FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13 introduces several major features designed to improve data visualization, system flexibility, and server-side automation Rockwell Automation Core Version 13 Features XY Plot Object
: A new graphic object that allows operators to analyze the relationship between two sets of data (tag values) against each other over time. Data Grid Source
: A new data source for the Data Grid object that enables the display of historical data log information in a tabular format directly on the HMI. .NET Control Support
: Users can now develop and integrate their own custom .NET controls into FactoryTalk View SE applications for greater extensibility. Enhanced PowerShell Scripting
: Expands on capabilities from previous versions to allow bidirectional data interactions, including the ability to write information back to HMI tags using server-side scripts. Redundant System Synchronization
: Adds an option to automatically synchronize HMI memory tag values between active and standby HMI servers to maintain consistency during failovers. Client-Specific Tags
: Introduces memory tags that are specific to each individual client and user session in a distributed system, allowing for customized client-side behavior. Chromium-Based Web Browser
: The web browser object now supports Microsoft Edge as a rendering engine alongside Internet Explorer. Rockwell Automation Operational and Security Enhancements System Status Portal
: A new webpage that provides a high-level overview of the status of all application servers, including HMI, Alarms, and Events servers. Electronic Signature (E-Signature) Improvements
: New E-Signature tabs for multistate push buttons and enhanced diagnostic audit messages for value changes. FactoryTalk Batch Integration
: Includes built-in HMI controls like BatchesList, PromptsList, and SFC for seamless integration with FactoryTalk Batch processes. Simplified Licensing
: A new pricing model bundles HMI servers with fixed numbers of clients (5, 10, or 25) and includes unlimited displays and FactoryTalk ViewPoint web clients. Rockwell Automation For detailed implementation, you can reference the FactoryTalk View SE User's Guide for instructions on configuring these new objects. Rockwell Automation Are you planning to an existing project or starting a fresh installation of Version 13?
FactoryTalk View Site Edition User's Guide - Literature Library
FactoryTalk View SE version 13 focuses on operational efficiency and data connectivity, introducing several long-awaited objects and backend scripting improvements. The release also marked a shift in Rockwell's commercial model, bundling more features into standard server licenses. Key New Features
XY Plot Object: A specialized trend object that plots one set of tag values against another, allowing operators to analyze relationships between two variables over time rather than just time-based trends.
.NET Control Object: Supports reusable and custom Windows Forms and WPF controls, enabling developers to use third-party libraries or build bespoke UI elements directly in the HMI.
Data Grid Object: Allows users to display historical data log models and information from Microsoft SQL databases in a clean, tabular format.
Client-Specific Tags: New memory tags that are unique to each client and user session. This is particularly useful for building custom navigation menus or client-specific animations without complex scripting.
HMI Tag Synchronization: A new redundancy option that automatically synchronizes memory tag values between active and standby HMI servers to ensure consistency during a failover. System & Performance Enhancements
Chromium-Based Web Browser: The Web Browser object now supports Microsoft Edge (Chromium) as its rendering engine, moving away from the aging Internet Explorer standard.
Bi-directional PowerShell Scripting: Expands on previous versions to allow server-side PowerShell scripts to write data back to HMI tags, simplifying integration with IT systems and external data sources.
TrendPro Enhancements: Hovering over a line now displays the tag's caption instead of just the tag name, and new VBA properties support single-trace or stacked axis modes.
FactoryTalk System Status Portal: A web-based dashboard that provides an overview of all application servers (HMI, Alarm & Event, and Data) and their current status. Licensing & Bundling Changes Version 13 introduced a simplified pricing model:
Unlimited Displays: All server bundles now include unlimited displays by default.
Built-in ViewPoint: Activation is no longer required for FactoryTalk ViewPoint; unlimited web and mobile clients are included with every server and station bundle.
