Web and mobile client applications overview

The available Web and Mobile client applications are as follows:

  • WebVue - A web portal designed to display PcVue mimics in a web browser.
  • TouchVue - A mobile application (app) that displays information about PcVue variables, and alarm notifications, on a mobile platform such as a smart phone or tablet.
  • SnapVue - A mobile application (app) that displays contextual information on a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet. By contextual we mean that the information depends on the location of the device, known as the zone, and the user's profile. The location of a device is detected using geo-tag technologies including Bluetooth beacons, QR codes and NFC tags.
  • WebScheduler - A web portal for managing the schedules that you find in typical PcVue applications such as Building Management.

The availability of each of the Web and Mobile client applications is subject to license options.

The Web Services Toolkit is also available. It is a XML/SOAP Web API that allows you to develop client applications needing access to data managed by PcVue.

The web and mobile client applications require the following functional components:

  1. A station running PcVue, set-up to ensure the role of Web & Mobile back end.
    This station may also be doing data acquisition, archiving..., or may be deployed just for the Web & Mobile back end role.
  2. A computer set-up to ensure the role of web server, where Microsoft Internet Information Server is installed.
    It could be on the same computer as the Web back end, or a dedicated machine.
  3. One or more computers or mobile devices used as web clients, equipped with a web browser for WebVue and the WebScheduler, or the installed mobile app for TouchVue and SnapVue.

The web and mobile client applications communicate with the web server using Https over a LAN (local network) or a WAN.

We recommend users to take defensive measures to protect against cybersecurity risks. Depending on your risk analysis, you should:

  • Minimize network exposure of your control system devices. Critical devices should not directly face the Internet.
  • Design your network architecture so that it brings the adequate level of segregation for your control system. Potential measures include (but not limited to): Router, firewalls, DMZ, segregation from the business network...
  • When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

The main common steps to configure web & mobile app access to PcVue are as follows:

  • Install and deploy a Web & Mobile back end station,
  • Deploy a IIS web server with the adequate roles depending on the web apps you intend to make available to users.
  • Add one or more web-enabled users to your project,
  • Ensure your project settings accommodate requirements specific to the web apps you intend to make available to users.

When the web server is updated and re-deployed, it is of prime importance to make sure WebVue and WebScheduler users empty the cache of their web browser. This ensure that they are using up-to-date resources and JavaScript modules.

Useful links

About deployment:

About project configuration: