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This guide walks you through the complete solution lifecycle from initial planning to production deployment and ongoing support. Follow these procedures to systematically develop, deploy, and maintain FrameworX solutions using industry best practices.

What You'll Learn:

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Quick Start Workflow

Follow this high-level workflow, then dive into detailed procedures for each stage:

1. INITIATE (1-2 weeks)
   ??? Define Requirements
   ??? Identify Stakeholders
   ??? Create Project Charter

2. DESIGN (2-4 weeks)
   ??? Architecture Planning
   ??? Data Model Design
   ??? Standards Definition

3. BUILD (4-12 weeks)
   ??? P1: Configure UNS
   ??? P2: Setup Process Modules
   ??? P3: Add Application Logic
   ??? P4: Create User Interface

4. DEPLOY (1-2 weeks)
   ??? Production Installation
   ??? Commissioning
   ??? Training

5. SUPPORT (Ongoing)
   ??? Monitoring
   ??? Maintenance
   ??? Optimization

Stage 1: Initiate Your Project

Step 1.1: Define Project Scope

Prerequisites: Business objectives, budget constraints

  1. Create Project Charter
    Project Name: _____________
    Business Objective: _____________
    Success Criteria: _____________
    Constraints: _____________
    Timeline: _____________
  2. Document Technical Requirements
  3. Identify Stakeholders <table> <tr><th>Role</th><th>Name</th><th>Responsibility</th></tr> <tr><td>Sponsor</td><td>___</td><td>Approval</td></tr> <tr><td>Operations</td><td>___</td><td>Requirements</td></tr> <tr><td>IT</td><td>___</td><td>Infrastructure</td></tr> </table>

Validation: All stakeholders sign off on scope document

Step 1.2: Gather Requirements

  1. Collect Data Source Information
    For each PLC/Device:
    - Protocol: _____________
    - IP Address: _____________
    - Point Count: _____________
    - Scan Rate: _____________
  2. Define Functional Requirements

Deliverable: Requirements Specification Document


Stage 2: Design Your Architecture

Step 2.1: System Architecture

  1. Select Deployment Model
    [ ] Standalone - Single server
    [ ] Distributed - Multiple servers
    [ ] Cloud - Azure/AWS
    [ ] Hybrid - Mixed deployment
  2. Design Network Topology
  3. Plan Database Architecture
    Development: SQLite (default)
    Production: [ ] SQL Server [ ] PostgreSQL [ ] Oracle
    Historian: [ ] Local [ ] Enterprise [ ] Cloud

Step 2.2: Data Architecture

  1. Define Naming Convention
    Standard: [Area]_[Equipment]_[Signal]
    Example: WTP_PUMP01_RUNNING
  2. Design UDT Templates

    yaml

    Motor_Template:
      - Running: Boolean
      - Speed_SP: Float
      - Speed_PV: Float
      - Fault: Boolean
  3. Plan Asset Structure
    Plant
    ??? Area1
    ?   ??? Line1
    ?   ??? Line2
    ??? Area2

Deliverable: Architecture Design Document


Stage 3: Build Your Solution

Step 3.1: Configure Foundation (P1)

  1. Create Tag Structure
    a. Open Designer → UNS → Tags
    b. Click New Tag
    c. Enter: Name, Type, Initial Value
    d. Set Engineering Units
    e. Configure Min/Max ranges
  2. Build UserTypes (UDTs)
    a. Navigate to UNS → UserTypes
    b. Click New Type
    c. Add Members:
       - Commands (Start, Stop)
       - Status (Running, Faulted)
       - Values (Speed, Current)
    d. Save Template
  3. Organize Asset Tree
    a. Go to UNS → Asset Tree
    b. Create Folders for Areas
    c. Add Equipment nodes
    d. Link to Tags/UDTs

Step 3.2: Setup Process Modules (P2)

