# The iplus-framework is a Low-Code software platform that combines database-based with object-oriented application development and its presentation layer. It functions as both development and runtime environment. Basically it is an extension of the .NET framework (NET 7) from Microsoft so that service-oriented client / server applications can be developed more easily, flexibly and quickly.

You can use it to develop

• transaction-based systems,
• SCADA applications,
• mobile solutions,
• time critical and scalable backend solutions (Multitier)
• machine controls with frontend
• Industrial Internet of Things application (IIoT) ...

with a uniform programming model. By "uniform" is meant that it makes no difference whether you develop a class for server-side or client-side use. A transaction-based form is programmed in the same way as a communication component or an automation object such as a motor or temperature sensor.

# You can also provide your solutions as software components, which other developers and project engineers can use to provide their end customers with an integrated overall solution. A project engineer does not have to have any programming skills, because he only has to orchestrate the components via drag & drop in the iplus development environment. Server-Side components runs also on Linux (for IIoT purposes).

This new approach enables a huge increase in productivity and an unprecedented ease of use and simplicity for developers, project engineers, consultants and end users.

# An object-oriented, component-based and service-oriented framework forms the core of iplus-framework. This means that all classes or components are only instantiated through the configuration in the database. There is no need to compile an entire system and direct references between assemblies are not necessary because instances communicate with each other via a neutral interface.

# The communication between the instances takes place either in the local memory space or distributed over many network nodes. The developer is completely freed from all network programming. Which instances run on which computer can only be set with a few mouse klicks in the iplus environment. This network-transparent approach enables unlimited scalability of the overall system. The integrated graphical workflowengine is also scalable. The system is completely event-driven in order to enable almost real-time processing and presentation.

# Just as the instances (model) are decoupled from each other, the presentation level (view) is also completely decoupled from the model and only saved in the database. The advantage of this approach is that other people who are not developers can adapt the UI during runtime to their needs without having any programming skills and to know how the deeper software levels work (e.g. network communication, database access ...) and that according to the WYSIWYG principle. This is also an enormous advantage for project engineers and consultants, because the customization can be carried out extremely quickly. With the iplus framework, you receive a SCADA system as a "by-product", which however, is much more powerful and flexible than the classic SCADA systems because it no longer makes a difference whether you want to design an motor, a communication driver, a workflow class or a transaction-based mask.

# Microsoft Visual Studio® allows you to develop your own libraries set on the iplus-framework. There are only a few rules to comply with in order to set up so-called automation components. While doing so you can focus entirely on implementing your logic; other complexities such as networktransparent event processing, asynchronous method calls, access to databases, persistence of objectstatuses, remain hidden. This abstraction allows for a universal programming of all classes including, among others, transaction-based business objects, such as warehouse management components, automation objects, e.g. valves, engines, and communication objects, such as ERP connection, mail components, scanner. The same programming model is used for all classes and it is always easy to use!

# Minor project-specific customizations can be developed straight in the iplus development environment without the use of Microsoft Visual Studio®. The development environment consists mainly of a project configurator, a user interface designer, a workflow designer, and a code editor. Compiled classes from assemblies can be virtually extended by properties, methods, designs in the object-oriented sense. Therefore, it makes no difference whether you add properties to database tables (entity framework) or configure a class for plc-communication with process variables. This abstraction and standardization leads to better reusability and extensibility and a shorter training time in existing projects for other people.

# Since the iplus development environment is programmed with the iplus-framework, you can expand it as well and tailor it to the project requirements, build your own tools to speed up your day-to-day business and reduce your period of project development significantly.

# How you use iplus-framework is completely free.

# Either you use the standard iplus frontend or you make your own product with your own brand name.

# You can also distribute your solution as a software component hosted on other iplus installations (Runtime). This is done purely by configuration in the iPlus development environment (orchestration) where components from other manufacturers are also integrated. Thus, your product runs together with other products on the same target system. In addition, your software components and components from other vendors can communicate with each other without having a direct DLL dependency.

# Regardless of whether they distribute it component-based or as their own end product, iplus includes an integrated license manager. With this, you can protect your products from unauthorized use.

