ViewX and WebX Clients Guide

SCX 6 Guide to
ViewX and WebX Clients
Serial No. PD-6010

Issue 5
9th January 2007
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SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 iii

© Serck Controls Ltd. 2005, 2007
Serck Controls
iv Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Issue Details
Issue Details
Issue Date Author Comments
1 6 May 2005 S Chamberlain Original

Supersedes the SCX6 Operators’
Guided Tour
2 25 May 2005 G Russ Minor revisions
3 17 Oct 2006 C Wright Added ‘Reset a List’ section

(replaces Remove a Filter and
Remove a Sort).
4 18 Dec 2006 C Wright Added ‘Operator Document Stores’

section. Minor revisions.
5 10 Jan 2007 C Wright Added extra information on

filtering the Event List. Added
extra information on filtering
Query Lists and updated Lists
section to reflect software
changes.
References
None.
SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 v

Issue Details
vi Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Contents
Contents
1 Welcome to the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients ...................................1-1
2 Understanding Your System ................................................................................2-1

Types of System ................................................................................................. 2-1
Systems with Direct Communications .............................................................. 2-2
Systems with PSTN Communications ............................................................... 2-3
SCX Clients ........................................................................................................ 2-5
ViewX Client....................................................................................................... 2-6
WebX Client ....................................................................................................... 2-7
SCX Server ........................................................................................................ 2-7
Channels ........................................................................................................... 2-8
Outstations ........................................................................................................ 2-8
Points................................................................................................................ 2-9
3 ViewX Client...........................................................................................................3-1
Run ViewX ......................................................................................................... 3-2
System Security ................................................................................................. 3-3
Log On to ViewX ........................................................................................... 3-4
Log Off from ViewX ....................................................................................... 3-6
Change your ViewX Password ......................................................................... 3-6
The ViewX Window.............................................................................................. 3-7
Menus ............................................................................................................... 3-8
Toolbars ............................................................................................................ 3-9
File Toolbar ................................................................................................ 3-10
Operate Toolbar.......................................................................................... 3-10
Navigate Toolbar......................................................................................... 3-11
Explorer Bar..................................................................................................... 3-12
Document Display Area ..................................................................................... 3-13
Alarm Banner ................................................................................................... 3-14
Status Bar ....................................................................................................... 3-14
4 WebX Client ...........................................................................................................4-1

Differences Between the WebX Client and ViewX ..................................................... 4-2
Run the WebX Client .......................................................................................... 4-3
Log On to the WebX Client ............................................................................. 4-4
Log Off from the WebX Client ......................................................................... 4-5
Understand the WebX Interface ............................................................................ 4-6
Browse your Database in the WebX Client .............................................................. 4-7
Use the WebX Interface ....................................................................................... 4-8
View Item Properties in the WebX Client ........................................................ 4-10
View a Mimic in the WebX Client ................................................................... 4-11
Zoom a Mimic in the WebX Client .................................................................. 4-12
Use the Object Menu on a Mimic in the WebX Client......................................... 4-13
SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 1

Contents
Use Custom Hyperlinks on a Mimic in the WebX Client ..................................... 4-14

View and Action Alarms in the WebX Client ..................................................... 4-15
View and Action Events in the WebX Client ..................................................... 4-17
View and Action Lists in the WebX Client ........................................................ 4-19
View and Action Trends in the WebX Client ..................................................... 4-21
5 Mimics.................................................................................................................... 5-1
6 Data Explorer Bars................................................................................................ 6-1

Display an Explorer Bar in ViewX...........................................................................6-2
Understanding the Database Tree-Structure............................................................6-3
Working with Database Items ...............................................................................6-4
Favourites Bar ....................................................................................................6-5
Add a ViewX Display to your Favourites List ......................................................6-6
Add an External File to your Favourites List ......................................................6-8
Add a Web Page to your Favourites List ............................................................6-9
Rename a Link in your Favourites List ............................................................ 6-10
Delete a Link from your Favourites List .......................................................... 6-10
Organize your Favourites List........................................................................ 6-11
Access your Favourites List........................................................................... 6-13
Database Bar ................................................................................................... 6-14
Queries Bar ...................................................................................................... 6-15
Operator Documents ......................................................................................... 6-16
OPC Data Bar ................................................................................................... 6-17
OPC Historic Data Bar ........................................................................................ 6-18
7 Object Menu .......................................................................................................... 7-1

Display the Object Menu ......................................................................................7-2
Object Menu Options ...........................................................................................7-3
View ...........................................................................................................7-4
Notes ..........................................................................................................7-4
Display Events..............................................................................................7-4
Display Alarms .............................................................................................7-4
Display Historic List .......................................................................................7-5
Display Historic Trend ....................................................................................7-5
Display Current Trend ....................................................................................7-5
Display items ...............................................................................................7-5
Display ........................................................................................................7-5
Accept Alarms ..............................................................................................7-6
Accept with Comment....................................................................................7-6
Alarm Response............................................................................................7-6
Remove Alarms ............................................................................................7-6
Remove with Comment..................................................................................7-6
Disable / Enable Alarms .................................................................................7-6
Control ........................................................................................................7-7
Handdress ...................................................................................................7-7
2 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Contents
Reset Process Count...................................................................................... 7-8

Tune Alarm Limits ......................................................................................... 7-9
8 Status Display........................................................................................................8-1
View the Status Display ....................................................................................... 8-2
Understand the Status Display.............................................................................. 8-3
9 Alarms and Events ................................................................................................9-1

Alarms .............................................................................................................. 9-2
Alarm Severity, Status, and Category .............................................................. 9-3
Alarm Banner ............................................................................................... 9-6
Audible Alarms ............................................................................................. 9-8
Alarm List .................................................................................................... 9-9
Alarms on Mimics........................................................................................ 9-14
Action Alarms............................................................................................. 9-15
Events............................................................................................................. 9-20
Display the All Events List ............................................................................ 9-21
Display the Events List for an Item................................................................ 9-22
Understand the Events List........................................................................... 9-23
Filter the Events List ................................................................................... 9-25
Sort the Events List..................................................................................... 9-29
Insert a Comment for an Event..................................................................... 9-29
10 Lists ......................................................................................................................10-1
Understanding the List Displays .......................................................................... 10-2
Display a Query List .......................................................................................... 10-3
Filter a Queries List ........................................................................................... 10-4
Quick Filter a Queries List ............................................................................ 10-4
Add a Filter to a Queries List ........................................................................ 10-5
Filter Condition Types .................................................................................. 10-7
Filter Wildcards ........................................................................................ 10-10
Time Formats for Filters............................................................................. 10-11
Change the Filter on a Queries List.............................................................. 10-12
Create a Queries List Filter Using SQL.......................................................... 10-12
Sort a List...................................................................................................... 10-13
Reset a List .................................................................................................... 10-15
11 Trends................................................................................................................... 11-1
12 Reports .................................................................................................................12-1
13 Operator Document Stores ................................................................................13-1

Access Your Operator Document Stores ............................................................... 13-2
Create a New Document in an Operator Document Store........................................ 13-3
Add a Copy of a Document to your Operator Document Store ................................. 13-4
View a Document in your Operator Document Store .............................................. 13-5
SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 3

Contents
Edit a Document in your Operator Document Store................................................ 13-6

Rename a Document in your Operator Document Store .......................................... 13-7
Delete a Document in your Operator Document Store ............................................ 13-7
Export a Document from your Operator Document Store ........................................ 13-8
Import a Document into your Operator Document Store ......................................... 13-9
Save a Copy of a Document into an Operator Document Store ................................ 13-9
Organise your Operator Document Stores........................................................... 13-10
14 Terminology......................................................................................................... 14-1
4 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Chapter 1 - Welcome to the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients
1 Welcome to the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients
Welcome to the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients. In this Guide you will learn how
to use the operator features of the two interfaces provided with SCX:
• ViewX Client (see page 3-1).
• WebX Client (see page 4-1).
ViewX WebX
Both ViewX Client and WebX Client provide access to a variety of displays that you will
need to use as an SCX operator, including:
• Mimics (see page 5-1).
• Data Explorer Bars (see page 6-1).
• Object Menu (see page 7-1).
• Status Display (see page 8-1).
• Alarms and Events (see page 9-1).
• Lists (see page 10-1).
• Trends (see page 11-1).
• Reports (see page 12-1)
• Operator Document Stores (see page 13-1).
The displays provide access to the information you need as well as the methods and
pick actions you will use to interact with your SCADA system.
You can view a description of the components of your system and how it works in
Understanding Your System (see page 2-1).
NOTE: Throughout this guide, the ViewX Client (see page 3-1) is used to describe how to
perform operations. The section on the WebX Client (see page 4-1) describes the WebX
interface, and explains how basic navigation and operations in WebX differ from ViewX.
SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 1-1

Chapter 1 - Welcome to the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients
1-2 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Chapter 2 - Understanding Your System
2 Understanding Your System
You will use ViewX (the SCX Man-Machine Interface) or the WebX Client to operate your
SCX system. Before you begin to work with either of the interfaces, you need to
understand the principles of your system and some of the terminology used in SCX. By
learning about these basic concepts, you will develop an understanding of how your
system works and how your actions will affect the system.
To learn about the basic concepts of an SCX system, you should refer to these sections
in turn:
1. Types of System (see page 2-1).

2. SCX Clients (see page 2-5).
i. ViewX Client (see page 2-6).
ii. WebX Client (see page 2-7).
3. SCX Server (see page 2-7).

4. Channels (see page 2-8).
5. Outstations (see page 2-8).
6. Points (see page 2-9).
The first section, Types of System (see page 2-1), explains two simple system
arrangements and introduces the components of a system. The subsequent sections
explain the various components starting with the SCX client, which is the PC you use to
perform your duties, through to the points which are used to represent the plant that
your system is monitoring and controlling (sensors, switches etc.)
NOTE: Plant is a generic term used to describe equipment such as sensors, gauges, etc.
Types of System
This section explains the concepts of two basic SCX systems—one system that uses
direct communications and another system that uses a telephone network for
communications.
Most systems are structured to meet the needs of your organization and so they may
differ to the architectures described in this section. By learning about the following
types of system, you can begin to familiarize yourself with SCX and how it works as part
of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system:
• Systems with Direct Communications (see page 2-2).
• Systems with PSTN Communications (see page 2-3).

Systems with Direct Communications
To understand the basic concepts of a system with direct communications, you need to
appreciate the role of each part of the system. This section explains the basics,
beginning with the client PC on which you are working.
Client PCs have network connections to an SCX server. The SCX server stores the
database and communicates with equipment such as outstations and PLCs. The
outstations, PLCs etc., communicate with the instruments that monitor and control
plant. The client PCs interact with plant via the SCX server and the outstations (see
Outstations, on page 2-8).
NOTE: The term outstation is used throughout the SCX Guides as a generic term for all
types of devices (PLCs, data loggers etc.).
Your client PC can either run ViewX (see ViewX Client, on page 2-6) or use WebX in a
browser (see WebX Client, on page 2-7). It uses ViewX or WebX to interact with the SCX
system. When you perform an action or issue a control from a client, the control data is
sent from your PC to the SCX server. Depending on the type of action, the SCX server
either performs the action within the database or sends the data to the outstations.
In this type of arrangement, the SCX server communicates with the outstations via
direct channels (see Channels, on page 2-8). This means that there is a continuous
connection between the SCX server and the outstations. The direct connections can use
cables that are physically attached to the SCX server and the outstations, or they can be
some other form of communications media, such as radio.
Most instruments report a signal to an outstation continuously. The outstation stores a

sample from the signal which is then sent to the SCX server upon request. The SCX
server processes the signal and stores the values in the database.
When an outstation receives a control, it processes the data and sends a signal to an
instrument that is connected to the plant. The instrument then operates the plant, for
example, a signal could instruct an instrument to close a valve or activate a power on/
off switch. Note that on some systems, the instruments are the plant.
The database uses points to correspond to the inputs and outputs on an outstation. The
inputs receive data from the plant and the outputs send data to the plant. Any values
sent to or received from an outstation are stored within the corresponding point item in
the database (see Points, on page 2-9).

Systems with PSTN Communications
To understand the basic concepts of systems that use Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN) communications, you need to appreciate the role of each part of the
system. In this section, we will explain the basics, beginning with the client PC on which
you are working.
Client PCs have network connections to an SCX server that stores the database. The
SCX server communicates with the outstations via PSTN. The outstations communicate
with the instruments that monitor and control plant. So, the client PCs interact with
plant via the SCX server and the outstations (see Outstations, on page 2-8).
NOTE: The term outstation is used throughout the SCX Guides as a generic term for all
types of devices (PLCs, data loggers etc.).

Your client PC can either run ViewX (see ViewX Client, on page 2-6), or use WebX in a
browser (see WebX Client, on page 2-7). It uses ViewX or WebX to interact with the SCX
system. When you perform an action or issue a control from a client, the control data is
sent from your PC to the SCX server. Depending on the type of action, the SCX server
either performs the action within the database or establishes a PSTN connection with
the relevant outstation. When the PSTN connection is established, the SCX server sends
the data to the relevant outstation(s).
The SCX server communicates with the outstations via PSTN channels (see Channels, on
page 2-8). This means that the SCX server and the outstations use dial up modems to
communicate via a telephone network.
A communication connection is only made when the dial up process is initiated, either
from the SCX server or from the outstation. This means that there is not a continuous
communications connection—the outstations and SCX server can only communicate
when a successful dial up has occurred.
As the outstations in a PSTN-based arrangement are not in continuous communications

with the SCX server, they store data so that it can be reported when a connection is
established.
No connection as
communications are not Connection is
scheduled or requested scheduled or
manually made upon
request
When there is no connection When a connection is made, the outstations

between the SCX Server and the can report to the SCX Server via the
outstations, the outstations store telephone network. Similarly, the SCX
the data from plant. server can send data to the outstations.
When an outstation receives a control, it processes the data and sends a signal to the
instrument that is connected to the plant. The instrument then controls the plant, for
example, a signal could instruct a valve to close or could activate a power on/off switch.
Note that on some systems, the instruments are the plant.
Typically, the instruments continuously report measurements to the outstations. The

outstation stores the measurements until a communications connection is established
(either by the outstation or by the SCX server). The measurement is then sent to the
SCX server where it is processed and stored in the database.
The database uses points to represent each outstation’s inputs and outputs. The inputs
receive the signals from the plant, and the outputs send data to the plant. Any values
sent to or received from an outstation are stored within the corresponding database
point (see Points, on page 2-9).

SCX Clients
SCX clients are programs that run on the computers that access the SCX database (the
SCX database is stored on the SCX server). The SCX clients communicate with the SCX
server via a network connection.
The computer you use to perform your tasks is a client computer.
The SCX clients that we provide are the ViewX Client (see page 2-6) and the WebX
Client (see page 2-7). WebX client uses a web browser application to access your SCX
system via the internet or an intranet. There are other methods of accessing the data in
an SCX system, for example, via Microsoft® Excel or Crystal Reports.
Typically, you will need to log on to a client PC before you can work with your system.
You log on by entering a unique user identification name and a password. These details
are associated with a User account that allows you entry to the system and also has
permissions that determine which features and database items you can access.
Depending on the permissions that have been allocated to your User account, you can:
• Access displays, such as Mimics, Trends, and Query Lists.
• Alter values and states to manipulate the system and plant, for example, send a
control to plant by controlling an output point.
• Manage alarms.
• View status information.

• Manage outstation communications (switch communication lines, promote the
outstations etc.).
When you perform an action, the relevant instruction is sent to the SCX server where it
is processed. The action is then either performed within the SCX server or is sent to the
relevant outstation (depending on the type of action). If an outstation receives a control
(from an action), it processes the data and then sends it to the instruments that operate
the plant, for example, it could send a signal to start a pump.

ViewX Client
ViewX is the SCX Man-Machine Interface (MMI) that is installed on client PCs (except
web clients). Detailed information can be found in ViewX Client (see page 3-1).
You will predominantly use ViewX to access:
• Mimics—Graphical displays that can provide access to action menus (for alarm
management, controls, etc.) and related displays such as other Mimics, Trends, Lists
(see Mimics, on page 5-1).
• Alarm Displays—A variety of displays (Alarm Banner, Alarm List etc.) that provide
information about the alarms currently raised on your system. You can use these
displays to access the alarm management features (see Alarms, on page 9-2).
• Trends—Displays that show traces for values over a period of time (see Trends, on
page 11-1).
• Query Lists—Lists that you can use to view database items of the same type, or with
specific property values, for example, all points on a particular site (see Lists, on page
10-1). Query Lists use SQL Queries to request data from the database.
• Event Journal—A record of events on your system. You can use the event journal,
also referred to as the Event List to trace the causes and times at which specific
events occurred (see Events, on page 9-20).
Similar displays can also be accessed from the WebX Client (see page 2-7), which is
described in the next section.

WebX Client
The SCX WebX Client allows you to use a browser to operate your system via a web
interface. This means that potentially you can operate your system via any PC that has
Internet Explorer 6 (or above) and the ViewXCtrl ActiveX control installed. For example,
you can access your system remotely from a laptop that has Internet Explorer 6 and
ViewXCtrl installed (some additional hardware is also required for remote access via the
internet).
The WebX Client provides access to the same features and functions as ViewX Client
(see page 2-6). However, if you are working on a web client, you can only access the
context sensitive menus that contain the controls via Mimics (see WebX Client, on page
4-1).
SCX Server
The SCX servers contain the database and the drivers that are used to communicate
with the outstations. Each driver communicates with one particular type of device, for
example, the Modbus driver communicates with Modbus PLCs. The drivers scan the
devices that are monitoring the plant. For more information see Driver Reference Suite.
When you use ViewX to perform an action on plant, the action is sent from your client to
the SCX server. The driver sends the action to the relevant device, and the device
processes the action to control the plant.
The SCX server requests data from the outstations at regular user configured intervals.
Data can also be requested manually at any time. The data the SCX server receives is
stored in the database, which contains database points that correspond to the plant.

Channels
The SCX server runs drivers, most of which communicate with outstations and similar
devices via channels. Each channel can be:
• Direct—Allows the SCX server to communicate with outstations (or similar devices)
via cable link, radio link, or microwave link etc. (see Systems with Direct
Communications, on page 2-2).
• PSTN—Allows the SCX server to communicate with outstations or similar devices via
the telephone network (see Systems with PSTN Communications, on page 2-3).
For PSTN communications, the SCX server and outstations are connected to modems.
The modems connect to the telephone network.
The channels are represented in the database by a channel database item. You can
perform actions on them via pick action menus (also referred to as context sensitive
menus).
Channels are represented by channel database items.
Outstations
Outstations, PLCs and other similar devices are enclosed units that typically contain
circuit cards, communications equipment, and a power supply. The circuit cards contain
inputs and outputs that correspond to the connections to plant.
The devices receive signals from the measuring instruments at plant and then send the
data to the SCX server upon request. They also receive controls from the SCX server.
The controls from the SCX server are processed and, if required, are sent to control
instruments to operate plant. The SCX server requests data from the devices at regular
intervals and stores the data it receives in the SCX database.
The outstations (and other similar devices) are represented in the SCX database as
outstation items.
Each outstation contains inputs and outputs. The inputs are used to receive data from
plant, whereas the outputs are used to send controls to plant. Each input and output
corresponds to a point in the database, with one or more points being used to represent
each item of plant (see Points, on page 2-9).

