Dear PROVEtech users and those interested, Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noël! Frohe Weihnachten!
Just in time for Christmas – the celebration of love, but also of the gifts – the PROVEtech team brings you extensive release news and other interesting topics.
The PROVEtech Toolsuite team has been preparing at full power. Our developers have achieved a lot and many new features now await you. In addition to the new features, the new Customer Support Area (CSA) has also been set up for you.
The Release News once again features a selection of new functions of our PROVEtech:TA, PROVEtech:VA and PROVEtech:RE products.
The Insights section tells you more about our Customer Support Area – the new core of our customer communication. With this new web portal you, as a customer, can contact us directly and manage your licenses independently.
But what would be Christmas without a wish list? Almost unimaginable! Please send your requests, ideas, suggestions and constructive criticism regarding our products to us at provetech@mbtech-group.com. Help us to we provide you with numerous under the PROVEtech Christmas tree in the coming year.
We thank you for the good cooperation in 2014 and wish you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! Your PROVEtech product team of the MBtech Group
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The PROVEtech product team in 2014 New training seminars for PROVEtech:TA The new Customer Support Area (CSA) A job in the gambling industry Developments & projects
Insights
Facts & Figures
Out of our technology labor PROVEtech:TAPROVEtech:VA PROVEtech:RE
Release News
RELEASE NEWS
PROVEtech:TA
PROVEtech:TA 2015 provides a lot of new features, im-provements and optimizations focused on database performance. One of these features is the support of the open-source solution SymmetricDS for replicating data-bases. In addition, PROVEtech:TA 2015 bundles SQL que-ries to reduce the transmission of SQL statements and intermediate results. The third step is a special database flag for slow connections that avoids executing SQL que-ries which are not mandatory for the main functionality. What is database replication and why is it important for PROVEtech:TA?
The replication of PROVEtech:TA databases enables dis-tributed teams around the world to collaborate easily. PROVEtech:TA users located in Germany, India, China and the US, for example, can now easily share the same code base and libraries without performance problems due to slow database connections. Multiple database servers are connected with each other over long distan-ces. The Users in each particular distributed location or team are connected to a local database server and thus experience a smooth workflow.
All changed data sets are replicated between the re-mote locations asynchronously in the background. The time delay ranges from hundred milliseconds to a few seconds. As a result, data changes do not block the ap-plication and there is no need to wait until the changes have also been replicated on the distant servers. The replication software SymmetricDS A SELECTION OF THE NEW
PROVETECH:TA FEATURES: Database replication Bundling SQL queries Special connection flag for
slow network access
pendent from the database system. SAs such, the MS SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL systems supported by PROVEtech:TA are thus also no problem for Symmet-ricDS. In addition to data replication, this solution offers you additional options such as data migration between different database systems.
Of course, asynchronous replication of data always invol-ves update conflicts when two users in different locations modify the same data at the same time. Our solution resolves these conflicts automatically through a simple “Last update wins” strategy.
The SymmetricDS solution is free-of-charge
SymmetricDS is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), developed and maintai-ned by JumpMind, Inc. The installation package for PROVEtech:TA 2015 includes a user manual that guides you through a demo setup. If you require further com-mercial support, simply get into touch with PROVEtech support: provetech@mbtech-group.com.
Bundling SQL queries
In PROVEtech:TA 2015 we reduced the amount of SQL queries by bundling them in stored procedures and packages. As a result, we have less network traffic, in particular by avoiding the transmission of intermediate results back to the PROVEtech:TA client. We use two me-thods. The first one consists of adapting the SQL queries to process more data in one instruction. The other me-thod involves calling SQL functions stored on the
databa-DATABASE REPLICATION AND ADDITIONAL FEATURES TO INCREASE THE databa-DATABASE PERFORMANCE
Database replication – high global availability of PROVEtech:TA Test Manager data
PROVEtech:TA
PROVEtech:VA
We are pleased to have acquired a new partner in the measurement connectivity field, M2M Germany GmbH. This enables us to automatically transfer recorded mea-surement data to an FTP server via UMTS/LTE. Once on the server, the measurement data can be viewed by vari-ous departments and analyzed. In future, we will further develop this concept in order to expand the range of functions.
Within the scope of current non-disclosure agreements, the data transfer is carried out in a secure VPN network. The process continues to remain bidirectional, allowing remote project modifications such as trigger conditions, for example. In addition, GPS recording is also possible, allowing vehicles to be tracked via Google maps. We are especially proud of this new option as our consis-tent product diversification moves the Automotive Com-petence Center MBtech one more step forward.
A SELECTION OF THE NEW PROVETECH:VA FEATURES:
Automated transfer of measu-rement data to an FTP server via UMTS/LTE
THE VEHICLE APPLICATION GOES ONLINE
database connection which can be checked if data ac-cess is slow. The application then tries to avoid SQL que-ries that are not mandatory for the core functionality (such as managing test objects and test results as well as executing scripts). A typical example is displaying of the estimated execution time depending on earlier test runs. Calculating this value performs several SQL queries that are not necessary if you simply want to execute the test.
