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en:sw:00-start [2020/06/02 11:12]
jan_kozak
en:sw:00-start [2024/02/13 13:22] (current)
avsetula [Choosing the right software]
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-/* +====== Choosing the right software ​====== 
-===== Choosing the right software ===== +
 Software openness of Unipi controllers provides you with the option to choose from a wide selection of available software solutions, ranging from Mervis, the officially supported platform, to third-party platforms to your software. This guide will help you to navigate between the available software and to choose the best option for your project. Software openness of Unipi controllers provides you with the option to choose from a wide selection of available software solutions, ranging from Mervis, the officially supported platform, to third-party platforms to your software. This guide will help you to navigate between the available software and to choose the best option for your project.
  
-==== Software options ====+---- 
 + 
 +<​tile>​ 
 +| en:​sw:​01-mervis ​         | Mervis ​               | files:​unipi-kb-icon-mervis.png ​   | 
 +| en:​sw:​02-apis ​           | APIs                  | files:​unipi-kb-icon-os.png ​       | 
 +| en:​sw:​03-3rd-party ​      | Third-party software ​ | files:​unipi-kb-icon-software.png ​ | 
 +| en:​sw:​04-unipi-firmware ​ | Unipi Software ​       | files:​unipi-kb-icon-products.png ​ | 
 +</​tile>​ 
 +===== Software options ​=====
  
 {{:​en:​sw:​software_schematkoeng.jpg|}} {{:​en:​sw:​software_schematkoeng.jpg|}}
  
-=== Mervis ===+==== Mervis ​====
 {{:​en:​sw:​unipi-software-mervis-comp.jpg|}} {{:​en:​sw:​unipi-software-mervis-comp.jpg|}}
  
-A complete software platform provided for free to all Unipi controllers. The Mervis IDE development environment,​ a core of the solution, is suitable also for users without any deeper PLC programming knowledge thanks to its user-friendly interface and clear design. Mervis also offers a professional SCADA interface, HMI editor, cloud database and a mobile app. That makes it an ideal choice for a variety of users such as installation companies looking for a reliable and stable solution with full technical support. Detailed info about Mervis is available [[https://www.unipi.technology/​products/mervis-43|on this link|]]. +A complete software platform provided for free to all Unipi controllers. The Mervis IDE development environment,​ a core of the solution, is suitable also for users without any deeper PLC programming knowledge thanks to its user-friendly interface and clear design. Mervis also offers a professional SCADA interface, HMI editor, cloud database and a mobile app. That makes it an ideal choice for a variety of users such as installation companies looking for a reliable and stable solution with full technical support. Detailed info about Mervis is available [[https://kb.unipi.technology/​en:sw:01-mervis|on this link]]. ​
  
-//Note: Additionally,​ Mervis training courses are organized throughout a year. These courses are suitable for both beginners and experienced users. Learn more about the courses and closest course dates [[https://​www.unipi.technology/​training-and-certification|on this link|]].// +//Note: Additionally,​ Mervis training courses are organized throughout a year. These courses are suitable for both beginners and experienced users. Learn more about the courses and closest course dates [[https://​www.unipi.technology/​training-and-certification|on this link]].// ​
  
-=== Application programming interface (API) ===+==== Application programming interface (API) ====
 {{:​en:​sw:​unipi-software-api-en-comp.jpg|}} {{:​en:​sw:​unipi-software-api-en-comp.jpg|}}
  
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   * EVOK - a set of web-based APIs for interaction with all I/Os of Unipi controllers and extension modules   * EVOK - a set of web-based APIs for interaction with all I/Os of Unipi controllers and extension modules
  
-More info about the individual APIs is available ​FIXME on this link+More info about the individual APIs is available ​[[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​02-apis|on this link]] 
  
 //Note: Using the Mervis platform does not prevent access to the controller’s Linux OS, eg. you can use your software along with Mervis on a single controller. A good example of this feature is the [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​01-mervis:​08-sscp-bridge|SSCP to SQL Bridge]] service for storing data from Mervis-running Unipi PLCs into an external SQL database.// //Note: Using the Mervis platform does not prevent access to the controller’s Linux OS, eg. you can use your software along with Mervis on a single controller. A good example of this feature is the [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​01-mervis:​08-sscp-bridge|SSCP to SQL Bridge]] service for storing data from Mervis-running Unipi PLCs into an external SQL database.//
    