# iplus-framework also comes with a built-in package management system that helps you export your libraries, project configuration, designs etc. as update package. That enables you to provide your licensees with updates and to supply your customers with modifications tailored to their project requirements which you tested in advance on your own development system. It is even possible to transfer updates directly from one database to another.

# The concept of the loose coupling of components, enables iplus-framework updates, that we deliver, to be installed independently of your package updates.

# The iplus package management system is similar to the use of nuget, but with the main differences that

• the software components do not have to be linked together by a final compilation,
• that a software package can only be declarative (no .NET assemblies, only project configuration files and GUI description in XAML),
• the packages can be added during runtime (e.g. in a production system).

# This has the following advantages:

Different parties (project engineers, consultants, developers, teams) can work independently of one another on an overall solution.

For time-critical systems, the overall solution can sometimes even be expanded during productive operation. If a suitable time window is then available, the iplus-framework services can be restarted with the fully configured setting.

Integrated change request management: configurations that have been created on test systems (local computer, shared test system ...) can be transferred to the productive system via export / import.

# The vector-based 2D-/3D user interface (WPF) is generated dynamically out of the database (XAML). Designs can be overwritten in order to suit the object orientation. The whole user interface, such as forms, controls, can be customized during runtime while still remaining updateable. What’s more, it is adaptive and adjusts to all screen resolutions. For mobiles we use MAUI.

# Hierarchical and consistent alarm system for all components. Unlimited alarm history and relationships with application data, e. g. production order, batch, material management …

# Logging process variables. Each property of any given instance can be logged event-based and displayed in a graph. Such graphs can plot both live and history data on various scales. The chart control offers many different setting and presentation options.

# FAQ: Desktop/Mobile vs. Browser?

What we often forget: The actual purpose of the browser is to transmit information to unkown users. And the actual purpose of cloud computing is load balancing and scalability when the number of users using Internet services unexpectedly increases. If you know the user - where is the problem starting a local App that connects to services via Internet/Intranet?
The argument of simple application delivery via cloud for enterprise applications versus on-premises is weak if the on-premise deployment is done well and easy without any installation (One-Click). And a MVC-pattern with different programming languages and complicated JS-frameworks on server and client side is not the right choice if you want to build applications for well-known users efficiently and timesaving. The MVVM pattern of clean separation of view and model is technically a much better solution. More about MVVM

# ISA-S88 (DIN EN 61512).

# Graphic workflow-designer for programming all kinds of process sequences. This allows you to model  your own business processes of any kind (e.g. production processes, logistic processes, machine controls...).

# Graphic program sequence history. All steps of a process that are performed on executing a workflow or batch are logged along with their parameters enabling you to view the audit trail as a Gantt chart in the log viewer. A comfortable and extensive search system assists users in spotting and improving process issues.

# Varied options for analysis and logging. In the object explorer (live-debugger) the object status of all instances can be visualized and controlled along with their settings on the server or client.

# OPC-UA, Modbus-TCP, RFC1006 (Simatic®) drivers.

# Converter and adapters All engineering offices use different ways of programming their PLC. We offer you the perfect means to adapt iplus-framework quickly and easily to the PLC model you’re using in order to reduce the period of project development significantly.

# Complete Beckhoff®-TwinCAT3®-Integration. Our iPlus automation component model has also been implemented in TwinCAT3®in order to allow you to represent your iPlus project almost one-to-one in TwinCAT®. The built-in Twin- CAT project synchronizer generates or synchronizes your whole iPlus-project with the TwinCAT® project. After the synchronization is complete you are only left to program the remaining project-specific logic. Using our special TwinCAT communication driver communication with all objects works plug-and-play and there will be nothing left for you to configure. The iPlus visualization is constantly being updated in the millisecond range owing to the event-based programming technology. With iPlus you can save 80% of the time that would be spent programming your PLC and 100% configuration time.

# XAML-based graphical report generator. Reports can be generated from data bases as well as from the whole available object model using component live data, serializable objects etc.

# Multilingualism. As many languages as desired can be added. It allows you to translate functions as well as property -values of application tables.

# A group-based rights management system allows you to assign read and write access for all objects, properties and methods. What does this mean in concrete terms? No matter what type of class or component is registered in the iplus development environment, it is up to the rights management. Whether you want to administer a power-on command for a motor instance, a posting method in a warehouse management class, the property of an entity object (table field), or access to a process variable of a configured PLC driver - everything is consistent thanks to the abstraction of the iplus framework!