Points
SCX uses points to represent the inputs and outputs in an outstation or similar device.
In the database, the values that the outstations receive from plant are stored in input
points and the values (controls etc.) that are sent from SCX to the plant are stored in
output points.
By performing actions on points, you can interact with the plant. For example, by
controlling the state of a digital output point that represents a valve, you could open or
close the valve.
The following tables show examples of how points are used in some industries:
Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Pipelines
Digital Input Analog Input Digital Output Analog Counters

Points Points Points Output Points
Valve status Flow level Valve open/close Variable valve Flow meters
position
Pump status Pressure level Pump start/stop
PIG detection Density level PIG launch
Local/Remote Temperature Pipeline

Mode shutdown
Leak Detected Tank level

indicator
Pipe shut-in Mass flow rate

status
Batch launched Leak size
Batch arrived Leak location
Batch size
Flow profile
Pressure profile
Temperature
profile
Pipeline
efficiency
Instrument
accuracy
Entries in italics are generated by third party Leak Detection software. SCX
uses computed digital input points and computed analog input points to
represent these items.

Oil and Gas Gathering and Production

Valve status Inlet/Outlet Valve open/close Variable valve Flow meters

pressure position
PIG detection Temperature PIG launch

level
Pressure level
Flow rate
Energy flowrate
Gross calorific
value
Mass flowrate
Water Treatment

Valve status Inlet tank level Flow meters
Pump status Inlet flow rate
Air blower status Turbidity level
Centifuge status Chlorine level
Power supply pH level

status
Clean/dirty tank
level
Sludge tank level
Carbon level/
dosage
Aluminium level
Sulphuric acid
level/dosage
Phosphoric acid
level/dosage
Lime level/
dosage
2 - 10 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Flood Forecasting and Environment

Penstock status Weir level
Valve status Rain gauge
Pump status River level
Intruder alarm River

temperature
Power supply
status
Power Generation and Distribution

Phase indication Input/output

voltages
Input/output
current
SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 2 - 11


Chapter 3 - ViewX Client
3 ViewX Client
ViewX uses a PC interface (called a client) to monitor and control remote equipment via
data that is stored in the SCX database on a central computer server. Your system may
contain more than one SCX server, and there are usually many PC clients (see
Understanding Your System, on page 2-1).
All functions are accessed via drop-down menus, toolbars, or context sensitive menus
that can be selected with the mouse. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to access
many of the features.
This section covers basic concepts of the ViewX Client:
• Run ViewX (see page 3-2).
• System Security (see page 3-3).
• The ViewX Window (see page 3-7).
• Menus (see page 3-8).
• Toolbars (see page 3-9).
• Explorer Bar (see page 3-12).
• Document Display Area (see page 3-13).
• Alarm Banner (see page 3-14).
• Status Bar (see page 3-14).

Run ViewX
To run ViewX:
1. Either:
• Select ViewX from the Serck Controls Start menu group.
Or:
• Select the ViewX desktop shortcut
The ViewX window is displayed.
Menus Toolbars Document Display Area
Explorer Bar Alarm Banner Status Bar
NOTE: If you do not have access to a ViewX desktop shortcut icon, please contact a
higher level user.

System Security
SCX security protects the SCADA system from unauthorized access. System access
requires a password. All actions that you perform as a user are logged by the system
(see Events, on page 9-20).
As a system user, you will be assigned access permissions according to the functions
you need to perform, and you will only be able to see the functions that this makes
available to you.
You will use a ViewX or WebX Client that has been configured by a higher level user,
which will provide access to all of the displays and features that you need to carry out
your tasks, such as performing actions on database items and managing alarms.
System security allows you to:
• Log On to ViewX (see page 3-4).
• Log Off from ViewX (see page 3-6).
• Change your ViewX Password (see page 3-6)

Log On to ViewX
You will be allocated a user account with a unique username and a password, that you
will use to log on to ViewX.
Your system may be configured to be able to access more than one SCX database. You
can choose to log on to all systems, or one particular system.
The systems to which you are logged on will display in the Status Bar.
If you use the same username to log on to all systems, it will display Username. If you
use different usernames to log on to different systems, you will see
System1: Username1; System2: Username2.
To log on to all available SCX systems:
1. Select the File menu.

2. Select the Log On option.
The Logon window is displayed.
NOTE: Your system may not use this logon option, and may open a Logon Mimic
where you enter your Username and Password.
3. Enter your user identity in the Username field.

Your user identity is the name of the user account that you use to log on. Typically,
this will be your own name.
4. Enter your password in the Password field. The password is defined when the user
account is configured.
NOTE: If you do not know what your password is, please contact a higher level user.
5. Select the OK button.

The Log On to System window is closed and you are logged on to the system.
NOTE: SCX attempts to log you on to all systems using the same username and
password. If the username and password are not valid for a system, you will see an error
message. You will need to log on to that system individually.

To log on to a particular SCX system:
1. Either:
i. Select the File menu.
ii. Select the Log On option.

The Log On window is displayed.
iii. Select the System you want to log on to from the combo-box.
Or:
i. Right-click on the System Icon on the Explorer Bar for the system you want
to log on to.
A context sensitive menu is displayed.
ii. Select the Log On option.
The Log On to system window is displayed.
NOTE: Your system may not use this logon option, and may open a Log On Mimic
where you enter your Username and Password.
2. Enter your user identity in the Username field.

Your user identity is the name of the user account that you use to log on. Typically,
this will be your own name.
3. Enter your password in the Password field. The password is defined when the user
account is configured.
NOTE: If you do not know what your password is, please contact a higher level user.

The logon window is closed and you are logged on to the system.

Log Off from ViewX
You should log off from ViewX when you finish work, or if you will be leaving the system
unattended.
You can log off from all systems to which you are connected, or just one system.
Your user account may also be configured to log off after a period of user inactivity.
To log off from all systems to which you are logged on:

2. Select the Log Off option.
To log off from a particular system:
1. Right-click on the System Icon on the Explorer Bar for the system you want to
log off from.
2. Select the Log Off option.
Change your ViewX Password
It is important the your user password is kept secret. If another user logs in using your
password, any actions they perform will be logged against your name.
If you think that your password is not secret, you should change it.
NOTE: You must be logged on to ViewX to change your password (see Log On to ViewX,
on page 3-4). You can only change your password if your User account has the Can
Change Password option enabled in its configuration.
To change your user password:

2. Select the Change Password option.
The Change Password window is displayed.
3. Enter your new password in the New Password field.

4. Enter it again in the Confirm Password field.

The ViewX Window

When you run ViewX, the window will contain:
• Menus (see page 3-8).
• Toolbars (see page 3-9).
• Explorer Bar (see page 3-12).
• Document Display Area (see page 3-13).
• Status Bar (see page 3-14).
Menus Toolbars Document Display Area
Explorer Bar Alarm Banner Status Bar

Menus
The menus are displayed at the top of the ViewX window and provide access to a variety
of options. To access any of the options, use the mouse to select the required menu,
then position the cursor over the required option and select it.
The menus and the options that they contain vary according to the user’s security level
and what is being displayed in the ViewX window, for example, the following menu is
shown when a Mimic is on display.
When you select a menu, a drop-down list of options is displayed. These options provide
access to a variety of features.
Some options on the menus provide access to a further menu.
NOTE: Menus are always selected from the menu banner at the top of the ViewX window.
Do not confuse menus with context sensitive menus which are available from a variety of
displays including Mimics and Lists (see Object Menu, on page 7-1).
NOTE: Individual menu options will be explained in the relevant sections.

Toolbars
Toolbars are sets of icons that you can use to access specific features. Typically, they
provide fast access to the same features that are associated with options in the menus.
You need to be familiar with the different toolbar icons to use ViewX effectively. To
access one of the features via a toolbar, simply select the relevant option.
There are three types of controls available on toolbars:
• Instant Action—Clicking on the toolbar button causes the action to be performed

immediately, for example Zoom In and Zoom Out.
• Select/De-Select—Clicking on the toolbar button causes the button to change

between Active and Inactive states. While Active, the toolbar button will appear
depressed, and causes a continuous effect, for example selecting Pan button causes
the mouse cursor to change from ‘Click to Select’ to ‘Click and Drag to Pan Mimic’.
• List Boxes—Clicking on the toolbar list box will display a list of options. Selecting an
option will cause an action in the same manner as an instant action toolbar button.
The ViewX user toolbars are:
• File
• Operate
• Navigate
To display and hide the toolbars:
1. Either:
i. Select the View menu.
ii. Select the Toolbars option.

A further menu is displayed.
Or:
• Right-click on the Toolbar/Menu or Status Bar area.
2. Either:
• Select the File option, the Operate option, or the Navigate option to display the
File toolbar, Operate toolbar or Navigate toolbar respectively.
Or:
• De-select the File option, the Operate option, or the Navigate option to hide the
File toolbar, Operate toolbar or Navigate toolbar respectively.

File Toolbar
You will mostly use the File toolbar to print the current window. Other functions apply to
users with higher security permissions.
NOTE: If the File toolbar is not available, you can use the Print button on the Operate
Toolbar (see page 3-10).
Operate Toolbar
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The Operate toolbar contains controls that allow you to navigate forward and backward
between Mimics, display Alarm and Events Lists, and change the Explorer Bar.
The controls on the Operate toolbar are:
1. Navigate Forward / Backward—Navigate Backward displays the previously

displayed Mimic after you navigate between Mimics using a hyperlink (see SCX Guide
to Mimics). After clicking on Navigate Backward, you can then click on the
Navigate Forward to display the Mimic that was displayed before you clicked on
Navigate Backward. You can navigate backwards through multiple Mimics and then
navigate forward to the original Mimic.
2. Home—This control causes the default Mimic for the currently logged-on user to be
displayed.
3. Display Alarm List—This control causes the list of all current Alarms to be displayed
as a List (see Alarm List, on page 9-9).
4. Display Event List—This control causes the list of all Events generated in the last 24
hours to be displayed as a List (see Display the All Events List, on page 9-21).
5. Explorer Bar Mode—This group of controls allows you to display (or close) the
Explorer Bars (Favourites Bar, SCX Data Bar, Queries Bar, OPC Data Bar, OPC Historic
Data Bar). These are explained in detail in Data Explorer Bars (see page 6-1).
6. Print Current Window—This control allows you to print the current window, for
example Mimics, Lists, Reports and Trends. When printing Lists, the entire List will be
printed (not just the viewable section of the List).
7. Full Screen Mode—This control causes ViewX to be displayed as full screen. When in
Full Screen Mode, the following are not displayed:
• ViewX menu bar.
• Status bar.
• Application window frame (title bar etc.).
This option provides more viewable area for the display of Mimics, but does not allow
you to access functions via the ViewX menu bar. Full screen mode can be toggled
using the F11 key.

Navigate Toolbar
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The Navigate toolbar provides quick access to functions that allow you to navigate
Mimics (see page 5-1) and Trends (see page 11-1).
The controls on the Navigate toolbar are:
1. Mimic Zoom—This control allows you to select or specify a specific Mimic Zoom level.
2. Zoom In / Out—These controls allow you to increase or decrease the Zoom Level of
the Mimic.
3. Zoom Box—This control allows you to zoom into a specific area of a Mimic by drawing
a Zoom Box around the area.
4. Pan—If the Mimic is larger than the main display area at the current zoom level, this
control allows you to change which area of the Mimic is visible.
5. Zoom Lock—This control allows you to return the Mimic to its default zoom level. The
Zoom Lock turns off automatically if you zoom in or out again.
6. Mimic Navigator—This control allows you to pan the Mimic using a smaller context
sensitive window.
7. Defined View—This combo box lists any Defined Views that have been configured for
your Mimic, for example a view that is zoomed in on a particular area of the Mimic.
8. Previous / Next Interval—These two controls allow you to scroll the selected Trend
forward and backward.

Explorer Bar
The Explorer Bar displays to the left of the main ViewX window and provides more
advanced functionality than the menus and toolbars.
A detailed description is provided in Data Explorer Bars (see page 6-1).

Document Display Area

The ViewX document display area is the main part of the ViewX interface and is where
the ViewX displays are shown. These include:
• Mimics—Graphical displays that usually show dynamic representations of plant and

provide access to the actions and controls that you will need to perform your tasks
• Trends—Displays that plot the values of points on a Trend with an x-axis and at least
1 y-axis. These displays are used to compare values over periods of time and to
determine patterns in the data, for example determine at what times a point’s value is
high (see Trends, on page 11-1).
• Lists—Lists that you can use to display specific items and their various property
values. The Lists provide access to the actions and controls that you will need to
perform your tasks, and also allow you to compare various different values (see Lists,
on page 10-1).
Typically, you will perform most, if not all, of your tasks from Mimics, Trends, and Lists
that are shown in the ViewX document display area.
ViewX document display area showing a Mimic
You can change the size of the ViewX document display area by selecting the left-hand
side or bottom boundary and dragging it. This either increases or decreases the height
or width of the ViewX document display area—the Explorer Bar and Alarm Banner are
resized accordingly.
NOTE: Your user account permissions may not allow resizing of the Alarm Banner.

Alarm Banner
When SCX detects a problem on your system, it raises an alarm (see Alarms, on page 9-
2). Information about alarms is shown on various displays, including the Alarm Banner
which is displayed at the bottom of the ViewX window.
Status Bar
The Status Bar is displayed at the bottom of the ViewX window.
The Status Bar displays:
• System status information.
• Current user name.
• Most recently logged event.
• Script execution (not shown here). Four green dots will display is a script is running.
You can double-click on them to abort the script.
• Client/server activity light. Red indicates that there is communication occurring

between ViewX and the SCX server. Green indicates no activity.
To hide or display the Status Bar:
1. Either:
i. Right-click on the Toolbar/Menu area or the Status Bar.
ii. Select or de-select the Status Bar option.
Or:
ii. Select or de-select the Status Bar option.
The Status Bar will display or be hidden.

Chapter 4 - WebX Client
4 WebX Client
The SCX WebX Client allows you to connect to your SCX database from any location,
whether on your normal site or off-site. It uses Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6 (or
above) instead of ViewX to view and control the SCX system. You have the same
functionality as ViewX Client (see page 3-1), with minor differences in the interface’s
appearance and actions performed to access some functions.
The WebX Client provides sufficient functionality for operator tasks, but lacks the
advanced features required to make modifications to the SCX database. The WebX
Client can be used to perform control actions such changing set points, but cannot be
used to configure items in the database.
The basic concepts of the WebX Client are:
• Differences Between the WebX Client and ViewX (see page 4-2).
• Run the WebX Client (see page 4-3).
• Understand the WebX Interface (see page 4-6).
• Browse your Database in the WebX Client (see page 4-7).
• Use the WebX Interface (see page 4-8).

Differences Between the WebX Client and ViewX

Most of the functionality of the WebX Client is the same as ViewX. See the other
sections of this guide for more detail:
• ViewX Client (see page 3-1).
• Mimics (see page 5-1).
• Data Explorer Bars (see page 6-1).
• Object Menu (see page 7-1).
• Status Display (see page 8-1).
• Alarms and Events (see page 9-1).
• Lists (see page 10-1).
• Trends (see page 11-1).
The differences in how you use the WebX Client compared with ViewX mostly relate to
how you access items and functions, for example accessing context sensitive menus.
The main differences between the WebX Client and ViewX are:
• The WebX Client can only display one window at a time (it cannot display inset
windows as pop-ups as in ViewX). Any inset windows are displayed using the entire
main display area and you use the Back navigation button to return to the previous
screen.
• The WebX Client does not have the ViewX toolbars. The WebX Client does, however,
provide the Zoom and Pan tools via a pick action menu. This menu is accessed by
right-clicking on the main display area.
• Alarms are displayed using a dedicated screen in the WebX Client.
• Events are displayed using a dedicated screen in the WebX Client.
• Lists are displayed using a dedicated screen in the WebX Client.
• The WebX Client cannot display the Explorer Bars. Equivalent functionality is provided
for the Database Bar via the Database button and the Queries Bar via the Lists
button.
• Audible alarms are not supported in the WebX Client.
• The WebX Client can only connect to one server at a time.

Run the WebX Client

To run the WebX Client:
1. Either:
i. Select the Start button.
The Windows Start menu is displayed.
ii. Select the All Programs option.
iii. Select the Internet Explorer option.
Or:
• Double-click on the Internet Explorer desktop shortcut
Internet Explorer is displayed.

2. Enter the address for your SCX server in the Address field, in one of these formats:
http://<name_of_server>
http://<name_of_server>:<port_number>
https://<name_of_server>
https://<name_of_server>:<port_number>
Where <name_of_server> is the node name of your web server (you may also use its
IP address), and <port_number> is the port used by the server. Use the “https”
address if your server uses secure http. If the web server is configured to use the
default port for its protocol (80 for http, 443 for https), omit the port number.
NOTE: Your System Administrator will be able to provide you with this information.
3. Press the Enter key.

Internet Explorer displays your WebX Client homepage.
NOTE: Your SCX system may be configured to display a custom Mimic on start-up.

Log On to the WebX Client
As with ViewX, you need to log on to the WebX Client before you can interact with your
system. You will usually be able to log on using the same user details that you use to log
on to ViewX.
To log on to the WebX Client:
1. Left-click on the Log On button in the WebX Client banner.
The Log On page is displayed.
2. Enter your user name and password in the Username and Password fields.
3. Select the Log On button.
You are now logged on to the system. Your username is shown at the bottom of the
WebX Client.
NOTE: The WebX Client displays your homepage. If none is configured for your user
account, the WebX Client displays the page you were viewing before you logged on.

Log Off from the WebX Client
After you log on to the WebX Client, the Log On button changes to display Log Off.
To log off the WebX Client:
1. Left-click on the Log Off button in the WebX Client banner.

Understand the WebX Interface

The WebX interface consists of two parts:
1. A navigation banner with a row of buttons at the top of the window.

