Dev to Production Workflow
Overview
FrameworX 10.1 follows a modular, scalable architecture designed for industrial applications from small single-machine interfaces to enterprise-wide systems. Understanding the platform architecture helps you design robust solutions, optimize performance, and plan for growth. This guide explores the core components, data flow, and deployment patterns that make FrameworX a powerful industrial application platform.
FrameworX is more than just software tool,
It's the enabling field-proven architecture and methodology to deploy applications managing critical assets, from large distributed systems to standalone edge apps. It unlocks the sophistication, performance and openness of latest technologies, yet keeping a simple configuration, and a clear cost with advantageous Total Cost of Ownership.
Reference Link:
Solutions Guidebook (examples of solution architecture in production)
Solution Development Workflow
Specification to Solution Flow
Configuration Workflow | |
---|---|
(1) Define Your Data | (2) Setup Industrial Process Modules |
Unified Namespace (Local UNS) | SQL Database Connections and Queries |
DataExplorer | Scripts and Business Logic |
Extended UNS using Direct Binding | Reports, data pub (PDF, CSV, HTML, XML & JSON |
(3) Setup Application Modules | (4) User Interface Design |
Devices, Field Connections | Symbol Library extensions |
Alarms, Events, and Audit-trail | Unified Designer (Canvas & Responsive Dashboard) |
Historian, time-series data | Layouts, Desktop (.NET), Web &r Mobile (WebAssembly) |
Solution Deployment Workflow
Development to Production Flow
Tools Interaction
Complete Solution Lifecycle
== > Link to Development to Production Best Practices and Industry Standard pages.
Stage 1: Initiate (Planning)
Project Definition - Scope Development
Define clear boundaries and objectives:
- Project Scope Document
- Business Objectives
- ROI Targets
- Efficiency Goals
- Compliance Requirements
- Technical Requirements
- I/O Count
- User Count
- Integration Points
- Performance Targets
- Constrains
- Budget
- Timeline
- Resources
- Technology
- Success Criteria
- Acceptance Tests
- Performance Metrics
- Deliverables
- Business Objectives
Stakeholder Analysis
Stakeholder | Role | Requirements | Concerns |
---|---|---|---|
Operations | End Users | Intuitive interface, reliable operation | Ease of use, training |
Maintenance | Support Staff | Diagnostic tools, documentation | Troubleshooting, updates |
Management | Decision Makers | Reports, KPIs, ROI | Cost, timeline, benefits |
IT | Infrastructure | Security, integration, standards | Compliance, compatibility |
Engineering | Technical Design | Flexibility, features, performance | Technical debt, scalability |
Requirements Gathering
Functional Requirements Checklist
- Process control requirements
- Data acquisition needs
- Alarm management requirements
- Reporting specifications
- User interface requirements
- Integration requirements
- Security requirements
- Performance requirements
Data Collection Worksheet Example
Source: PLC-01 |
---|
Protocol: Modbus TCP |
IP Address: <protected from public documents> Scan Rate: 1 second Point Count: 250 |
DataTypes: Holding Registers: 150 |
Stage 2: Design (Architecture)
System Architecture Design
Architecture Decision Matrix
Component | Option 1 | Option 2 | Decision | Rationale |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deployment | Standalone | Distributed | Distributed | Multiple sites |
Database | SQLite | SQL Server | SQL Server | Scale requirements |
Redundancy | None | Hot-Standby | Hot-Standby | Critical process |
Clients | Rich only | Rich + Web | Rich + Web | Remote access |
Historian | Local | Enterprise | Enterprise | Corporate reporting |
Network Architecture
Data Architecture
Tag Naming Convention
Standard: [Area]_[Equipment]_[Component]_[Signal]
Examples:
WTP_PUMP01_MOTOR_RUNNING
WTP_PUMP01_MOTOR_SPEED_SP
WTP_TANK01_LEVEL_PV
BLDG_HVAC_AHU01_TEMP_SP
??? WTP (Water Treatment Plant) ? ??? PUMP01 ? ? ??? MOTOR ? ? ? ??? RUNNING ? ? ? ??? SPEED_SP ? ? ? ??? SPEED_PV ? ? ??? VALVE ? ? ??? OPEN_CMD ? ? ??? POSITION ? ??? TANK01 ? ??? LEVEL_PV ?