Server Bundles: Offered in Small (5 clients), Medium (10 clients), and Large (25 clients) packages to reduce the complexity of purchasing individual components. Hardware Requirements
For a computer hosting the HMI Server or Data Servers in a network application, Rockwell recommends: Processor: Quad-core Intel Xeon, 2.33 GHz or higher. RAM: 4 GB (minimum 2 GB). factorytalk view se version 13
If you are planning an upgrade, I can help with a migration checklist or detail the security changes regarding HMI Area Security—which ViewSE – v13: What's New In FactoryTalk View Site Edition
Rockwell recently released version 13.00 of FactoryTalk View Site Edition, and below I'll summarize the new and enhanced features, The Automation Blog
FactoryTalk View Site Edition Software - Rockwell Automation
FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) version 13 (v13) introduced several major features focusing on platform modernization, improved scripting, and simplified licensing Rockwell Automation Key New Features in Version 13 Client-Specific Tags
: Memory tags can now be scoped to individual client/user sessions. This allows you to drive operator-specific behavior (like unique navigation menus or object visibility) without affecting other active clients in a distributed system. Bi-directional PowerShell Scripting
: v13 expands the server-side scripting engine introduced in v12 to allow bidirectional data interaction. You can now write information back to HMI tags directly using PowerShell. New Visualization Objects XY Plot Object
: A specialized trend tool used to plot one tag value against another (rather than just vs. time), ideal for showing relationships between two sets of data. Data Grid Object : Allows users to display FactoryTalk View SE Data Log Models or Microsoft SQL data in a tabular, grid-based format. Modern Web Integration Web Browser object
now supports Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based rendering) in addition to Internet Explorer. .NET Control Support
: Developers can now import and use reusable custom .NET controls (Windows Forms and WPF) directly in HMI applications. Rockwell Automation Licensing and Commercial Changes
Starting with v13, Rockwell simplified its HMI licensing structure: Rockwell Automation Unlimited Displays
: All SE server bundles now include unlimited displays by default. Built-in Web Clients
: FactoryTalk ViewPoint web clients are now included for free. You no longer need to purchase separate ViewPoint licenses for v13 systems. Simplified Bundles
: Servers are offered in "Small" (5 clients), "Medium" (10 clients), or "Large" (25 clients) bundles, all with unlimited web clients. Rockwell Automation Installation and Setup Tips
FactoryTalk View Site Edition is HMI software ... - Release Note
Title: The Ghost in the Gethouse Subject: A migration and troubleshooting story centered on FactoryTalk View SE Version 13.
The fluorescent lights of the control room hummed in a frequency that matched the headache throbbing behind Elias’s eyes. Outside the reinforced glass, "Old Bess"—the massive, decade-old mixing unit—groaned under the strain of the weekend production run.
"She’s ghosting again, Elias," the shift supervisor, Marcus, said over the comms. His voice crackled with static. "The HMI is showing Tank 4 pressure at zero, but the local gauge is pegged at 400 PSI. We’re flying blind."
Elias rubbed his temples. "I told you, Marcus. The old RSView32 application is running on a Windows XP thin client that’s held together with duct tape and prayers. The tags are stale. The COM interfaces are crashing."
"Save the IT speech," Marcus snapped. "Just fix it. Corporate is watching the downtime numbers."
Elias looked at his laptop. It was time. He had stalled long enough. He had the installation media loaded: FactoryTalk View SE Version 13.
For months, the plant had resisted the upgrade. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, the Plant Manager always said. But it was broke. It had been broke for years. Elias plugged into the engineering network and opened the development environment.
Version 13 looked different. The interface was cleaner, darker, aligning with the modern Rockwell Automation studio aesthetic. It felt less like the clunky software of the early 2000s and more like a professional development suite.
"Initiating migration," Elias muttered to himself.
He pointed the Migration Tool at the legacy application file. The old screens—clunky bitmap graphics with jagged edges—were imported.
Warning: Legacy ActiveX controls detected. Warning: VBA code syntax requires review.