2. A main display area below the buttons.
Navigation
Banner
Main
Display
Area
The WebX interface navigation banner contains the following buttons:
• Home—Displays your SCX Homepage. This is equivalent to the Home button on the
ViewX Operate toolbar (see Toolbars, on page 3-9).
• Database—Displays the System web page, or default views, which provide

hyperlinks to the groups and items in your system. This is equivalent to the Database
Bar (see page 6-14). You can view an item’s properties. You can display Mimics,
Trends, etc. in the main display area.
• All Alarms—Displays the Alarm List for your system, automatically refreshed every 5
minutes. You can use the Alarm List to view and manage Alarms (equivalent to the
Display Alarm List button on the ViewX Operate toolbar).
• All Events—Displays the Events List for your system (equivalent to the Display
Events List button on the ViewX Operate toolbar).
• Lists—Displays the Lists web page, which provides hyperlinks to the Lists in your
system. You can use the Lists to view the values of items of the same type, for
example, view the values of all points on your system (see Lists, on page 10-1).
• Diagnostics—Displays information about the performance of your system. The

diagnostics information is especially useful to Serck Controls personnel when
providing support.
• Log On/Log Off—Allows you to log on to your system or log off via the WebX Client.
This is equivalent to logging on via the File menu or the Database Bar’s system icon in
ViewX (see Log On to ViewX, on page 3-4).
Buttons are activated by clicking on them once with the left mouse button.

Browse your Database in the WebX Client

The SCX web interface allows you to browse your SCX system’s database.
To browse the SCX database:
1. Left-click on the Database button in the WebX Client banner.

Your SCX database main window is displayed.
NOTE: In some systems a Mimic will be displayed from which you can navigate your
database, if a default view is configured for your system.

Use the WebX Interface
NOTE: This section applies if your system is not customised to use default views.
You can use the links on the database web page to access different levels of the
database—the database web pages correspond to the various levels in the Database Bar
tree-structure in ViewX (see Database Bar, on page 6-14).
Left-click to
display the group
that contains the
item you are
currently viewing
Left-click to
display items
that are
contained in this
item
The Parent group links to the group above the item that you are viewing.
The Children group contains items that are part of the group that you are viewing, for
example I/O points or Mimics that are part of a group.
You can perform these actions in the WebX Client:
• Follow a hyperlink—The mouse cursor will change to a pointing finger when it is

over a hyperlink. Left-click on the hyperlink. A new web page is opened, replacing the
one that you were viewing.
• View the previous page—Select the Back button
• Move to the level above on the tree—Left-click on the parent group.
• Open a Group—Left-click on its name.

Specific actions you can perform in the WebX Client include:
• View Item Properties in the WebX Client (see page 4-10).
• View a Mimic in the WebX Client (see page 4-11).
• Zoom a Mimic in the WebX Client (see page 4-12).
• Use the Object Menu on a Mimic in the WebX Client (see page 4-13).
• Use Custom Hyperlinks on a Mimic in the WebX Client (see page 4-14)
• View and Action Alarms in the WebX Client (see page 4-15).
• View and Action Events in the WebX Client (see page 4-17).
• View and Action Lists in the WebX Client (see page 4-19).
• View and Action Trends in the WebX Client (see page 4-21).

View Item Properties in the WebX Client
To view an item’s properties:
1. Navigate to a database web page that contains an item hyperlink.
2. Left-click on the item hyperlink on the WebX Client.

The item properties window is displayed.

View a Mimic in the WebX Client
You can display a Mimic on a web page and use it to operate your system in the same
way as you would use a Mimic in ViewX.
To view a Mimic in the WebX Client:
1. Navigate to a database web page that contains a hyperlink.
2. Left-click on the Mimic hyperlink.

The Mimic web page is displayed.
Mimic
Name
For more information on using Mimics see SCX Guide to Mimics.

Zoom a Mimic in the WebX Client
You can use Zoom tools to change how you view a Mimic in a web page in the same way
as you would use a Mimic in ViewX.
To zoom a Mimic in the WebX Client:
1. Right-click anywhere on the Mimic area.

The options on the context sensitive menu are:

• Zoom Lock—This control allows you to return the Mimic to its default zoom level.
The Zoom Lock turns off automatically if you zoom in or out again.
• Zoom In—Magnify the Mimic in default increments.
• Zoom Out—Reduce the magnification of the Mimic in default increments.
• Zoom—Magnify the Mimic to a specific level of magnification, listed on the sub-
menu.
• Size To Picture—Set the Mimic to a level of magnification that displays the entire
Mimic at the maximum size in the available space. The aspect ratio of the Mimic is
maintained.
• Size To Content—Set the Mimic to a level of magnification that displays the
content of the Mimic at the maximum size in the available space. This differs to
the Size to Picture option as it disregards the borders of the Mimic, and sizes the
Mimic according to the items it contains.
• Zoom Box—Magnify a selected part of the Mimic.
• Pan—Move the Mimic so that a different section of the Mimic is displayed in the
Mimic window.
• Print—Send the Mimic to a printer.
These functions operate in the same way as Zoom functions for Mimics in ViewX (see
SCX Guide to Mimics).

Use the Object Menu on a Mimic in the WebX Client
You can click on an item in a Mimic to open a pick action menu that provide access to
items or lists, in the same way as the ViewX Object Menu (see page 7-1).
To use the object menu in a Mimic in the WebX Client:
1. Left-click on the item in the Mimic.

Available actions may include:

• View—Display the item’s properties (see Status Display, on page 8-1).
• Notes—Enter a note for the item (see Notes, on page 7-4).
• Display Events—Display the Events List for the item (see View and Action Events
in the WebX Client, on page 4-17).
• Display Alarms—Display the Alarm List for the item (see View and Action Alarms
in the WebX Client, on page 4-15).
• Display Historic List—Display the Historic List for the item (see View and Action
Lists in the WebX Client, on page 4-19).
• Display Historic Trend—Display the Historic Trend for the item (see View and
Action Trends in the WebX Client, on page 4-21).
• Display Current Trend—Display the Current Trend for the item (see View and
Action Trends in the WebX Client, on page 4-21).
• Disable / Enable Alarms—Disable or enable alarms for the item (see Disable /
Enable Alarms, on page 9-19).
• Handdress / Control—Manually change the value of an external item (see
Control, on page 7-7) or an internal item (see Handdress, on page 7-7).
• Reset Process Count—Reset the process count for an item (see Reset Process
Count, on page 7-8).

Use Custom Hyperlinks on a Mimic in the WebX Client
Your system may include a Mimic that has been configured with custom hyperlinks to
pick action menus that provide access to items or lists.
To perform actions on an item in a Mimic:
1. Left-click on the hyperlink.

2. Select the required option. For example Faceplate displays status information about
a database item similar to that shown in a Status Display (see page 8-1) in ViewX.
You can use the status information to assess the current values and states of the
item. This is useful when you are attempting to diagnose problems or need an
overview of an item’s values.

View and Action Alarms in the WebX Client
You can use the WebX Client to display the Alarm List.
To display Alarms in the WebX Client:
1. Either:
• Select the All Alarms button on the navigation banner.
The Alarm List for the entire database is displayed.
Or:
i. Left-click on a hyperlinked item on a Mimic.
ii. Select the Display Alarms option.

The Alarm List for the selected item is displayed.
2. Right-click on a row in the Alarm List.


• View—Open the properties window for the item that is the source of the alarm.
• Accept—Accept an alarm.
• Accept with comment—Accept an alarm and add a comment.
• Response—Enter a comment without accepting an alarm.

• Disable / Enable Alarms—Disable and enable alarms for the item.

• Sort—Sort the order rows display in the Alarm List.
• Filter—Apply a filter to the Alarm List to only show alarms that meet criteria that
you enter.
• Default Sort—Apply the default sort to the Alarm List, which is usually to sort
alarms by time.
• Remove Filter—Remove the filter that you have applied to the Alarm List.
• Print—Send the contents of the Alarm List to a printer.
These actions operate in the same way as alarms functions in ViewX (see Alarms, on
page 9-2).

View and Action Events in the WebX Client
You can use the WebX Client to display the Events List.
To display Events in the WebX Client:
1. Either:
• Select the All Events button on the navigation banner.
The Events List for the entire database is displayed.
Or:
i. Left-click on a hyperlinked item on a Mimic.
ii. Select the Display Events option.

The Events List for the selected item is displayed.
2. Right-click on a row in the Events List.



• Insert Comment—Add a comment to the Event.
• Sort—Sort the contents of the Events List.
• Filter—Filter the contents of the Events List.
• Quick Filter—Apply the default filter to the Events List.
• Remove Sort—Display the contents of the Events List as they were before you
applied a sort.
• Remove Filter—Display the contents of the Events List as they were before you
applied a filter.
• Previous Interval—View events for the previous time interval.
• Next Interval—View events for the next time interval.
• Go To—View events for a specific time interval.
• Refresh—Update the Events List window with the latest data.
• Print—Send the contents of the Events List to a printer.
These actions operate in the same way as events functions in ViewX (see Events, on
page 9-20).

View and Action Lists in the WebX Client
You can use the WebX Client to display Lists.
To display Lists in the WebX Client:
1. Select the Lists button on the navigation banner.

The Lists window is displayed.
2. Left-click on an item name in the Lists window.

The Filter Columns window is displayed.
3. Enter any filters you want to apply to the List (see Filter a Queries List, on page 10-4).
The List window is displayed.

5. Right-click on a row in the list.


• View—Open the Properties window if the selected item is an item.
• Notes—Enter a note if the selected item is an item (see Notes, on page 7-4).
• Display Events—Display the Events List if the selected item is an item.
• Display—Display the selected item if it is a Mimic or a Trend.
• Sort—Sort the contents of the List window.
• Filter—Filter the contents of the List window.
• Quick Filter—Apply the default filter to the List window.
• Remove Sort—Display the contents of the List window as they were before you
applied a sort.
• Remove Filter—Display the contents of the List window as they were before you
applied a filter.
• Refresh—Update the List window to display the latest data.
• Print—Send the contents of the List window to a printer.
These functions operate in the same way as lists functions in ViewX (see Lists, on page
10-1).

View and Action Trends in the WebX Client
You can display a Trend on a web page and use it to operate your system in the same
way as you would use a Trend in ViewX.
To view and action a Trend in the WebX Client:
1. Navigate to a database web page that contains a hyperlink.
2. Left-click on the Trend hyperlink on the WebX Client.

The Trend web page is displayed.

3. Right-click on the Trend in the WebX Client.

The actions you can perform on a Trend in the WebX Client are the same as those in the
ViewX Client. For more information see SCX Guide to Trends.

Chapter 5 - Mimics
5 Mimics
Mimics in the SCX ViewX Client (see page 3-1) and WebX Client (see page 4-1) are
visual displays that provide a visual representation of plant, a geographical location, or
a combination of information such as values for a variety of different items.
Mimics can combine symbols and text. Symbols are graphical items that represent
database items, and may be used to indicate the state of physical devices.
Mimics can contain live data that is updated as the values in the database change. The
live data is referred to as an ‘animation’. The animations can be text or numeric values
or they can be represented by moving shapes on the Mimic. For example, a pump may
change colour to indicate whether it is running, or a piece of text may show whether the
pump is in fault or healthy.
You can navigate a Mimic (magnify and display specific areas of a Mimic). You can also
access actions via context sensitive menus, which include controls that allow you to
manipulate the values of points, and options that you can use to manage alarms.
For more information on configuring and using Mimics, see SCX Guide to Mimics.

Chapter 5 - Mimics

Chapter 6 - Data Explorer Bars
6 Data Explorer Bars
The Explorer Bar displays to the left of the ViewX document display area (see The ViewX
Window, on page 3-7) and provides more advanced functionality than the menus and
toolbars.
Explorer
Bar
The Explorer Bar provides access to individual database items and Queries, such as the
Points List, in a tree-structure. For more information see:
• Understanding the Database Tree-Structure (see page 6-3).
• Working with Database Items (see page 6-4).
Each of the Explorer Bars can be displayed or hidden via the Operate toolbar (see
Display an Explorer Bar in ViewX, on page 6-2). The currently active Explorer Bar is
indicated by one of the selectors being depressed.
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Favourites Bar (see page 6-5).

2. Database Bar (see page 6-14).
3. Queries Bar (see page 6-15).
4. Operator Documents (see page 6-16)
5. OPC Data Bar (see page 6-17).
6. OPC Historic Data Bar (see page 6-18).
NOTE: Access to Explorer Bars is determined by your user account permissions.

Unavailable Explorer Bars will have their icon greyed out.

Display an Explorer Bar in ViewX

To display an Explorer Bar:
1. Either:
i. Select the View menu.|
A drop-down menu is displayed.
ii. Select the Explorer Bar option.

iii. Select the Database, Queries, OPC Data, OPC Queries or Favourites option
to display the required Explorer Bar.
Or:
i. Right-click on the Toolbar/Menu or Status Bar area.
ii. Select the Explorer Bar option.

iii. Select the Database, Queries, OPC Data, OPC Queries or Favourites option
to display the required Explorer Bar.
Or:
• Select the Favourites, Database, SCX Queries, OPC Data, OPC Queries
button on the Operate toolbar to display the required Explorer Bar.

Understanding the Database Tree-Structure

Typically, a SCX system is organized so that it has groups that contain the database
items that represent the various displays, values, and plant. These groups can contain
other groups to create a hierarchy, referred to as a tree-structure.
At the top of the tree-structure is the system which contains all of the items in a
database. The system is sometimes referred to as the root, and database items can be
stored either directly in the root or within groups that are in the root.
You can expand and collapse group folders to view different levels of the hierarchy by
selecting the plus (+) or minus (-) icon that is displayed to the left of the group folder:
Select the minus icon next

Select the plus icon next to an expanded folder to
to the system name to collapse the hierarchy so
reveal its contents that the contents of the
folder are hidden.
SCX uses three types of group folder:
• Groups—These are folders that can contain ‘live’ database items i.e. database items
that represent actual components of the system, such as a digital input point. Groups
are similar to folders in Windows in that they are used to contain items so that the
database has a hierarchical ‘tree-structure’. For example, groups can be used to
organize the database items into different categories, such as a group for all items in
a functional area of a plant, or in a geographical region of a system.
Groups are represented by yellow folders.
• Group Templates—These are folders that contain ‘model’ configuration. The items
within group templates are not ‘live’. Instead, they are used as the basis for the
configuration of items within group instances. Typically, the security settings on your
system will prevent you from being able to see any group templates, and as such you
will have no need to work with them.
Group templates are represented by red folders.
• Group Instances—These are folders that contain ‘live’ items whose configuration is
taken from a group template. You will interact with items in a group instance in the
same way as you interact with items in a normal group folder.

Group instances are represented by green folders.
For detailed information see SCX Guide to Core Configuration.
Working with Database Items

Each database item shown in the Explorer Bar has an icon and a name.
Icon Name
Typically, higher level users will configure names that indicate what the items are, for
example a Mimic could be named Overview to indicate that it provides an overview of a
particular region (see Mimics, on page 5-1).
Each Database item is associated with a context sensitive menu, also referred to as an
Object Menu (see page 7-1), or sometimes action menu or pick action menu.
The object menus provide access to the options that allow you to:
• Manage Alarms (see page 9-2).
• Access related displays such as the Alarm List (see page 9-9), filtered so that it only
shows alarms for the selected Database item.
• Perform actions and controls to manipulate the item, which may also manipulate the
physical plant, depending on the type of item (see Object Menu, on page 7-1).
You can perform actions on individual database items within group folders or group
instance folders. You can also perform actions on a group or group instance—this means
that the action is performed on all items within that group or group instance. For
example, you can use the Acknowledge Alarm action on a group folder to acknowledge
the alarms for all items within that folder (see Action Alarms, on page 9-15).

Although you can access actions and controls from the Explorer Bar, it is more likely that
you will access them from Mimics (see page 5-1). Mimics are usually configured so that
you can access all of the required actions and controls directly from the Mimic display.
Favourites Bar
The Favourites feature allows you to create and store links to those displays that you
frequently use in your work. These links are stored on your Favourites List.
By adding all of the Mimics, Lists, Trends etc., you need to use on a frequent basis to
your Favourites List, you can access every display that you require from the Favourites
menu or Favourites Bar (see Add a ViewX Display to your Favourites List, on page 6-6).
You can also add web pages (see Add a Web Page to your Favourites List, on page 6-9)
and external documents (see Add an External File to your Favourites List, on page 6-8)
to your Favourites List.
Your Favourites List is associated with your user account so that if you log on to ViewX
via a different computer, your Favourites are still in place. It also means that other users
who log on the same PC do not have access to your list of Favourite displays.
Favourites Bar
Favourites List. The displays you add to

your Favourites are listed here.

Add a ViewX Display to your Favourites List
You can add most types of ViewX display to your Favourites List. Once a display has
been added to your Favourites List, you can access that display via the Favourites Bar
(see page 6-5).
To add a Trend to your Favourites List:
1. Use the Database Bar (see page 6-14) to locate the Trend that is to be added to your
Favourites List.
2. Double-click on the Trend.
The Trend is displayed.
3. Either:
i. Select the Favourites menu.
ii. Select the Add to Favourites option.
Or:
i. Select the Favourites button
ii. Select the Add button at the top of the Favourites Bar.
The Add Favourite window is displayed.
4. Select the folder to which you want to add the Trend.
NOTE: You can select the New Folder button if you want to create a new folder to
hold the Favourite.

5. Re-display the Favourites Bar if it is not displayed.

Your Favourites Bar will now include the item you added
The Favourites menu should also provide options for your Favourite displays, like this:
NOTE: You can use the same steps to add Mimics, Reports and Lists to your Favourites
List.

Add an External File to your Favourites List
You can add files from third party applications to your Favourites List. This allows you to
access all of your Favourite displays from the ViewX Favourites List, not just ViewX
displays.
To add a Microsoft® Word document to your Favourites List:
1. Size the ViewX and Windows Explorer windows so that you can see ViewX and the
document (in the Windows Explorer window) at the same time.
2. Select the document.

Do not release the left-hand mouse button.
3. Drag the cursor over the Favourites Bar on the ViewX window.
4. Release the left-hand mouse button.
A link to the Word document is added to your Favourites List.

Add a Web Page to your Favourites List
You can add web pages to your Favourites List. This allows you to access your Favourite
internet or intranet displays from the ViewX Favourites List.
To add a web site to your Favourites List:
1. Use Internet Explorer to open the web site you want to add.
2. Re-size the Internet Explorer window and the ViewX window so that you can see the
Favourites List on the ViewX window and the Address field of the Internet Explorer
window simultaneously.
3. Select the Internet Explorer icon next to the address on the Internet Explorer window.
Do not release the left-hand mouse button.
4. Drag the Internet Explorer icon onto the Favourites List on the ViewX window.
5. Release the left-hand mouse button.
A link to the web site is added to your Favourites List.

Rename a Link in your Favourites List
When you add a link to your Favourites List, it automatically includes its full address.
This can result in links with names that are excessively long, which makes the links less
usable.
You can use the Rename feature to change the names of links so that they are more
usable, for example, you may choose to shorten the names of the links.
To rename a link:
1. Right-click on the link.

