Functionalities
This page outlines the high-level features provided by the FactoryTouch solution.
Core Features & Integration Points:
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5-Minute Rapid Setup: Terminals offer a rapid 5-minute setup duration process, allowing teams to pair a fresh terminal to any gateway having the Plantformance Device Management module installed
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Dual-Application Flexibility: Terminals provide complete multi-framework versatility, running either an Ignition Vision or a Perspective application natively to suit specific operational requirements.
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Automated Desktop and UI Sync: Ignition Applications shortcuts are automatically built and updated on the terminal, eliminating manual configuration whenever projects are published or modified at the gateway.
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Hybrid Gateway Firmware Lifecycle: Firmwares are automatically updated down to the terminals from the central gateway module. The gateway can either pull updates dynamically from the internet when connected, or administrators can upload firmware versions once (only) directly to the gateway to support completely air-gapped installations.
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Integrated Multi-Peripheral Suite: Features out-of-the-box hardware integrations including a high-performance Honeywell N4680 2D barcode scanner, an ST Micro CR95HF NFC reader (13.56MHz), and integrated Bluetooth.
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Industrial-Grade Hardware Isolation: Built on a rugged fanless chassis utilizing an Elo Touch 21.5” Full HD TouchPro® PCAP touchscreen with edge-to-edge glass and front-side IP54/IP65 splash and dust protection.
Integration Points:
Rather than acting as a bolted-on external tool, FactoryTouch with its management module is deeply embedded into Ignition’s core architecture.
It interacts with the platform across five critical layers:
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Native Tag Provider Replication: The module automatically adds a managed tag provider upon startup. Each physical FactoryTouch terminal natively appears as a dedicated sub-folder within this tag provider, structuring master data, network status, interfaces and performance metrics.
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Bidirectional Peripheral Tag Exposure: Physically connected interfaces (NFC, 2D barcode reader, and optional serial ports) have their hardware data points automatically mapped and exposed out-of-the-box as bidirectional Ignition tags for seamless read/write actions within scripts and views.
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Automated Provisioning and Lifecycle Tracking: A graphical configuration assistant handles zero-touch provisioning at initial terminal boot, automatically establishing connection to the FactoryBrain server or gateway module. Once paired, the gateway tracks the device lifecycle as a unique UDT instance.
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Centralized Gateway UI Presence: The module fully integrates into the standard Ignition Gateway web interface, injecting dedicated, native configuration menus, master-data licensing tools, and real-time operational status dashboards.
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Unified Network and Webserver Integration: Deployed terminals communicate back to the central gateway via standard network wiring (LAN RJ45) without a need for specific port openings. Industrial configurations can be managed, monitored, and pushed remotely from the central web management platform over the single infrastructure.