Elias grimaced. The "Ghost in the Gethouse" wasn't a supernatural entity; it was a mess of unsupported VBA scripts written by an engineer who had retired ten years ago. The old system used complex, fragile code to handle the data logging because the old SQL servers were too slow. FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13 introduces
Elias opened a migrated screen. The Tank 4 graphic was a disaster. But then he looked at the Project Explorer in Version 13.
"Okay," he whispered. "Let’s see what you can do."
He dove into the Tag Database. In the old version, managing thousands of tags was a nightmare of scrolling text. In Version 13, the integration with the Logix 5000 controller was seamless. He could browse the controller tags directly. He bypassed the old, bloated polling rates and set up Direct Tags with optimized packet requests.
He spent three hours refactoring the screens. He deleted the wonky VBA scripts that were causing the memory leaks. In their place, he used Version 13’s native features. He set up Data Log Models that pushed data directly to an SQL Express instance without the need for clunky middleware. He configured FactoryTalk Alarms and Events, replacing the old banner alarms with a modern, sortable list that would actually show the time the alarm occurred, rather than five minutes later.
"Status?" Marcus’s voice boomed over the radio.
"Coming up for air," Elias said. "I’m compiling the runtime application. I’m going to deploy it to the new server."
"New server? We didn't approve a new server."
"It’s the Dell box under my desk that IT decommissioned last week," Elias admitted. "But it’s running Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and it’s a beast compared to that toaster you have in the rack. I’m going to push the SE Network Distributed application."
Elias hit the Apply button. The progress bar crawled across the screen. Validating displays... Verifying tag definitions...
Suddenly, a red error banner flashed. Connection Failure: RSLinx Enterprise cannot locate the PLC shortcut.
"Come on," Elias hissed. He checked the RSLinx Enterprise configuration within the View SE setup. He realized the migration had ported over an old, static IP address that the IT department had changed two years ago. The system was trying to talk to a ghost.
He quickly updated the device shortcut, pointing it to the new IP of the ControlLogix PLC. He hit Apply again. The status light in the communications diagnostic panel turned from red to a comforting, steady green.
"Okay, Marcus," Elias said, keying the mic. "I’m going to switch the client over. Stand by. It might look different."
"Don't care. Just want to see the pressure."
Elias launched the runtime client on the server. The screen flickered for a second, then the new interface loaded. It was crisp. The graphics were high-resolution, scaling perfectly to the 24-inch monitors. The buttons had a modern, flat design.
But the most important part was the top right corner. The Tank 4 Pressure indicator.
It hovered at 402 PSI.
"I see it!" Marcus shouted. "I see the numbers matching the local gauge! You did it!"
Elias let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He watched the historical trend object on the screen. In the old system, trend lines would freeze and lag. Now, with Version 13’s optimized data buffering, the line moved smoothly, archiving the pressure spike that had just occurred.
"Elias, the alarm banner is scrolling," Marcus said, sounding calmer now. "It says 'High Pressure Warning' at 14:02. That happened... two minutes ago."
"That’s real-time logging for you," Elias said, leaning back in his chair. "And the best part? It’s using half the CPU of the old system. The memory leak is gone."
"What version did you say this was?"
"FactoryTalk View SE Version 13," Elias said, watching the smooth animation of the agitator on the HMI. "It has better support for modern OS, improved security, and the VBA engine actually behaves."
"Keep it running," Marcus said. "Old Bess likes it."
Elias smiled and saved the project. The ghost of the legacy system was finally exorcised. He minimized the development studio, leaving the runtime running, steady and solid. He took a sip of cold coffee. It was going to be a good shift.
Introduction to FactoryTalk View SE Version 13 The fluorescent lights of the control room hummed
FactoryTalk View SE (Software Engineering) version 13 is a powerful human-machine interface (HMI) software solution developed by Rockwell Automation. It provides a comprehensive platform for creating intuitive and interactive operator interfaces that enable efficient and effective control of industrial automation systems.