# Role-based online documentation system. Documentation can be represented and linked according to different roles.

# Corporate Design. You can adapt the style and design of iPlus to suit your design standards and your company’s Corporate Identity.

# Which features does a MES (Manufacturing Execution System) system need today in order to meet the challenges of the competition in modern industry?

These requirements are the basis in the development of iplus-MES. With iplus-MES you completely close the gap between the company level (ERP) and the field level at the highest technological level.

# iplus-MES is a product that was developed with the iplus-framework. This is a standard software that is highly configurable and adaptable due to the advantages that the iplus-framework brings with it. That is why it can be expanded to different sectors and customer-specific solutions. We have already covered a large part of the requirements from process technology with our own industry add-ons.

# If you are an end customer,
you can purchase it directly from us and we help you to introduce the software. We can also implement your individual wishes, which are not included in the standard, as a customer add-on.

# If you are an engineering company or an integrator,
you can roll it out with your own customers. Due to the object and service-oriented architecture of the iplus-framework, you can expand and adapt everything in the MES modules for your industries.

Here: Download MES brochure!

# The database model serves as the base on which various production and business processes can be depicted. We put great emphasis on creating a completely normalized model that adapts to your production and IT system landscape, not the other way round. The ease of adaption can only take effect if you’re using the right “chassis” such as our iplus-framework.

# As an integrator, you can also expand the database model for your purposes or you can use your own model that reuses parts from our MES model. This freedom is possible because you decide for yourself on which software levels you want to set on:

1. iplus-framework.
2. iplus-MES, which builds on level 1.
3. Your specially developed industry solution, which is either built on level 2 or directly on level 1.
4. Your customer solution that builds on level 3.

# iplus-MES is not dedicated to specific industries but can be used in both process and production technology. The special structure of our iplus-framework allows for customized extension of the MES features by sectoral features. This way, iplus-MES has come to be in use in various industries.

# With its failure-free merging of production cycles, iplus-MES helps you stay one step ahead of the competition and achieve a perfect utilization of resources and the highest possible efficiency. In addition, all processes are rendered considerably more transparent.
Read at Wikipedia, which benefits you have with a MES and why you should consider to introduce it in your factory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_execution_system

# Facts and Figures:

• >30 Installations, >500 Workplaces/Users, >4000 Machines and Devices
• 100% successful projects,
• 100% satisfied customers (Ask us for our references),
• Best price/performance ratio of any competitor and best ROI. (Ask for a non-binding offer),
• Investment security through on-premise license model. (Due to the cloud hype in recent years, the TCO has increased enormously. Cloud and Industry 4.0 are two completely different things.)

# “With iplus-MES you make the right business decision in the long term!”

# The master data management comes with a basic set of properties that are commonly used in a lot of industries. Through the iplus-framework, the database model (entity framework) can be extended to include more project- or industry specific properties, relationships and complex structures without losing updatability! Some of the most important master data are:

• # material master (groups, GMP, type of material)
• # quantity units and conversion rules
• # hierarchical model of storage location and stockyard
• # lab and quality master data
• # client and address management
• # staff and visitor administration
• # vehicle and motor pool master data
• # RFID/Smart Card management
• # service and maintenance data
• # workflow management
• # Bill of materials / formulas

# The variety of the aforementioned master data illustrates how wideranging iplus-MES is. Its one specific feature, however, is its production technology. Through a ingeniously method, we call it “a strict entity separation with progressive concretization”, iplus-MES can depict any production process.

Basic components are:

# Graphic process workflows with inheritable parameters and routing rules. iplus workflows are universally applicable, for instance for production control, interface communication, business processes, and can be created or programmed by the end user on different levels of abstraction.

# Material workflows for modelling flows of materials and relating them with process workflows.

# Bills of material related to material workflows and process workflows.

We continued our principle of „strict entity separation with progressive concretization“ in production:

# Production order: All process parameters, routing rules, material compositions defined in the master data can be refined and concretized using inheritance mechanisms. In addition batch plans and prioritization rules can be set up. After the start of both manual and timed production all data that are part of the production order can be monitored live such as the amounts used and produced including their lot and batch designation and the graphic record of production. Long term storage of production data is nearly unlimited, i.e. only limited by the maximum capacity of the database.

