FactoryTalk VantagePoint Getting Results Guide

Rockwell Automation Publication FTVNPT-GR001B-EN-E - January 2022 Supersedes Publication FTVNPT-GR001A-EN-E - September 2021

Getting Results Original Instructions

FactoryTalk VantagePoint Getting Results Guide

FactoryTalk VantagePoint Getting Results Guide

2 Rockwell Automation Publication FTVNPT-GR001B-EN-E - January 2022

Important User Information Read this document and the documents listed in the additional resources section about installation, configuration, and operation of this equipment before you install, configure, operate, or maintain this product. Users are required to familiarize themselves with installation and wiring instructions in addition to requirements of all applicable codes, laws, and standards.

Activities including installation, adjustments, putting into service, use, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance are required to be carried out by suitably trained personnel in accordance with applicable code of practice.

If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.

In no event will Rockwell Automation, Inc. be responsible or liable for indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use or application of this equipment.

The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many variables and requirements associated with any particular installation, Rockwell Automation, Inc. cannot assume responsibility or liability for actual use based on the examples and diagrams.

No patent liability is assumed by Rockwell Automation, Inc. with respect to use of information, circuits, equipment, or software described in this manual.

Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, Inc., is prohibited.

Throughout this manual, when necessary, we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.

WARNING: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a hazardous environment, which may lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.

ATTENTION: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss. Attentions help you identify a hazard, avoid a hazard, and recognize the consequence.

IMPORTANT Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the product.

Labels may also be on or inside the equipment to provide specific precautions.

SHOCK HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that dangerous voltage may be present.

BURN HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that surfaces may reach dangerous temperatures.

ARC FLASH HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a motor control center, to alert people to potential Arc Flash. Arc Flash will cause severe injury or death. Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follow ALL Regulatory requirements for safe work practices and for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Rockwell Automation Publication FTVNPT-GR001B-EN-E - January 2022 3

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3 Before you begin .......................................................................................... 9

Preparing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server ................................ 9 Network considerations ................................................................. 9 Server platform considerations ....................................................10

Ensuring the Office user account is valid ..........................................10 Installing and configuring IIS ............................................................10 Configuring prerequisites for the FactoryTalk Historian utility ..... 11

Step 1: Installing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server .......................... 11 Step 2: Activating the FactoryTalk license ................................................ 16

Initializing the license on FactoryTalk VantagePoint ....................... 17 User licenses ......................................................................................... 19

Step 3: Configuring connectors ................................................................ 20 Connecting to data sources ................................................................ 20 VantagePoint simulator ..................................................................... 20 Configuring FactoryTalk data sources ............................................... 21 Connecting to FactoryTalk data sources ........................................... 22

Step 4: Installing client applications ........................................................ 26

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Portal ........................................................................................................... 35 Trend ........................................................................................................... 36 XY Plotter .................................................................................................... 37 Excel add-in ............................................................................................... 38 Manager ..................................................................................................... 40 Mobile ......................................................................................................... 40

Chapter 7 Legal Notices .............................................................................................. 45

Overview

System requirements

Installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint

Upgrading FactoryTalk VantagePoint

Uninstalling FactoryTalk VantagePoint

FactoryTalk VantagePoint features

Next steps Legal Notices


Chapter 1

Overview

FactoryTalk® VantagePoint® provides dashboards, trends, and reports that work with a broad range of real-time and historian data sources.

FactoryTalk VantagePoint software consists of server and client components. The server has three components: the System Server, the Portal Server, and the Database Server (or IncuityStore). The client components include the VantagePoint Portal, Trend, XY Plotter, Manager, the Excel Add-in, and Mobile site.


Chapter 2

System requirements

FactoryTalk VantagePoint works within the system requirements of all Rockwell Automation® software products. For the latest information regarding software platform support, refer to Rockwell Automation Product Compatibility and Download Center.

Before installing, ensure your system meets the following requirements.

System Server Items Descriptions Operating System • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter (64-bit)

• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 SP1 Datacenter (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter LTSC (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard LTSC (64-bit) Note: The VantagePoint IIS Application Pools are set to 32-bit mode only.

Software • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard SP3 (64-bit) • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express SP3 • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Standard SP2 • Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Express SP1 • Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express • Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Standard • Microsoft Office 2013 SP1 (32-bit only) • Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit only) • Microsoft Office 2019 (32-bit only) • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 • Microsoft Edge 95 or later (Internet Explorer mode) • Microsoft .Net Framework 4.8 full version (included with install) • Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 (added when installing and configuring IIS)

Hardware • 2.5 GHz • 2 GB Hard Drive Space • 4096 MB RAM

Full Client Items Descriptions Operating Systems • Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)

• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter LTSC (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard LTSC (64-bit) Note: Embedded versions are not supported.

http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/home.aspx

http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/home.aspx

Chapter 2 System requirements


Web Browser • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 • Microsoft Edge 95 or later (Internet Explorer mode) Note: • The Metro App for Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. • You can use VantagePoint Mobile on Google Chrome 91 or later or Internet Explorer

11. Software • Microsoft Office 2013 SP1 (32-bit)

• Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit) • Microsoft Office 2019 (32-bit) • Microsoft .Net Framework 4.8 • Adobe Reader (for viewing Eventing/ReportSet reports)

Hardware • 1.5 GHz • 100 MB Hard Drive Space • 1024 MB Ram

Browser Client Items Descriptions Operating System • Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)

• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Datacenter (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter LTSC (64-bit) • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard LTSC (64-bit) Note: Embedded versions are not supported.

