The new release streamlines management and configuration of the low cost, high performance data display objects usable by personnel anywhere in a company to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs). The 3.1.1 version is a free upgrade for current license holders with active support agreements and may be downloaded from the Internet at www.factorywidgets.com.
"This upgrade gives users the ability to choose from pre-configured templates of settings when configuring the widgets on their desktop computers," said John Weber, Software Toolbox president. "The templates can simply be the defaults that come with the product, standards created for common KPIs or manufacturing metrics set up by their FactoryWidgets system administrator specifically for their company's business. Users can also set up their own 'private' configurations and save them for re-use.
"System administrators can build global configurations for use by all users or take configurations created by a specific user and mark them as 'global' for sharing with others," he explained. "This capability increases the value of the FactoryWidgets product by encouraging the use of standardized configurations that enhance business consistency and the sharing of 'best practices' configurations among users anywhere in a company."
The new version also provides greater security by storing all user Widget configurations on the WidgetServer™ so that if users suffer a computer failure or have to reload the system for any reason, they can recover their configurations at the click of a mouse. Other enhancements in FactoryWidgets 3.1.1 include user-configurable decimal place display, for floating point values on widgets that support analog values, and support for widget installation on non-English versions of Windows for user desktops.
FactoryWidgets is a product created by Apex Software Development, a unit of Boise, Idaho-based Apex Manufacturing Solutions, in response to client requests for simple, no-hassle and affordable mini-applications that display user-defined KPIs on desktop PCs without the need for 'thick' client software or a browser. They enable any personnel -- even those who aren't directly involved in production operations -- to monitor activities that impact the work they're doing. The package is designed initially for use with the Wonderware® Historian software. Subsequent versions will permit connection to OPC-compliant and SQL-based data sources.
The FactoryWidgets product is sold and supported through Software Toolbox and Wonderware's channel partners. Suggested U.S. list price is $995 for a 5-FactoryWidget starter pack. Corporate-wide site licenses are also available, with the price per FactoryWidget decreasing as the number purchased increases.
The FactoryWidgets software is available for instant Internet download or by shipment of physical CD media. Interested users may also opt for a 14-day, no-obligation free trial. For more information and ordering, users should visit the FactoryWidgets web site at: http://www.factorywidgets.com.
About Software Toolbox
Software Toolbox was founded in the Charlotte, NC, area in 1996 to be a primary source for industrial automation software -- from project conception to completion -- and is the place where clients turn to find, evaluate, purchase, and get support for automation software tools. Since then the company has served more than 10,000 clients in 110 countries worldwide with drivers, components, development tools and HMI/SCADA add-ins/enhancements -- all backed by industry-leading technical support and consultation services.
Note to Editors: FactoryWidgets images are available for download in web ready and print ready formats at http://www.factorywidgets.com/html/presskit.html
Media/Analyst Contact: John Weber Software Toolbox, Inc. 704-849-2773, ext. 1122 Email Contact