Learn how to create and organize real-time data tags in FrameworX's Unified Namespace. Tags are the foundation of any solution, representing data points from devices, calculations, or user inputs.

→ Tutorial | Concept | How-to Guide | Reference

On this page:

What You'll Learn

  • Create different tag types
  • Organize tags with folders
  • Configure tag properties
  • Use UserTypes (UDTs)

Prerequisites

  • FrameworX Designer installed
  • Basic understanding of data types

Step 1: Understanding Tag Types

FrameworX supports these fundamental tag types:

TypeUse CaseExample
DigitalOn/Off statesMotor_Running
IntegerWhole numbersProduct_Count
DoubleDecimal valuesTemperature
TextStringsBatch_ID
DateTimeTimestampsLast_Update

Step 2: Create Your First Tags

  1. Open Unified Namespace → Tags
  2. Click first empty row to add tag
  3. Create these example tags:

Digital Tag:

  • Name: Motor1_Running
  • Type: Digital
  • Description: Main motor status

Analog Tag:

  • Name: Tank1_Level
  • Type: Double
  • Min: 0, Max: 100
  • Units: %
  • Description: Tank level percentage

String Tag:

  • Name: Current_Recipe
  • Type: Text
  • Initial Value: "Recipe_001"



Step 3: Organize with Folders

  1. Right-click in tag grid → New Folder
  2. Name: Production_Line_1
  3. Drag tags into folder
  4. Create hierarchy:
  • Production_Line_1/
    • Motors/
      • Motor1_Running
    • Tanks/
      • Tank1_Level
    • Recipes/
      • Current_Recipe


Step 4: Configure Tag Properties

Select a tag and configure:

Scaling (for analog tags):

  • Engineering Units: Set Min/Max
  • Raw Scale: Device Min/Max
  • Auto-scales between device and engineering values

Retentive:

  • Enable to preserve value through restart

Initial Value:

  • Starting value when solution runs

Step 5: Create UserType

  1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → UserTypes
  2. Create new type: Motor
  3. Add members:
    • Running (Digital)
    • Speed (Double)
    • Hours (Double)
    • Fault (Digital)
  4. Return to Tags
  5. Create tag from userType:
    • Name: Motor2
    • Type: Select your Motor template

Testing Your Tags

  1. Click Run (F5)
  2. Open Unified Namespace → Monitor
  3. See your tags updating
  4. Double-click to modify values

Best Practices

  • Use consistent naming: Area_Equipment_Signal
  • Group related tags in folders
  • Document with descriptions
  • Set appropriate engineering units
  • Use templates for repeated structures

Next Steps

  • [Connect to Devices] - Get real data
  • [Define Alarms] - Add alarm conditions
  • [Operator UI Design] - Display tag values


In this section...