2. Select the Rename option.
The name of the link is selected automatically, ready for you to edit it.
3. Enter the text for the new name for the link.
4. Press the Enter key or select another part of the interface to confirm the name
change.
Delete a Link from your Favourites List
You can delete a link from your Favourites List if you do not need to access it any more.
To delete a link:
1. Right-click on the link.

2. Select the Delete option.
The link is removed from the Favourites List.

Organize your Favourites List
When you have added the relevant displays to your Favourites List, you need to
organize them into groups. This improves the efficiency of the Favourites feature as it
allows you to structure your links into logical groups rather than a long list.
To organize your Favourites List:
1. Either:
i. Ensure that the Favourites Bar (see page 6-5) is displayed.
ii. Select the Organize button.
Or:
i. Select the Favourites menu.
ii. Select the Organize Favourites option.
The Organize Favourites window is displayed.
NOTE: You may need to re-size the Organize Favourites window to view the complete
names of your Favourites. To re-size the window, select one of its edges, and keeping
the left-hand mouse button pressed down, drag the cursor in the required direction.
When you release the mouse button, the window is resized.
3. Actions you can perform are:

• Use the New Folder button if you want to create a new folder in which to store
some Favourites.
A new folder is added to the Favourites List tree-structure (shown in the list on
the right-hand side of the Organize Favourites window). The folder is selected

automatically, ready for you to define its name.

Type in the name of the folder. Press the Enter key or select another part of the
interface to confirm the name entry.
• Select an item in your Favourites List, then select the Rename button. Type in the
new name. Press the Enter key or select another part of the interface to confirm
the name entry.
The item will display the new name.
• Select any Favourite link except the new group. Do not release the left-hand
mouse button. Drag the link over the a group and release the mouse button.
The link is placed in the group.
• Select any Favourite link (including groups). Do not release the left-hand mouse
button. Drag the link up or down the Favourites List and release the mouse
button.
The link is moved to the new location in the Favourites List.
• Select any Favourite link (including groups) and select the Move button.
The Browse for Folder window displays.
Select the folder where you want to put the item. Select the OK button.
The link is moved to the new location in the Favourites List.
• Select any Favourite link and select the Delete button.
A confirmation window is displayed.
Select the Yes button to delete the link.
The link is removed from the Favourites List.
NOTE: If you delete a group, you will also delete all the items that it contains.
4. Select the Close button to close the Organize Favourites window.

Your Favourites List will now be organized in the way you specified.

Access your Favourites List
You can use two methods to access your Favourites List:
1. Use the Favourites Menu to Access your Favourites (see page 6-13).
2. Use the Favourites Bar to Access your Favourites (see page 6-13).
Use the Favourites Menu to Access your Favourites
To use the Favourites menu to access your Favourites List:
1. Select the Favourites menu.

2. Select the link you want to open.
If it is a group, a further menu is displayed contains options for the Favourite links
that are in that group, and any sub-groups.
The item for that link is displayed.
Use the Favourites Bar to Access your Favourites
To access your Favourites via the Favourites Bar:
1. Select the Favourites button on the Operate toolbar.

The Favourites Bar is displayed.
2. Either:
• Select the required link, if it is not held in a group.
Or:
• Select the group link to expand the tree-structure, then select the required link.
The item represented by that link is displayed.

Database Bar
The Database Bar is one of the Explorer Bar’s modes (see Data Explorer Bars, on page
6-1). It provides access to the database items in your system and uses a hierarchical
‘tree’ structure (see Understanding the Database Tree-Structure, on page 6-3).
Database items are contained within folders, and you can expand individual folders to
display their contents, or collapse them to hide their contents. You can right-click on any
item displayed in the Database Bar to display a context sensitive Object Menu (see page
7-1) that will provide you with functions to view or modify the selected item.

Queries Bar
The Queries Bar is one of the Explorer Bar’s modes (see Data Explorer Bars, on page 6-
1). It provides access to the Queries such as the Points List (see Lists, on page 10-1)
and uses a hierarchical ‘tree’ structure (see Understanding the Database Tree-Structure,
on page 6-3).
The entries in the Queries Bar represent each of the database tables that store
configuration information in the database. You can query each of these tables to display
specific information (see Lists, on page 10-1).

Operator Documents
The Operator Documents Bar is one of the Explorer Bar’s modes (see Data Explorer
Bars, on page 6-1). It provides quick access to any of the operator document stores to
which you have access. An operator document store is a special group that can only
contain Trends (see the SCX Guide to Trends). Each operator document store can be
arranged using a hierarchical ‘tree’ structure (see Understanding the Database Tree-
Structure, on page 6-3).
For information on working with an Operator Document Store, see Operator Document
Stores, on page 13-1.

OPC Data Bar

The OPC Data Bar is one of the Explorer Bar’s modes (see Data Explorer Bars, on page
6-1). It allows you to browse and list all available OPC properties in the database and
uses a hierarchical ‘tree’ structure (see Understanding the Database Tree-Structure, on
page 6-3).
OPC is a series of standard specifications aimed at allowing communication between

SCADA systems and equipment such as outstations and PLCs that communicate with
the instruments that monitor and control plant, and which use a large number of
communications protocols. OPC is situated between this equipment and the SCADA
system, and translates all of these protocols to a single OPC standard, which is then
communicated to the SCADA system. Systems that use OPC can use well-defined
methods to transfer data between themselves.
The OPC Data Bar is a useful tool for higher levels users for building and configuring the
SCX system, configuring Mimics and Trends, debugging the system, or when connecting
other systems to the database. For more information see SCX Guide to Core
Configuration.
The OPC Data Bar tree structure will look the same as the Database Bar down to the
item level, but the Object Menu (see page 7-1) will provide access to more item
properties.
You can hover the mouse over an item on the OPC Data Bar to display a tooltip.
You can right-click on an item and select Display Values from the context sensitive menu
to display more information about the item:

OPC Historic Data Bar

The OPC Historic Data Bar is one of the Explorer Bar’s modes (see Data Explorer Bars,
on page 6-1). It provides access to the OPC Historic Data in the database and uses a
hierarchical ‘tree’ structure (see Understanding the Database Tree-Structure, on page 6-
3).
OPC HDA (Historic Data Access) is an OPC standard which defines how systems
represent historical data.
NOTE: Historic data will only exist if your system has Historic Logging enabled. For more
information see SCX Guide to Core Configuration.
The OPC Historic Data Bar (like the OPC Data Bar) provides access for higher level users
to the properties of historic data in the database.
You can drag and drop the OPC Historic data item onto a Trend to display the data
graphically over time (see SCX Guide to Trends).

Chapter 7 - Object Menu
7 Object Menu
The SCX Object menu is a context sensitive menu that allows you to view the status of,
and perform actions on any database item, for example points or outstations.
NOTE: Any Object menu options that are driver-specific are described in more detail in
the relevant driver guide (see Driver Reference Suite).
When the SCX Object menu is displayed for an item, the options on the menu apply to
only that particular item. For example, selecting Accept Alarms on the Object menu for
a point will only accept any active alarm(s) on that point (see Action Alarms, on page 9-
15).
When the SCX Object menu is displayed for a group, the options on the menu apply to
the group, all sub-groups, and all items in the group and sub-groups. For example, if
you select Accept Alarm from the group Object menu, ALL active alarms for all items in
that group are accepted. For example, if a group contains three pumps, selecting Accept
Alarm from the group Object menu will accept alarms on all three pumps.
NOTE: Not all menu items will be available for all items. The item type, user account
security permissions and the configuration options of the selected item will determine
what options appear on the menu.
Details on using the Object menu are contained in:
• Display the Object Menu (see page 7-2).
• Object Menu Options (see page 7-3).
The following Object menu options are relevant to database configuration tasks. For
more detail, see SCX Guide to Core Configuration.
• Display Errors
• Display References
• Properties
• Edit
• Locate in Template / Navigator
• Security
• Colour Palette
• Refresh
• Rename
• Delete
• Convert To
• New
• New Instance
• Export
• Import
• Import & Merge

Display the Object Menu

The SCX Object menu is displayed when you:
• Right-click on a device icon in the Database Bar (see page 6-14).
• Click on an item in a Mimic that is configured to provide access to the Object menu
• Right-click on a row in a List, (see Lists, on page 10-1).

Object Menu Options

The options that you can access via the Object menu include:
• View (see page 7-4).
• Notes (see page 7-4).
• Display Events (see page 7-4).
• Display Alarms (see page 7-4).
• Display Historic List (see page 7-5).
• Display Historic Trend (see page 7-5).
• Display Current Trend (see page 7-5).
• Display items (see page 7-5).
• Display (see page 7-5).
• Accept Alarms (see page 7-6).
• Accept with Comment (see page 7-6).
• Alarm Response (see page 7-6).
• Remove Alarms (see page 7-6).
• Remove with Comment (see page 7-6).
• Disable / Enable Alarms (see page 7-6).
• Control (see page 7-7).
• Reset Process Count (see page 7-8).
• Tune Alarm Limits (see page 7-9).
NOTE: Not all menu items will be available for all items. The item type, user account
security permissions and the configuration options of the selected item will determine
what options appear on the menu.
NOTE: Any Object menu options that are driver-specific are described in more detail in
the relevant driver guide (see Driver Reference Suite).

View
Selecting the Object Menu (see page 7-1) View option opens the Status display which
provides a summary of status information for the selected item (see Status Display, on
page 8-1).
Notes
Selecting this option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) allows you to add or modify a
Note that is associated with the selected item. You can enter any text that will help
users work with that item, for example information about what to do if the item has an
alarm.
To enter a note:
1. Right-click on the item.

The Notes window is displayed.
2. Enter the text for the note.

Display Events
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays an Events List. If you select an
item, it will display a filtered Events List for that particular item. If you select a group,
the List will display all Events for all items in that group. The List is configured by default
to show events for the previous 24 hour period (see Events, on page 9-20).
Display Alarms
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays an Alarm List. If you select an
item, it will display a filtered Alarm List for that particular item. If you select a group,
the List will display all Alarms for all items in that group (see Alarms, on page 9-2).

Display Historic List
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays a window containing a List of
Historic Values for the selected point. The option is only available for points with Historic
Logging enabled. This option is not available for groups (see Display a Query List, on
page 10-3).
Display Historic Trend
If a point has been configured for Historic Logging, this option on the Object Menu (see
page 7-1) will show a preconfigured Trend that graphs historically logged data for the
selected point (see Trends, on page 11-1).
Display Current Trend
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays a Trend that graphs data for the
selected point starting from the current time. The Trend is updated as values are
received from the physical device. This option is available for all points regardless of
whether Historic Logging has been enabled (see Trends, on page 11-1).
Display items
(Group only) This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays a window
containing a List of items for the selected group (see Display a Query List, on page 10-
3).
Display
Mimic—This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays a Mimic when the
selected item is a Mimic (see Mimics, on page 5-1).
Trend—This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) displays a Trend when the
selected item is a Trend (see Trends, on page 11-1).

Accept Alarms
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) acknowledges all unacknowledged
alarms on the selected item. If the selected item is a point, then only the alarms on the
selected point will be acknowledged. If the selected item is a group, then all alarms in
the group will be acknowledged (see Acknowledge an Alarm, on page 9-16).
Accept with Comment
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) allows you to add a comment to the
Event Log as the alarm(s) is/are acknowledged (see Acknowledge an Alarm with
Comment, on page 9-17).
Alarm Response
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) allows you to indicate that you are aware
of an alarm without acknowledging it (see Respond to an Alarm, on page 9-17).
Remove Alarms
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) removes all acknowledged alarms on the
selected item. If the selected item is a point, then only the alarms on the selected point
will be removed. If the selected item is a group, then all alarms in the group will be
removed (see Remove an Alarm, on page 9-18).
Remove with Comment
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) allows you to add a comment to the
Event Log as the alarm(s) is/are removed (see Remove an Alarm with Comment, on
page 9-18).
Disable / Enable Alarms
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) allows you to disable (suppress) and
enable (register) alarms for the selected item. If the selected item is a point, then only
the alarms on the selected point will be disabled. If the selected item is a group, then all
alarms on all items in the group will be disabled (see Disable / Enable Alarms, on page
9-19).
NOTE: Access to this option depends on your user account security permissions.

Control
Use this option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) to manually change a point’s value.
If the selected item is an external point, controlling its value will initiate communications
to the device. For example, you would use this to set a point to a value that would
cancel an alarm.
To control an item’s value:
1. Display the object menu.

2. Select the Control option.
The Control window is displayed.
3. Either:
• (Digital point) Select the Value from the combo-box.
Or:
• (Analog point) Type in the new Value.
Handdress
Use this option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) to manually change an internal
point’s value.
To Handdress an item’s value:
1. Display the object menu.

2. Select the Handdress option.
The Handdress window is displayed.
3. Either:
• (Digital point) Select the new Value from the combo-box.
Or:
• (Analog point) Type in the new Value.

Reset Process Count
Use this option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) to reset the process count for a
point. The process count tracks the number of times that a point has had its value
updated since the current process count began.
To reset the process count for a point:
1. Display the Object menu.

2. Select the View option.
The Status display shows the existing process count.

4. Select the Reset Process Count option.
The Status display shows the process count reset to zero.

Tune Alarm Limits
This option on the Object Menu (see page 7-1) allows you to dynamically change the
values for an analog point’s operating conditions that will trigger Alarms (see page 9-2)
(if this is enabled for the point).
To tune alarm limits for an analog point:

2. Select the Tune Alarm Limits option.
The Tune Alarm Limits window is displayed.
NOTE: The parameters that you can change are determined by the point’s
configuration. In the example above the parameters are “Overflow Level”, “High
Level”, “Low Level” and “N/A”.
3. Select the check box for any alarm whose limits you want to change.
4. Enter the alarm limit value.
The range of possible values for the item’s alarm limits are displayed to the right of
each parameter. In this example they are 0-7.
For more information see SCX Guide to Core Point Configuration.


Chapter 8 - Status Display
8 Status Display
Every item in your database has its own Status display, which provides information
about the current status of the selected item and is particularly useful when debugging
the SCX system. For example, the Status display for a point provides information about
the point’s current values including its alarm state.
NOTE: The information that is shown in a Status display only applies to the selected item,
and the information varies according to the type of database item. For example, the
Status display for a point provides different categories of information than the Status
display for an outstation. The current state of the item and the previous events associated
with it will also affect which categories of information are shown.
For more information on the Status display see:
• View the Status Display (see page 8-2).
• Understand the Status Display (see page 8-3).
For driver-specific information about the contents of the Status display, see the relevant
Driver Guide in the Driver Reference Suite.

View the Status Display

You access the Status display from the Object Menu (see page 7-1).
To view the Status display:
1. Either:
• Right-click on a device icon in the Database Bar (see page 6-14).
• Click on an item in a Mimic that is configured to provide access to the pick action
menu for the item (see SCX Guide to Mimics).
• Right-click on a row in a list, (see Lists, on page 10-1).

The Status display for the selected item is displayed.

Understand the Status Display

The information listed in the Status display will depend on the item selected and what
operations have been performed on it.
Information listed for all items:
• Full Name—The complete name of the point or group including any ‘parent’ groups.
• Type—The type of database item for which the Status display provides information.
• Created or Last Modified—The date and time of the latest alteration to the item’s
configuration. The status also includes the user identity of the user that made the
change, and a version number that indicates the number of times the item has been
changed.
Information listed for group items only:
• Alarm State—Indicates whether alarms can be raised for the group: Enabled means
alarms can be raised and Disabled means the alarm feature has been deactivated for
the group (see Disable / Enable Alarms, on page 9-19).
If the alarms have been disabled, the system indicates what initiated the disabling of
the alarms. This can be one or a combination of the following: a user, a logic program,
or a schedule.
• Unaccepted Uncleared Alarms—The total number of alarms that have been raised
for items in the group (including its sub-groups) that are unaccepted and the
condition that triggered the alarm still exists (see Alarm Status, on page 9-4).
• Unaccepted Cleared Alarms—The total number of alarms that and have been
raised for items in the group (including its sub-groups) that are unaccepted and the
condition that triggered the alarm has been fixed (see Alarm Status, on page 9-4).
• Accepted Uncleared Alarms—The total number of alarms that have been raised for
items in the group (including its sub-groups) and have been accepted but the
condition that triggered the alarm still exists (see Alarm Status, on page 9-4).
• Disabled Alarms—The total number of items within the group that have their alarms
disabled (see Disable / Enable Alarms, on page 9-19).
Information listed for all items that are not groups:
• Alarm State—A description of the highest priority alarm that has been raised for the
item. If no alarms are currently raised for the item, the Alarm State value is Normal.
If an alarm was active for the item, the Alarm State value would indicate the type of
alarm—Unaccepted Uncleared, Accepted Uncleared, or Unaccepted Cleared.
The Alarm State value always relates to the highest priority alarm for the item (see
Alarm Status, on page 9-4).
If alarms have been disabled for the item, the Alarm State is Disabled—no alarms
can be raised for the item. There is also an indication of whether the alarms were
disabled by a user, logic program, or schedule (see Disable / Enable Alarms, on page
9-19).
• State Alarm—A description of the item’s alarm status.
The first part of the State Alarm value indicates whether the item can have alarms
raised for it—the value starts with Enabled if the item can have alarms and Disabled
if the item has had its alarms inhibited (see Disable / Enable Alarms, on page 9-19).
The second part of the State Alarm value indicates whether an alarm is currently
raised for the item—the value ends with Active if an alarm is currently raised for the
item and ends with Inactive if there are no alarms currently raised for the item.
Information listed for point items only:
• Source Name—The name of the item from which the point’s value is derived.

• Source—A description of the origin of the data for the point. For an internal point, the
value of the point originates at the SCX server (either a default value or a
handdressed value), so the Source value is Internal. For an external point, the
Source value will display reference details for the point.
• Current Value—The present value of the point. If you have not controlled or
overridden the point, it will not have a value.
• Current State—The present state of the point. If you have not controlled or
overridden the point, the Current State is Empty (no Current Value).
• Last Updated—The date and time at which the point’s value was last updated.
• Current Quality—A description of the quality of the point’s data. The quality
indicates the reliability of the point’s data—if the point has Bad quality data, the value
may be inaccurate, out of date, or out of range.
• Process Count—The number of times that the value of the point has been updated.
• Alarm Limits—Changes you have made to default alarm limits for the point (see
Tune Alarm Limits, on page 7-9).
If you have controlled or overridden a point (see Control, on page 7-7), you will also
see the following categories:
• Previous Update Value—The point’s value prior to the latest update.
• Previous Update State—The point’s state prior to the latest update.
• Previously Updated—The time at which the point was last updated prior to the
latest update.
• Previous Update Quality—The quality of the point’s data prior to the latest update.
• Previous State—The state of the point prior to the latest update.
• State Change Value—The value that caused the point to change state.
• Last Changed State—The time at which the most recent change in state occurred for
the point.
• State Change Quality—The quality of the value that caused the point to change
state.
NOTE: Other item may display different categories of information in the Status
display, depending on their type and configuration.
At the bottom of the Status display, there are three buttons:
• Copy—Copies the contents of the Status display to your PC’s clipboard so that you
can paste the data into another display or application.
• Refresh—Updates the display to include the data for the current time. The status
values that are shown on the Status display are accurate at the time you select the
View option. They do not update automatically.
• Close—Closes the Status display so that it is no longer on display.