Key Features and Enhancements in FactoryTalk View SE Version 13
FactoryTalk View SE version 13 offers a range of exciting features and enhancements that improve the development, deployment, and maintenance of HMI applications. Some of the key features and enhancements include:
System Requirements for FactoryTalk View SE Version 13
To ensure smooth installation and operation of FactoryTalk View SE version 13, the following system requirements must be met:
Best Practices for Implementing FactoryTalk View SE Version 13
To maximize the benefits of FactoryTalk View SE version 13, follow these best practices:
Common Applications of FactoryTalk View SE Version 13
FactoryTalk View SE version 13 is commonly used in various industries, including:
Troubleshooting and Support for FactoryTalk View SE Version 13
If you encounter issues with FactoryTalk View SE version 13, refer to the following resources:
By following this content, you should have a solid understanding of FactoryTalk View SE version 13 and be able to effectively implement and utilize the software in your industrial automation applications.
FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13 (CPR9 SR13) provides a scalable HMI/SCADA solution with specific design considerations for system sizing and hardware redundancy. Key requirements include Windows 10 compatibility and recommended hardware, such as a Quad-core Intel Xeon processor, to ensure optimal system performance. For more details, visit Rockwell Automation. Design Considerations - FactoryTalk® View Site Edition
FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13 is a powerful HMI/SCADA solution designed for everything from single-station monitoring to large-scale, distributed server-client applications Rockwell Automation Key New Features in Version 13 .NET Support
: You can now develop and integrate custom .NET controls directly into your SE applications. Enhanced PowerShell
: Features an expanded PowerShell scripting engine with bidirectional data interaction, allowing you to write information back to HMI tags. Client-Specific Tags
: Displays can now use tag values specific to an individual user session, enabling customized behavior for different clients in a distributed system. ThinManager Integration
: Includes a GUI for configuring ThinManager Logix PinPoint directly from the Alarm and Event Summary toolbar. Rockwell Automation System Requirements Operating Systems
: Supported on Windows 10 (versions 2004 through 21H2), Windows 11, and Windows Server versions from 2012 up to 2019.
: For HMI servers, it is recommended to use at least a Quad-core Intel Xeon 2.33 GHz or higher with 4 GB of RAM. Prerequisites
: Requires Internet Information Services (IIS) and specific Windows networking elements for distributed applications. Rockwell Automation Installation & Setup Guide Design Considerations - FactoryTalk® View Site Edition
Upgrading to FactoryTalk View SE Version 13 requires careful planning. Below are the official minimum requirements:
| Component | Requirement | | :--- | :--- | | Processor | Quad-core 2.4 GHz (3.0+ GHz recommended for 10+ clients) | | RAM | 16 GB (32 GB for mixed Workflow/AssetCentre installs) | | Disk Space | 20 GB (SSD strongly recommended for alarm/tag history) | | Operating System | Windows Server 2022 or Windows 11/10 IoT LTSC | | Database | Microsoft SQL Server 2019 or 2022 (Express no longer sufficient for large sites) | | FactoryTalk Services Platform | Version 6.40 (included with install) | | .NET Framework | .NET 6.0 (Runtime & SDK) |
Version 13 introduces improvements that align FactoryTalk Alarms and Events closer to ISA-18.2 standards.
FactoryTalk View SE V13 includes an updated graphics engine that supports scalable vector graphics (SVG) for cleaner, resolution-independent displays. Additionally, developers can now embed WebView controls directly into SE displays. This allows operators to view web-based dashboards (e.g., PowerBI, historical analytics, or third-party OPC UA web clients) without leaving the HMI environment.
Version 13 continues to support Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for custom logic behind graphics. This allows engineers to create complex, custom ActiveX controls and faceplates. While VBA is legacy technology, its presence ensures that existing codebases from older versions (v10, v11, v12) can be migrated with minimal re-engineering.