Web Browser • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 • Microsoft Edge 95 or later (Internet Explorer mode) Note: • The Metro App for Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. • You can use VantagePoint Mobile on Google Chrome 91 or later or Internet Explorer

11. Software • Microsoft .Net Framework 4.8

• Adobe Reader (for viewing Eventing/ReportSet reports) Hardware • 1.5 GHz

• 100 MB Hard Drive Space • 1024 MB Ram

Mobile Client Items Descriptions

Supported Devices • Android tablets and smart phones with OS 5.0 using Google Chrome • Apple iPad 4 or later or iPhone 5 or later with iOS 9.1 or 10.x using Safari Note: A tablet is required to use the Import and Configure features.

Web Browsers • Google Chrome 91 or later • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 • Microsoft Edge 95 or later Note: • The Metro App for Internet Explorer 11 is not supported.


Chapter 3

Installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint

Perform these steps to install FactoryTalk VantagePoint.

To install FactoryTalk VantagePoint 1. Prepare the server and any prerequisites. For more information, refer

to Before you begin on page 9. 2. Install the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server on a suitably configured

machine. For more information, refer to Step 1: Installing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server on page 11.

Note: SQL Server must exist before installing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server. You can use an existing SQL Server installation, or the Standard Edition is available for FactoryTalk VantagePoint users. The Standard Edition requires an additional licensing cost and is recommended for large application deployment.

3. Complete the FactoryTalk Activation process. For more information, refer to Step 2: Activating the FactoryTalk license on page 16.

4. Configure connectors to the data sources that you want to use with FactoryTalk VantagePoint. For more information, refer to Step 3: Configuring connectors on page 20.

5. From a client machine, browse to http://ServerMachineName/Incuity or http:// ServerMachineName/VantagePointPortal and install the VantagePoint Client Applications. For more information, refer to Step 4: Installing client applications on page 26.

This guide will help you with your initial configuration of FactoryTalk VantagePoint. Detailed information about FactoryTalk VantagePoint can be found in the online help, which is installed with the server.

This section contains the following parts:

• Preparing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server on page 9 • Ensuring the Office user account is valid on page 10 • Installing and configuring IIS on page 10 • Configuring prerequisites for the FactoryTalk Historian utility on page

11

Prepare the following things before installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint:

• Network considerations on page 9 • Server platform considerations on page 10

The FactoryTalk VantagePoint server should be installed on a server that:

Before you begin

Preparing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server

Network considerations

Chapter 3 Installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint


• Has network access to the plant data sources (Control systems, HMI systems, and historians) that FactoryTalk VantagePoint will be configured to access data from.

• Is accessible to the intended FactoryTalk VantagePoint users.

In environments where control networks have been separated from business networks, the server will require a network card attached to each network.

The Windows server should be configured as an Application server and a member of the domain (if applicable to your organization). If you are using a domain, we recommend that you must be logged onto the server where you will be installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint as a domain user that has local administrator rights on the server.

The Windows server, SQL Server, and Microsoft Office should have all applicable service packs and updates installed prior to installation of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server.

The FactoryTalk VantagePoint server requires Microsoft Office to render reports created with the Excel Add-In, and this copy of Excel needs to run under a valid Windows user account referred to in FactoryTalk VantagePoint as the System/Office user account. The account is required to enable running Excel in an automated fashion. The user on this account must be a "real" Windows account user with normal user level permissions. The Domain Name is expected to be the same as the Domain Name for the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server. For more information, refer to Modifying VantagePoint Server Accounts in the online help.

Note: This copy of Excel must be launched at least once prior to users generating any Excel reports in the Portal. The installer launches Excel during the install process.

To avoid interruptions during the installation process, please make sure that Internet Information Service (IIS) is installed and configured as follows.

If the roles are not installed, the following message displays when installing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server.

To install and configure IIS on Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, and 2019 1. In Server Manager, select Dashboard > Add roles and features.

The Add Roles and Features wizard appears.

Server platform considerations

Ensuring the Office user account is valid

Installing and configuring IIS



2. Complete the wizard. Make sure you select the following options on the specified pages: Items Descriptions

Installation Type page Select Role-based or feature-based installation. Server Selection page Select the Select a server from the server pool option, and

then select your server. Server Roles page Select Web Server (IIS), and then click Add Features in the

dialog box that opens. Features page Select the following:

• Expand .NET Framework 3.5 Features, and then select the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0).

• Expand .NET Framework 4.8 Features (Installed), and then select the ASP.NET 4.8 check box.

Role Services page Select the following: • Under Security, select the Windows Authentication check

box. • Under Application Development, select the following check

boxes: • ASP.NET 3.5 • ASP.NET 4.8

If the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server successfully installs, a utility will attempt to locate and register a FactoryTalk Historian server in the FactoryTalk Directory and create a connector for the Historian server. To run this utility, you need the following additional prerequisites configured on the server where you will install the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server:

• The FactoryTalk Services Platform must be installed from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint installation package.

• The FactoryTalk Historian SDK must be installed from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint installation package.

