The software manages versions and ancestors of automation project files, programs, documentation, and configuration information, storing information in a central secured location. The software may be used, Mr. Bentley says, without user training, protecting source code and ensuring against mishaps. Karl Schulmeisters, technical evangelist, says there s an effort to unify and simplify the underlying security tools Microsoft and partners provide, so people don t necessarily have to sign-in with every application used. Authentication and opt-in would integrate access to applications as the user prescribes. Audit trails, where an authorized user can see where changes are made, are expected in a future version.
Encryption is available, as well as flexible login and rights options.
Mariela Zambrano, Wonderware, systems specialist, explains that the software administrator, using features of Microsoft Windows Terminal Services and Windows 2000, can set group attributes and assign new users to that group. With the Terminal Services Manager, a user with proper access can centralize administrative and security tasks. From a vendor point of view, a centralized management system requires a more flexible security strategy to ensure copies aren't improperly copied or distributed. Wonderware, for North American sales, has moved to an easier software-based licensing schema. Control Engineering Online search .