C-Bus multi-user interface

Hey All,

I am looking for a easily shared (hopefully web enabled) multi-user interface for C-Bus.

We have a system with a main Schedule Plus machine then, many CTCs that are in locations around for local control. The problem is that there are now many different users who require system access and control from a computer. Ie, Security control, Facilities, IS, System Admins ect and having a small screen CTC in the corner of the room that people have to walk over to just see a status ins't cutting it. Also having so many CTCs to update when a change is made is a real time hog and pain.

RDC into the Schedule Plus server isn't really an option because you can only have one user at a time and will kick any other user out when you connect. Server X is again only single user, is very slow and won't work with the current Java. Having a SP/Homegate server farm isn't really feasible.

I am a little surprised that there isn't anything really out there yet and the threat has now been made to take SP out and put the system onto the BMS/SCADA system, which would be a real shame.

The other catch is that the interface needs to be reasonably graphical.

So anyone got any thoughts or suggestions?

 

What C-Bus applications does it need to handle?

How many users?

Cheers

Rohan

 

Hey rhamer

I would say a good starting point would be 4 - 5 simultaneous users.

Apps would be:

(The obvious musts):
All Lighting, Trigger, Enable

(The would be nices):
Error, Measurement, Metering
Obviously with these there would have to be the support to make the data meaningful.

 

CQC is a multiuser platform that supports All Lighting, Trigger, Enable.

A server node will allow many simultaneous connections from clients (both native win and iOS/Android).

www.charmedquark.com

Obviously it [as would any possible solution] would need to be evaluated agaisnt the requriements that you have, but there is a fully functional 40day trial to allow you to do this.

 

CQC was where I was heading also.

Cheers

Rohan

 

Thanks guys, I will have a look.

mmm Well I would if their site supported the latest version of Silverlight!

 

Not sure about the Silverlight problem, the site seems to display ok for me.

Just to give you a bit more background:

CQC is a full multi user Automation package, that does heaps of stuff.

One of the things it can do is interface to C-Bus, which I believe is the only thing you need to interact with?

The way CQC interfaces to equipment is via the concept of a driver, that can be written to "translate" the specific device protocol to match the CQC interface objects. These drivers can be written by anyone in one of 2 formats (depending on the complexity required). As it happens I wrote the C-Bus driver which I believe is still the one being used.

The reason I am telling you this, is because at the time the only free option for C-Bus interfacing was to use the Public Release Protocol, which is a subset of the full C-Bus protocol. Given it is only a subset, the Public Release has limitations, so You need to be sure it will do everything your client requires.

The other option is to write a new driver against the now available full protocol that does what you need. However be aware this would take some considerable time and effort.

Another piece of work that needs to be undertaken is the actual building of the user interface pages (screens). This can likely be done by yourself or a reasonably technical person using the tools provided with CQC.

Also I have been away from CQC for a little while, and Mick (znelbok) is more up to date than me (and probably quite good at building screens).

Cheers

Rohan