-==== Important info for choosing the right software ====+===== Important info for choosing the right software ​=====
  
-=== Commercial or open-source?​ ===+==== Commercial or open-source? ​====
 **Open-source solutions** are characterized by freely accessible and editable source code, allowing its users to modify and update the software according to their needs or to add new tools and functions. The main disadvantage is the absence of technical support - in case of issues, users have to rely on various community forums. Open-source software also cannot always guarantee compatibility with hardware. Aside from open APIs, Unipi technology also provides preassembled operating system images suitable for developers and OEM customers - an open-source OS image and a custom OS image. ​ **Open-source solutions** are characterized by freely accessible and editable source code, allowing its users to modify and update the software according to their needs or to add new tools and functions. The main disadvantage is the absence of technical support - in case of issues, users have to rely on various community forums. Open-source software also cannot always guarantee compatibility with hardware. Aside from open APIs, Unipi technology also provides preassembled operating system images suitable for developers and OEM customers - an open-source OS image and a custom OS image. ​
  
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 {{:​en:​sw:​software_table_eng.png|}} {{:​en:​sw:​software_table_eng.png|}}
  
-=== What is the extent of Unipi technical support? ===+==== What is the extent of Unipi technical support? ​====
  
 **Full support** is provided for Mervis and the Unipi-developed APIs. Direct technical support is also available along with complete documentation,​ tutorials, OS images and assistance with implementation and/or installation. ​ **Full support** is provided for Mervis and the Unipi-developed APIs. Direct technical support is also available along with complete documentation,​ tutorials, OS images and assistance with implementation and/or installation. ​
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 For other third-party solutions, **technical support is not provided**. If you encounter trouble with commercial platforms, please consult the corresponding tech support department. In the case of open-source solutions please visit community forums dedicated to the solution. ​ For other third-party solutions, **technical support is not provided**. If you encounter trouble with commercial platforms, please consult the corresponding tech support department. In the case of open-source solutions please visit community forums dedicated to the solution. ​
  
-==== List of available software solutions ==== +===== List of available software solutions ​===== 
-=== Officially supported platforms === +==== Officially supported platforms ====  
 | Name | **Developed by Unipi** | **OS image** | **Unipi support** | **Full functionality** | | Name | **Developed by Unipi** | **OS image** | **Unipi support** | **Full functionality** |
 | [[en:​sw:​01-mervis|Mervis]] | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Unipi PLCs | | [[en:​sw:​01-mervis|Mervis]] | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Unipi PLCs |
 | [[en:​sw:​02-apis|API]] | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Unipi PLCs | | [[en:​sw:​02-apis|API]] | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Unipi PLCs |
  
-=== Third-party solutions ===+==== Third-party solutions ===
 | Name | **Developed by Unipi** | **OS image** | **Unipi support** | **Full functionality** | | Name | **Developed by Unipi** | **OS image** | **Unipi support** | **Full functionality** |
-| [[en:​sw:​03-3rd-party:​nodered|Node-RED]] | No | Yes | Partial¹ | All Unipi PLCs |+| [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​03-3rd-party:​nodered|Node-RED]] | No | Yes | Partial¹ | All Unipi PLCs |
 | [[https://​www.home-assistant.io/​|HomeAssistant]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | | [[https://​www.home-assistant.io/​|HomeAssistant]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² |
-| [[en:​sw:​03-3rd-party:​codesys|CODESYS]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | +| [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​03-3rd-party:​codesys|CODESYS]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | 
-| [[en:​sw:​03-3rd-party:​rexygen|REXYGEN]] | No | No | Third-party | Unipi 1.1 |+| [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​03-3rd-party:​rexygen|REXYGEN]] | No | No | Third-party | Unipi 1.1 |
 | [[https://​fhem.de/​|FHEM]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | | [[https://​fhem.de/​|FHEM]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² |
 | [[https://​pimatic.org/​|Pimatic]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | | [[https://​pimatic.org/​|Pimatic]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² |
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 | [[https://​www.openplcproject.com/​|OpenPLC]] | No | No | No | Unipi Neuron, Unipi 1.1 (Not guaranteed) | | [[https://​www.openplcproject.com/​|OpenPLC]] | No | No | No | Unipi Neuron, Unipi 1.1 (Not guaranteed) |
 | [[https://​www.openhab.org/​|openHAB]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | | [[https://​www.openhab.org/​|openHAB]] | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² |
-| [[https://​nymea.io/​|Nymea]] | No | No | No | Unipi NeuronUnipi Axon (through SysFS) | +| [[https://​nymea.io/​|Nymea]] | No | No | No | Unipi PatronNeuron & Axon (through SysFS) | 
-| [[https://​homebridge.io/​|Homebridge | No | No | No | Unipi Neuron, Unipi 1.1 |+| [[https://​homebridge.io/​|Homebridge]] | No | No | No | Unipi Neuron, Unipi 1.1 |
 | Others³ | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² |  | Others³ | No | No | No | Not guaranteed² | 
  