UDT Design - UNS Data Template
UDT: Motor_VFD Properties: - Name: String - Location: String - RatedHP: Float Members: Commands: - Start_CMD: Boolean - Stop_CMD: Boolean - Speed_SP: Float (0-100%) Status: - Running: Boolean - Faulted: Boolean - Speed_PV: Float - Current: Float - Temperature: Float Alarms: - OverCurrent: Boolean - OverTemp: Boolean - CommLoss: Boolean Statistics: - RunHours: Double - StartCount: Integer - LastStartTime: DateTime
Display Architecture
Navigation Hierarchy
Main Menu ??? Overview ? ??? Plant Overview ??? Areas ? ??? Area 1 ? ? ??? Process Overview ? ? ??? Equipment ? ? ??? Trends ? ??? Area 2 ? ??? Area 3 ??? Utilities ? ??? Power Monitoring ? ??? Compressed Air ? ??? Steam System ??? Reports ? ??? Production ? ??? Quality ? ??? Maintenance ??? Administration ??? Setpoints ??? Recipes ??? User Management
Stage 3: Build (Development)
Development Workflow
Sprint Planning (Example of a 2-Week Sprints)
Sprint 1: Foundation ??? Day 1-3: Create tag database ??? Day 4-6: Build UDTs ??? Day 7-9: Configure devices ??? Day 10: Testing & review Sprint 2: Process Logic ??? Day 1-3: Alarm configuration ??? Day 4-6: Scripts development ??? Day 7-9: Historian setup ??? Day 10: Testing & review Sprint 3: Visualization ??? Day 1-3: Template displays ??? Day 4-6: Process graphics ??? Day 7-9: Dashboards ??? Day 10: Testing & review Sprint 4: Integration ??? Day 1-3: Database connections ??? Day 4-6: Reports ??? Day 7-9: External interfaces ??? Day 10: Testing & review
Configuration Management
Version Control Strategy
Repository Structure: /FrameworX-Project ??? /Documentation ? ??? Requirements.docx ? ??? Design.docx ? ??? UserManual.docx ??? /Solution ? ??? MyProject.dbsln ? ??? /Exports ? ??? Tags_v1.0.xml ? ??? Displays_v1.0.xml ??? /Scripts ? ??? Calculations.cs ? ??? Reports.sql ??? /Graphics ? ??? P&ID.svg ? ??? Logos.png ??? /Tests ??? UnitTests.cs ??? TestProcedures.xlsx
Change Management Process
Change Request ? Impact Analysis ? Approval ? Implementation ? Testing ? Deployment ? ? ? ? ? ? Document Assess Risk Get Signoff Make Change Validate Release
Testing Strategy
Test Levels
Level | Scope | Responsibility | Tools |
---|---|---|---|
Unit Testing | Individual components | Developer | Designer test mode |
Integration Testing | Module interactions | Developer | Runtime test |
System Testing | Complete solution | QA Team | Test scripts |
Acceptance Testing | Business requirements | Customer | Test procedures |
Test Documentation - Test Case Template
Test ID: TC 001 Feature: Pump Control |
---|
Preconditions:
|
Steps:
|
Expected Result:
|
Actual Result: |
Stage 4: Deploy (Production)
Deployment Planning
Pre-Deployment Checklist
- All tests passed
- Documentation complete
- Backup created
- Licenses verified
- Training completed
- Support plan ready
- Rollback plan prepared
- Maintenance window scheduled
Deployment Sequence
1. Pre-Deployment (T-1 Week) * Final testing in staging * User training * Documentation review 2. Deployment Day (T-0) * 00:00 - System backup * 01:00 - Install software * 02:00 - Import configuration * 03:00 - Configure devices * 04:00 - Test communications * 05:00 - Verify operations * 06:00 - Go live 3. Post-Deployment (T+1 Day) * Monitor performance * Address issues * Gather feedback
Commissioning Process
System Commissioning Steps
1. Hardware Ready 2. Software & License Installation 3. Configuration load 4. I/O Checkout 5. Device Testing 6. Function Testing ==> Loop 4, 5, 6 as needed 7. Performance Testing 8. Customer Acceptance 9. Production Release
Commissioning Documentation
Document | Purpose | Responsibility |
---|---|---|
I/O List | Verify all points | Controls Engineer |
Loop Sheets | Test each control loop | Technician |
Alarm List | Verify alarm functions | Operations |
Interlock Matrix | Test safety interlocks | Safety Engineer |
Performance Log | Record system metrics | System Integrator |
Stage 5: Support (Maintenance)
Support Structure
Support Tiers
Tier 1: Operations * Basic troubleshooting * Restart procedures * Known issue resolution Tier 2: Maintenance * Configuration changes * Device troubleshooting * Performance tuning Tier 3: Engineering * Complex problems * System modifications * Root cause analysis Tier 4: Vendor * Software bugs * License issues * Advanced support
Maintenance Activities
Preventive Maintenance Schedule
Frequency | Tasks | Responsibility |
---|---|---|
Daily | Check system status, Review alarms, Monitor performance | Operations |
Weekly | Backup solution, Review logs, Check disk space | Maintenance |
Monthly | Archive data, Update documentation, Performance analysis | Engineering |