# Process control and visualization: here is no automation process in iplus-MES that runs hardcoded. The system control uses workflows that are instantiated dynamically in the background. Each workflow node has its own status and acts autonomously in a large network of so-called automation components, which are structured and connected similar to the internet. Having its own defined task or function, each automation component comes with different features and in varying states and in turn triggers other automation components it is related to. This more or less indirectly creates an organized process flow.

The process flow and the complete process status are graphically represented in the visualization and process control. Depending on the authorisation level of the user, the cycle and every individual status can be managed down to the smallest detail via user interface in order to keep complete control over the production. Using iPlus, you never experience pending processes that have to be fixed by a programmer, since iPlus functions as development, runtime and diagnostic environment all in one.

# Simulation: Most PPS systems are based on the MRP II approach and traditional capacity planning. That reinforces a basic source of error: The planning calculations are done with predefined algorithms and do not take into account the status of all machines in a facility. These other systems do not control the machines, they only treat them as black box.

„This approach does not meet the requirements of industry 4.0.”

Rather, the same logic that manages the system control or MES (manufacturing execution system) has to be implemented in the planning algorithm as well. And this is where the unique feature of iplus-MES come into play: With its process control logic already implemented in the automation components and its process cycles managed via workflows, iplus-MES allows you to run the production in fast motion in a mirrored testing system. This way, all automation components are put into simulation mode and the production system is run in a “sand box” of sorts. The simulation result reflects the real production process and helps you recognize shortages in resources in advance.

# Warehouse management

• with or without lot designation
• minimum and maximum reporting and tolerance limit
• monitoring of expiration dates
• material reservation
• accounting history
• various inventory views
• inventory
• daily, weekly, monthly and annual reports

# Procurement

• contract management
• order management
• delivery notes

# Sales

• contract management
• order processing
• delivery notes
• accounting

Warehouse management is often situated as a grey area in between the fields of responsibility of ERP (enterprise resource planning) and MES systems. Intersections between systems are common in this area. Integration into both systems is considerably facilitated and sped up the more flexible the respective data models are and the more clearcut the separation between the software layers is. iplus-MES takes a lead role in the implementability of such scenarios.

# Guest admittance and on-site list

• RFID and Smart Card technology

# Route planning

# Order picking

• in production, incoming goods and outgoing goods and load planning

# Acceptance of goods and loading control

• semi- and fully automatic.

# Materialtransports

Like warehouse management logistics is an interdisciplinary matter. Planning tasks are commonly carried out on ERP level, while operations are performed with MES. iplus affords you the freedom of adapting features to best suit your company’s needs.

In the end, system control is the task of iplus-MES – you can count on that. As in production, all processes are managed via workflows and, as a result, can be customized. Transport routes tend to be very complex in big production facilities containing many conveying elements and junctions. This often poses a challenge to programmers trying to implement all that in the PLC (programmable logic controller) program. Especially if new junctions are built in mechanically, costs might explode since a PLC is not originally meant to manage such tasks.

That is the reason why iplus-framework comes with an intelligent route management system by default. The whole relations network (from/to) that connects the objects (nodes) is configured via user interface. Based on routing rules set by the user in the workflows the best routes are determined prior to the start of each materials transportation process and uploaded dynamically to the PLC control. Clients are now able to modify and expand their facilities how and whenever they like without having to rely on the help of a programmer for the complex adaption of the programming.

Barcodes and QR codes, RFID technology, scanner connection, label printing etc. are no challenge for iplus-MES. Manual processes and user guidance in material supply, lot recommendation and lot validation are carried out by means of workflow technology. This way, iplus-MES does not miss one lot and no lot ends up in the wrong product / batch. With materials transportation and processing completed each batch can be traced completely both forward and backward. Batch tracing is such an integral part of iplus-MES that you can initiate tracing from anywhere in the program.

Automated sampling, connection to laboratory equipment and lab systems, lab order templates such as the definition of measurement and limit values, linkage to material management and batch tracing.

