English

THE INDUSTRY 4.0 PLATFORM

EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.

 A TYPICAL CONTROLLER NETWORK
IN A TYPICAL COMPANY

What does device linking look like today?

7 controllers,
4 CODESYS projects,
4 boot applications,
7 individual parameter sets …

… are processed by multiple developers at different

locations. On top of that, there is an indefinite number
of access rights, certificates, and other additional files.

Who coordinates this, and above all – How?

The CODESYS Automation Server is the Industry 4.0 platform for professional automation.

The CODESYS Automation Server uses conventional web technologies to simplify typical tasks of automation engineers
that are very difficult to solve.
The system allows for convenient administration and commanding of controllers and the installed software in the browser of
a PC, tablet, or smartphone. A ticket system allows assignments to be forwarded in a targeted and secure manner.
The CODESYS Automation Server is intended as ‚Software as a Service‘ and runs in a public cloud infrastructure. Therefore
users do not have to invest in any hardware, and at the same time a higher availability is reached. Services such as traffic or
data volume can be purchased as needed in the CODESYS Store in addition to the standard package.
This means that users only pay for the resources they actually need. Cloud security has top priority with the CODESYS
Automation Server. Production and controller data, source code, and other sensitive information are optimally protected at
all times.

+Currently available functionality

Perfect overview of your control landscape
Including information about topology, controller status, current project, boot application, as well as
application parameters

Controller-specific functions
Such as automatic backup / restore of the application software via ticket system, rollout of application
changes, and usage of application templates

+Progressive extension of functionality

Additional controller-specific functions
Certificate management, firmware update, and user management

Continuous integration processes

With a build server to create the boot application, static code analysis to avoid potential application
errors, profiling for runtime analysis of the PLC program, unit tests for function testing

Central tool data storage

With repositories for devices, libraries etc., as well as installations of the CODESYS Development System

Implementation of individual, specific services on an online server platform

Using a practice-oriented framework for the CODESYS Automation Server

Easy logging and analysis of process data and events

As a lean supplement or alternative to public cloud systems
EASY LINKING:
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE BENEFIT?
The required devices are always linked to the CODESYS Automation Server by an edge gateway, which abstracts the
controllers and thereby clearly separates IT and OT networks. This edge gateway encloses the communication via TLS.
It can be installed either on dedicated hardware or directly on an existing controller.

The linking and administration in an individual controller network takes place

on three levels:
CODESYS Store CODESYS Development System

The first booking of the CODESYS Automation Ser- A seamlessly integrated plug-in in the CODESYS
ver takes place via the CODESYS Store. Subsequent- Development System (version 3.5 SP15 and later)
ly, the CODESYS Store account offers an immediate implements the link to the CODESYS Automation
overview of current usage data and related costs. Server. It allows for the setup of communication
The possibility to scale and limit data traffic, storage between edge gateway and the user`s own server.
space, and number of connected controllers gives It also provides useful services such as project syn-
users full control of all costs. chronization.

CODESYS Automation Server „WebApp“

The CODESYS Automation Server, hosted in a public cloud, is operated and used by means of a single web interface.
The domain name of this website is derived from the desired host name. Available edge gateways and all connected con-
trollers are displayed quickly and clearly. The same goes for stored projects, boot applications, tickets, controller details,
and all other available information.
 DIGITAL TWIN:
PERFECT OVERVIEW
+

+
+
+ +

A digital counterpart to every device in an industrial environment is essential for efficient value creation.
The CODESYS Automation Server creates such a digital counterpart in the cloud for every physical controller
and provides full access to it.

+ Advantages of the Digital Twin

• Centralized and easy management of all devices instead of

complicated management in Excel lists
• Clear and up-to-date display of diagnostic information for all
managed devices
• Easy and time-saving rollout of identical applications on
multiple devices
• Immediate visibility of project assignments to devices instead
of externally managed assignment tables
• Online access to all important device data and functions, such
as parameters / parameter sets, status information, firmware
statuses, application software on the device (boot applicati-
ons), location, as well as users and their access rights

Everything at a glance

Plant operators, application engineers, and service technicians have a complete overview of the controller land-
scape that is customized precisely to their needs – thanks to the digital twin. Depending on the requirements,
this can take the form of a filterable list, a comprehensive detailed view of individual controllers, or a freely
configurable topology view, e.g. for the entire production site or for individual local control cabinets.
In contrast to commercial routers, the CODESYS Automation Server not only knows the IP addresses of all linked
devices, but also the current software status, the current application, and the application parameter sets connec-
ted to the devices. This allows you to detect immediately which controller needs a software update, for example, or
whether a machine is in error-free operation, or which parameters can be used to optimize an application.
 THE TICKET SYSTEM:
EFFICIENT AND SECURE
PROCESSING OF TASKS

Daily maintenance of the controller is not one of the core tasks of the application engineer.
No matter whether a new controller is to be put into operation, a defective one is to be replaced, or a PLC update
with a new application has to be made – the service technician can easily perform these tasks.
This is all made possible by the ticket system of the CODESYS Automation Server.

