Siemens - SIMATIC WinCC Unified
 

SIMATIC WinCC Unified is the new Siemens visualisation system for automation applications. The SIMATIC WinCC Unified system includes the SIMATIC WinCC Unified visualisation software and the new SIMATIC HMI Unified Comfort Panels.  The Unified Comfort Panels extend the product range of the SIMATIC Advanced HMIs and are the successors to the SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels. In addition to the new hardware, there are numerous innovative features compared to the SIMATIC Comfort Panels, both in terms of engineering and the runtime environment of the devices. 

Why switch to WinCC Unified 
 

Switching to the WinCC Unified system and hardware components provides a number of distinct benefits: 

• Unified Comfort Panels offer the latest technologies, such as HTML5, JavaScript and scalable ‘SVG’ vector graphics. This makes them more powerful and gives them more features and capabilities than older Comfort Panels, allowing you to get more out of your system. 
• By combining WinCC Unified with Unified Comfort Panels, you benefit from a more powerful and versatile user interface, as well as enhanced security for data and users. This protects your system from potential threats and vulnerabilities. 
• High reusability: The high degree of openness of Unified Comfort Panels makes them easy to integrate into other systems and technologies. Moreover, all platforms can be controlled with the same project. 
• Powerful scripting, combined with the openness to extensions and new applications, allows the functionality of the control device to be extended and easily integrated into an existing IT environment. 
• Unified Comfort Panels are a future-proof investment that will last for years. And because the control system is also developed by Siemens, you are not dependent on third parties. 
• Multi-touch technology makes Unified Comfort Panels especially user-friendly. 
• With a server-client configuration, Unified Comfort Panels can be operated independently via remote access. 
• Industrial EDGE Computing makes the new panel even more versatile with built-in Edge capabilities.  

Modernisation process with switch to WinCC
 

The switch to WinCC Unified is designed as an upgrading process and involves the conversion of a Unified Comfort Panel project or PC runtime project to a Unified Comfort Panel. The update process results in a project that guarantees the same process behaviour as the old application thanks to the new concepts and features. The new project is adapted to the new Unified Comfort Panel (UCP) requirements and provided with a modern style. You can continue to use your existing application without missing out on UCP's new benefits. 

In summary, modernisation to WinCC Unified offers: 

• An effective way to improve flexibility. 
• A more comprehensive structure for quantities. 
• Better security for your application. 
• In addition, your application gets a new look, functionalities and user experience. 

Three ways to switch 
 

When making a system transition, there are three options: 

Migration: This means an automatic transfer of all project data between two systems with just a few clicks. The result is a project in a new system with the same functions. 

Note: For switching to Unified Comfort Panels, there is no option to directly migrate the configuration of Comfort Panels, due to the major functional differences resulting from the evolution of the panels.  

To take full advantage of this evolution, the configuration must be modernised by completely recreating it. In doing so, certain elements of the Comfort Panel configuration can optionally be partially adopted. 

Transition in three steps 
 

For the transition to WinCC Unified, we recommend the following three steps: 

Step 1: Analyse the existing Comfort Panel project. For each project, identify differences, convertible and non-convertible project elements, as well as possible alternative solutions. 

Step 2: Plan the transition. Based on the analysis, select a suitable Unified Comfort Panel and plan the necessary work steps for the transition. 

Step 3: Implement the transition. Manually implement and test the WinCC Unified project. 

Help 

itsme IA is more than happy to support you in all steps and advise you on your choices. 

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