• Order-related and independent of orders

• Order- and machine-related analysis
• The alarm history is linked to order data.
• All alarm limit values are freely definable and can be linked to the application data.
• Alarm messenger service (smartphone notification)

• Role-based
• Event- or time-based
• Help system with maintenance instructions
• Maintenance via mobile app
• Spareparts management

• Condition Monitoring
• Predictive (AI)

• Sensor/Counter- or posting based
• Order related

# No MES system contains all features that you as a client might need since production technology is very multi-facetted. That is why it is important to use a system that is expandable to suit your requirements, not adjust your requirements to go with the system. At the same time, updateability has to be retained in order for you to constantly operate on the latest status. Customised add-on programming in iplus-MES works exactly like that.

# Please do not hesitate to contact us for an add-on solution tailored to your wishes - complete with source code.

Additionally, we offer training courses so that you yourself can implement a suitable solution in the iPlus framework and manage everything independently.

# If you are an engineering company or integrator,
we also offer training courses, so that you yourself can implement a suitable solution in the iplus-framework and manage everything independently.

# If you are end customer,
we also offer training, so you and your employees know how to use iplus-MES in daily operations.

Part 1 of 2: Learn how you can create a project for Beckhoffs TwinCAT® in just 10 minutes. Experience the enormous increase in productivity made possible by the service-oriented architecture of the iplus-framework.

Part 2 of 2: Learn how to use workflows in conjunction with a TwinCAT®-PLC.

The iplus-runtime is free. This means that you can install iplus-framework on unlimited computers because we license developer-based. The more projects you roll out in the year, the cheaper it will be for you because there are no runtime licenses or any tag restrictions. The project size therefore does not matter at all.

Each company can freely design the calculation model with the end user by developing and selling its own products.

DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD

First year:
5.999 €
including 4 days support or training

Following years with support:
5.599 €
including 2 days support or training

Following years without support:
3.999 €
Support is billed by the hour

The integrated development environment and tools to distribute your own products requires a "developer development license". This development license is issued per developer in the form of a USB dongle. The USB dongle is also a tool with which you can create licenses for your specially developed products, which are activated by software key on the target system (database).

# Demo mode
If you haven't purchased a dongle, you can work with the program in demo mode for half an hour at a time with full functionality. After that, you must restart the program to be able to work half an hour again. However, you are not permitted to use your developed product for commercial purposes until you have purchased a development license.

# Students
If you are a student, please contact us. We can give you a dongle for the procurement price so that you are not tied to the half hour of demo time. After the student period, however, you have to return the dongle to us.

DOWNLOAD

One time only:
1.999 €
Support is billed by the hour

DOWNLOAD

One time only:
3.999 €*
Support is billed by the hour

iplus-MES is a separate product of gipSoft based on the iplus-framework. One license is required per database. This license does not include inclusive support hours.

* The price given is a so-called server or stand-alone license. For more workplaces please contact us, because we will create an individual offer with scaled prices for you.

per hour:
99 €
Support and training is billed by the hour

# Training for end users
Basic operation, use of iplus-MES programs for day-to-day business, Administration...

# Training for project engineers and consultants
Business process implementation, customizing, UI-Design, service orchestration, extension with customer-specific functionalities...

# Training for developers 
Use of iplus-framework with Microsoft Visual Studio, development of own assemblies, server- and clientside programming, development of own database models...

# Development and project assistance
We will help you with the implementation of your first project. Be it the introduction of our MES solution for end customers or the development of our own product based on the iplus-framework.

We support you in your digital transformation not only with software services, but also take care of the electrical engineering side as an entire turnkey project. We work closely with our partner companies.

Here is a list of the services we can offer you as a complete package:

• Conception, consulting, creation of specifications, project management
• Control cabinet construction
• Cabling
• New construction or retrofitting of outdated systems
• PLC programming and SCADA creation

Industry sectors

Our focus is the process industry and we have many years of experience in the following sectors:

• Chemical
• Food and Beverage
• Pet food
• Building materials
• Petroleum

For direct end customers who need someone for PLC programming, cabling and control cabinet construction for their production plant, we work together with our partners.

Croatia

Avenija Dubrovnik 15
HR-10000 Zagreb

Germany

Gewerbepark Hardtwald 9
D-68723 Oftersheim