Parker Automaton-CTC announces the release of InteractX version 2.51 of its award-winning, OEM-friendly Windows®-based HMI software.

InteractX 2.51 offers several product enhancements, including:

• Direct tag import and auto creation. InteractX now supports direct tag imports and auto creation of internal HMI tags from supported controllers and input files. This feature will dramatically reduce development times for new HMI applications.

• Nested list functionality added to the input list tool. This new feature allows input list items to other lists, thus easing multi-machine and complex recipe downloads. Machine builders will particularly find this useful in customizing machine applications without VBA programming or custom add-ons.

• Navigation panel tool. This new feature allows rapid development of large HMI applications. Application designers can now create multiple panels with all of the navigation tools and links pre-created by this utility.

• 5 new tools, including the navigation panel, a slider tool, analog clock, toggle pushbutton type and preconfigured launch program button. All of these tools will assist in making application development faster and easier.

• Restored Interact import utility, which will make it easier to transition Interact customers to InteractX.

• More than 20 new graphic objects and features, including free rotation on all objects and tools.

This latest version of InteractX, which is a free upgrade to users of InteractX versions 2.0 through 2.2, also offers the industry's most streamlined HMI toolset for compliance with the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 and Good Manufacturing Process (cGMP) standards that require operator tracking and E-signatures. Known for its advanced graphics, ease of application and reduced cost of ownership, InteractX also includes easy electronic signatures, enhanced user administration, operator authentication, tracking and data logging audit trail functions – all without special scripting or software add-ons.

To receive a free evaluation copy of InteractX, use this link: http://www.ctcusa.com/CTCNET/generalinfo.asp

InteractX's operator tracking and E-Signature tools track events transparently, as part of daily operator activities, or can be used for operator authentication and supervisor approval of E-Sig compliance needs. Simple checkboxes allow application developers to set approval requirements for specific events while allowing operators to indicate desired changes in machine operation, reasons and authentication of his or her identity through simple predefined popup dialogs. Multiple user levels are available to establish approval requirements, and the system logs historical data to record events, requests, identities and approvals, creating a complete audit trail on a machine or group of machines. All of this functionality is built into the standard software package, with no special programming or scripting required.

"Machine HMI presents the best opportunity to address Part 11 and cGMP requirements," says Andy Balderson, product manager. "And now InteractX offers the industry's easiest solution for compliance with the increasing need for operator tracking and E-Sig system requirements."

Machine OEMs will also find it easy to deploy this solution to users in the field, thanks to auto detection of user admin security for Windows networks and seamless IT integration of MS Access, SQL and OBDC database logging. "Machine builders will appreciate the ease with which they can offer machine event tracking with InteractX, and their customers will appreciate how easy it is to manage and document E-Sigs as part of their machine installation," says Balderson.

InteractX also features fully rendered and scalable graphics, intuitive, object-style development tools, unlimited tag runtimes, 65+ standard communications drivers, real-time data acquisition, complete tag editing, integrated VBA and ActiveX tools for easy customization and built-in multi-language support. According to Balderson, "InteractX provides customers with the full functionality needed to create an HMI application – one software package scalable to a whole range of runtime systems."

InteractX runs on Windows/2000/XP operating systems and is installed/licensed on Parker-CTC's new HPX and PX PowerStations. These workstations can run InteractX and other fully functioning Windows applications on their standard CompactFlash drives, potentially making a hard drive unnecessary. HPX and PX PowerStations offer a bundled HMI solution for users who want higher Windows functionality along with a choice of 10", 12", 15" or 17" high-resolution touchscreen displays. Unique among Windows HMI developers, CTC offers InteractX bundled into hardware/software solutions, specifically engineered for industrial applications. "This bundling lets OEMs avoid the integration issues with hardware and software products from different companies, the typical practice until now with Windows HMI," says Balderson.