  1. Configure Device Communications
    a. Devices → Channels → New
    b. Select Protocol (Modbus, OPC UA, etc.)
    c. Configure Connection:
       - IP: _____________
       - Port: _____________
       - Timeout: 3000ms
    d. Add Nodes → Map Points
    e. Test Communication
  2. Setup Alarms
    a. Alarms → Groups → New Group
    b. Add Alarm Items:
       - Tag: Select from UNS
       - Condition: HiHi, Hi, Lo, LoLo
       - Limits: Set values
       - Priority: 1-999
    c. Configure Notifications
  3. Enable Historian
    a. Historian → Storage → Configure
    b. Select Location (SQL Database)
    c. Create Storage Groups
    d. Add Tags to collect
    e. Set collection rates

Step 3.3: Add Application Logic (P3)

  1. Create Scripts

    csharp

    // Scripts → Tasks → New
    // Name: Calculate_KPI
    // Trigger: Timer (60 seconds)
    
    public void RunTask()
    {
        // Calculate OEE
        float availability = Tag.RunTime / Tag.PlannedTime;
        float performance = Tag.ActualRate / Tag.TargetRate;
        float quality = Tag.GoodParts / Tag.TotalParts;
        Tag.OEE = availability * performance * quality;
    }
  2. Configure Datasets

    sql

    -- Datasets → DBs → New Connection
    -- Datasets → Queries → New
    SELECT 
        ProductID,
        BatchNumber,
        Quantity,
        Timestamp
    FROM Production
    WHERE Timestamp > @StartTime

Step 3.4: Build User Interface (P4)

  1. Create Main Navigation
    a. Displays → New Display
    b. Name: MainMenu
    c. Add Navigation buttons:
       - Overview
       - Areas
       - Reports
       - Admin
  2. Design Process Graphics
    a. Create display per area
    b. Add equipment symbols
    c. Bind to tags:
       - Drag tag to object
       - Configure animation
    d. Add navigation buttons

Validation: Test all displays in Test Mode (F5)


Stage 4: Deploy to Production

Step 4.1: Pre-Deployment Checklist

Step 4.2: Installation Procedure

  1. Backup Current System (if exists)
    Solution Center → Backup
    Save to: Backup_YYYYMMDD.dbback
  2. Install Software
    a. Run FrameworX installer
    b. Select components
    c. Enter license
    d. Configure services
  3. Deploy Solution
    a. Copy .dbsln to server
    b. Open Solution Center
    c. Import solution
    d. Select Production profile
    e. Start Runtime

Step 4.3: Commissioning

  1. I/O Checkout
    For each signal:
    - [ ] Force value at source
    - [ ] Verify in FrameworX
    - [ ] Document in loop sheet
  2. Functional Testing
  3. Performance Validation

Sign-off: Customer acceptance signature


Stage 5: Support & Maintenance

Step 5.1: Setup Monitoring

  1. Configure Diagnostics
    Runtime → Diagnostics → Enable:
    - [ ] Performance counters
    - [ ] Error logging
    - [ ] Audit trail
  2. Create KPI Dashboard

Step 5.2: Maintenance Schedule

<table> <thead> <tr><th>Frequency</th><th>Tasks</th><th>Procedure</th></tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>Daily</strong></td> <td>System check</td> <td>Review alarms, check status</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Weekly</strong></td> <td>Backup</td> <td>Solution Center → Backup</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Monthly</strong></td> <td>Archive</td> <td>Export historian data</td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong>Quarterly</strong></td> <td>Review</td> <td>Performance analysis</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Step 5.3: Common Troubleshooting

Issue: Communication Loss

  1. Check network connectivity
  2. Verify device status
  3. Review error logs
  4. Restart communication service

Issue: High CPU Usage

  1. Check script execution times
  2. Review polling rates
  3. Optimize queries
  4. Adjust priorities

Tools and Templates

Project Management Tools

FrameworX Built-in:

Recommended Third-party:

Downloadable Templates


Best Practices Summary

DO:

? Follow naming conventions consistently ? Test at each stage ? Document all decisions ? Plan for 20-30% growth ? Use version control ? Create reusable components

DON'T:

? Skip testing to save time ? Hardcode values ? Deploy without backups ? Ignore user feedback ? Neglect documentation


Next Steps

After completing this lifecycle:

  1. Review Advanced Topics
  2. Explore Templates
  3. Get Support

This guide provides the framework for successful solution development. Adapt the procedures to your specific requirements while maintaining the systematic approach of the Five Stages and Four Pillars methodology.