FactoryTalk View SE version 13, released in early 2022, serves as a bridge between traditional HMI systems and modernized, data-driven operations. It focuses on simplifying the user experience while expanding how operators interact with complex data. Core Graphics and Visualization Upgrades
Version 13 introduces several requested visual tools to help operators analyze real-time data:
XY Plot Object: For the first time, users can plot two sets of production data against each other, which is crucial for identifying correlations in process applications.
Data Grid Object: A new source that allows users to display data log information in a clean, tabular format directly on the HMI screen.
Enhanced Animations: Horizontal and vertical position animations are now available for more objects, including Images and Panels, which were previously limited.
Multi-Monitor Logic: In systems with multiple screens, Login and Logout dialog boxes now intelligently open on the specific monitor where the command was triggered, rather than defaulting to the main display. Advanced Scripting and Extensibility
Rockwell has deepened the software's flexibility for power users through enhanced scripting:
PowerShell Integration: Building on features from version 12, version 13 allows for bi-directional data interaction via PowerShell scripts, enabling users to write information back to HMI tags.
.NET Object Support: Developers can now create their own .NET controls and integrate them directly into FactoryTalk View SE applications.
Chromium-Based Web Browser: The Web Browser object now supports Microsoft Edge (Chromium) as a rendering engine, replacing the aging Internet Explorer standard. System Maintenance and Security
Maintenance and troubleshooting are streamlined through better diagnostic visibility:
System Status Portal: A new web-based dashboard provides a high-level overview of all application servers and their health.
Automatic Diagnostics: Operators can now access Logix controller diagnostic messages (like disconnected I/O) directly through FactoryTalk ViewPoint web clients on mobile devices.
Enhanced Cross-Reference: The Cross-Reference tool now includes a search function for object names, making it significantly faster to find where specific tags are used across a massive application. Major Commercial Changes
One of the most significant "features" of version 13 is a complete overhaul of the pricing and licensing model:
Unlimited Displays: All server bundles now include unlimited displays, removing the need to predict application size during the purchase phase.
Bundled Clients: Servers are now sold as bundles that include a fixed number of clients (5, 10, or 25) and unlimited ViewPoint web clients at no additional cost.
FactoryTalk View Site Edition is HMI software ... - Release Note
FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) version 13, released in March 2022, introduced several major updates focused on data visualization, system maintenance, and simplified licensing. Key Features & Enhancements Advanced Data Objects:
XY Plot: A new object that allows operators to plot two sets of production data against each other.
Data Grid: Displays collected data in a tabular format, now supporting FactoryTalk View SE data log model file sets as a source. Enhanced Scripting & Extensibility:
Bi-directional PowerShell: Extends the PowerShell engine introduced in v12 to allow bidirectional interaction, specifically the ability to write values back to HMI tags.
.NET Object Support: Designers can now create and use custom .NET controls (Windows Forms and WPF) within applications. User-Specific Customization:
Client Tags: New memory tags that are specific to each client and user session, allowing for operator-specific navigation and visibility without complex scripting. Modernized System Maintenance:
System Status Portal: A web-based overview providing the status of all FactoryTalk application servers, including HMI, Alarms, and Data servers.