Chapter 9 - Alarms and Events
9 Alarms and Events
items in your database may be configured to operate within certain limits, and if an item
returns values that are outside those limits an alarm is raised. For more information on
Alarms see the following topics:
• Alarms (see page 9-2).
• Alarm Severity, Status, and Category (see page 9-3).

• Audible Alarms (see page 9-8).
• Alarm List (see page 9-9).
• Alarms on Mimics (see page 9-14).
• Action Alarms (see page 9-15).
SCX logs all occurrences in your system, including alarms, which creates an audit trail
for system operation and reporting. You can view these occurrences by displaying the
Events List. For more information on Events see the following topics:
• Events (see page 9-20).
• Display the All Events List (see page 9-21).

• Display the Events List for an Item (see page 9-22).
• Understand the Events List (see page 9-23).
• Filter the Events List (see page 9-25).
• Sort the Events List (see page 9-29).
• Insert a Comment for an Event (see page 9-29).

Alarms
An alarm is an indication to you of an abnormal condition detected by the SCX system.
When an alarm is raised, it is added to the Alarm List (see page 9-9) and the Alarm
Banner (see page 9-6) as well as several other types of display (see Alarms on Mimics,
on page 9-14).
Alarms are shown on the Alarm List and can also be shown on other Lists. Typically,
Mimics are configured to contain animated representations of alarms so that you can
view and manage alarms from a Mimic.
The Alarm Bell button Alarms are added to the Alarm Banner.
indicates the number This is the primary display for alarms.
of alarms on your
system.
Alarms can also be indicated by an audible bell (see Audible Alarms, on page 9-8). This
ensures that you are made aware of the alarm as soon as possible.
The way the alarm is displayed will indicate to you the Alarm Severity, Status, and
Category (see page 9-3).
When an alarm is raised, you should take the appropriate action (see Action Alarms, on
page 9-15). Typically, you should acknowledge the alarm and then use the system to
correct any problems (if possible). When the problem that caused the alarm to be raised
is no longer present, the alarm becomes cleared.

Alarm Severity, Status, and Category
Each alarm has an:
• Alarm Severity (see page 9-3) level that indicates the importance of the alarm.
• Alarm Status (see page 9-4) that indicates whether the alarm has been acknowledged
and whether the alarm conditions are still in effect.
• Alarm Category (see page 9-5) that indicates the type of alarm.
You need to understand the different values for each of the alarm properties listed
above, especially the severity and status as these provide important information that
you can use to determine what you need to do about the alarm (see Action Alarms, on
page 9-15).
Alarm Severity
Each alarm has a severity level that defines the importance of the alarm. You can use
the severity level to help you determine the order in which you should action raised
alarms.
The range of possible severities is configurable on a per system basis, but the default
severities are:
However, the alarm range only applies to alarms that have the same alarm status. This
means that an alarm with Low severity can be more important than an alarm with
Critical severity—if the Critical alarm has been acknowledged or cleared may be less
important than an Unacknowledged Uncleared alarm with Low severity (see Action
Alarms, on page 9-15).

Alarm Status
Each alarm has a status that indicates whether the condition that caused the alarm to
be raised is still in effect and whether the alarm has been acknowledged by a user. The
possible alarm statuses are:
• Unacknowledged Uncleared—The alarm has not been acknowledged and the

condition that triggered the alarm still exists.
Unacknowledged Uncleared alarms are the most important alarms as no users have
responded to them.
• Unacknowledged Cleared—The alarm has not been acknowledged and the
condition that triggered the alarm has been fixed.
• Acknowledged Uncleared—The alarm has been acknowledged but the condition

that triggered the alarm still exists.
If an alarm is acknowledged and cleared, it is automatically deleted from the Alarm List
(see Action Alarms, on page 9-15).
You can view the alarm status on a variety of displays including the Alarm Banner and
the Alarm List. The Status display for items also shows the alarm status of the most
important alarm that is raised for the item i.e. the alarm with the highest severity (see
Status Display, on page 8-1).
Colour is also used to indicate the alarm status. The default colour scheme for alarms is:
• Red (Flashing)—Unacknowledged Uncleared alarm.
• Green (Flashing)—Unacknowledged Cleared alarm.
• Brown—Acknowledged Uncleared alarm.
NOTE: Your system may have been configured to use an alternate colour scheme.
The alarm colours are used on the Alarm Banner (see page 9-6), Alarm List (see page
9-9), and Queries Lists (see Lists, on page 10-1) and can also be used to indicate
alarms on animated Mimics (see page 5-1).

Alarm Category
Each alarm has a category that indicates the type of alarm. You can filter the Alarm List
(see page 9-9) so that it only displays alarms of a specific category, such as channel
status alarms.
The alarm categories include:
• Archive Volume—Alarms that have been raised in relation to the archive volume
manager, for example, the archive volume being full.
• Archiving—Alarms that have been raised to indicate problems with the data
archiving feature.
• Callback—Alarms that have been raised due to an outstation or similar device failing
to report within the callback time.
When you perform a Callback action on an outstation, the outstation should report to
the SCX server within a pre-defined time, referred to as the callback time. If the
outstation fails to report within this time, an alarm is raised.
• Channel Status—Alarms that have been raised to indicate problems with the
availability of a communications channel, for example, alarms for failed channels.
• Control Status—Alarms that have been raised due to controls being unsuccessful,
for example, if communications had failed between the SCX server and an outstation,
any outstation controls would fail as they could not be sent to the outstation.
• Forecast—Alarms that have been raised to indicate that a forecast database item has
a value that exceeds one of its alarm limits.
• Outstation Comms—Alarms that have been raised due to an outstation or similar

device being unable to communicate with the SCX server.
• Outstation Error—Alarms that have been raised due to a general problem on an

outstation or similar device—a general problem is one that is not included in any of
the other categories.
• Outstation Hardware—Alarms that have been raised to indicate component

problems in an outstation, such as the battery being low. This is limited to those
outstations that can provide data about their hardware, such as Proteus outstations.
• Pager Comms—Alarms that have been raised due to unsuccessful communication

attempts between the SCX server and a pager.
• Point State—Alarms that have been raised due to a point’s value changing and
causing the point to change state. For example, a point state alarm is raised when an
analogue point’s value rises above one of its alarm limit thresholds (defined in its
configuration).
• Scanner Status—Alarms that have been raised to indicate problems with a scanner,
for example, the scanner being off-line.
• Scheduled Dial In—Alarms that have been raised to indicate problems caused by an
outstation or similar device failing to report to the SCX server when scheduled to do
so.
• Server Status—Alarms that have been raised to indicate a problem with the SCX
server.
• System Alarm—Generic alarms that relate to system-wide problems, such as

licenses expiring.
There may also be further categories relating to specific drivers, depending on your
system setup.

Alarm Banner
The Alarm Banner is the primary alarm display. It is usually displayed at the bottom of
the ViewX window and consists of the Alarm Bell Button and the Alarm Banner List.
Alarm Bell Button Alarm Banner List
The Alarm Banner consists of:
• Alarm Bell Button (see page 9-6).
• Alarm Banner List. The Alarm Banner List provides information about the alarms in
the same manner as the Alarm List (see page 9-9), including:
• Severity—Indicates the importance of the alarm (see Alarm Severity, Status, and
Category, on page 9-3).
• Time—The time at which the alarm was raised.
• System—The name of the system upon which the alarm has been raised.
• Source—The FullName value of the item with which the alarm is associated or the
item’s ‘Alarm Source’ name. The ‘Alarm Source’ name is displayed if the item has
been configured to have an Alarm Source (via the Alarm tab on the item’s
configuration Form).
• Message—A short description of the cause of the alarm.
• Category—Indicates the type of alarm (see Alarm Severity, Status, and Category,
on page 9-3).
All active (uncleared or unacknowledged) alarms are displayed in the Alarm Banner
List. They are sorted according to their severity level and alarm status, and they are
also coloured to indicate their status (as configured by users with higher level security
permissions).
The Alarm Banner List also provides access to the alarm management features (see
Action Alarms, on page 9-15).
Alarm Bell Button
The Alarm Bell button is displayed on the left-hand side of the Alarm
Banner (see page 9-6) and indicates the number of alarms that are on
your system.
The top number is the number of unacknowledged alarms in your area

of the system i.e. the alarms that you have permissions to view.
The bottom number is the total number of alarms in your area of the
system.
The Alarm Bell button provides access to the bell sound controls that
allow you to turn the alarm sound on or off (see Audible Alarms, on
page 9-8). Access to this feature is dependent on the permissions that
have been allocated to your user account, so you may not be able to
control the sound.

Move the Alarm Banner
You can move the Alarm Banner (see page 9-6) so it displays at either the top or bottom
of the ViewX window.
NOTE: Access to this option depends on your user account permissions.
To move the alarm banner:
1. Right-click on the Alarm Bell Button.

2. Select the Move To Top option.

The alarm banner will now display at the top of the ViewX window.
If required, you can move the alarm banner to the bottom of the ViewX window by
repeating this procedure and selecting the Move To Bottom option instead of the
Move To Top option.

Audible Alarms
If the Alarm Bell is enabled, your system is configured to repeat an audible sound until
the alarm is acknowledged or cleared (see Action Alarms, on page 9-15).
The audible alarm bell is designed to distract you from any other tasks so that the alarm
becomes the focus of your attention. However, in some circumstances, the alarm bell
sound can be an inappropriate distraction, for example, the alarms may have Low
priority and be less important than the task you are performing. For this reason, the
alarm bell can be disabled.
NOTE: Access to this option depends on your user account permissions.
To disable the audible alarm:
1. Right-click on the Alarm Bell Button (see page 9-6).

2. Select the Disable Bell option.

The audible alarm bell is de-activated—there is no sound when an alarm is raised.
If required, you can restore the alarm bell sound by repeating this procedure and
selecting the Enable Bell option instead of the Disable Bell option.

Alarm List
The Alarm List is a display that is similar to the List on the Alarm Banner (see page 9-6).
You can display it in the ViewX Document Display Area (see page 3-13).
There are two types of Alarm List—the All Alarms List which shows every alarm on your
system (see Display the All Alarms List, on page 9-10), and the item-specific Alarm List
which only displays the alarms that have been raised for a selected item or group (see
Display the Alarm List for an Item, on page 9-10).
You can filter these Lists so that they only show specific information (see Filter a Queries
List, on page 10-4). This is useful when you are only interested in alarms of a specific
type or those alarms for a specific Group or item. For example, you could filter the
Alarm List so that it only provides information for alarms that have High severity.
You can also sort the Lists the display the information in a particular order (see Sort a
List, on page 10-13).
As with other alarm displays, the Alarm List provides information about each alarm, and
uses colour to indicate alarm status (see Alarm Banner, on page 9-6).

Display the All Alarms List
The All Alarms List is an unfiltered List of all alarms for all database items.
To display the Alarm List (see page 9-9):
1. Either:
• Select the All Alarms button on the Operate toolbar.
Or:
ii. Select the All Alarms option.
The Alarm List is displayed.
This Alarm List displays all of the alarms that are raised on your system. However,
you can filter the Alarm List so that it only displays certain alarms.
Display the Alarm List for an Item
You can display an Alarm List (see page 9-9) that is filtered automatically to show the
alarms for a specific item. This saves you time as you do not need to repeatedly setup a
filter for the Alarm List—you can display the Alarm List for each item that you require.
To display the Alarm List for a specific database item:
1. Right-click on an item in the Database Bar (see page 6-14).

2. Select the Display Alarm List option.
It is filtered automatically so that it only shows the alarms for the selected item.
NOTE: The Display Alarm List option can also be selected from Lists (see page 10-
1) that contain the required item by accessing the Object Menu (see page 7-1), and
also from Mimics (see page 5-1) that provide access to the Object menu for the item.

Filter the Alarm List
You can filter the Alarm List so that it only shows alarms that have specific values, such
as the same source, or level of severity. If you apply a filter to the Alarm List, it will
display only the alarms of the type that you specify, and the list name in the title bar will
change to reflect this.
To filter the Alarm List:
1. Display the All Alarms List (see page 9-10).
2. Either:
i. Select the Items menu.
ii. Select the Filter option.
Or:
i. Right-click on the Alarm List window.
ii. Select the Filter option
The Filter window is displayed.

Use the Categories section to define which categories
of alarm can be shown on the Alarm List.
Use the Sources

section to filter
the Alarm List by
specific items.
Use the Areas

section to filter
the Alarm List by
Groups.
Use the
Severities section
to define the
severity range for
the Alarm List.

3. To filter the List to show alarms for a particular item, select the Add button in the
Sources section.
The Add Source window is displayed.
4. Use the browse... button to display a browse window.

5. On the browse window, locate and select the desired source.
6. Select the OK button to close the Choose Source window.

The source item is now displayed in the Add Source window.


The browse window is closed and the new area is added to the Sources list on the
Filter window.
8. To filter the List to show alarms for a particular area of your database, repeat steps 3
to 7 for the Areas section.
9. Use the Minimum combo-box to set the minimum priority for alarms to display, for
example if you select Medium this prevents the Alarm List from displaying any
alarms with Low priority.
10. Use the Maximum combo-box to set the maximum priority for alarms to display, for
example if you select Medium this prevents the Alarm List from displaying any
alarms with High or Critical priority.
The Filter window is closed and the Alarm List is filtered. It only shows the alarms in
the selected area that meet the filter criteria.
NOTE: You can also select check boxes in the Categories section to only display
alarms of a particular type.

Alarms on Mimics
Mimics (see page 5-1) often contain animated items that indicate when an alarm is
raised for an item. Typically, this will involve an item changing colour. It may also
include some other type of animation, such as movement or a change in size. The Mimic
animations are designed to attract your attention so that you are aware of any alarms
and can evaluate the situation quickly.
To view the alarms on a Mimic:
1. Use the Database Bar (see page 6-14) to locate the Mimic.
2. Double-click on the Mimic name.
The Mimic is displayed.
NOTE: The Mimic may be configured to display alarms, for example the buttons with
red text in the Mimic shown above.
You can access the Alarm List for the item via context sensitive menus that are
activated when you click on the item.
For more information on see SCX Guide to Mimics.

Action Alarms
When an alarm is raised on your system, you need to decide what to do about it. This
can involve using ViewX to change the alarm’s status, as well as taking action to
investigate the cause of the alarm, for example contacting an engineer to check the
piece of equipment that is registering the alarm.
To action an alarm in ViewX:
1. Perform one of the following:

• Right-click on the alarm on the List in the Alarm Banner (see page 9-6).
• Right-click on the alarm on the Alarm List (see page 9-9).
• On the items List, right-click on the point for which the alarm has been raised (see
Lists, on page 10-1).
• On the Points List, right-click on the point for which the alarm has been raised
(see Lists, on page 10-1).
• In the Database Bar (see page 6-14), right-click on the point for which alarm has
been raised.
2. Select the action you want to perform on the alarm:

• Acknowledge—Acknowledge an Alarm (see page 9-16).
• Acknowledge With Comment—Acknowledge an alarm and associate it with a
brief text description (see Acknowledge an Alarm with Comment, on page 9-17).
• Response—Record a response to an alarm without acknowledging it (see
Respond to an Alarm, on page 9-17).
• Remove—Remove an alarm from the display (see Remove an Alarm, on page 9-
18).
• Remove With Comment—Remove an alarm and associate the event that is
created in the Event Log for the removal with a brief text description (see Remove
an Alarm with Comment, on page 9-18).
• Disable / Enable—Disable (suppress) or enable (allow) alarms for an item. You
may want to disable alarms when a faulty device is causing nuisance alarms, or a
device has been decommissioned (see Disable / Enable Alarms, on page 9-19).
NOTE: Access to these actions depends on your user account permissions.

Acknowledge an Alarm
When an alarm is raised, you should Acknowledge it so that other users do not attend
to the same problem.
When you acknowledge an alarm:
• The alarm’s colour in the Alarm List (see page 9-9) will change and it will no longer be
listed at the top of the alarm lists—unacknowledged alarms are listed above
acknowledged alarms irrespective of the severity level.
• It will be displayed in the Events List (see Events, on page 9-20).
• The item’s alarm state will change from Unacknowledged Uncleared to Acknowledged
Uncleared, shown here in the Status Display (see page 8-1).
• The number of unacknowledged alarms will decrease by one on the Alarm Bell Button
(see page 9-6).
Number of unacknowledged alarms
Number of alarms
NOTE: The alarm condition still exists in your system—you should investigate its cause.
NOTE: You can select multiple alarms to Acknowledge in the one action by holding down
the CTRL button while you select each alarm.

Acknowledge an Alarm with Comment
If you select the Acknowledge with Comment option, a window opens for you to
enter the comment.
This is a brief message that can be viewed by any user who has access to the point’s
Status display, where the acknowledgement comment is displayed as part of the State
Alarm value (see Status Display, on page 8-1).
Other changes to how the alarm is displayed are the same as for Acknowledge an Alarm
(see page 9-16).
NOTE: You can select multiple alarms to Acknowledge with Comment in the one action by
holding down the CTRL button while you select each alarm.
Respond to an Alarm
You can also use the Response option to record a response to an alarm without
acknowledging it.
This will change the alarm’s background colour on the Alarm List (see page 9-9) to
indicate that a text response for the alarm is available for viewing.
It will also be displayed in the Events List (see Events, on page 9-20).