In summary: Higher database performance when ope-rating globally!
RELEASE NEWS
paths used in PROVEtech:TA. As such, they can be co-pied directly from the PROVEtech:TA signal window. Consequently, updating the Simulink model has no effect on this file as long as signal paths remain un-changed (keyword TOI library).
In addition, this separate ASCII table also enables the connection of signals outside the Simulink model. Furthermore, PROVEtech:RE 2015 no longer requires
the <tick> setting anymore for defining the cycle time of the model calls. PROVEtech:RE now automatically extracts the cycle time from the Simulink settings. With prior versions, the used had to close PROVEtech:RE before generating a new Simulink DLL to enable Simulink Coder to overwrite the DLL. PROVEtech:RE 2015 copies the DLL into a temporary directory before loading it. As a result, Simulink Coder can update the original DLL while PROVEtech:RE is still running.
An additional advantage of copying the model DLL is the ability to include several instances of the same Simulink model. If the configuration contains several references to the same DLL, PROVEtech:RE creates multiple copies of this DLL which run separate simu-lations simultaneously. For example, you can simulate multiple window lift motors in parallel while using a single Simulink model.
These PROVEtech:RE changes allow you to work with PROVEtech:RE more efficiently and reduce the required time for training due to the simplified Simulink model integration process.
PROVEtech:RE
INTEGRATION OF SIMULINK MODELS
PROVEtech:RE requires models to simulate missing com-ponents in Hardware-in-the-Loop systems. For example, a system meant for testing a door control unit typically includes a simulation of the electric window lift motor. In this example the component to be tested would be the door unit control which controls the window lift motor in a real vehicle.
PROVEtech:RE provides two options for integrating a model. The first option is by writing a “generic applica-tion” in C/C++, which processes output and calculates input signals. The second option consists of integrating a Simulink model in the form of an automatically gene-rated Windows DLL.
Previous versions of PROVEtech:RE required an additio-nal XML file for using a Simulink model DLL. Creating the files required launching an additional tool (SignalGUI. exe), which converted the Simulink Coder output files into the XML file containing the signal information. The Simulink input/output signals had to be added to the XMLs filed in order to link them with PROVEtech:RE sig-nals. Updating the Simulink model required generating a new XML file and merging it with the previous version in order to retain the signal connections.
The new PROVEtech:RE version 2015 simplifies the pro-cess of integrating Simulink models:
The generation of a separate XML file is no longer necessary. PROVEtech:RE extracts the required signal information directly from the files generated by Si-NEUES PROVEtech:RE-
FEATURE:
Simplified integration of Simu-link models for more efficient work and reduced training time
Simulink model
Control unit(s) PROVEtech:RE
Input
signals signalsOutput
I/O card + signal processing
Connecting a Simulink model in PROVEtech:RE
PROVETECH:TA TRAININGS MOVED TO THE NEXT LEVEL
In the middle of October, the brand new “PROVEtech:TA Advanced” three-day-training took place in the Bulgari-an capital, Sofia. Nine employees from Visteon attended the event. They were trained in using all of the advan-ced features currently supported by PROVEtech:TA, for example:
Automatic evaluation of data acquired from different sources
Advanced test protocol formatting including charts based on modern web technologies
Postprocessing test results Test and configuration management
Access to other tools using the COM interface, Mi-crosoft.NET, Dynamic-link libraries and the system command line
An example slide from the training presentation
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CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT LINKED WORKPAGES
MBtech Group GmbH & Co. KGaA MBG‐FV195DE‐12
Advantage of linked workpages
Linked workages are typically used if the configuration consists of several different components which had been supplied independently, each with an own example workpage designed especially for the given component. Such workpages can be linked to form a set of workpages which can be used to control the whole system. IV
During the training seminar, numerous exercises helped the attendants to practically try out the topics covered. The feedback from the participants shows that the trai-ning was a real success. Further traitrai-ning seminars are planned.
The content of the training and the presentation were both excellent. [...] The practical demonstrations were accepted very well from the participants. [...] We were impressed by your motivation to lead efficient discussions within the group of 8 advanced users du-ring the whole day.
Feedback von Martin Zlatanov, Visteon Electronics Bulgaria
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FACTS & FIGURES
The PROVEtech product
team in 2014
Coffee consumption:
81 kg
Toilet paper:
1,400 m
Electricity:
34.763 kWh
Nerves:
∞
ARE YOU INTERESTED?
You can find more information material about our PROVEtech products at
www.mbtech-group.com/provetech.
In addition, our support team is happy to receive direct enquiries and will be pleased to personally respond to your questions and sug-gestions. Simply contact the team by sending a mail to provetech@mbtech-group.com or call them at +49 7031 686-3333.
INSIGHTS
THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT AREA – CSA
The Customer Support Area, or CSA for short, represents the new heart of our customer communication. This new portal combines both new and familiar functions. The most important new feature for our customers is the abi-lity to view their licenses at any time and manage them independently.
