available storage

Quick Fixes

Reset Solution List:

1. Close Solution Center
2. Delete %TEMP%\FrameworX\*
3. Restart Solution Center
4. Click Refresh

Force Close Solution:

1. Task Manager
2. End FrameworX.exe
3. End TServer.exe
4. Restart Solution Center

Validation Checklist

Complete these tasks to validate your learning:

  • ? Created 3 solutions with different templates
  • ? Organized solutions in folders
  • ? Connected to remote server
  • ? Checked license status
  • ? Used Property Watch on running solution
  • ? Setup multi-user editing
  • ? Created and restored backup
  • ? Changed solution view modes
  • ? Used Trace Window for debugging

Key Takeaways

? Solution Center is your control hub - All solution management starts here

? Single-file architecture - Each .dbsln contains everything

? Multi-user ready - Collaborate in real-time

? Built-in diagnostics - Troubleshoot without external tools

? Flexible deployment - Local, remote, or web access

Next Steps

Now that you can manage solutions:

[Designer (Tutorial)] - Build your solution
[Runtime (Tutorial)] - Deploy to production
[High Availability] - Setup redundancy

Additional Resources

  • [Solution Center (Concept)] - Architecture details
  • [Solution Center (How-to)] - Task procedures
  • [Solution Center (Reference)] - Complete feature list
  • [Video: Solution Management] - Visual walkthrough

Quick Reference Card

ShortcutAction
Ctrl+NNew solution
Ctrl+OOpen solution
Ctrl+EEdit solution
F5Run/Refresh
Ctrl+MManage tools
DeleteRemove solution
  1. New solution appears in list

This demonstrates backup/restore workflow

8. Connect to Remote Server (3 min)

Configure for Remote Access

  1. Click Server Information
  2. Note your current server: "localhost"
  3. For remote connection, you would:
    • Enter IP address or server name
    • Add AccessKey if required
    • Click Connect

Understand Connection States

  • Green indicator = Connected
  • Yellow = Connecting
  • Red = Connection failed
  • Check firewall for port 10108 if issues

Key Takeaways

You've learned to:

  • Navigate the Solution Center interface efficiently
  • Create solutions with proper naming and organization
  • Use different view modes for solution management
  • Verify license status and capabilities
  • Organize solutions in logical folder structures
  • Search and filter to find solutions quickly
  • Export/import for backup and sharing
  • Understand remote connection setup

Productivity Tips Discovered

  • Ctrl+N for quick solution creation
  • F5 refreshes the solution list
  • Right-click menus provide quick actions
  • Folder organization keeps projects manageable
  • Export regularly for backups

Troubleshooting

Can't see solutions?

  • Click Refresh (F5)
  • Check Server Information for correct path
  • Verify .dbsln files exist in folders

Designer won't open?

  • Check Development license is active
  • Verify solution isn't already open
  • Close any running Designer instances

Connection issues?

  • Verify TWebServices is running
  • Check Windows Firewall for port 10108
  • Confirm server address is correct

License not working?

  • Check expiration date
  • Verify license type matches your needs
  • Restart Solution Center after activation

In this section...

  • Solution Center (Tutorial)

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  • [Designer (Tutorial)]
  • [Runtime (Tutorial)]

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