• The Windows Update service must be temporarily turned off so that it does not interfere with the automatic configuration after the installation and computer restart.

• The time must be set correctly on the computer. Otherwise, the FactoryTalk Historian SE server may not start correctly and the configuration of the Historian environment will fail.

• The remote computer hosting the FactoryTalk Directory must not have any Connections configuration related to the computer where you will install the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server. You can check it in the FactoryTalk Administration Console. For more information, refer to the FactoryTalk Historian SE user documentation.

Perform these steps to install the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server.

Configuring prerequisites for the FactoryTalk Historian utility

Step 1: Installing the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server



Note: Beginning in version 4.5, FactoryTalk VantagePoint includes an optional SQL CLR feature. This feature is not installed by default, and can only be installed using the Custom Setup option described in Step 9 below. SQL CLR lets you query the VantagePoint model using T-SQL commands, uses SQL Server Reporting Services to author and publish reports to a report server, integrates Reporting Services reports to the VantagePoint model/Portal, integrates Reporting Services reports into Composite reports, and launches Report Builder from the Portal. For more information, refer to SQL CLR in the online help.

To install the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server 1. Run the setup program (setup.exe) from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint

installation package. The FactoryTalk VantagePoint wizard appears.



2. Select Install FactoryTalk® VantagePoint. The following screen appears, which allows you to install prerequisite software, VantagePoint, and optional features.

3. Select Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 (if it is not installed), and

complete the installation of the .NET Framework, which is a prerequisite for installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint.

4. Select Install FactoryTalk Services Platform to install common components used by the FactoryTalk connector, and complete the wizard.

FactoryTalk VantagePoint version 8.31 supports the FactoryTalk Services Platform version CPR9 SR9.0, CPR9 SR10, CPR9 SR11, and CPR9 SR12.

5. Select Install FactoryTalk Activation Manager, and install the following components, which are prerequisites for installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint:

• HASP USB dongle drivers (After clicking Continue, a dialog box prompts you to optionally install these drivers.)

• FactoryTalk Diagnostics • FactoryTalk Activation Manager • Windows Firewall Configuration Utility

Note: You do not need to restart your computer for this step.

FactoryTalk VantagePoint 8.31 supports the FactoryTalk Activation Manager version 4.04.12.

6. Select Install OPC Core Components to install common components used by OPC connectors.

7. Select Install FactoryTalk Historian SDK to install common components used by the FactoryTalk Historian connector, and complete the wizard.

8. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft SQL Server installed:

a. Select Install SQL Server 2019.



b. Select Install SQL Server 2019 Express.

Note: The FactoryTalk VantagePoint server requires Microsoft SQL Server for deployment of the IncuityStore database. The IncuityStore database is where all items in the model are stored. This copy of SQL Server can exist on the host machine of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server, or on a different domain machine.

c. Complete the SQL Server install.

9. Select Install FactoryTalk VantagePoint to install the product. Review the following for additional information about this wizard: Items Descriptions Choose Setup Type page

Select one of the following: • Express - Installs all features on the same machine, including the

VantagePoint server, IncuityStore database, and Portal. Custom - Allows you to: • Specify the name of the VantagePoint Portal. Note that you cannot use

the following non-alphanumeric characters in the Portal name or it will not launch: `~ !@#$%^&*()_+=-{}|\][:"';<>?/.,

• Install Client applications (required if using Portal reports) and Sample content. Sample content includes all the items created under MyEnterprise.Samples v4. The simulators created to support these items are also part of the sample content. The Simulator Connector type, however, will still exist as a data source under System.Sources in VantagePoint Manager.

• Install ActiveX Trend support (ActiveX Trend installation registers Trend and XY Plotter ActiveX controls on the client machine, enabling the controls to be used in ActiveX containers.)

• Install VantagePoint SQL CLR. If selected, a VantagePointCLR database that hosts the SQL CLR stored procedures and functions is installed in SQL Server, SQL CLR is enabled in SQL Server, and the Incuity System User is added to the VantagePointCLR database and to the SQL Server Reporting Services Admin / Users security group. This feature lets you query the VantagePoint model using T-SQL commands, uses SQL Server Reporting Services to author and publish reports to a report server, integrate Reporting Services reports to the VantagePoint model/Portal, integrate Reporting Services reports into Composite reports, and launch Report Builder from the Portal.

IMPORTANT: • You must install SQL Server Reporting Services before installing SQL CLR. • SQL CLR can only be installed using the Custom Setup option, and is

disabled by default.



Database Connection Information page

Enter database connection information. The user running the installer must be a local machine administrator. To access the SQL Server database, this user can use integrated security to the database server if they have sys admin rights on the database server. Otherwise, SQL Server credentials with sys admin rights (such as ‘sa’) must be specified. The IncuityStore database credentials are used by the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server to create and access the IncuityStore SQL Server database, the IncuityHistory database, and the IncuitySample database. The System user is granted ownership of all three databases.