Overview of the individual functions 1. License management
2. Subscribe/unsubscribe to our newsletter and release e-mails
3. Download our tool 4. Access to our ticket system Manage orders and licenses
The „License Area“ menu item contains the license ma-nagement tool. This allows customers to request new demo licenses and transfer existing licenses two new computers and update them.
The „License Area“ allows registered users to view the lo-cations and departments for which they are authorized. Issued licenses are clearly summarized in „Orders“ and assigned to the corresponding branches and depart-ments. The orders and the license objects are then loca-ted on the sub-pages belonging to the corresponding department.
Proposal View
Once a location in a department has been selected, a sub-page opens displaying a list of every individual
or-information from the corresponding orders. The system groups the „assemblies“ logically, based on the module configuration level and tools.
The order objects offer a structured view of all of the im-portant information (the type of order, number of licen-ses per order, the corresponding module configuration of the individual licenses, which tool a license belongs to and much more information).
Registered Computers View
The „Registered Computers View“ „ provides the registe-red user with a structuregiste-red overview of all of the licenses belonging to a specific department and the computer to which the license is assigned.
Clicking on one of the computers or license objects on the list opens a detailed view. The detailed view contains all of the important information about this license (mo-dule configuration, duration, maintenance). Furthermo-re, in the detailed view the user has the option of trans-ferring an already registered license to a new computer, downloading the license again or deactivating it and re-turning the corresponding license to the pool of licenses available per department.
The individual functions are subject to strict security ru-les in order to ensure that neither the licenses nor the individual functions can be misused.
Download a new license The start page of the new Customer
Support Area
Access to the support system
The „Support Tickets“ menu allows our customers to di-rectly contact our customer support via a web interface. This access not only provides the registered user the op-tion of creating new tickets but also allows the user to view all of the previous tickets (since January 2014). In addition, the „Company Tickets“ sub-menu also allows the user to view tickets which have been opened by col-leagues.
In addition to the pure information offered by our sup-port access, the web interface also provides an option for reacting directly to queries from Support rather than interacting with support via e-mail alone.
Registration with information services
We offer a range of different information material which we provide at regular intervals so that our customers constantly remain informed about our products and their features. This material includes this letter (issued twice per year) along with an e-mail summary of all of the new features per new release cycle. The „Newsletter Subscription“ menu allows users to choose which topics they wish to be informed about.
News Archive
The „News Archive“ section allows users to view all the release e-mails and both the current newsletter and past newsletters online and any time.
Downloads
The download area has also been revised and now of-fers new and standardized functions. The new area now provides access to all of the tools via a shared portal. The available downloads are grouped into our tools and in-clude details about the individual versions.
Convince yourself about the functions and new features which the Customer Support Area has to offer you. How-ever, you will need to register before you can use the new portal. If you are interested, please contact our support team at provetech@mbtech-group.com.
The CSA download area The Customer Support Area login
Overview of the available infor-mation services
INSIGHTS
PROVETECH TOOLSUITE
SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT IN THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY
Numerous companies in the automotive, rail and aero-space industries worldwide profit from the integrated solutions offered by AKKA Technologies. However, our services and products also suitable for areas outside the automotive industry, such as PROVEtech for gambling? We did not ask ourselves this question until after we had received an enquiry from Austrian Gaming Indust-ries, a subsidiary of the Novomatic Group of Companies. The corporation is the world market leader in electronic multiplayer and the leading manufacturer of electronic gambling equipment. After successfully concluding the project with Novomatic we can say that they are a per-fect match!
Then came the next question: How does a gambling system actually function? Essentially consists of a system with registers the player‘s reaction and feedback to the player. This is carried out via a central computer unit. Components such as coin controllers, screens and power supplies are connected to the computer, depending on the specific variant.
Thanks to extensive interest and motivation of our cus-tomer and the project team in automotive testing tech-nology the mutual knowledge transfer worked very well. In addition, the technical capabilities of PROVEtech:µHiL in conjunction with PROVEtech:TA and PROVEtech:RE
were also very convincing. As a result, we were able to present an automated demo system with integrated cus-tomer components within three days.
With the help of existing PROVEtech toolsuite com-ponents and the very good cooperation, a specifically designed test system was developed for the customer: Novo-HiL One. PROVEtech:µHiL was utilized to imple-ment I/O solutions including fault simulation and integ-rated into the PROVEtech:TA test automation tool via the PROVEtech:RE runtime environment.
In addition, interface cards, adapter boards and solutions for switching serial bus protocols were developed and set up.
The ability to integrate customer-specific protocols and tests components on the basis of generic applications in PROVEtech:RE proved its value as did the diverse range of options offered by PROVEtech:TA. The generic appli-cations are software implementations for integrating hardware applications included in the scope of delivery or developed by the customer. Novo-HiL One utilized this to implement gambling-specific protocols.
Combining the versatile range of PROVEtech toolsuite options precisely met the customer‘s requirements and the project was also accompanied by targeted training. We look forward to further successful collaboration!
