FactoryTalk Reviews

“ControlLogix integration that delivers”

Pros

Working with FactoryTalk View alongside ControlLogix is a big plus. That close integration makes both development and troubleshooting much more efficient especially across complicated packaging lines and different production areas. Everything tends to stay in sync nicely without needing a lot of extra configuration.

Cons

The weaker part is the HMI design flexibility. Next to platforms such as AVEVA InTouch, it comes across as more limited and a little outdated. Creating screens that feel more modern or dynamic takes extra effort and the process can be somewhat frustrating. It gets the job done but the user interface side definitely has room to improve.

“versatile HMI for every setup”

Pros

It works well for both standalone machine-level HMI and distributed visualization so it fits a wide variety of applications, from process operations to batch and discrete manufacturing.

Cons

Setting it up and configuring everything can be pretty complicated especially without a solid background in control systems.

“best fit for rockwell HMI”

Pros

Built specifically for designing and engineering Rockwell Windows-based HMI systems, this software really does the job it's meant for. It suits the purpose well and honestly feels like the best option available for this kind of work.

Cons

That said the interface feels a bit outdated and some features still have to be finished off with VBA code which makes it come across as less professional than it should.

“Very reliable integration”

Pros

Rockwell Automation is widely used across industrial environments and this fits in well with that ecosystem. It integrates without much trouble with PLCs, sensors and actuators making it useful for monitoring and controlling production processes. Compatibility with other equipment is a strong point and machine operators can usually get comfortable with it without a steep learning curve.

Cons

It is a fairly expensive software.

“powerful plant wide integration”

Pros

Across the whole FactoryTalk suite one thing I really appreciate is how well it connects data from the plant floor all the way up to higher-level management. I can pull data in through FactoryTalk Linx and send it to my FactoryTalk View SE displays, store it in FactoryTalk Historian SE and even use it for reporting in VantagePoint. The HMI is easy to work with and the overall integration between the different pieces feels really smooth.

Cons

The View SE could definitely benefit from better looking, vector based graphics. The graphics engine feels outdated and could use an overhaul. On top of that basic support for database calls and tabular data inside the HMI is still lacking unless the engineer is willing to put in a lot of extra effort or depend on third party ActiveX controls.

“Versatile tools for HMI work”

Pros

This software covers a lot of ground, from HMI programming to PLC troubleshooting to network diagnostics and setup. My background is mainly in HMI development and I have to say working in its M.E. is really satisfying.

Cons

It does take some time to learn all of its features and fully understand everything it can do.

“Clean interface with strong potential”

Pros

User interface can be shaped in almost any way and it really comes down to how capable and experienced the programmer is.

Cons

From the end user side any weak points in the interface tend to become more noticeable when the programmer lacks deeper knowledge of the factory or the processes being managed.

“all in one platform for automation”

Pros

Having this puts a lot in one place which is really useful. Training materials, PLC programming, VFD programming and PanelViews all sit under the same umbrella so it helps keep things organized. If you already have a programming background, it's definitely a valuable system to learn especially if you're working in the US.

Cons

One frustration was that Rockwell support on several occasions couldn't answer technical questions even when the equipment had been in operation for more than 20 years. Instead of helping us understand what the business actually needed, they would either bring in someone else or make edits the way they usually handle things.

“rockwell integration done right”

Pros

It fits in really well with other Rockwell products, including machine controllers and drivers and overall it performs better than competing options.

Cons

A few areas feel more complicated than necessary especially when it comes to setup and configuration. Getting everything working properly means configuring several pieces, like communications, the HMI and the server.

“clear tag connection”

Pros

The environment and interface are really good. It's pretty clear how to connect tags to the PLC and having the recipe feature available is a big plus.

Cons

On the graphical side it feels limited and doesn't offer many drawing options. Drag and drop is awkward to work with, the zoom function isn't very good and integrating it into the system can be a bit complex when setting up the network and links to other devices.

“very reliable software”

Pros

Right from the start, these applications feel very user friendly. They're solid, dependable and built with redundancy which gives a lot of confidence when using them. The quality across the whole product line is also very reassuring. In industrial automation, Rockwell Automation stands out as one of the top brands for this kind of application.

Cons

There isn't much to criticize about the products themselves. The only real downside is the price since they are quite expensive but that higher cost also comes with better overall quality and presentation.

“Powerful automation toolkit”

Pros

This suite covers just about everything you could want for automation. It includes HMI software, Asset Control, Historian software and plenty of other tools as well.

Cons

The downside is that a separate license is needed for basically every feature you want. Once you already have the software, any upgrade usually means paying more and more.

“An excellent option”

Pros

It's one of the most widely used platforms in the automation industry and it comes with excellent features for working with PLCs as well as third-party devices.

Cons

Rockwell should do a better job with technical support since the installation and configuration process can be complicated.

“powerful design tools”

Pros

Building interface designs with this is very convenient since it lets you import images to create animations, the layout is user friendly and it supports different industrial communication protocols.

Cons

The biggest downside is the cost. The software is overpriced and access depends on buying the software itself rather than having it included with the equipment. Training is also expensive and it really should be integrated into the system.

“great for ladder troubleshooting”

Pros

Rockwell Automation tools such as RSLogix 5, 500 and 5000 provide a very easy way to program and troubleshoot issues by following the rung sequence in the ladder logic file.

Cons

FactoryTalk would benefit from stronger training packages for companies. A lot of engineers only know one or two of the applications instead of understanding the full platform.

“Broad connectivity”

Pros

Treating all data as time series tag data is really the key when configuring connectors in FactoryTalk VantagePoint. One of the biggest strengths is how fast you can pull any tag from across the company and drop it into a trend chart or bring it straight into Excel. It also connects with all the major industrial historians, along with SQL and Oracle databases so you can reach nearly any data source you need.

Cons

Some of the product's strongest capabilities are buried and not presented in a very user friendly way. A good example is the Excel Add in feature for refining a data set which is labeled Post SQL processing and tucked away deep in the wizard. On top of that it requires SQL knowledge and uses undocumented syntax for referencing columns which makes it harder to use than it should be.

“complete automation toolkit”

Pros

Right from the start this software comes across as a full set of tools for handling automation projects and managing a company's operations, processes and business activities. It performs very well and you get the most value out of it when it's integrated with hardware from the same brand. On top of that the pricing is quite competitive compared with other companies.

Cons

Getting everything set up in the beginning is not as easy as it could be, mainly because it relies heavily on specific Windows OS settings and configurations.