System/Office User page

The FactoryTalk VantagePoint system needs a user account to operate under as it configures the three system web sites: the FactoryTalk VantagePointserver, Portal server, and Office server. Usually, the server machine belongs to a Domain with a normal user name and password. • This user should be a normal Domain user with only the most basic

permissions. • This user should not be added to any other local user groups such as

PowerUser or Administrator. • The password for this user should never expire. This account enables the Excel report-renderer to run. The FactoryTalk VantagePoint server renders reports published to the Portal by running an automated copy of MS Office. This installation of Office needs to run with a pre-existing, valid Windows user name and password. User level permissions are usually adequate. The installer will launch Excel to create the user profile (Office user). Should you later decide that this user needs greater permissions than those automatically created, you can create a new Office user with the necessary permissions, and then change the Office user in Manager. See "Modifying Server Accounts" in the online help for more information. Note: If you select Local account: • All users added to the system must be added from the system machine

console. An administrator cannot browse to the server from a client machine to add users.

• And use the Incuity System user, you may not have access to any .ACD files for importing tags. It is recommended that you use a domain account if you will need access to an .ACD file.

10. If you have configured the prerequisites for the FactoryTalk Historian Utility, when the FactoryTalk VantagePoint installation completes, the following appears:

This utility will locate and register a FactoryTalk Historian server in the FactoryTalk Directory and create a connector for the Historian server. For more information, refer to Configuring prerequisites for the FactoryTalk Historian utility on page 11. When the FactoryTalk Historian Utility installation completes, the Mobile site will automatically open. From this site you can:

• Import FactoryTalk Historian tags and configure properties for them.

• Create displays including gauges, trends, indicators, etc., for public or private use.



You can access the Portal and other applications that are part of the VantagePoint system from the Start menu under: Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software.

Note: • You can receive product and patch notifications by signing up for them on the Customer

Support web site. For more information, refer to KB #35704 at: https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/35704. When selecting the Product, VantagePoint is located under Software > Production Management > FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI:

• You can install recommended components such as the OPC Core Components or FactoryTalk

Historian SDK at a later time. However, after installing at a later time, you must open the command prompt on the target machine and execute the following command: C:\Inetpub\wwwroot\Incuity\Download\IncuityManager.exe /IsConfigMode

For your FactoryTalk VantagePoint system to be operational, you must complete the FactoryTalk Activation Process. If your FactoryTalk VantagePoint server has access to the Internet, you can complete the activation process via the Activation Wizard which is accessed from the FactoryTalk Activation Manager (Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software). If using the Activation Wizard, the FactoryTalk Activation Manager needs to be run on the VantagePoint server.

If you do not have access to the Internet from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server, you can complete the activation process from a computer with access to the Internet via the website https://activate.rockwellautomation.com. Refer to the FactoryTalk Activation online help or the Activate Rockwell Software Products booklet for additional information.

You will need the information on the license certificate to complete the process (Serial Number & Product).

Step 2: Activating the FactoryTalk license



FactoryTalk VantagePoint uses capacity based licensing which requires the FactoryTalk Activation Manager. The FactoryTalk Activation Manager is installed as part of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server installation and runs on the same server. When completing the activation process, the generated license files must be located in the folder searched by the activation server.

If you complete the activation process via the website (rather than use the Activation Wizard), you will need to copy the downloaded license file (yyy.lic) to a folder that is being searched by the local activation server.

The default folder is:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Rockwell Automation\Activations\

After you have completed FactoryTalk Activation, VantagePoint Manager (Manager) is used to update FactoryTalk VantagePoint with the licensing information from the FactoryTalk Activation Manager. VantagePoint Manager is used to administer the entire FactoryTalk VantagePoint system.

Note: Initialization must be completed on the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server (not by running Manager from a remote client).

To initialize the license 1. Open VantagePoint Manager on the server by selecting Start > All

Programs > Rockwell Software > Manager. 2. Select Configuration > License Activation.

Note: This menu item is only available in Manager when it is run on the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server.

Initializing the license on FactoryTalk VantagePoint



3. Click Reactivate on this dialog for FactoryTalk VantagePoint to request

licenses from the FactoryTalk Activation Manager. If no valid FactoryTalk VantagePoint licenses are available from the FactoryTalk Activation Manager, an error message displays. Adding a new license to FactoryTalk VantagePoint will cause the server to stop/restart briefly.

4. Using Manager, you can confirm what license is being used by

FactoryTalk VantagePoint. Select the License node under the System folder. You should see the License Type specified as 'Permanent'. If you are running under a 'Grace Period' license, the License type should display as 'Grace Period'.



Note: • When first installed, FactoryTalk VantagePoint will use a Grace Period License if the

FactoryTalk Activation has not been completed. The Grace Period License allows the system to run for 7 days from the time of the initial installation. The expiration date of the Grace Period License is displayed in Manager and in the Help > About dialog box on each of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint applications.

• A Grace Period License activates the following FactoryTalk VantagePoint functionality: Feature Grace Period License Number of Named Users 5 Number of Concurrent Users 0 Number of Historian Connectors 5 Number of Realtime Connectors 5 Number of Database Connectors 5 FactoryTalk Live Connectors Unlimited FactoryTalk Historian Connectors Unlimited FactoryTalk ProductionCenter Connectors Unlimited Number of Calculation Tags Unlimited Number of Incuity Tags Unlimited Number of Storage Tags Unlimited Report Plug-in Yes Flash Plug-in Yes

• The FactoryTalk Activation Manager will not start if a valid VantagePoint license is not found. • The FactoryTalk Activation Manager runs as a service. After the activation process is

completed, you can close the FactoryTalk Activation Manager. • The 'reactivate' process from VantagePoint Manager needs to be completed each time you

add additional capacity to the system through FactoryTalk Activation. • Additional licenses for VantagePoint can be purchased to: • Add additional Named and Concurrent User Licenses • Add 3rd Party Real-time Connector Instance(s) • Add 3rd Party Historian Connector Instance(s) • Add Database Connector Instances(s)

FactoryTalk VantagePoint supports both Named and Concurrent User Licenses. Named User Licenses are automatically assigned to users as they connect to the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server. It is also possible for an administrator to delete and add a named user manually.

