Predator Plug-Ins

VBScript

VBScript is a common scripting language integrated into a wide variety of Windows programs. Using the power of VBScript, you can expand the capabilities of Predator DNC or Predator Desktop to match the specific needs of your situation. Advanced search and replace, writing files to various external formats, and database operations are just a few of the possibilities with VBScript.

Here is a real world example of VBScript usage:

Frank, a programmer, wants to keep track of the time that the file was uploaded to the control, and the time it was saved back to the PC. Frank also wants the previous times to be over written. Frank knows a little about VBScript and realizes this is a solution that is easy in VBScript. He quickly writes a script to insert "Downloaded to CNC:" followed by the date, as well as the corresponding "Uploaded to PC:" followed by the date. He also removes the previous entry so that he only gets the latest timestamps.

Database

A database is a powerful program. Databases take data, store them in a manner that allows for quick and easy retrieval, and provide flexible reporting tools to create reports that slice the data as needed. Predator DNC can feed Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Sever, and Oracle databases with data from CNC operations and communications. This allows data tracking at a lower cost of entry and with much greater flexibility than competing products.

With data being entered automatically into your databases, you are free to form helpful reports, charts, and graphs instead of spending your time collecting data. That means more time spent improving your bottom line and bettering your business, and less time performing repetitive tasks. Reports can be generated using common reporting tools such as Crystal Reports.

Email

Email is the easiest way to get real time notification of events. If you want to be instantly notified of modified files, downloaded or uploaded files, machine uptime or downtime, or even which part is currently running, email is the obvious solution. With advances in mobile computing, you can even receive email on your cellular phone. Production monitoring is now even simpler than before.

Printing

In addition to email, you can also print out hard copies of notifications. Perhaps you want to keep a hard copy of the programs going into the control and see what they look like after modification at the CNC. With the printing objects, you can do just that. A little creativity will let you walk to your printer to get a printout of the third shift operations

You can add any of these modules to your Predator DNC installation.