Remove an Alarm
Once an alarm has been acknowledged, the context sensitive menu option changes to
allow you to Remove the alarm.
The alarm will be removed from all the Alarm Banner (see page 9-6) and Alarm List (see
page 9-9), and it will not display on Mimics (see Alarms on Mimics, on page 9-14).
Removing the alarm will be create a record in the Events List (see Events, on page 9-
20).
The alarm is removed from the system, but will re-display if the condition that caused
the alarm is cleared and at a later time the condition occurs again. For example, a water
tank may drop below the level that caused an alarm, but may fill to reach that level
again thus triggering another alarm.
WARNING: Removing an alarm will stop the alarm displaying on the system. Use it with
caution, and only if it is certain that this action is advisable.
Remove an Alarm with Comment
If you select the Remove with Comment option, a window opens for you to enter the
comment.
This is a brief message that can be viewed by any user who has access to the point’s
Status display, where the removal comment is displayed as part of the State Alarm
value (see Status Display, on page 8-1).
The alarm will be removed from all the Alarm Banner (see page 9-6) and Alarm List (see
page 9-9), and it will not display on Mimics (see Alarms on Mimics, on page 9-14).
Removing the alarm will be create a record in the Events List (see Events, on page 9-
20).
The alarm is removed from the system, but will re-display if the condition that caused
the alarm is cleared and at a later time the condition occurs again. For example, a water
tank may drop below the level that caused an alarm, but may fill to reach that level
again thus triggering another alarm.
WARNING: Removing an alarm will stop the alarm displaying on the system. Use it with
caution, and only if it is certain that this action is advisable.

Disable / Enable Alarms
You can Disable (suppress) or Enable (allow) alarms for an item. You may want to
disable alarms when a faulty device is causing nuisance alarms, or a device has been
decommissioned.
NOTE: Access to this function will depend on your user account permissions.
Disabling of alarms is configured system-wide (see SCX Guide to Core Configuration).

Possible settings are:
• Not Allowed (Always Enabled)—The system does not allow disabling of alarms.
• Infinite (No Timeout)—Alarms may be disabled. There is no time limit on the

alarm, i.e. it will not reactivate.
• Fixed Duration—Alarms may be disabled. The alarm will reactivate after a set time,
for example one day, if the condition that triggered the alarm has not cleared.
• Variable Duration—Alarms may be disabled. The alarm will reactivate after a set
time if the condition that triggered the alarm has not cleared. You can change the
default duration, up to a configured maximum duration. You will be prompted to enter
the duration, for example 1D (for one day).
If you do disable alarms for an item, this will be shown in the Status Display (see page
8-1):

Events
Events are records of occurrences on your system. Events are logged for user
interaction with the system and for automatic system occurrences such as alarms, point
updates, scheduled archiving, etc.
There are two types of Events List that you can display—the All Events List and the
Events List for a specific item.
You can use the Events List to view the events and determine what has happened on
your system. This is especially useful when attempting to diagnose problems or to
determine what tasks other users have performed.
This section explains how to use the features of the Events List and how to interpret the
information it provides:
• Display the All Events List (see page 9-21).
• Display the Events List for an Item (see page 9-22).
• Understand the Events List (see page 9-23).
• Insert a Comment for an Event (see page 9-29).
For information on how to use filters and sort methods on Queries Lists, refer to Filter a
Queries List (see page 10-4) and Sort a List (see page 10-13).

Display the All Events List
The All Events List is an unfiltered List that displays all Events (see page 9-20) for all
database items.
NOTE: Any events that relate to alarms are displayed in the same colour scheme as used
on the Alarm List (see Alarm List, on page 9-9).
To display the All Events List:
1. Either:
• Select the All Events button on the Operate Toolbar (see page 3-10).
Or:
ii. Select the All Events option.
Or:
• Press the F10 function key.
The Events List is displayed. It is unfiltered and shows all event messages that have
been logged on your system. By default it displays data for the last 24 hours.
If the Events List is not displayed and a Historic Cache message is shown, there are
too many events for the query to process. To avoid this, you may need to filter the
Events List (see Filter a Queries List, on page 10-4).
NOTE: If the filter does not resolve the problem, you will have to contact a higher
level user as the amount of memory available may be inadequate or the configuration
of database items may mean that events are being logged more often than are
actually required.
3. Use the Previous and Next navigation buttons to move backwards and
forwards one day at a time.
NOTE: The Events List window can be refreshed by selecting Refresh from the Items
menu or by pressing F5.

Display the Events List for an Item
You can display an Events List that is filtered automatically to show the Events (see
page 9-20) for a specific item. This saves you time as you do not need to repeatedly set
up a filter for the Events List—you can display the Events List for each item that you
require.
To display the Events List for a specific item:
1. In the Database Bar (see page 6-14), right-click on the item for which you want to
display events.
2. Select the Display Events option.
The Events List is displayed. It is filtered automatically so that it only shows those
events for the selected item. If you select a Group folder, the Events List also shows
the events for all items within that folder and its sub-folders.
NOTE: You can also access the Display Events List option by selecting an item on a
Queries List (see Lists, on page 10-1) or by selecting an animated part of a Mimic
that provides an Object Menu (see page 7-1) for the required item.
3. Use the Previous and Next navigation buttons to move backwards and
forwards one day at a time.
NOTE: The Events List window can be refreshed by selecting Refresh from the Items
menu or by pressing F5.

Understand the Events List
The Events List displays a row of values for each event that occurs in your SCX system
(see Events, on page 9-20), and uses columns to separate and categorize the values.
The column headings indicate what the values in each column represent.
NOTE: The columns that display on your Events List can be configured by a user with high
level account permissions, see SCX Guide to Core Configuration.
The default column headings for the Events List are:
• Severity—Events have a severity level that indicates the importance of the event.
Severity for events works in exactly the same way as Severity for alarms and has the
same range of severity levels (see Alarm Severity, on page 9-3).
• Time—The time at which the event was generated. The time includes the date on
which the event was generated.
• Source—The FullName of the item with which the event is associated.
• Message—A short text description of the system occurrence that caused the event to
be generated.
• User—The login identity of the user who caused the event to be generated. If the
event was not caused by user interaction, there will be no entry in the User column.
• Category—Each event has a category that indicates the type of event. This allows
you to filter the Events List so that it only displays events of a specific category, such
as outstation communications events (see Filter a Queries List, on page 10-4).
The event categories include:

• Action—The event was logged due to an operator action being performed.
• Alarm Redirection—The event was logged due to an alarm being redirected (as
part of the alarm redirection feature that allows alarms to be sent to pagers etc.).
• Archiving—The event was logged due to data being removed from the system
and stored on hard disk, CD, DVD, compact flash etc.
• Callback—The event was generated due to a successful callback, a failed callback,
or an unexpected callback. (The callback feature allows you to send a message to
an outstation to instruct it to dial in. The outstation should then report its data
within a specific amount of time).
• Channel Status—The event is associated with a communications channel’s
status. For example, an event is logged if a channel fails (an alarm is also raised).
• Comment—The event was logged due to a comment being created.
• Configuration—The event was logged due to configuration changes being made
or the system detecting a configuration problem, such as essential configuration
information being missing (no telephone number specified on a PSTN channel or
an invalid address on an outstation for example).
• Control Status—The event was logged due to a control completing successfully.
• Forecast—The event is associated with a forecast item. For example, an event is
logged if an alarm is raised due to a forecast from an external application having
values that are outside the alarm limits for the forecast item in SCX.
• Historic—The event was logged due to historic data being inserted, modified etc.
• Outstation Comms—The event was logged due to a change in outstation
communications status, for example, when there is an incoming call.
• Outstation Error—Indicates the event was generated when a general outstation
error was detected (an outstation error that is not included in the Outstation
Hardware or Outstation Comms categories).

• Outstation Hardware—The event is associated with the status of the

outstation’s hardware.
• Outstation Status—The event is associated with the status of an outstation. For
example, an event can be logged when an outstation is reset, or when an
outstation requests configuration etc.
• Pager Comms—The event is associated with the communications status of a
pager service. For example, an event is logged when there is an attempt to
connect with a pager.
• Point Significant Change—The event is associated with a significant change in
the value of a point. This type of event can only be logged for points that have the
Significant Change feature enabled within their configuration.
• Point State—The event has been logged due to a point changing state. The point
states are those that are defined in the configuration of each point.
• Point Status—The event is associated with the status of a point. These are
miscellaneous events that are not covered by Point State.
• Scanner Status—The event is associated with a scanner or a point source
(simple drivers). For example, an event is logged when an alarm is raised due to a
scanner failing.
• Scheduled Dial In—The event has been logged due to a successful scheduled
dial in, a failed scheduled dial in, or an unexpected scheduled dial in.
• Server Status—The event is associated with the status of a server or channel
(simple drivers). For example, an event is logged when there is a switch from one
channel to another.
• Set Status—The event is associated with the status of an outstation set. For
example, an event is logged if the outstation set switches from one
communications channel to another (switches lines).
• System—The event has been logged due to an occurrence that affects the entire
system, such as the server being stopped and restarted. The System category is
also used for miscellaneous events that are not suited to the other categories.
• Text Message—The event has been logged due to an SCX Server receiving a text
message from an outstation or another SCX server.
Other columns that may be included in the Events List are:
• Alarm State—The event has been logged due to a change in the item’s alarm state.
Examples are: Raised, Cleared, Acknowledged, Disabled.
• User Location—The IP Address or Computer Name of the client computer which

generated the Event.
• Deleted—Indicates if the item associated with the Event has been deleted from the
database.
• Source—The item ID of the item in the database that is associated with the Event.
• Named Region—The name of the Historic Region that contains the event (where
applicable). Historic Regions are sections of historic data that are always available on-
line—the events within them are not deleted.
This information is especially useful when filtering an Event List. For example, if your
system has a Historic Region for a time period in which a specific event occurred, such
as a power failure, you can filter the Event List by the relevant Historic Region. You
can then use the filtered Event List to examine what happened on your system during
the power failure.
• Receipt Time—The time at which the event was received at the SCX server. The time
includes the date on which the event was received.

Filter the Events List
You can filter the Events List so that it only shows Events (see page 9-20) that have
specific values (see Filter a Queries List, on page 10-4).
To filter the Events List:
1. Display the All Events List (see page 9-21) or Display the Events List for an Item (see
page 9-22).
2. Select the Items menu, then select the Filter option. Alternatively, you can press the
F7 function key.
The Filter Columns window is displayed.
3. Use the Filter Columns window to define the filter that is to be applied to the Event
List:
• If you want to create a new filter, select the Add button to display the Add Filter
Window (proceed to step 4).
• If you want to change an existing filter, select the Edit button to display the Edit
Filter window. You can use the Edit Filter window in the same way as the Add Filter
window except that you cannot change the filter type (see step 4 for more
details).
• If you want to delete a filter, select the filter in the list and then select the
Remove button.
• If you want to create or edit a filter by using an SQL query, select the Advanced
button to display the SQL for the current filter (if a filter is already applied). You
can then edit the SQL as required.
4. Use the Add Filter Window to create a new filter:
i. Use the top combo-box to select the Event List property by which you want to
filter the Event List. You can choose from any of the available Event List Filter
Categories (see page 9-27).
ii. Use the second combo-box to choose the type of filter condition. These work in
the same way as the filter conditions for Queries Lists (see Filter a Queries List, on
page 10-4).

iii. Use the text entry field(s) or combo-box(es) at the bottom of the Add Filter
window to define the value for the filter. For example, if you have selected a
Source filter with a Is Equal To filter, enter the name of the source item you
want to be included from the filter in the text entry field. The Event List will then
only display those events that have a Source value that matches exactly the
string you typed into the text entry field.
iv. Use the >> button to add multiple values for the filter. When you select the >>
button, an additional field is shown at the bottom of the Add Filter window and
Add, Update, and Remove buttons are displayed.
To add multiple values for a filter, use the text entry field or combo-box below the
>> button to define the first value (in the same way as you would define the
value if you were only defining one filter value), then select the Add button. The
defined filter value is added to the list in the additional field that was displayed
when you selected the >> button. Enter the next filter value to be included in the
text entry field or combo-box beneath the >> button, then select the Add button
again. The second filter value is added to the list in the extra field. Repeat this
process until you have added all of the filter values that you require. You can
delete a filter value from the extra field at any time by selecting the filter value
and then selecting the Remove button.
For example, if you select the Alarm State filter category and then select the Is
Equal To filter condition, you can add mutiple alarm states to the extra field. In
the diagram shown above, the Cleared, Raised, and Response alarm states have
been added to the list. This means that the Event List will show all alarms that
have either a Cleared alarm state, Raised alarm state, or Response alarm state.
v. Select the OK button to confirm your selections/entries and close the Add Filter
window.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have created the appropriate filter for your Event List.
Remember that you can change a filter by selecting it on the Filter Columns window,
then selecting the Edit button (this displays the Edit Filter window which you can use
in the same way as the Add Filter window, except that you cannot change the type of
filter). You can also delete filters by selecting them on the Filter Columns window then
selecting the Remove button.
NOTE: All Event List filters must include a Time filter.

6. When you have defined the required filters, select the OK button on the Filter
Columns window.
The Filter Columns window is closed and the filtered Event List is displayed.
Event List Filter Categories
The following filter categories are available when filtering an Events List:
• Category—Filter the Event List according to its category values. Each event has a
category value that describes the type of system occurence that caused the event to
be logged. For example, if a user performs an Override control, an event is logged
with the Action category (as the event was caused by a user performing an action).
• Message—Filter the Event List according to its message values. Each event has a
message value that describes what happened to cause the event to be logged. For
example, if a user performs an Override action on a point, the message indicates
that an Override action was performed and the value of the override. The Message
is a string value.
• Severity—Filter the Event List according to its severity values. Each event has its
own severity value that indicates the importance of the event. Events with Low
severity values are not as important as events with High or Critical values.
• Source (Source)—Filter the Event List according to its sources. Each event is
associated with a specific database item (which may be the system item). This item is
the source of the event. For the Source (Source) filter, you must enter the name of
the source.
• Time (Time)—Filter the Event List so that it only shows events that were logged at a
specific time or within a specified time range. All Event List filters must include a time
filter.
• Time (Record Time)—The Time (Record Time) filter works in the same way as the
Time (Time) filter except that it can be used by Third Party applications to apply a
filter (some Third Party applications cannot use Time (Time).
• User—Filter the Event List according to the users that caused the events to be
logged. Each event can be associated with a specific user, for example, if a user
performs an action, an event is logged and the user for that event is the user that
performed the action. Most events that are caused by the system, such as point state
changes, do not have a user value as they are normal system events. However, some
system events, such as the server starting, have a user value of System. Typically,
you would use this filter type to filter the Event List so that it shows events that were
caused by users performing actions or altering the configuration of database items.
• Alarm State—Filter the Event List according to the alarm state values. Events that
are associated with responses to alarm conditions, such as events logged due to a
user responding to an alarm, have alarm state values. You can filter the Event List so
that it only shows events that have a certain type of alarm state value, for example,
you can filter the Event List so that it only shows events that have an Alarm State
value of Accepted.
• Area of Interest—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those events that are
associated with specific Areas of Interest.

• Comment Number—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those events that are
associated with a specified number of comments.
• Deleted—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those events that are associated
with database items that have been deleted since the event was logged.
• Foreground—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those events that are
displayed in a specific colour (the colour you define should match one of the system
colours used to indicate the status of the event. The system colours are defined via
the colour palette for the system item).
• Named Region—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those events that are
stored in specific Historic Regions. Historic Regions are created during the server
configuration and are used to prevent historic data being removed from the system
(normally, historic data is deleted after a certain amount of time; the data recorded
during the time specified for a historic region is not deleted).
• Receipt Time—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those events that were
received by the server at a specific time or within a defined time range.
• Record ID—Filter the Event List so that it only shows events that have unique ID
numbers within the defined range. Each event has a unique ID number that is used
internally to identify the record.
• Sequence Number—Filter the Event List according to the sequence numbers of the
events. Each event has a sequence number that indicates how many events have
been logged prior to that event. For example, if an event has a sequence number of
1304, it means that there have been 1303 events logged on that system before that
event was logged. When a new system is first set up, the sequence number is 0, then
each event has a sequence number. So the first event logged on a system has a
sequence number of 1, the second event has a sequence number of 2 and so on.
• Severity (Severity)—Filter the Event List according to the severity of the events.
Events that are logged as a result of user interaction with the system have a severity
value (this is Low, Medium, High, or Critical). You can filter the Event List so that it
only shows events that have a specific severity value or have a severity value within a
defined range (where Low is the lowest value in the range and Critical is the highest).
• Severity (Severity Value)—Filter the Event List according to the severity of the
events. Events that are logged as a result of user interaction with the system have a
severity value (this is Low, Medium, High, or Critical). Unlike the Severity (Severity)
filter, the Severity (Severity Value) filter uses the number for the severity instead of
the name of the severity. The number ranges that correspond to the severity
categories are defined during the server configuration.
• You can filter the Event List so that it only shows events that have a specific severity
value or have a severity value within a defined range (with the default settings in
place, the range is Low 1-333, Medium 334-666, High 667-999, Critical 1000-
1000+).
• Source (Id)—Filter the Event List so that it only shows events that have sources with
unique ID numbers within the defined range. The source of each event has a unique
ID number that is used internally to identify the database item.
• User Location (Client Address)—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those
events that were logged as a result of the actions of a user who was logged on to a
specified client. When using this filter, you need to specify the IP address of the client
you require.
• User Location (Client Address Desc)—Filter the Event List so that it only shows
those events that were logged as a result of the actions of a user who was logged on
to a specified client. When using this filter, you need to specify the decimal number of
the client you require (the IP address converted to a decimal).

• User Location (Client Name)—Filter the Event List so that it only shows those
events that were logged as a result of the actions of a user who was logged on to a
specified client. When using this filter, you need to specify the name of the client you
require.
Further Information
Filter the Events List: See page 9-25.
Sort the Events List
The Events List displays Events (see page 9-20) in time order by default—the latest
logged events are shown at the top of the Events List and the oldest logged events are
shown at the bottom. You can use the sort feature to determine the order in which
events display in the Events List (see Sort a List, on page 10-13).
Insert a Comment for an Event
You can add a comment to Events (see page 9-20) in the Events List. This is useful for
indicating that an event was logged due to an unusual occurrence. For example, if a new
piece of equipment is used, and the equipment was faulty, an alarm is raised and an
event is logged. You could use the Acknowledge with Comment feature for the alarm to
acknowledge the alarm and add a comment that states that the cause of the alarm is
under investigation (see Acknowledge an Alarm with Comment, on page 9-17). Then,
when the problem has been identified as being the faulty equipment, you could use the
Insert Comment feature for the event to add a comment that states the event was
logged due to faulty equipment.
Other users who view the events for that time period will be able to see that the event
was due to an isolated problem. They will see that it is not a recurring fault or a problem
related to the setup of the system.
To insert a comment for an event:
1. Display the All Events List (see page 9-21).

2. Right-click on any event in the Events List.

3. Select the Insert Comment option.

The Insert Comment window is displayed.
4. Enter a suitable comment.

The Insert Comment window is closed and a new event is created in the Events List,
with the comment displayed in the Message column.

Chapter 10 - Lists
10 Lists
ViewX is capable of displaying a wide range of information in list form, for example:
• Events (see page 9-20).
• Historic Values.
• Database Items
NOTE: The Alarm List is explained separately (see Alarms, on page 9-2).
The following topics provide details on working with Lists:
• Display a Query List (see page 10-3).
• Filter a Queries List (see page 10-4).
• Sort a List (see page 10-13).

