SOG 3.0 Iss 2

The S4 Group, Inc. - Version 3 SNMP OPC Gateway - February 05, 2003 Testing Status

This is issue #2 of our SNMP OPC Gateway testing status reports. As The S4 Group, Inc. reaches significant milestones in our testing process we will be sending out additional updates. Along the way if you have specific questions or issues please do not hesitate to contact us.

As expected, we received the first version of the SNMP-OPC Server a few days ago. Obermeier Software has obviously been listening very closely to their customer feedback and you’ll see lots of new features and a restructuring that positions the product for future enhancements.
The software installs cleanly and can be installed with either the Version 2 SNMP OPC Gateway or with any of the Version 3 Agents. This compatibility really makes testing and migration activities easier than if it replaced the previous installation. As with the OPC SNMP Agent all configuration files have been converted to spreadsheet format.
SNMP device autodiscovery features worked without a hitch. It found all Ethernet TCP/IP devices on The S4 Group Intranet whether they were SNMP enabled or not. The Version 3 Server will do basic monitoring for non-SNMP TCP/IP devices through the use of the ICMP protocols as well as SNMP-enabled devices.
Testing is focusing on SNMP support but the structure is included in the user interface and software modules for future addition of MODBUS over Ethernet TCP/IP.
There are a few features that need some tweaking and some of the documentation needs enhanced. Appropriate comments have been sent to Obermeier Software in these areas. Both Obermeier Software and The S4 Group are working very diligently to make sure that when you see the products for the first time you’ll be able to see the quality and workmanship that went into the development and testing and will be able to immediately benefit from including them in your applications.

Availability of the SNMP OPC Gateway Version 3.0 is close enough that it’s time to do the paperwork! We’ve issued formal quotes and have received the corresponding purchase orders for the Version 3 software from many of you. Some of you are working with the Version 2 demo system and have not gotten to the paperwork yet. In order to deliver the Version 3 software as quickly as possible after testing is complete we need to get this paperwork done now. Please contact Steve to work out the necessary details.

If you missed the previous issues these newsletters are all posted on The S4 Group, Inc. web site at http://www.thes4group.com. A recent addition to the web site is an on-line PowerPoint presentation talking about how customers can maximize their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. In this presentation we discuss the value proposition for enterprise integration and some potential business areas enabled by the SNMP OPC Gateway family of products.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link attached to this message. If you know of anyone else who would benefit from these status updates please have them eMail sejones@thes4group.com and we would be happy to include them in these updates and in our newsletters.

Sincerely,

Steve

The S4 Group, Inc. specializes in providing

Software Services and System Solutions for the Enterprise.

Steven E. Jones

Managing Partner

The S4 Group, Inc.

585 - 24th Street, Suite 106

Ogden, UT 84401

Office: (414) 332 0493

Mobile: (414) 828 0166

http://www.thes4group.com sejones@thes4group.com