If the FactoryTalk VantagePoint system detects a Concurrent User License, this license will be temporarily assigned to users as available.

User licenses



Perform the following steps to configure connectors:

• Connecting to data sources on page 20 • VantagePoint simulator on page 20 • Configuring FactoryTalk data sources on page 21 • Connecting to FactoryTalk data sources on page 22

To view and analyze your manufacturing data, you will need to configure the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server to connect to your production data sources. This configuration is done using VantagePoint Manager. (Manager is used to manage the entire FactoryTalk VantagePoint system including configuration of the model and security.)

To connect to a data source 1. Click the Manage link on the Portal Home page to open Manager. You

can also select Tools > Manager in the Portal menu.

2. In the Model Browser, select the System > Sources nodes to list the

available connector types. 3. Right-click the desired connector, select New > Item, and complete the

wizard.

Connectors can be configured to access data from:

• FactoryTalk Live Data Sources (Logix controllers, PLC, SLC, etc.) • FactoryTalk Historian • FactoryTalk EnergyMetrix • FactoryTalk Metrics • FactoryTalk Alarm & Events History • 3rd Party Real-time Sources (through FactoryTalk Live Data-OPC

DA connector) • 3rd Party Historian Sources (through OPC HDA, Industrial SQL

Server, GE Proficy Historian, OSI PI) • Database Connectors (including SQL Server, Oracle, OLEDB,

ODBC)

A simulator is installed with FactoryTalk VantagePoint so that you can begin

Step 3: Configuring connectors

Connecting to data sources

VantagePoint simulator



learning the product before you have it attached to your plant data sources. Several instances of the simulator are created during the installation. Additional instances can be created by right-clicking the Simulator node (under the System > Sources node), and selecting Create Instance.

FactoryTalk VantagePoint supports connection to FactoryTalk Live Data, FactoryTalk Historian, and FactoryTalk Alarm and Event data sources. FactoryTalk data sources must be configured appropriately prior to referencing the data in FactoryTalk VantagePoint.

The flow chart below illustrates how to configure FactoryTalk data sources such that the data can be referenced by FactoryTalk VantagePoint. This example uses LinxNG Enterprise which is the recommended and preferred data server for communicating with Rockwell Automation controllers (Control Logix, PLC-5, SLC-5 etc.). LinxNG Enterprise installation files can be found in the Redist\LinxNG folder on the FactoryTalk VantagePoint installation package.

Configuring FactoryTalk Data Sources Flowchart

Note: • FactoryTalk VantagePoint does not support browsing the online folder of RSLinx Classic or

connectivity to a PI collective. • When using the FactoryTalk Historian connector, the following two conditions must be met: • A Trust needs to exist between the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server and the machine hosting the

Historian before creating this connector. • The machine hosting the target Historian must be added to the PI-SDK on the FactoryTalk

VantagePoint server machine. • If your environment requires RSLinx Classic, please consult the product documentation or contact

Rockwell Technical Support at (440) 646-3434 for further assistance.

Configuring FactoryTalk data sources



To ensure that FactoryTalk VantagePoint selects the correct FactoryTalk Directory, you must use the Specify FactoryTalk Directory Location tool to change directories prior to creating a data source connection in FactoryTalk VantagePoint. See the FactoryTalk Connector topic in the online help for more information.

The connectors available on your system are found under the System > Sources node.

To connect to FactoryTalk data sources 1. Right-click the type of connector you would like to create an 'instance'

of, and select New > Item. For this example, FactoryTalk is selected.

The configuration wizard for each type of connector is different based on the requirements of the data source.

2. The first step in creating a FactoryTalk Connector is to confirm the FactoryTalk directory location for the items you want to import. This name appears in the Directory host text box. If necessary, you may need to use the FactoryTalk Directory Server Location Utility to ensure that FactoryTalk VantagePoint points to the correct FactoryTalk Directory.

Connecting to FactoryTalk data sources



FactoryTalk VantagePoint requires a FactoryTalk User account to connect to the FactoryTalk Directory. FactoryTalk VantagePoint can create a new user for this purpose and automatically assign necessary rights within FactoryTalk Security to operate correctly. If you choose an existing FactoryTalk User account, that user account must be a member of the FactoryTalk Administrators and FTHAdministrators groups for FactoryTalk VantagePoint to operate.

3. Once the credentials have been verified, the new connector is created.

In VantagePoint Manager, the structure for the new connector has been created with the default name of the FactoryTalk Directory machine name. Finishing at this point will leave the connector configured and you can import data at later time.

4. The FactoryTalk Import Wizard provides the following options for

importing:

• FactoryTalk Live Data Tags • FactoryTalk Historian Tags • FactoryTalk Alarms and Events Information



For the purpose of this example, we will import 'Live Data'.

