Overall

This program has been written in 32 bit, for the Windows 2000 and XP platforms.
The user interface has been reworked, to use new windows controls and much updated look.
A single program is used, with all views being accessed within one window (reduces icon clutter and window manipulation skills).

Navigation is provided by a Navigation Tree on the left of the Window.
The Page Title Bar shows in bold text the screen being currently viewed.

A Setup Tools screen is used for all setup operations, with links to describe operations (i.e "Configure Pages and Lines" instead of "Recorder Setup").
Existing Integrators familiar with Version 4 Setup Manager will have no problem with the look and feel of Version 5 Setups.

Software registration for use to lock the software to a computer or to a dongle, easy to upgrade modules using email of licence files.
The software has a trial period of 14 days before registration is required.

A lot of effort has been put in to make sure the setup steps have been streamlined as much as possible, with a heavy emphasis on consistency where possible for users of Version 4 MicroScan. Default settings have been improved to reduce setup steps.

Single user operation only (will not run in a Terminal Services Session or Windows XP Switch User mode).

Program Updates & Testing

MicroScan V5 is continuously tested on Windows 2000 and XP, and as new updates are installed for XP via the internet, any issues with MicroScan are corrected as required. All program changes are listed in an internal company database, and tracked via the build number at the bottom of the Setup Tools screen.
MicroScan Version 4 no longer receives this sort of attention.

When beta copies of Windows Vista are released later this year, MicroScan V5 will be tested on these.

Program Limit Changes

Recorder Page limits 100 pages (was 50), 10 lines per page as for Version 4 (therefore max 1000 lines).
Mimic Page limits 100 pages (was 50).
Tag database now a combined database with up to 5000 tags.
Each tag can be used as input or output as required instead of separate input & output tag databases.

Recorder Changes

Combined view for Line, Data ,Batch and History, the tool bar at the bottom of the screen changes.
Mouse Track, Multi Track work on Line, History and Batch views.
Data Summary screen to show pages & lines values and station locations on the same screen.
Alarm Summary screen to show pages & lines values and alarm setup information on the same screen.
New Disk Store rate 1 second. New line Graph Views down to 15, 5 and 1 minute (depending on disk store rate).
Batch markers added 15, 10, 5, 2, 1 Minute.
Backup of Data improved to zip archives.
Custom Reports up to 10 reports, can store data at a faster rate.
Store files have long file names (Page 1 Current Data.dat etc). Manual Batch File names can use long file names.

Industry leading speed of access of store files on Line Graph displays.

Alarm Changes

Lines can be set to monitor High & Low, High & High, Low and Low, High Only or Low Only.
Data & Alarm Summary screen indicate alarms currently counting with an orange rectangle.
Alarm Monitor to view if any alarms are counting and how much time is left.
Relay Monitor to detect if station relay writes have succeeded.
Alarm Setup Summary dialog to view settings of alarms.
Includes Day of Week Scheduler (From Version 4).
Reset On Hour has a settable time, and is counted from the time that the alarm occurred, not from on the hour.

Mimic Changes

The update of items on the screen will be noticeably faster, especially if a button and analogue object are attached to the same tag.
When the write occurs by the button, a read of the same tag will be forced and then the object will be updated with the new information.
The Navigation Tree & Page Title Bar can be hidden when viewing a mimic screen.

Change in mimic tool bars, plus some enhanced tools to make object sizing and alignment easier (align left etc).
Copy objects via clipboard from one mimic to another. Copy and paste a selection of objects.

MMA Support

Improved integration with Mobile Alarming Version 5.

Station and Interface Support

Use a wizard to Add stations.
Add and setup stations online, without having to Close MicroScan.

Use up to 400 Remote Stations.
2100-XX stations, IN2000-XX stations.
Modbus RTU interface.
Modbus TCP interface.
Direct support for 2100-A16-NET via TCP sockets instead of Port Redirector.
Shimaden Controllers.

Some Interface Support is provided using Version 4 PLC Interfaces

AB SLC-50X, Micro Logix
Omron Interface
Modbus ASCII
Toshiba EX100
Modbus ASCII
Fuji NB, NJ, Micrex

Networking

Support for single active, multiple passives, the number of passives is restricted according to the number purchased.
Licence is installed on Active only.
Once a network folder has been setup by the IT dept, easy MicroScan setup via Wizards.
Auto Updates of passive settings when the settings of the active change.
Remote view and or clear of alarms from a passive.
Remote setup of alarm enables / setpoints from a passive.
Use common alarm log to track alarm clearing, and comment entry. The same log is used by active & passives.
Use Passive View Mask to restrict what pages can be viewed on the Passive (also restricts what alarms can be setup and cleared on a passive).
Use Passive Alarm Monitor for streamlined clearing of alarms.
Netcopy uses file windows notifications to know which data files need to be copied, does not slow down the computer when copying files. 

Support for Multiple Actives & NSERVER, NCLIENT operation to be completed.

On Line Help File

The Help Information has been written into a windows help file viewed on a computer. Includes a Training Guide for Agents.
The help is linked to the actual program, so you can press the F1 key or help button and the help info for that dialog will be displayed.

Log Files

Combined monthly log file for storing logging information such as alarms, event, comments, system messages.
The Operating Log can view all logs to show time based view of how something happened and when. 

Backup and Restore

The same excellent backup and restore support in Version 4 has been retained to allow backups to be created for software support, or moving software from one PC to another.
Backups include diagnostic files to help with support diagnosing problems (event logs etc).
Version 5 backups are not readable into Version 4 and below.

Automatic setup backups are made after program changes, and if it is a network system these backups will be made to the server.

Multiple Job Support

Enhanced support for maintaining several jobs on the one computer. Mainly for agents & integrators, this allows several jobs to exist without interactions between them.
Each job is stored in microscan\My Job Name, with a setup folder for setups and data folder for data.
Use the Select Module Wizard to select Agent mode, to allow the software to run for 4 hours without needing to register the software.
The Wizard is also used to select program modules and PLC interfaces that have been installed.
Use Create New Job to create a job, Select Job to select between previous Jobs.
Only one job can be run at one time.

Upgrading

Install to separate folder from Version 4
Cannot run Version 4 and Version 5 at the same time.
Can go back to Version 4 if required.
Version 5 will not work with a Version 4 dongle.
Startup windows appear as needed to allow selection of upgrade, import or create new job.
Upgrades to Version 5 should always be checked with an Intech Agent to make sure any non standard or custom program will still operate.
Access passwords are the same from Version 4 to Version 5.

Importing

Import Version 4 Tools Backup
Import Version 4 Installation for Version 4 & 5 on same computer.
Both imports can import setups and data or setups only.
Will not import Versions 3 and below (need to be upgraded to Version 4 first).