Chapter 10 - Lists
Understanding the List Displays

Each List display consists of columns and rows of data. Each column represents a
different type of data, for example, the Name column represents the name values of
items in the List and the Type column represents the type values of the items in the List
and so on. Each row represents a single database item, event or alarm depending on
the type of List on display.
Columns represent different types of data
Each row
represents a
single item,
event, or alarm
depending on
the type of List
on display.
For information about the type of information shown in a column, position the cursor
over the column heading. This displays a ToolTip that describes the type of data that is
shown in the selected column.
If the Id filter property has been included in the SQL Query for the List, you will be able
to access a pick action menu for each item by right-clicking on the row for the relevant
item. The pick action menu will provide access to display options and controls etc.,
depending on the configuration of the menu. You can use these options to modify the
display, access other displays, and perform actions on the system in the same way as
you would use context sensitive menus on other ViewX and WebX displays.
NOTE: The values in Lists are continuously updated but the rows do not update
automatically. The Events List does not update automatically but can be refreshed with
the latest data by selecting Refresh from the Items menu or by pressing F5 (see Events,
on page 9-20).
Further Information
Display a Query List (see page 10-3)
Filter a Queries List (see page 10-4)
Display the All Events List (see page 9-21)
Display the Events List for an Item (see page 9-22)
Alarm List (see page 9-9).

Chapter 10 - Lists
Display a Query List

Queries Lists are Lists of database values and properties that are accessed via SQL.
There are many different types of Query List that you can display and use to monitor
control and compare the various aspects of your system.
To display a Query list:
1. Display the Queries Explorer Bar by selecting the Queries button on the Operate
Toolbar or by selecting the View menu, then the Explorer Bar option, then the
Queries option.
2. Expand the Queries hierarchy in the Explorer Bar.
3. Either double-click on the type of Query List that you want to display or right-click on
the required type of List, then select the List option from the context sensitive menu.
A Filter window is displayed.
4. Use the Filter window to apply any filter settings as required (see Filter a Queries List,
on page 10-4), then select the OK button to apply the filter and display the List.
Choose the type of List The selected List will be displayed in the ViewX
you want to display from application window (Main display area).
the Queries Explorer Bar
You can also access a Query List by selecting any hyperlink that is configured to link to a
List.
When you have displayed a List, you can change how the information is displayed:
• Filter a Queries List (see page 10-4)
• Reset a List (see page 10-15)
• Sort a List (see page 10-13)
• Reset a List (see page 10-15).

Chapter 10 - Lists
Filter a Queries List

You can filter a list to only display those list items that conform to the criteria that you
enter, for example ones that occur in a certain time frame, or are for a particular part of
your system.
The following sections explain how to use the various filter features:
• Quick Filter a Queries List (see page 10-4)
• Add a Filter to a Queries List (see page 10-5)
• Filter Condition Types (see page 10-7)
• Filter Wildcards (see page 10-10)
• Time Formats for Filters (see page 10-11)
• Change the Filter on a Queries List (see page 10-12)
• Create a Queries List Filter Using SQL (see page 10-12).
Quick Filter a Queries List
SCX includes a Quick Filter feature that allows you to filter a Queries List with a single
command. You can use the Quick Filter feature to filter a List according to any of the
values shown on the List, for example, if you are viewing a Points List, you can use the
Quick Filter feature to filter the Points List so that it only shows those points that have
Good quality data.
To use the Quick Filter feature:
1. Display the required List (see Display a Query List, on page 10-3)
2. Right-click on the value that is to be the filter criteria for the List. When the Quick
Filter is applied, the List will only show those items or entries that have the selected
value for the corresponding property. For example, if you right-click on an Uncertain
Quality value, the Quick Filter will use Uncertain as the filter criteria and will only
show those items that have Uncertain as their Quality value.
3. Select the Quick Filter option.
The List is filtered so that it only shows those items/entries that have the selected
value for the selected property. (The List will only show those items that are relevant
to the List, so if you use the Quick Filter on the Outstations List, the List will only show
Outstations that meet the selected filter criteria).
To cancel the Quick Filter so that the List reverts to its default settings, right-click on
any entry in the List and select the Reset Query option.

Chapter 10 - Lists
Add a Filter to a Queries List
You can use the Filter Columns window to add a filter to a Queries List. By filtering a List
in this way, you can create complex filter criteria so that your List only displays items
and entries that have/do not have specific values for selected properties.
To filter a List:
1. Display a Query List (see page 10-3).

2. Either:
Or:
i. Right-click on the List window.
Or:
The Filter Columns window displays. If the List is an Alarm List, the Alarm List Filter
window will be displayed instead (see Filter the Alarm List, on page 9-11).
3. Click on the Add button.

The Add Filter window is displayed.

Chapter 10 - Lists
4. Use the first combo-box to select the type of filter that is to be applied. There are
hundreds of possibilities, with filters for most types of data. For a brief description of
each filter type, position the cursor over the required option to display a ToolTip. The
ToolTip provides a description of the filter type’s purpose. Commonly used filter types
include:
• Alarm State—Use to filter a List so that it only shows items in alarm, items with
alarms disabled etc.
• Name—Use to filter a List so that it only shows items with a specific name or with
a name that is like a specific name.
• Quality (CurrentQualityDesc)—Use to filter a List so that it only shows items
with a certain quality status, for example, filter a List to show all items with Bad
Quality.
and
• Overridden—Use to filter a List so that it only shows those points that have been
overridden.
5. Select the filter condition from the second combo-box (see Filter Condition Types, on
page 10-7).
6. Select the filter value you want to set for the filter in the third combo-box.
When you Filter a Queries List (see page 10-4), the values entered in the third
combo-box of the Add Filter window are compared against the value of the
corresponding field of each record in the SCX database. If the two values match (or
the value in the SCX database is between the minimum and maximum values when a
between filter is used), the corresponding record in the SCX database is returned and
is included in the List.
Values can be:
• Numeric—Useful for searching Historic Lists for particular point values.
• String—Useful for searching for a database item (or group of items).
• Date/Time—Can be either absolute or OPC (see Time Formats for Filters, on
page 10-11).
Depending on which item you select in the first combo-box, you may need to type in
the condition yourself. For more information on entering condition criteria see:
• Filter Condition Types (see page 10-7).
• Filter Wildcards (see page 10-10).
• Time Formats for Filters (see page 10-11).

The Add Filter window is closed and the new Filter criteria is displayed in the Filter
Columns window.
The Filter Columns window is closed and the filtered Events List is displayed. It only
shows those events (if any) that meet the criteria you entered.
NOTE: There is also a Quick Filter feature that you can use to filter a List according to a
particular value that is shown on the List (see Quick Filter a Queries List, on page 10-4).

Chapter 10 - Lists
Filter Condition Types
When you display a List such as a Queries List or an Events List, you can filter the List so
that it only shows entries that match specified criteria. This is useful as it allows you to
control what information is shown on a List so that the data is relevant to your current
requirements.
When you are configuring a filter for a List, you need to choose a type of filter condition.
The filter condition defines how the List behaves—the List will only show those items,
Events, or alarms that match the defined criteria.
The filter conditions that are available for selection vary according to the type of filter
you have chosen. Depending on the type of filter, you can choose from the following
filter conditions:
• Is Equal To—The value for the selected filter type must match your entry exactly.
When you select the Is Equal To option, you must enter the value that must be
matched (or use the browse button to select an appropriate item).
For example, if you select the Is Equal To option and you are using a Source filter,
entering ‘AI1’ will mean that the List will only display those items/events/alarms that
have ‘AI1’ as their Source value.
• Is Not Equal To—The value for the selected filter type must not match your entry
exactly. When you select the Is Not Equal To option, you must enter the value that
must not be matched (or use the browse button to select an appropriate item).
For example, if you select the Is Not Equal To option and you are using a Source
filter, entering ‘AI1’ will mean that the List will display all items/events/alarms except
those that have ‘AI1’ as their Source value.
• Is Greater Than—The value for the selected filter type must be greater than the
value you enter. When you select the Is Greater Than option, you must enter the
value required.
For example, if you select the Is Greater Than option and you are using a Value
(CurrentValueFormatted) filter, entering 50 will mean that the List will only display
those items that have a current value that is 51 or more.
• Is Greater Than or Equal To—The value for the selected filter type must be greater
than or equal to the value you enter. When you select the Is Greater Than or Equal
To option, you must enter the value required.
For example, if you select the Is Greater Than or Equal To option and you are using
a Value (CurrentValueFormatted) filter, entering 50 will mean that the List will only
display those items that have a current value that is 50 or more.
• Is Less Than—The value for the selected filter type must be lower than the value you
enter. When you select the Is Less Than option, you must enter the value required.
For example, if you select the Is Less Than option and you are using a Value
(CurrentValueFormatted) filter, entering 50 will mean that the List will only display
those items that have a current value that is 49 or less.
• Is Less Than or Equal To—The value for the selected filter type must be less than or
equal to the value you enter. When you select the Is Less Than or Equal To option,
you must enter the value required.
For example, if you select the Is Less Than or Equal To option and you are using a
Value (CurrentValueFormatted) filter, entering 50 will mean that the List will only
display those items that have a current value that is 50 or less.

Chapter 10 - Lists
• Is Between—The value for the selected filter type must be between two specified
values or times i.e. more than or equal to the lowest value you specify and less than
or equal to the highest value you specify. When you select the Is Between option,
you must enter at least one of the values (we recommend that you enter a low value
and a high value). Enter the low value in the upper text entry field and enter the
highest value in the lower text entry field. If you do not enter at least one value, the
filter will fail.
For example, if you select the Is Between option and you are using a Value
(CurrentValueAsReal) filter, entering 30 as the lowest value and 45 as the highest
value will mean that the List will only display those items that have a current value
that is between 30 and 45.
• Is Not Between—The value for the selected filter type must not be between two
specified values or times i.e. more than or equal to the lowest value you specify and
less than or equal to the highest value you specify. When you select the Is Not
Between option, you must enter at least one of the values (we recommend that you
enter a low value and a high value). Enter the low value in the upper text entry field
and enter the highest value in the lower text entry field. If you do not enter at least
one value, the filter will fail.
For example, if you select the Is Not Between option and you are using a Value
(CurrentValueAsReal) filter, entering 30 as the lowest value and 45 as the highest
value will mean that the List will only display those items that have a current value
that is below 30 and above 45 (does not have a value between 30 and 45).
• Is In Area—This filter is only available when filtering Event Lists. It allows you to
filter an Event List by Area of Interest. When you select the Is in Area option, you
can use the browse button feature of the text entry field to select the Area of Interest
that is to be used as the filter criteria—the Event List will only show those events that
are associated with the selected Area of Interest.
• Is In Group—This filter is only available when filtering Event Lists. It allows you to
filter an Event List by Group. When you select the Is in Group option, you can use
the browse button feature of the text entry field to select the Group that is to be used
as the filter criteria—the Event List will only show those events that are associated
with the selected Group.
• Begins With—Filter the List according to the first characters in the values. The List
will only display those items or entries that have a value beginning with the defined
string of characters (the value for the selected filter property). For example, if you
select the Name filter type and enter ‘Ana’ as the Begins With characters, the List
will only display those items that have a Name value that begins with ‘Ana’. Items
that do not have a name beginning with ‘Ana’ will not be included in the List.
• Does Not Begin With—Filter the List according to the first characters in the values.
The List will only display those items or entries that have a value that does not begin
with the defined string of characters (the value for the selected filter property). For
example, if you select the Name filter type and enter ‘Ana’ as the Does Not Begin
With characters, the List will only display those items that have a Name value that
does not begin with ‘Ana’. Items that do have a name beginning with ‘Ana’ will not be
included in the List.
• Ends With—Filter the List according to the last characters in the values. The List will
only display those items or entries that have a value ending with the defined string of
characters (the value for the selected filter property). For example, if you select the
Name filter type and enter ‘int’ as the Ends With characters, the List will only display
those items that have a Name value that ends with ‘int’. Items that do not have a
name ending with ‘int’ will not be included in the List.

Chapter 10 - Lists
• Does Not End With—Filter the List according to the last characters in the values. The
List will only display those items or entries that have a value that does not end with
the defined string of characters (the value for the selected filter property). For
example, if you select the Name filter type and enter ‘int’ as the Does Not End With
characters, the List will only display those items that have a Name value that does
not end with ‘int’. Items that do have a name ending with ‘int’ will not be included in
the List.
• Contains—Filter the List according to the specified characters. The List will only
display those items or entries that have a value for the selected filter property that
includes the string of specified characters. Those items or entries that have a value
for the selected property that does not include the specified string of characters will
be excluded from the List. For example, if the selected filter property is Name and the
characters ‘ana’ are specified, a Points List will show the points named ‘analogue input
1’, ‘analogue input 2’ and ‘analogue input 3’ as they contain the string ‘ana’ but the
List will not show the points named ‘digital output 1’, ‘digital output 2’ and ‘monitor
point’ as their names do not contain the string ‘ana’.
• Does Not Contain—Filter the List according to the specified characters. The List will
only display those items or entries that do not have a value for the selected filter
property that includes the string of specified characters. For example, if the selected
filter property is Name and the characters ‘ana’ are specified, a Points List will show
the points named ‘digital output 1’, ‘digital output 2’ and ‘monitor point’ but will not
display points named ‘analogue input 1’, ‘analogue input 2’ and so on as these points
contain ‘ana’ in their name values.
• Is Like—Filter the List so that it includes those items or entries that are similar to the
defined filter characters. In this sense, ‘similar’ means that the entries contain the
defined characters plus one or more non-defined characters. The non-defined
characters are represented by Filter Wildcards (see page 10-10).
For example, if the Name filter is being used with the Is Like condition and the
following characters are entered:
Point%
The List will display all items that have a name value of ‘Point’ or a name value
beginning with ‘Point’ and followed by any other characters (the % wildcard
represents 0 or more unspecified characters).
If the following characters were entered, the list would only display those items that
have a name value beginning with ‘Point’ and followed by a single character:
Point_
The underscore represents any single character.

Chapter 10 - Lists
• Is Not Like—Filter the List so that it excludes those items or entries that are similar
to the defined filter characters. In this sense, ‘similar’ means that the entries contain
the defined characters plus one or more non-defined characters. The non-defined
characters are represented by Filter Wildcards (see page 10-10).
For example, if the Name filter is being used with the Is Not Like condition and the
following characters are entered:
Point%
The List will display all items that do not have a name value of ‘Point’ or a name value
beginning with ‘Point’ and followed by any other characters (the % wildcard
represents 0 or more unspecified characters).
If the following characters were entered, the list would only display those items that
do not have a name value beginning with ‘Point’ and followed by a single character:
Point_
The underscore represents any single character.
Filter Wildcards
When Like and Not Like Filters are used in the Add Filter window (see Add a Filter to a
Queries List, on page 10-5), you can include wildcard characters in the filter criteria.
Wildcard characters allow a single filter value to match multiple SCX database values.
There are two Wildcard characters:
• _ (Underscore)—matches any single character, for example CA_ will match CAT,
CAN, CAB, but will not match CATCH, CALL or CA.
• % (Percent)—matches any number of characters, for example CA% will match CAT,
CAN. CAB, CATCH, CALL or CA.
NOTE: To include a Wildcard Character in a search without causing the Wildcard to match
other characters, enter a backslash (\) before the Wildcard character, for example
PUMP\_1 will only match PUMP_1, and will not match PUMP11, PUMPA1 etc.
Further Information
Like and Not Like: see Filter Condition Types, on page 10-7

Chapter 10 - Lists
Time Formats for Filters
SCX is capable of interpreting two time Formats when you Filter a Queries List (see page
10-4):
• Specific Time in the form YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss.ms
• Relative Time in OPC Time Format.
OPC defines a standard for representing time. SCX supports these OPC time units:
• S (Seconds), for example 5S (five seconds). To enter a time in milliseconds, use a

fraction, for example: 1.500S (one and a half seconds).
• M (Minutes), for example 10M (ten minutes).
• H (Hours), for example 1H (one hour).
• D (Days), for example 2D (two days).
• W (Weeks), for example 3W (three weeks).
Time units can be combined to calculate exact times, for example 1H30M can be used
for one hour and 30 minutes, rather than having to use 90M.
OPC supports relative times (times relative to the current time), expressed as a text
string with a starting identifier followed by a number of offsets. Examples include:
• NOW (NOW)—Current date and time.
• HOUR (H)—The start of the current hour.
• DAY (D)—The start of the current day.
• WEEK (W)—The start of the current week.
• MONTH (MO)—The start of the current month.
• YEAR (Y)—The start of the current year.
Relative time identifiers can be used with OPC time units to specify complex relative
times:
• H+1H—The end of the current hour.
H is the start of the current hour, and +1H moves the time to the end of the current
hour.
• D-1D—The start of the previous day.
D is the start of the current day, and -1D moves the time to the start of the previous
day.
• D+12H—Midday of the current day.
D is the start of the current day, i.e. midnight, and +12H moves the time 12 hours
forward, i.e. midday today.
• D-2H—10:00PM of the previous day.
• D is the start of the current day, i.e. midnight, and -2H moves the time 2 hours back,
i.e. 10pm last night.

Chapter 10 - Lists
Change the Filter on a Queries List
You can alter a filter that has been applied to a List so that it different filter criteria are
applied. To change the filter on a Queries List, you can either use the quick filter feature
which will apply a quick filter in addition to the existing filter (see Quick Filter a Queries
List, on page 10-4) or you can:
1. Display the Filter Columns Window by selecting the Items menu, then the Filter
option or by pressing the F7 function key.
2. Use the Filter Columns window to adjust the filter settings as required. The filter
settings work in exactly the same way as when you first add a filter to a List (see Add
a Filter to a Queries List, on page 10-5).
NOTE: If required, you can alter the filter by using SQL (see Create a Queries List
Filter Using SQL, on page 10-12).
3. Select the OK button to confirm your selection and close the Filter Columns window.
The new filter is applied to the List.
Create a Queries List Filter Using SQL
When displaying a List, you can use the Filter Columns window to apply the filter
criteria. When using the Filter Columns window, you can choose to apply the filter
settings by using the various combo-boxes and fields or you can select the Advanced
button which provides access to the SQL text entry field which you can use to define the
filter criteria as an SQL query. You can select the Simple button to revert to the default
Filter Columns window settings.
By defining the filter in SQL, you can control exactly which columns are included in the
List and define the filter criteria as required. To do this, you need a good understanding
of the SQL language.
You can include any of the column headings (which correspond to the List’s properties)
shown on a List in your SQL query and you can also use the following:
• RecordId—A unique number used to identify a historic record.
• Id—Used to provide pick action menus on a List. If you do not include the Id column
to your SQL Query filter, the List will not provide access to the pick action menus for
each item in the List.
• Foreground—The colour used for the foreground of the List entries.
• Background—The colour used for the background of the List entries.
• Blink—Determines whether the entries flash.
• SeqNo—A number that indicates the position of an event in the Event List. The first
event to be logged on a system is number 1, the second event is number 2 and so on.
• CommentNo—A number that indicates the number of comments that have been
inserted for an event on an Event List.
The columns listed above are not visible on a List, but do affect the appearance and
functionality of the List.