5. When importing FactoryTalk Live Data tags, you can choose to import

structures from a Logix controller as VantagePoint Types or just import controller tags as simple data items. When importing structures from a Logix controller, the import wizard will search the associated controller offline file (.ACD file) and locate structures which VantagePoint can map to existing pre-defined types or create new user types to map to the selected User Defined structures in the controller program. The advantage of importing these structure definitions is for using them when building report templates and leveraging the context of the data within the structures as a single entity. Refer to the FactoryTalk VantagePoint Online Help for additional information.

If you choose to import the FactoryTalk Live Data as simple data items, you will be able to create your own Trends, Dashboards, and other reports that work with these items in VantagePoint. These "simple" items are not associated with any Type structures in FactoryTalk VantagePoint, but still can be referenced as data elements in custom built reports. FactoryTalk VantagePoint makes it relatively easy to import simple tags from Logix controllers and other data servers. These items are brought into the VantagePoint model with a flat structure.

6. The first step is to browse the FactoryTalk Directory for the device

items you want to import. Move the selected item to the right pane and determine whether sub-folders should be included.



In this example, we have selected to import simple items associated with a Counter and a Timer.

7. You can specify a filtering condition to limit what is imported.

8. Click Finish to complete the import wizard.

You have now successfully configured your FactoryTalk VantagePoint system to provide data from a Logix Controller. You can find the items that you imported into FactoryTalk VantagePoint under the MyEnterprise > FactoryTalk folder.



This view of the VantagePoint model is available from each of the Applications. Notice the simple data items that were imported with CIPCounter[0].

After the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server has been installed and the FactoryTalk Activation process completed, everything can be done from a remote client, including connector configuration and building your model.

The client install is required to install the Excel Add-in on your computer so you can create Excel-based content. The install also:

• Establishes a "Full Trust" between the client computer and the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server (this is required to use Manager to perform certain administration functions remotely)

• Adds Start menu items for each of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint applications

• Installs NScript

Depending on your network configuration, you may also experience improved performance of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint applications if the client is installed.

Additionally, if you want to create dashboard displays you must install a licensed copy of Dashboards on their local machines. You can purchase per-user Dashboards licenses from Rockwell Automation, Inc.Dashboards can be installed from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint installation package.

Step 4: Installing client applications



IMPORTANT You must do the following: • FactoryTalk VantagePoint only supports clients located in the Local Intranet Zone, so

you must add the Portal URL to this zone. To add the URL to the Local Intranet Zone: in Internet Explorer, select Tools > Internet Options > Security tab > Local Intranet. Click Sites, then click Advanced and add the Portal URL.

• You must install the .NET 4.8 (Extended) Framework on any computer where the VantagePoint client is installed. Note that the .NET Framework 4.8 Client Profile is not supported.

• To establish a successful connection between the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server and client computers, you must enable port number 80 on the computer where the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server is installed. If you are using the Windows Firewall system, port 80 will be enabled during installation of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server by creating a rule in the Windows Firewall. If you are using additional firewall systems, you may have to manually create a rule that enables port 80 on the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server for each firewall system. For more information, refer to the Knowledgebase article 29402 - TCP/UDP Ports Used by Rockwell Automation Products.

To install VantagePoint clients 1. Click the Install link on the Portal Home page.

You can also select Tools > Install Clients from the Portal menu.

2. Click Next on the Installation wizard page. 3. Select the installation type. 4. For a custom installation, select the features to install:

VantagePoint for Office Installs the Excel Add-In.

Scripting Enables the NScript scripting environment. The scripting environment is useful to System Integrators and developers who will write code and reports directly against the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server.

ActiveX Trend Registers VantagePoint Trend and VantagePoint XY Plotter ActiveX controls on the client machine enabling the controls to be used in ActiveX containers.

5. Complete the wizard.

Tip: You can click the Install link at a later time to modify, repair, or remove client installation options.


Chapter 4

Upgrading FactoryTalk VantagePoint

You can upgrade from FactoryTalk VantagePoint 6.10, 6.13, 7.00, 8.00, 8.10, 8.20, 8.30 to 8.31. If you have an earlier version of FactoryTalk VantagePoint, you must upgrade that version to FactoryTalk VantagePoint 6.10, 6.13, 7.00, 8.00, 8.10, 8.20, or 8.30 before upgrading to 8.31.

ATTENTION: The VantagePoint CLR database will NOT be upgraded. It is dropped and a new database is installed during upgrades. If you add any customized functionality to the VantagePoint CLR database, make sure you create scripts that will allow you to regenerate this functionality.

To upgrade FactoryTalk VantagePoint 1. Ensure that you are running FactoryTalk VantagePoint 6.10, 6.13, 7.00,

8.00, 8.10, 8.20, or 8.30. 2. Ensure that the SQL Server where the IncuityStore database is running

is SQL Server 2012, 2016, or 2019. See the Microsoft SQL Server documentation for information about upgrading to this version.

3. Ensure that the machine where the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server will be installed is running Microsoft Office 2013 SP1 (32-bit only), Office 2016 (32-bit only), or Office 2019 (32-bit only). Refer to the Microsoft Office documentation for information about upgrading to this version.

