DataHub WebView Makes High-Quality Web HMI Accessible to All

Georgetown, Ontario (August 2, 2011) Cogent Real-Time Systems now offers unlimited data and client connections to DataHub® WebView™, which merges Microsoft® Silverlight® technology with the Cogent DataHub's real-time data integration platform to create a high-performance, user-friendly, web-based HMI. Solving the problems of speed, graphics quality, and high-priced client connections, DataHub WebView rivals traditional desktop HMI applications, without their limitations.

"This is capable of handling thousands of different data points, updating anywhere from 10 to 50 times per second in the web browser, supporting a system where you've got computers that are countries apart," said Ken Collins, Cogent's Architect and Lead Developer for DataHub WebView in a recent interview with Pete Brown on Microsoft's Channel 9.

"The display and editor are all Silverlight," Ken continued, "which makes it easy to build controls that represent real-world environments. The graphic quality and scalability of the controls is phenomenal. Even though it runs in a browser, the WebView editor gives a complete editing environment with toolbars, menu systems, and tabbed controls. Our clients don't have to install something, and then 'publish' it for the web. The design surface is part of the app. You just navigate to the URL and away you go."

"Having worked with multiple manufacturing and utilities customers in the past, I can see how the DataHub WebView tool would be extremely useful in coming up with easy-to-use, real-time status monitoring and control systems that would assist instead of getting in the way," said Mike Bazarewsky, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Senior Consultant.

Backing up the Silverlight-based web interface is the Cogent DataHub, which provides real-time connectivity between embedded hardware, factory-floor systems, and management applications. "We have spent more than 15 years refining the underlying DataHub technology, and this investment in time and effort has allowed us to bring our web HMI product to market in record time," said Andrew Thomas, President of Cogent Real-Time Systems.

Leveraging Microsoft's .NET-based Silverlight platform and the Cogent DataHub back-end leads to cost savings that can be passed directly on to the consumer. The patent-pending technology enables hundreds of simultaneous data and client connections in a highly efficient manner for virtually unlimited connectivity. At the same time, the use of Silverlight tools has accelerated the development of the DataHub WebView interface. As a result, Cogent can now offer a high performance, full featured web HMI providing unlimited data and client connections for under $3000.

DataHub WebView and the Cogent DataHub are developed and maintained by Cogent Real-Time Systems. Founded in 1995, Cogent provides proven middleware products to enable real-time data integration and distribution for industrial, embedded, and financial systems. Customers include Siemens, ABB, Honeywell, IBM, GE, Statoil, Goodyear, BASF, Cadbury Chocolate, and the Bank of Canada. Cogent DataHub and DataHub WebView are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Cogent Real-Time Systems Inc.