BECtLogger

--- Short introduction in Swedish: ---
Programmet BECtLogger stödjer både svenska och engelska.
Detta gäller alla menyer och operatörsdialoger samt dokumentation.
Filen BECtLogger.pdf på nerladdningssidan innehåller dokumentationen!
Nu finns information också på www.beijer.se !

--- What is BECtLogger? ---
BECtLogger is something that you should check out if you work with Citect.
BECtLogger connects to your Citect server(s) and continuously stores alarms, periodic trends (without any configuration at all anywhere) and tags of your choice including array and string tags. No configuration or programming at all is necessary neither in BECtLogger, SQL Server nor in CitectSCADA.
Yes, it can run as a service and yes, it has support for redundant Citect servers and Citect applications with multiple "clusters". Free trial and cheap licenses without dongles. If you have a big application, you simply run multiple instances of BECtLogger on the same PC on the same license.
Make sure to try out BECtLogger for free with your application before purchasing the license!
Get BECtLogger now!

For many Citect integrators and end users, BECtLogger is the obvious way to the database. Give it a try - today - for free!
BECtLogger is installed, started and tested with a few clicks.
Test run BECtLogger for free, without changing or even restarting your Citect application!
It will run forever if you decide to purchase a cheap, unique license code, but is also easily uninstalled.
BECtLogger runs well together with all known 32/64 bit Windows operating systems and Citect versions (see FAQ below).

--- Free download: ---
Install and test run BECtLogger for a week to evaluate it.
Contact the sales people to purchase the number of licenses you need or to get more information.
Refer to BECtLogger and item number BESO04010.
If you anyhow decide to uninstall BECtLogger, it's one click away in Windows Control Panel|Add/Remove programs.
Go to the download page to get the latest version!

The use of the software is regulated with the license agreement, so there is no need for a dongle.

The suggested retail list price per license is EUR 1500, SEK 15000, AUD 2000 or i.e. South African ZAR 15000.
CitectSCADA distributors get discount.

--- Install BECtLogger: ---
Simply run BECtLogger_setup.exe

--- Documentation: ---
BECtLogger_en.pdf (English)
BECtLogger.pdf (Swedish)

--- Download: ---

Go to the download page!
Till nerladdningssidan!

--- Database: ---
BECtLogger assumes Microsoft SQL Server. Also any of the free versions of Microsoft SQL Server (the old MSDE or SQL Server 2005 / 2008 Express) works fine, SQL Server 2008 R2 Express supports 10 GB of data and a certain number of concurrent connections depending on memory etc.
BECtLogger automatically creates the database in SQL Server with all necessary tables and columns.

--- Startup: ---
Make sure that both SQL Server and CitectSCADA are running and then install BECtLogger with a few clicks.
Now you are already up and running with BECtLogger! Restart is not necessary.
Details about any possible issue are found in the documentation.

--- Features: ---
BECtLogger has multi-language support.
All tags supported, including string and array tags. Condition for a tag table may be time, interval, trigger tag or change.
Multiple Citect clusters supported by using multiple instances of BECtLogger (from version 1.04), pre-release is available.
BECtLogger is intended to run continuously. It offers autostart and reconnect to CitectSCADA and the database whenever needed.
It runs silently in SysTray and pops up only if a problem is encountered. May be running as a Windows Service ("NT Service").
External alert when a problem is encountered is supported, by e.g. e-mail or via "Nimbus Alarm Server" etc.
Multiple instances of BECtLogger may run on the same machine.
Simple database utility "BECtViewer" included to view and maintain the database as well as as the ready-to-run Excel template "Reports.xls".

--- Download: ---

Go to the download page!
Till nerladdningssidan!

--- FAQs: ---

Q: Why relational database?
A: It's essential to use a relational database as data repository. This makes it easy e.g. to generate reports.
Q: Why BECtLogger?
A: BECtLogger requires no programming or configuration neither in CitectSCADA, SQL Server nor BECtLogger itself.
It is the most inexpensive alternative if you don't want to program everything yourself.
Download and evaluate BECtLogger before purchasing a license! It's simple!
If you still hesitate, go to the download page to read the documentation in English or Swedish.
Q: Why SQL Server?
A: Microsoft SQL Server is the leading database for the Microsoft platform, has excellent performance and is scalable from the totally free SQL Server Express (or MSDE) to enterprise level servers.
Q: What about databases like Oracle or MySQL?
A: BECtLogger supports only SQL Server. However, some customers use DTS or SSIS in SQL Server to move data to other databases, e.g. Oracle or MySQL.
Q: Does BECtLogger work with Citect's "vertical" products Facilities, Nexa, HMI etc or brand labels/OEM versions like MX4SCADA, MX4HMI, Schneider Electric: Vijeo Citect, PowerLogic SCADA and Siemens: Desigo Insight?
A: Except for Desigo Insight, they are all the same, more or less. Just make sure that there is a spare "connectivity" in the Citect license, so that BECtLogger can connect.
Download and evaluate BECtLogger before purchasing a license! It's simple!
BECtLogger is tested with CitectSCADA version 6.x, 7.0, 7.10 and 7.20.
Q: What are the minimum system requirements for BECtLogger?
A: Very modest. Any PC running 32 or 64 bit Windows (9x?, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008 or Windows 7, a few considerations if running as a service or using UAC). At least 20MB free space on hard drive.
Q: Is a reporting tool included in BECtLogger?
A: A simple database utility "BECtViewer" is included aswell as a ready-to-run Excel template "Reports.xls" and its documentation "Reports.pdf".
Depending on your needs, we recommend BEReport, Crystal Reports, Active Reports or SQL Server Reporting Services.
Q: I have an early version of BECtLogger and would like to update. How do I do?
A: It's easy. Shut down BECtLogger. Backup the BECtLogger folder, or at least BECtLogger.ini . Uninstall BECtLogger (Windows Control Panel|Add/Remove Programs). Download/install latest version from the download page. Restore BECtLogger.ini . Check the documentation for new features. Restart BECtLogger.
If you are running a version prior to 1.01: You need a unique license code for each PC. Contact the sales people to purchase licenses. CitectSCADA distributors get discount.
Q: Does BECtLogger support redundancy?
A: BECtLogger (from version 1.02) supports redundant Citect servers.
You may use SQL Server Clustering for database redundancy.
As an alternative, some customers use one instance of BECtLogger for each Citect server logging to different databases and then use merge replication between the databases. It all depends of what level of redundancy is required.
Q: What about data aggregation?
A: Performance might be an issue after a few years of data logging depending on the analysis/reporting tools used and if best practice with primary key is applied. Aggregating data in advance for suitable periods might be a good idea. A simple solution comes with the download of version 1.04. Aggregation periods are Hour, Day, Week, Month, 3months, 4months, 6months and Year. Aggregation functions are Avg, First, Last, Min, Max and Sum. Automatic database backup and deletion of obsolete source data is optional. The solution is perfect for - but not in any way limited to - BECtLogger, BEReport, BEDataCollector etc.