4. Run the setup program (setup.exe) from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint installation package on the machine where FactoryTalk VantagePoint is installed. The FactoryTalk VantagePoint wizard appears.

Chapter 4 Upgrading FactoryTalk VantagePoint


5. Select Install FactoryTalk® VantagePoint. The Install FactoryTalkVantagePoint page appears.

6. Install any optional or required components on this page that need tobe updated prior to installing FactoryTalk VantagePoint.

Note: If a dialog about Files in Use appears while installing the FactoryTalk Historian SDK, click Ignore and continue the installation.

7. Select Install FactoryTalk® VantagePoint.Note: If the following dialog box about Excel running appears, you will need to end any hidden Excel processes. To do so, open Windows Task Manager, select the Processes tab, locate any EXCEL.EXE processes, and click End Process.

Once the installation completes, the Mobile site launches.

8. To preserve the configured state of existing systems, if sample contentwas installed on a FactoryTalk VantagePoint 3.1.5 system, and you didnot install the new sample content when upgrading to FactoryTalkVantagePoint 4.5 or later, you must complete the following steps todisplay the sample content in the current release.

Note: The following instructions will configure the IncuitySample database with the same database owner that is used by the IncuityStore database. This is consistent with the behavior of sample content on clean installations of FactoryTalk VantagePoint 6.10, however, we strongly recommend that after the sample content is deployed, a new database owner is established for the IncuitySample database. For more information, refer to http://<ServerName>/VantagePointPortal/PortalInfoPages/IncuitySampleDB/DBConnectorSecurity.html.

a. Ensure that you have file access to the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server and SysAdmin access to the SQL Server that is used by FactoryTalk VantagePoint.

b. Run the follow commands via an elevated command prompt: net

stop "Incuity System Service"

net stop "Incuity Office Service"

Chapter 4 Upgrading FactoryTalk VantagePoint


iisreset /stop

c. Copy the Samples folder to the Import folder. Manually copy thecontents of C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Incuity\Import\Sample toC:\inetpub\wwwroot\Incuity\Import-or-From a command prompt, type:

xcopy /Y C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Incuity\Import\Sample\*.* C:\inetpub\wwwroot\Incuity\Import\*.*

d. Create a new IncuitySample database.

Caution: This process will delete any existing database called“IncuitySample”. If you have such a database that has valuabledata in it, please backup or rename that database beforecontinuing.With SQL Server SysAdmin rights, execute the SQL Script“IncuitySampleDB.sql”. This script will be located in: Windows64-bit system: C:\Program Files (x86)\Incuity\bin\SampleDB\

e. Execute the following SQL via SQL Management Studio. Thefollowing script will attempt to configure the IncuitySampledatabase with the same database owner that is currently used bythe IncuityStore database. This script must be run withSysAdmin rights.

f. Run the follow commands via an elevated command prompt:

net start "Incuity System Service" net start "Incuity Office Service" iisreset /start


Chapter 5

Uninstalling FactoryTalk VantagePoint

To uninstall FactoryTalk VantagePoint Open the Windows Control Panel, select Add/Remove Programs, and then select VantagePoint System Server.


Chapter 6

FactoryTalk VantagePoint features

FactoryTalk VantagePoint has the following features:

• Portal on page 35 • Trend on page 36 • XY Plotter on page 37 • Excel add-in on page 38 • Manager on page 40 • Mobile on page 40

The Portal is one of two locations where users can go to see what is in their FactoryTalk VantagePoint system. Users can browse to the portal via the address: http://servername/VantagePointPortal. The Portal has preconfigured reports generated by the analytic tools; Trend and XY Plotter, as well as preconfigured reports and dashboards.

Below is the default Portal home page. It can be easily modified through a rich text editor that is built into the Portal. If you have Portal Administrative rights, there will be a link to modify the home page.

Portal

Chapter 6 FactoryTalk VantagePoint features


You can browse the Portal content from the Reports menu. Some sample content based on the built-in simulator is included. There are also components that can be used to build your own reports in the Report Library folder.

The data displayed in a report can be modified through the Parameters tab.

Trend is a client application that runs in a Web Browser and allows you to query data and plot it on a graphical display. Trend relies on the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server to present data from multiple sources in an orderly fashion, allowing you to navigate to specific data, and then plot that data.

Key features include:

• Trend data over a historical period of time, a pre-set period of time, or in real-time.

• Display and compare multiple tags concurrently independent of the data source of the tags.

• Save traces as time periods, or Golden Batches, and use them to compare trends or traces over different time periods.

Trend



Once you select a tag, or multiple tags, you can manipulate the data in a graph in a variety of ways, including panning, zooming, and scaling.

After a Trend has been published to the model, you can access the Trend through the Portal.

You can also view a version with limited functionality in Mobile.

XY Plotter is a client application that can run in a Web Browser and displays the relationship between two tags selected from the model. It supports analyzing data from multiple ‘tag pairs’ over a historical period of time, a pre-set period of time, and in real-time.

Key features include:

• Easily identify the boundaries that define "normal" or optimal conditions for a trace, by employing user-defined shapes.

XY Plotter



• Determine if a tag pair is outside of a defined boundary.

XY Plotter can be used as a desktop application and will ‘download on demand’ from the FactoryTalk VantagePoint server. Once you have added tags, you can manipulate the data in a variety of ways, including panning, zooming, and scaling.