Processing of assignments with the ticket system

+ The application engineer

+
• Creates new or updated application software
and uploads it onto the CODESYS Automation
Server as a boot application. The CODESYS Automation Server

• Creates an assignment in the CODESYS Auto- • Manages assignments and tickets.

mation Server, e.g. “Download the updated boot
application to controller XYZ“. • Logs the assignment processing.

• Creates a ticket for the assignment, identifiable • Immediately provides an overview of the status
by a QR code. and result of the assignment.

• Forwards the ticket with the QR code to the

service technician, e.g. by e-mail.
Assignments in the control
+ The service technician
landscape cannot be completed
more effectively.
• Does not need knowledge of CODESYS or the
CODESYS Automation Server.
• Does not need personalized access to the
CODESYS Automation Server.
• Scans the QR code of the ticket and receives
the assignment.
• Completes the application engineer‘s assignment
at a convenient time via web interface on the
machine / plant, e.g. during a service break.
• Is granted limited access to the CODESYS
Automation Server only for this job with the
ticket – without additional operating options. AUTOMATION-SERVER.COM
 REPLACEMENTS:
INTELLIGENT DEVICE EXCHANGE
The CODESYS Automation Server also provides an efficient solution for the worst case scenario of every
production line: an unexpected device failure

Even if a replacement device is available, many ques- ble boot application? Where exactly is the affected
tions remain unanswered: controller located? Is there a backup of important
data and where is it?
Which version of the application software was instal-
led before the failure? Where is the respective project The CODESYS Automation Server knows all the ans-
stored? Which version of the development software wers and thus allows you to exchange and commis-
was used to create the application? Is there a suita- sion in the shortest possible time.

+ The CODESYS Automation Server

• Matches the device identifications.

• Automatically determines the correct boot application.
• Installs the boot application including all parameters and
user access rights automatically on the device.
• Saves the backup data in the cloud – the central, natural
storage location.
• Implements a simple, automatable res tore process.
• Uses the ticket system for uncomplicated processing.
• Makes sure the production process restarts within seconds
instead of hours.

Automatic backup

The CODESYS Automation Server automatically and regularly

creates data backups of the controllers, including backups of
applications and device parameters. Thus, the automation
engineer is perfectly prepared in the event of a controller failure.
 APPLICATION REPOSITORY:
PROJECT AND APPLICATION MANAGEMENT

Flexible, easy, and secure

The situation:

A team of application engineers is working on control

projects and applications at different workstations.
How can their work be coordinated safely, easily,
and efficiently?

The solution:
The CODESYS Automation Server!

The procedure: The benefit:

The application engineers upload control projects and The CODESYS Automation Server minimizes ad-
associated boot applications to the CODESYS Auto- ministrative work and the risk of error, especially if
mation Server. several application engineers are working together.
The boot applications can be conveniently rolled out The connected application engineers have worldwide
from the server to the controllers by means of a web access to projects and applications from
interface. a central storage location in the cloud.
Project management can be performed either locally
Every application engineer with access to the in the CODESYS Development System or centrally in
CODESYS Automation Server can download the the cloud by means of a web browser.
source files to his workstation, continue to develop
them, and upload the changes back to the server. Thanks to the future integration of established ver-
These changes can be transferred from the CODESYS sion control systems such as Git® or Subversion® on
Automation Server to other connected workstations. the cloud server, numerous additional functions for
This ensures that all workstations are using the latest professional version and revision management will be
version of the application. available for application engineers.

The result:

Complete control over the version status on the controller, changes in the source code, and collaboration
with colleagues at all times.

MORE CONTROL. MORE OVERVIEW. MORE ADDED VALUE.

Members of the CODESYS Group

CODESYS GmbH
Memminger Str. 151
87439 Kempten, Germany
Tel.: +49 831 54031-0
[email protected]
codesys.com | automation-server.com

CODESYS Italia Srl

Milan, Italy
CODESYS Corporation
Beverly, Massachusetts, USA
CODESYS Software System (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Beijing, P.R. China

11/2019

CODESYS – the manufacturer-independent

IEC 61131-3 automation software.

CODESYS Product Families:

CODESYS® is a registered trademark.

Technical specifications are subject to change.
Errors and omissions excepted. No reproduction
or distribution, in whole or in part, without prior
permission..

Please note:
Not all CODESYS features are available in all
territories. For more information on geographic
restrictions, please contact [email protected].