Chapter 10 - Lists
Sort a List
You can sort Lists to change the order in which their entries are displayed and grouped
to make their contents easier to view and interpret.
To sort a List by one column:

2. Click on a column header once to sort the List by that column in ascending order.
3. Click on the same column again without clicking on any other column to sort the List
by that column in descending order.
To sort a List by multiple columns:

2. Either:
ii. Select the Sort option.
Or:
ii. Select the Sort option.

Or:
The Sort Order window is displayed.

Chapter 10 - Lists
3. Click on the Add button.

The Add Column window is displayed.
4. Select the Column on which you want to sort the List.

5. Select the Direction in which you want to sort—Ascending or Descending.
The Add Column window is closed and the new sort criteria is displayed in the Sort
Order window.
NOTE: You can select the Move Up or Move Down buttons to change the order in
which the columns are sorted.
NOTE: If you just want to change the sort order of an existing Sort criteria, select it
and select the Descending button. It will toggle between Descending and Ascending.

The Add Column window is closed and the sorted Events List is displayed.

Chapter 10 - Lists
Reset a List
You can use the Reset Query option to set a List to disregard any filtering and sorting
that you have applied. This returns the List to its original state—the List will be reset so
that it shows the same data as when it was first displayed.
When you first display a List, the SQL query that specifies which data is shown in the
List is stored. As you apply filters and sorting, the SQL Query for the List is altered, but
the original SQL Query remains stored in the List document. When you select the Reset
Query option, it sets the List to disregard the SQL Query that is currently in place and
reinstate the original SQL Query.
To reset a List:

2. Either:
ii. Select the Reset Query option.
Or:
ii. Select the Reset Query option.

The SQL Query for the List is reset—the filtering and sorting for the List is removed and
the List is returned to its original state.

Chapter 10 - Lists

Chapter 11 - Trends
11 Trends
Trends in the SCX ViewX Client (see page 3-1) and WebX Client (see page 4-1) are
graphical displays that plot the values of database items. They allow you to view and
compare the values of points over a specific period of time.
Trends display data with the X-Axis representing time, and the Y-Axis representing data
values. Trends can be configured to display multiple traces simultaneously.
Trends in SCX can be one of three types:
• System Trends—These are system-specific Trends that have been configured by

high level users as part of your SCX database configuration. They are listed as items
in your database in the same way as Mimics, for example when you view your
database in the SCX Data Bar. System Trends can display multiple traces and may
combine current and historic data on the one Trend.
• Default Trends—These Trends are not stored in your database, rather they are
generated when you display them. You can display a default Trend for any point in
your database, and may plot:
• Current Data—The current data values for the point.

• Historic Data—Historic data for the point (if Historic Logging is enabled).
• Processed Historic Data—Historic data for the point that has undergone
calculation.
• User-Configured Trends—Users with the appropriate account permissions can
create Trends themselves, and store them either in a personal location, or one that is
shared among all users of their SCX system.
For more information on using Trends, see SCX Guide to Trends.

Chapter 11 - Trends

Chapter 12 - Reports
12 Reports
The SCX ViewX Client (see page 3-1) uses Crystal Reports produce professional
customised reports that contain information obtained from your SCX database.
Actions you can perform on reports are:
• Generate a report.
• Display a report.
• Print a report.
• Export a report to a variety of formats and destinations. For example, you can save
your reports to a disk, or export reports in Adobe Acrobat™ format and send them via
e-mail to a system engineer or manager.
Your SCX system will usually be configured to automatically generate and print reports
on a regular basis, for example daily, weekly and monthly. You can, however, generate
reports at any time.
You can use reports to produce a ‘snap-shot’ of the data on your system. To access ‘live’
data you will use SCX displays such as Lists (see page 10-1), Mimics (see SCX Guide to
Mimics), and Trends (see SCX Guide to Trends).
For information on working with reports see SCX Guide to the Crystal Reports Driver.

Chapter 12 - Reports

Chapter 13 - Operator Document Stores
13 Operator Document Stores
Typically, a user that logs on via an operator level User account does not have the
Configure Database permission and so can only view and operate the items in the
database. The Operator Document Store feature allows an operator level user to create
and edit certain types of documents, such as Trends, and save them in the operator
document store. These documents can then be viewed and edited by any user with
access to the operator document store.
The documents that are created in the user’s operator document store are stored in a
specially partitioned area of the database. Operator level users can only add documents
to the operator document stores and edit the documents via the Operator Documents
Bar.
Each User account can be associated with up to 6 Operator Document Stores—1 for
their individual User account, 1 for the system, and up to 4 for their User Groups (1 for
each User Group). Your User account is associated with your Operator Document Stores
by a high level engineer with the permissions to configure the database.
For information on accessing your Operator Document Store(s), see Access Your
Operator Document Stores, on page 13-2.
When you access an Operator Document Store, you can:
• Create a New Document in an Operator Document Store (see page 13-3)
• Add a Copy of a Document to your Operator Document Store (see page 13-4)
• View a Document in your Operator Document Store (see page 13-5)
• Edit a Document in your Operator Document Store (see page 13-6)
• Rename a Document in your Operator Document Store (see page 13-7)
• Delete a Document in your Operator Document Store (see page 13-7)
• Export a Document from your Operator Document Store (see page 13-8)
• Import a Document into your Operator Document Store (see page 13-9)
• Save a Copy of a Document into an Operator Document Store (see page 13-9)
• Organise your Operator Document Stores (see page 13-10).

Access Your Operator Document Stores

Your User account can be associated with up to 6 Operator Document Stores: 1 store for
the Root Group, 1 store for each User Group (up to a maximum of 4), and 1 store for
your User account. Your User account is associated with Operator Document Stores by a
higher level user during the configuration process.
You can add, edit, rename, delete, import and export any of the documents that are
stored in your Operator Document Stores. However, before you can work with the
documents, you must first access your Operator Document Stores.
To access the Operator Document Stores that are associated with your User account:
1. Log on to ViewX.
2. Display the Operator Documents Bar by either:
• Selecting the Operator Documents Store button on the Operate toolbar
Or:
• Selecting the View menu, then the Explorer Bar option, then the Operator
Documents option.
NOTE: If the options for displaying the Operator Documents Bar are unavailable, it
means your User account has not been associated with any Operator Document
Stores or your User account does not have the Configure permission for the
Operator Document Stores database items.
3. Expand the hierarchy in the Operator Documents Bar to view the Operator Document
Stores to which you have access. You can add documents such as Trends to the
Operator Document Stores. You can also edit, rename, delete, import or export any of
the documents in the Operator Document Stores.
Further Information
Create a New Document in an Operator Document Store: See page 13-3
Add a Copy of a Document to your Operator Document Store: See page 13-4
View a Document in your Operator Document Store: See page 13-5
Edit a Document in your Operator Document Store: See page 13-6
Rename a Document in your Operator Document Store: See page 13-7
Delete a Document in your Operator Document Store: See page 13-7
Export a Document from your Operator Document Store: See page 13-8
Import a Document into your Operator Document Store: See page 13-9
Save a Copy of a Document into an Operator Document Store: See page 13-9
Organise your Operator Document Stores: See page 13-10.

Create a New Document in an Operator Document Store

You can create a new document such as a Trend in any of the Operator Document Stores
to which you have access. You can then configure the new document as required. Any
other users that also have access to the Operator Document Store can also configure
the new document.
To add a new document to one of your Operator Document Stores:
1. Log on to ViewX.
2. Display your Operator Document Stores (see Access Your Operator Document Stores,
on page 13-2).
3. Right-click on the Operator Document Store that is to contain the new document (or
right-click on the Group within an Operator Document Store that is to contain the new
document).
4. Select the New option for the type of document you wish to create. For example, if
you want to create a new Trend, select the New Trend option.
The new document is added to the selected Operator Document Store. It is selected
automatically, ready for you to define its name.
5. Enter a suitable name for the document, then press the Enter key or select another
part of the interface to confirm your entry.
When you have added a new document to an Operator Document Store, you can
configure it by using the Edit option (see Edit a Document in your Operator Document
Store, on page 13-6).

Add a Copy of a Document to your Operator Document Store

You can add a copy of a document such as a Trend to any of the Operator Document
Stores to which you have access. You can then configure the copy of the document as
required. Any other users that also have access to the Operator Document Store can
also configure the copy of the document.
To add a copy of a document to one of your Operator Document Stores:
1. Log on to ViewX.
2. In the Database Bar, locate the document that you want to add to one of your
Operator Document Stores, then display it. For example, if you want to add a copy of
a Trend named ‘River Level’ to your Operator Document Store, display the ‘River
Level’ Trend.
3. Select the File menu, then select the Save in Operator Documents option.
The Save in Document Store window is displayed.
4. Use the Save in Document Store window to define the name of the document copy
and specify its location in your Operator Document Stores:
i. In the Name field, enter a suitable name for the document copy.
ii. Use the Create In combo-box to select the Operator Document Store that is to
contain the copy of the document.
If you want to place the copy in a Group within one of your Operator Document
Stores, select the required Operator Document Store in the combo-box, then
select the >> button to display the hierarchy.
• Use the New Group button to create a hierarchy of Groups as required. Then
select the Group that is to contain the copy of the document.
5. Select the OK button to confirm your selections and save a copy of the document in
the selected Operator Document Store.
When you have added a copy of a document to an Operator Document Store, you can
edit it, rename it, export it etc.

View a Document in your Operator Document Store

To display a document that is stored in one of your Operator Document Stores:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
3. Expand your Operator Document Stores until you locate the document that you want
to display.
4. Either:
• Right-click on the document, then select the Display option from the context
sensitive menu.
Or:
• Double-click on the document.
The document is displayed.

When you have displayed a document, you can toggle it between Run mode and Design
mode in the same way as an engineer level user (a User with the Configure Database
permission for a wide range of database items).
When you display a document such as a Trend in Design mode, you can access all of the
configuration features that are normally restricted for use by engineer level users. For
more information on how to configure your document, please refer to the
documentation that describes the configuration process for the type of item. For
example, if you have displayed a Trend, refer to the SCX Guide to Trends for information
on how to configure the Trend.

Edit a Document in your Operator Document Store

You can edit any document that is stored in your Operator Document Store(s), even if
your User account does not have the Configure Database permission. As long as you
have access to an Operator Document Store, you can configure the documents that are
stored within it.
To configure a document that is stored in your Operator Document Store:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
to configure.
4. Either:
• Right-click on the document, then select the Edit option from the context
sensitive menu.
Or:
• Double-click on the document.
The document is displayed in Design mode.
The configuration features are available for all documents that are
stored in your Operator Document Stores.
When you display a document such as a Trend in Design mode, you can access all of the
configuration features that are normally restricted for use by engineer level users. For
more information on how to configure your document, please refer to the
documentation that describes the configuration process for the type of item. For
example, if you have displayed a Trend, refer to the SCX Guide to Trends for information
on how to configure the Trend.
NOTE: If another user is editing the document at the same time as you, you will be
prompted to choose between discarding the changes you made or keeping the changes
you made and overwriting the changes made by the other user(s).

Rename a Document in your Operator Document Store

You can rename any of the documents that are stored in your Operator Document
Store(s). This is useful when a document has been provided with a misleading name or
there is a mistake in the name.
To rename a document in your Operator Document Store:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
to rename.
4. Right-click on the document, then select the Rename option from the context
sensitive menu.
The document is selected automatically, ready for you to define its name.
5. Overwrite or amend the existing name as required, then press the Enter key or select
another part of the interface to confirm your entry.
Delete a Document in your Operator Document Store

You can delete any document or Group of documents stored in your Operator Document
Store. This is useful when you have documents that are no longer required.
To delete a document from your Operator Document Store:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
3. Expand your Operator Document Stores until you locate the document or Group that
you want to delete.
4. Either:
• Select the document or Group in the tree-structure, then press the Delete key
Or:
• Right-click on the document or Group, then select the Delete option from the
context sensitive menu.
Or:
• Select the document or Group in the tree-structure, then select the Edit menu,
then select the Delete option.
If you are deleting a single document, the document is deleted.
If you are deleting a Group, you are warned that deleting the Group will also
delete all of the documents in the Group—select Yes to delete the Group and all of
its documents or select No to abort.

Export a Document from your Operator Document Store

You can export any document that is stored in your Operator Document Store or even
the Operator Document Store itself. When you have exported a document or Operator
Document Store, the export is saved as a file. This file can then be imported into
another system (a document can be imported as a ‘normal’ database item in the
Database Bar or can be imported as an operator document in another Operator
Document Store).
To export a document from your Operator Document Store:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
to export.
4. Right-click on the document in the tree-structure, then select the Export option from
the context sensitive menu.
The Export Item window is displayed.
5. Use the Export Item window to:
• Define the Name for the export file
• Specify the Version for the export file. You need to choose the version of SCX
that is running on the server (system) on which you intend to import the export
files.
NOTE: The Save As type is always set to export.
6. Select the Save button to save the Operator Document Store or document as an
export file and close the Export Item window.
You can now import the export file on another system as required.

Import a Document into your Operator Document Store

You can import any compatible document into any of your Operator Document Stores.
This is useful when you need to transfer operator documents between systems or need
to import operator documents that have been created by other users and saved as
export files.
To import a document into your Operator Document Store:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
3. Expand your Operator Document Stores until you locate the Group that you want to
contain the imported document(s).
4. Right-click on the Group in the tree-structure (or any of the documents that are
stored in the Group), then select one of these options:
• Import—Use this option to import a document. If the import file contains a
document that has the same name as a document that already exists in your
Operator Document Store, the import document will have its name changed
automatically to ensure that the existing document is not overwritten.
• Import & Merge—Use this option to import a document. If the import file
contains a document that has the same name as a document that already exists
in your Operator Document Store, the imported document will overwrite your
existing document.
The Import From window is displayed.
5. In the Import Item window, locate the export file that you want to import, select it,
then select the Open button.
The selected export file is imported and the Import From window is closed.
Save a Copy of a Document into an Operator Document Store

For information on using the Save in Operator Documents option, see Add a Copy of
a Document to your Operator Document Store, on page 13-4.

Organise your Operator Document Stores

You can create Group folders in your Operator Document Stores. The Group folders
allow you to organise your Operator Document Stores so that your documents are
stored in a hierarchy of suitably named groups.
To create a Group in an Operator Document Store:
1. Log on to ViewX.
on page 13-2).
3. Right-click on the Operator Document Store or Group to which you want to add a
Group.
4. Select the New Group option.
A new Group is added to the Operator Document Store. It is selected automatically,
ready for you to define its name.
5. Enter a suitable name for the Group then press the Enter key or select another part of
the interface to confirm your entry.
6. Move documents into the new Group by selecting them in the Operator Document
Store tree-structure and dragging them into the Group. Similarly, you can move
documents out of the Group using the same technique.
Operator Documents organised into a

hierarchy of Groups.
NOTE: Deleting a Group will delete the Group and all of the documents that are stored in
the Group (see Delete a Document in your Operator Document Store, on page 13-7).

Chapter 14 - Terminology
14 Terminology
This section explains the terms that you may see in the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX
Clients.
Client
A computer that connects to, and displays information retrieved from, a server.
Database Item
An item located in the SCX Database which contains configuration information.

I/O
Input / Output.
LAN
Local Area Network.

ODBC
Open Database Connectivity.

OPC
OLE for Process Control–A set of standard specifications aimed at allowing

communication between different SCADA systems.
Pick Action
The result of clicking on a symbol or value.

PLC
Programmable Logic Controller.

PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network.

PV
Process Variable.
RTU
Remote Telemetry Unit.

SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.

Server
A computer that stores data and is capable of supplying the stored data to other
computers (clients).
SQL
Structured Query Language.

Toolbar
A group of icons displayed below the ViewX Client title bar. Each icon performs a
specific action.

Chapter 14 - Terminology
WAN
Wide Area Network.

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ViewX and WebX Clients Guide

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ViewX and WebX Clients Guide

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SCX 6 Guide to

ViewX and WebX Clients

Serial No. PD-6010

Coventry UK Office Australia Head Office

© Serck Controls Ltd. All rights reserved.

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 iii

iv Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Issue Date Author Comments

1 6 May 2005 S Chamberlain Original

2 25 May 2005 G Russ Minor revisions

3 17 Oct 2006 C Wright Added ‘Reset a List’ section

4 18 Dec 2006 C Wright Added ‘Operator Document Stores’

5 10 Jan 2007 C Wright Added extra information on

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 v

vi Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

2 Understanding Your System ................................................................................2-1

4 WebX Client ...........................................................................................................4-1

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 1

Use Custom Hyperlinks on a Mimic in the WebX Client ..................................... 4-14

6 Data Explorer Bars................................................................................................ 6-1

7 Object Menu .......................................................................................................... 7-1

2 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Reset Process Count...................................................................................... 7-8

9 Alarms and Events ................................................................................................9-1

13 Operator Document Stores ................................................................................13-1

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 3

Edit a Document in your Operator Document Store................................................ 13-6

4 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

1 Welcome to the SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

• ViewX Client (see page 3-1).

• WebX Client (see page 4-1).

• Mimics (see page 5-1).

• Data Explorer Bars (see page 6-1).

• Object Menu (see page 7-1).

• Status Display (see page 8-1).

• Alarms and Events (see page 9-1).

• Lists (see page 10-1).

• Trends (see page 11-1).

• Reports (see page 12-1)

• Operator Document Stores (see page 13-1).

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 1-1

1-2 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

2 Understanding Your System

1. Types of System (see page 2-1).

ii. WebX Client (see page 2-7).

3. SCX Server (see page 2-7).

• Systems with Direct Communications (see page 2-2).

• Systems with PSTN Communications (see page 2-3).

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 2-1

Systems with Direct Communications

Most instruments report a signal to an outstation continuously. The outstation stores a

2-2 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

Systems with PSTN Communications

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 2-3

As the outstations in a PSTN-based arrangement are not in continuous communications

When there is no connection When a connection is made, the outstations

Typically, the instruments continuously report measurements to the outstations. The

2-4 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients

The computer you use to perform your tasks is a client computer.

• Access displays, such as Mimics, Trends, and Query Lists.

• View status information.

SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients Issue 5 2-5

You will predominantly use ViewX to access:

2-6 Issue 5 SCX Guide to ViewX and WebX Clients