After a plot has been published to the model, you can access it through the Portal.

You can also view a version with limited functionality in Mobile.

The Office Excel Add-In will help you:

• Create powerful reports that use data from anything in the VantagePoint model.

• Build content for the VantagePoint Portal available to anyone in your organization with access to a browser.

Excel add-in



When working on a client machine, you will need to install the Office Excel add-in. This can be done from a menu item on the VantagePoint Portal, and will add a VantagePoint tab in Excel.

The Office Excel Add-in provides a series of wizards for adding any of the data that is available from the VantagePoint model into Excel.

Reports and analysis created in Excel can be published to the VantagePoint model. These reports are available to other users through the Portal.

This is the same report shown in the previous screenshot when it is viewed from the Portal. From the Portal, a user can open and update the report without needing anything more than a browser. Depending on how the report is created in Excel, Parameters can be created allowing the same report to be used to analyze data for a different time period, piece of equipment, process variable, etc.



You can also view a version with read-only functionality in Mobile.

VantagePoint Manager is the tool used to configure and manage a FactoryTalk VantagePoint server. The targeted audiences of this application are people who will develop and maintain the VantagePoint model, the VantagePoint server, and associated services such as security management.

The Mobile site lets you access your manufacturing data in real time, and create actionable reports and displays in your office, out in the field, on the factory floor, or wherever you are.

You can use a phone to create trends and dashboards, or to view reports from the Portal.

Manager

Mobile



On a tablet or desktop home page, you can import simple tags and controller data types to Historian servers, configure tag properties, browse the model, and create displays.

Using the Create button, you can create complex displays using widgets.

You can also view Excel, SSRS, Trend, XY Plot reports, and Portal reports on supported devices.


Chapter 7

Next steps

This guide has given you a quick introduction to the FactoryTalk VantagePoint functionality. The online help includes a tutorial to build a model of a Crayon Plant to help you get more familiar with many of the features in FactoryTalk VantagePoint.

You can also use the online help for more information about:

• Trend • XY Plotter • Excel add-in • Portal customization • Building your model • Managing security • Type System • Eventing • Mobile

Visit www.rockwellautomation.com for more information.


Legal Notices

Rockwell Automation publishes legal notices, such as privacy policies, license agreements, trademark disclosures, and other terms and conditions on the Legal Notices page of the Rockwell Automation website.

End User License Agreement (EULA) You can view the Rockwell Automation End User License Agreement (EULA) by opening the license.rtf file located in your product's install folder on your hard drive.

The default location of this file is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Rockwell\license.rtf.

Open Source Software Licenses The software included in this product contains copyrighted software that is licensed under one or more open source licenses.

You can view a full list of all open source software used in this product and their corresponding licenses by opening the oss_license.txt file located in your product's OPENSOURCE folder on your hard drive. This file is divided into these sections:

• Components Includes the name of the open source component, its version number, and the type of license.

• Copyright Text Includes the name of the open source component, its version number, and the copyright declaration.

• Licenses Includes the name of the license, the list of open source components citing the license, and the terms of the license.

The default location of this file is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Incuity\Release Notes\OPENSOURCE\oss_licenses.txt.

You may obtain Corresponding Source code for open source packages included in this product from their respective project web site(s). Alternatively, you may obtain complete Corresponding Source code by contacting Rockwell Automation via the Contact form on the Rockwell Automation website: http://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/about-us/contact/contact.page. Please include "Open Source" as part of the request text.

Legal Notices

https://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/legal-notices/overview.page

http://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/about-us/contact/contact.page

Legal Notices


Allen-Bradley, expanding human possibility, Logix, Rockwell Automation, and Rockwell Software are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.

EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ODVA, Inc.

Trademarks not belonging to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.

Rockwell Otomayson Ticaret A.Ş. Kar Plaza İş Merkezi E Blok Kat:6 34752, İçerenkÖy, İstanbul, Tel: +90 (216) 5698400 EEE YÖnetmeliğine Uygundur

Rockwell Automation Publication FTVNPT-GR001B-EN-E - January 2022 Supersedes Publication FTVNPT-GR001A-EN-E - September 2021 Copyright © 2022 Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Rockwell Automation support Use these resources to access support information.

Technical Support Center Find help with how-to videos, FAQs, chat, user forums, and product notification updates.

rok.auto/support

Knowledgebase Access Knowledgebase articles. rok.auto/knowledgebase Local Technical Support Phone Numbers Locate the telephone number for your country. rok.auto/phonesupport

Literature Library Find installation instructions, manuals, brochures, and technical data publications. rok.auto/literature Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC)

Get help determining how products interact, check features and capabilities, and find associated firmware.

rok.auto/pcdc

Documentation feedback Your comments help us serve your documentation needs better. If you have any suggestions on how to improve our content, complete the form at rok.auto/docfeedback.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

At the end of life, this equipment should be collected separately from any unsorted municipal waste.

Rockwell Automation maintains current product environmental information on its website at rok.auto/pec.

http://rok.auto/support

http://rok.auto/knowledgebase

http://rok.auto/phonesupport

http://rok.auto/literature

http://rok.auto/pcdc

http://rok.auto/docfeedback

http://rok.auto/pec