-//Explanation+**Explanation**
   - Tech. support provided only for the preparation of Unipi hardware for Node-RED implementation   - Tech. support provided only for the preparation of Unipi hardware for Node-RED implementation
   - Functionality may be limited only to certain product lines or models. We recommend consulting the corresponding tech support or community forum   - Functionality may be limited only to certain product lines or models. We recommend consulting the corresponding tech support or community forum
-  - Open-source solutions not included in the list that may be compatible with Unipi controllers//+  - Open-source solutions not included in the list that may be compatible with Unipi controllers.
  
 If you have any software-related questions, feel free to get in touch at [[mailto:​[email protected]|[email protected]]],​ or contact our technical support at [[mailto:​[email protected]|[email protected]]]. If you have any software-related questions, feel free to get in touch at [[mailto:​[email protected]|[email protected]]],​ or contact our technical support at [[mailto:​[email protected]|[email protected]]].
  
-==== Next step ==== 
-Detailed info about available software for Unipi controllers is available on Unipi Knowledge Base. Here, you can also find tutorials, technical documentation and other useful info. 
- 
-  * [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​01-mervis|learn more about Mervis]] 
-  * [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​02-apis|learn more about APIs]] 
-  * [[https://​kb.unipi.technology/​en:​sw:​03-3rd-party|learn more about third-party software]] 
-  * [[https://​www.unipi.technology/​shop/​| Unipi e-shop]] 
-  * [[https://​www.unipi.technology| Unipi homepage]] 
- 
-*/ 
- 
-====== Software ====== 
- 
-One of the main advantages of our hardware is its open nature. Users of our product are not limited to a single software solution. In the case of Unipi controllers,​ customers can choose from a variety of software platforms, both commercial and opensource. That way, every customer can choose a solution ideal for any project. 
- 
-Thanks to their open nature, our controllers have a wide range of possible uses. From small smart home applications to industrial automation, from custom-coded simple platforms to professional all-in-one solutions - all you need to do is to choose the right software. ​ 
- 
-==== Choosing the right software ==== 
-When choosing the right software, there are several questions to consider: ​ 
- 
-**Is the given software compatible with the control unit?** 
-Software developed and provided by our team is compatible with all our products, but the development of other software platforms and their compatibility with our products is the responsibility of third-party developers. If you're not sure whether or not the third-party software is compatible with our products, we recommend using our native software 
- 
-**To what extend is the software supported?​** 
-Third-party developers provide their documentation,​ manuals and support for their software. If you cannot find a solution for a problem, you may post your question on their or our forum. Documentation,​ manuals and support for our software can be accessed either via our website or by contacting our technical support. 
- 
-**Open-source or proprietary software?** 
-Open-source software can be developed or edited by anyone. That means users can experiment and create their programs and share its source code freely. Commercial software does not offer advantages of open-source solutions, they can, however, offer better support, dynamic development and more user-friendly interfaces. ​ 
- 
-**What will be the product used for?** 
-The answer here greatly depends on the specific application you want to use our product in as each software offers slightly different features and functions. For commercial projects and industrial systems, is suitable software under IEC 61131-3. For Smart Home, it is good to use platforms which focuses on such application and offers convenient functions and visually appealing interface. But most importantly it always depends on your individual needs. 
  
-**What technology is going to be used in the project?** 
-Depending on the software platform, it may or may not support all the protocols, devices and third-party products. Before choosing the software, we thus strongly recommend checking the platform'​s compatibility,​ either via the platform'​s documentation or by sending a request to the platform'​s developer. ​