Overview
Traditionally, HMIs were designed to connect only to local industrial control equipment such as PLCs or automation controllers. With the prevalence of internet connectivity on the plant floor, there is increased demand for remote access to local HMIs and PLCs. Access from a computer outside of the plant provides the opportunity for qualified personnel to add new features to the HMI/PLC without requiring a costly visit. The ability to troubleshoot and reconfigure an HMI or PLC from a remote location greatly reduces the length of downtime.
However, accessing a remote HMI has traditionally been a tricky proposition. Security must be ensured to prevent unauthorized access and to reduce operational risks. Complex network configurations often make it difficult for HMI users to establish remote communications. And even with everything set up properly, access may still be limited: You may only be able to connect one HMI at a time within the remote network. However, with EasyAccess 2.0, all of this has changed: You can now securely and easily connect to any remote HMI.
EasyAccess 2.0 provides a new way to access an HMI from anywhere in the world. With EasyAccess 2.0, it is very easy to monitor and troubleshoot your HMIs and PLCs from a remote location as long as an Internet connection is available. Since EasyAccess 2.0 manages all network settings and security settings for you, the user can simply connect to the HMI as if it were on the same local network. Moreover, it is possible to have access to multiple HMIs within a network at the same time and up to three users can connect to an HMI simultaneously.
EasyAccess 2.0 is a service designed to enable seamless remote support and troubleshooting. Consider a machine builder who sells his machines with Maple HMIs installed: One of his customers calls to report a problem. Rather than book an expensive airplane flight, the machine builder remotely connects to the HMI using EasyAccess 2.0 to investigate the problem. He can review and update the HMI project, monitor the PLC using Ethernet Pass-through, or even update the PLC program. The customer need do nothing except make the initial phone call.
Features
- Secure connections with end-to-end encryption (using OpenVPN and SSL)
- Easy set up:
- No need to modify existing network router or settings, reconfigure firewalls, or open ports in the network
- No Static IP address required for your HMI
- Restrict unauthorized access from Domain Administrator account (via Domain Management System)
- Remote monitoring of HMI:
- View screens, control HMI, or apply updates to existing HMI project
- Supports Pass-through mode (monitor and update connected PLCs)
- Proxy Server option to conceal identity of remote PC client
- Third-party software security audit: EasyAccess 2.0 certified by Onward Security Corporation
System Requirements
- PC Operating System: Windows 7, Windows 8 (32/64bit), Windows 10 (32/64bit) (Requires Administrator privilege), Windows 11 (32/64bit) (Requires Administrator privilege).
- Maple Systems HMI with EasyAccess 2.0 feature activated (Eligible HMI models)
- Internet connection from HMI out to the Internet
- Internet connection from client device (PC or Smartphone) out to the Internet
- EZware Plus/EBPro version 4.10.05 or later
- iPad/iPhone: iOS version 7.0 or above
- Android: Version 4.1.2 or above