After encountering numerous setbacks, connectivity issues, system crashes, and multiple calls to Wonderware support, we are finally able to say that our Web Information Server is operational. However, the feedback has not been overwhelmingly positive. Currently, the system lacks support for our plant SCADA graphics and primarily only allows for displaying summary screens and trending data. Additionally, its performance has been disappointingly sluggish. In the upcoming year, we are planning to purchase 4-5 new licenses at a cost of $1,200 each. Personally, I believe this investment is not wise, as it feels like we are investing good money into a less-than-satisfactory solution. I’ve heard that setting up an Ignition server could be a better alternative, one that can directly integrate with a Wonderware Enterprise historian, create custom screens, and support unlimited terminal service client connections. Has anyone had experience with this setup?
I successfully configured an Ignition server on a Linux platform, and the setup process was remarkably straightforward. With my limited experience, I was genuinely impressed by its functionality. Unlike other systems, Ignition HMI eliminates the need for Terminal Services; instead, each client operates the HMI through Java, allowing compatibility across a wide range of platforms. For devices that don’t support Java, there’s a web-based HMI option available. However, based on my conversations with their technical support last year, I learned that the web interface can be quite resource-intensive on the server. Regarding integration with Wonderware/InTouch Historian, Ignition supports numerous protocols and offers various third-party modules to enhance its capabilities. I found their sales team to be exceptionally knowledgeable and ready to assist. I recommend reaching out to them via phone or email to confirm that Ignition can effectively connect with the Historian and meet your specific needs. Plus, you can download a fully functional demo version of Ignition for free, so you can test it out to ensure it meets your requirements before making any financial commitment. (Take that, InTouch!) At this stage, I'm definitely an enthusiastic supporter of Ignition and would love to hear about your experiences with it. Saturn_Europa shared: After numerous unsuccessful attempts, networking issues, system crashes, and calls to Wonderware, our Web Information Server is finally operational. However, it hasn't received glowing feedback. The server lacks support for our plant SCADA graphics and primarily displays summary screens and trending data, which results in sluggish performance. We're planning to purchase 4-5 new licenses in the upcoming year at $1,200 each. Personally, I view this as wasting money. I've "heard" that it's possible to set up an Ignition server that can directly pull data from a Wonderware Enterprise Historian, create customized screens, and manage multiple terminal service client connections. Has anyone successfully executed this? Click to expand...
Saturn_Europa stated: After navigating multiple challenges including networking issues, system crashes, and troubleshooting with Wonderware, I’m pleased to report that our Web Information Server is finally operational. However, the feedback has been far from positive. The server lacks compatibility with our plant SCADA graphics, and primarily offers only summary screens and trending data. Additionally, its performance is notably sluggish. Looking ahead, we anticipate investing in 4-5 new licenses over the next year, each costing around $1,200. Personally, I feel this may be an unwise expenditure. I've come across information suggesting that it is possible to establish an Ignition server that can directly extract data from a Wonderware Enterprise historian—allowing you to create custom screens and support numerous terminal service client connections. Has anyone had experience with this setup? A quick online search reveals that Wonderware historians use SQL Server for data storage. As long as you can query the data efficiently, it shouldn't pose significant challenges beyond the lack of shortcuts typically available with the Ignition historian.
It’s possible to interact with the WW historian using SQL queries; however, direct access to the historian databases is not permitted. If I remember correctly, the WW Historian documentation outlines this process. That being said, I highly recommend transitioning away from WW in favor of Ignition, if feasible. Unfortunately, I currently don't have a WW Historian database set up to test these methods. For further assistance, consider reaching out to Industrial Automation (IA) directly or posting your queries on their support forums for more detailed guidance.
**User Saturn_Europa commented:** After numerous frustrating attempts, including networking issues, system crashes, and calls to Wonderware support, we finally have our Web Information Server operational. However, the feedback hasn’t been overwhelmingly positive. The system lacks compatibility with our plant SCADA graphics and is limited to displaying only summary screens and trending data. Additionally, it operates at a sluggish pace. We anticipate purchasing 4 to 5 new licenses in the next year, each priced at $1,200. In my view, this feels like investing good money after bad returns. I've heard that setting up an Ignition server could be a viable solution; it can directly pull data from a Wonderware Enterprise historian, create custom screens, and support multiple terminal service client connections. Has anyone had experience with this? **Expand to learn more...** Ignition has the capability to connect to any standard SQL database provided you have the necessary login credentials, including the user ID and password.
Absolutely, this is achievable! In my previous job, we utilized SQL Reporting Services to generate daily production and quality reports. While the Wonderware (WW) Historian does not provide direct access to its database, it does offer a wrapper that simulates a standard SQL database environment. If you're looking for more detailed information, I recommend searching for "Wonderware Historian Concepts" – that document contains a wealth of knowledge.
I totally get where you're coming from; investing in a system that doesn't meet your needs feels frustrating, especially after all the struggles you've faced. I've worked with Ignition in a previous project, and it was a game-changer for us. The ability to create custom screens and integrate seamlessly with existing systems made a huge difference in performance and user satisfaction. Plus, the flexibility it provides with unlimited connections can really help as your operations grow. It might be worth considering a trial run with Ignition before committing further resources to your current setup. You could also reach out to others who've switched to see how they managed the transition!
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Answer: A1: Users have reported numerous setbacks with Wonderware/Web Information Server, including connectivity issues, system crashes, and slow performance. Additionally, the system currently only supports displaying summary screens and trending data, lacking support for plant SCADA graphics.
Answer: A2: An Ignition server is considered a better alternative due to its ability to directly integrate with a Wonderware Enterprise historian, create custom screens, and support unlimited terminal service client connections. This offers more flexibility and potentially better performance compared to the current Wonderware/Web Information Server setup.
Answer: A3: The current plan involves purchasing 4-5 new licenses at a cost of $1,200 each. This is viewed as a significant investment in a system that has not met performance expectations, leading to concerns about its cost-effectiveness.
Answer: A4: Feedback suggests that the Ignition server may offer superior performance, with better support for customizations and integrations, potentially addressing the sluggishness and limitations reported with the Wonderware/Web Information Server.
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