Quarterly | Security review, Disaster recovery test, Training update | Management |
Annually | License renewal, Major updates, System audit | All teams |
Continuous Improvement
Performance Monitoring
KPI Dashboard Example System Uptime: 99.8% Avg Response Time: 187ms Alarm Rate: 12/hour Data Loss: 0.00% User Satisfaction: 4.5/5 Improvement Opportunities: - Reduce alarm rate (target: <10/hr) - Optimize response time (<100ms) - Increase automation (reduce manual tasks)
Tools and Templates
Project Management Tools
FrameworX Native Tools
Tool | Purpose | Description |
---|---|---|
Track Cross-Reference | Governance | monitor governance of all places a object is used. |
Track RecentChanges | Version Control | light, built-in, record of latest used phases |
Track Unused objects | Optimization | Identify objects potentially not in use |
Track VersionControl | Version Control | Keep automated VersionID to all modules, tables and objects. Global VersionID for entire solution. |
Build, backup flag | Backup/Restore point | Crete a backup copy of product current stage |
Publish | Lock production version | FDA compliance, lock solution file version |
Third-party recommend tools
Tool | Purpose | Comments |
---|---|---|
JIRA//Azure DevOps | Task tracking | critical for maintenance and product phases |
Git/SVN | Version control | Add comparing version, in top of built-in FrameworX TrackChanges tools |
Confluence | Document management | All phases |
Teams/Slack | Communication | All phases |
Standard Templates
Available Templates
- Project Charter
- Requirements Specification
- Design Document
- Test Plan
- Deployment Guide
- Training Materials
- Support Procedures
- Change Request Form
Quality Gates
Gate Reviews
Gate 1: Design Review * Requirements complete? * Architecture approved? * Risks identified? * Resources available? * * Pass Gate 2: Development Review * Code complete? * Testing done? * Documentation ready? * Performance met? * * Pass Gate 3: Deployment Review * Customer approval? * Training complete? * Support ready? * Rollback plan? * * Pass Production Release
Best Practices
Do's and Don'ts
DO:
- ? Follow naming conventions consistently
- ? Document all decisions and changes
- ? Test thoroughly at each stage
- ? Include operators in design reviews
- ? Plan for 20-30% growth
- ? Use version control
- ? Create reusable components
DON'T:
- ? Skip testing to save time
- ? Ignore user feedback
- ? Hardcode values
- ? Forget security considerations
- ? Deploy without backups
- ? Assume requirements won't change
- ? Neglect documentation
Risk Management
Risk | Probability | Impact | Mitigation |
---|---|---|---|
Scope Creep | High | High | Clear change control process |
Integration Issues | Medium | High | Early testing, vendor support |
Performance Problems | Medium | Medium | Load testing, optimization |
User Resistance | Medium | Medium | Training, involvement, support |
Hardware Delays | Low | High | Early ordering, alternatives |
Workflow Optimization
Automation Opportunities
Manual Tasks → Automated Solutions
?????????????????????????????????
Tag Creation → Excel Import
Alarm Config → Template Application
Report Gen → Scheduled Tasks
Testing → Automated Scripts
Deployment → Scripted Installation
Backup → Automated Schedule
Collaboration Tips
Team | Best Practices |
---|---|
Cross-Functional | Regular sync meetings, shared workspace |
Remote Teams | Video calls, screen sharing, cloud tools |
Customer Interaction | Demos, prototypes, feedback sessions |
Vendor Coordination | Clear specifications, regular updates |
Next Steps
After Understanding Workflow
- Download Templates
- Review Examples
- Get Training
AI Assistant Data
<details> <summary>Structured Information for AI Tools</summary>
json
{
"page": "Solution Workflow",
"type": "Process Guide",
"purpose": "Define systematic approach to solution development",
"stages": [
{
"name": "Initiate",
"duration": "1-2 weeks",
"deliverables": ["Requirements", "Scope", "Project Charter"]
},
{
"name": "Design",
"duration": "2-4 weeks",
"deliverables": ["Architecture", "Standards", "Specifications"]
},
{
"name": "Build",
"duration": "4-12 weeks",
"deliverables": ["Configuration", "Code", "Documentation"]
},
{
"name": "Deploy",
"duration": "1-2 weeks",
"deliverables": ["Installation", "Training", "Go-Live"]
},
{
"name": "Support",
"duration": "Ongoing",
"deliverables": ["Maintenance", "Updates", "Improvements"]
}
],
"keyActivities": [
"Requirements gathering",
"Architecture design",
"Development sprints",
"Testing phases",
"Deployment planning",
"Support structure"
],
"tools": [
"Project management",
"Version control",
"Testing frameworks",
"Documentation systems"
]
}
</details>