Automatic Diagnostics: Integration with FactoryTalk ViewPoint allows animation to be driven by diagnostic messages from devices like Logix controllers. Commercial & Licensing Changes FactoryTalk View Site Edition Installation Guide factorytalk view se version 13
FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13 (CPR9 SR13) provides a scalable HMI/SCADA solution with specific design considerations for system sizing and hardware redundancy. Key requirements include Windows 10 compatibility and recommended hardware, such as a Quad-core Intel Xeon processor, to ensure optimal system performance. For more details, visit Rockwell Automation. Design Considerations - FactoryTalk® View Site Edition
FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13 introduces several major features designed to improve data visualization, system flexibility, and server-side automation Rockwell Automation Core Version 13 Features XY Plot Object
: A new graphic object that allows operators to analyze the relationship between two sets of data (tag values) against each other over time. Data Grid Source
: A new data source for the Data Grid object that enables the display of historical data log information in a tabular format directly on the HMI. .NET Control Support
: Users can now develop and integrate their own custom .NET controls into FactoryTalk View SE applications for greater extensibility. Enhanced PowerShell Scripting
: Expands on capabilities from previous versions to allow bidirectional data interactions, including the ability to write information back to HMI tags using server-side scripts. Redundant System Synchronization
: Adds an option to automatically synchronize HMI memory tag values between active and standby HMI servers to maintain consistency during failovers. Client-Specific Tags
: Introduces memory tags that are specific to each individual client and user session in a distributed system, allowing for customized client-side behavior. Chromium-Based Web Browser
: The web browser object now supports Microsoft Edge as a rendering engine alongside Internet Explorer. Rockwell Automation Operational and Security Enhancements System Status Portal
: A new webpage that provides a high-level overview of the status of all application servers, including HMI, Alarms, and Events servers. Electronic Signature (E-Signature) Improvements
: New E-Signature tabs for multistate push buttons and enhanced diagnostic audit messages for value changes. FactoryTalk Batch Integration
: Includes built-in HMI controls like BatchesList, PromptsList, and SFC for seamless integration with FactoryTalk Batch processes. Simplified Licensing
: A new pricing model bundles HMI servers with fixed numbers of clients (5, 10, or 25) and includes unlimited displays and FactoryTalk ViewPoint web clients. Rockwell Automation For detailed implementation, you can reference the FactoryTalk View SE User's Guide for instructions on configuring these new objects. Rockwell Automation Are you planning to an existing project or starting a fresh installation of Version 13?
FactoryTalk View Site Edition User's Guide - Literature Library
Title: The Ghost in the Gethouse Subject: A migration and troubleshooting story centered on FactoryTalk View SE Version 13.
The fluorescent lights of the control room hummed in a frequency that matched the headache throbbing behind Elias’s eyes. Outside the reinforced glass, "Old Bess"—the massive, decade-old mixing unit—groaned under the strain of the weekend production run.
"She’s ghosting again, Elias," the shift supervisor, Marcus, said over the comms. His voice crackled with static. "The HMI is showing Tank 4 pressure at zero, but the local gauge is pegged at 400 PSI. We’re flying blind."
Elias rubbed his temples. "I told you, Marcus. The old RSView32 application is running on a Windows XP thin client that’s held together with duct tape and prayers. The tags are stale. The COM interfaces are crashing."
"Save the IT speech," Marcus snapped. "Just fix it. Corporate is watching the downtime numbers."
Elias looked at his laptop. It was time. He had stalled long enough. He had the installation media loaded: FactoryTalk View SE Version 13.
For months, the plant had resisted the upgrade. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, the Plant Manager always said. But it was broke. It had been broke for years. Elias plugged into the engineering network and opened the development environment.
Version 13 looked different. The interface was cleaner, darker, aligning with the modern Rockwell Automation studio aesthetic. It felt less like the clunky software of the early 2000s and more like a professional development suite.
"Initiating migration," Elias muttered to himself.
He pointed the Migration Tool at the legacy application file. The old screens—clunky bitmap graphics with jagged edges—were imported.
Warning: Legacy ActiveX controls detected. Warning: VBA code syntax requires review. FactoryTalk View SE version 13, released in early
Elias grimaced. The "Ghost in the Gethouse" wasn't a supernatural entity; it was a mess of unsupported VBA scripts written by an engineer who had retired ten years ago. The old system used complex, fragile code to handle the data logging because the old SQL servers were too slow.
Elias opened a migrated screen. The Tank 4 graphic was a disaster. But then he looked at the Project Explorer in Version 13.
"Okay," he whispered. "Let’s see what you can do."
He dove into the Tag Database. In the old version, managing thousands of tags was a nightmare of scrolling text. In Version 13, the integration with the Logix 5000 controller was seamless. He could browse the controller tags directly. He bypassed the old, bloated polling rates and set up Direct Tags with optimized packet requests.
He spent three hours refactoring the screens. He deleted the wonky VBA scripts that were causing the memory leaks. In their place, he used Version 13’s native features. He set up Data Log Models that pushed data directly to an SQL Express instance without the need for clunky middleware. He configured FactoryTalk Alarms and Events, replacing the old banner alarms with a modern, sortable list that would actually show the time the alarm occurred, rather than five minutes later.
"Status?" Marcus’s voice boomed over the radio.
"Coming up for air," Elias said. "I’m compiling the runtime application. I’m going to deploy it to the new server."
"New server? We didn't approve a new server."
"It’s the Dell box under my desk that IT decommissioned last week," Elias admitted. "But it’s running Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and it’s a beast compared to that toaster you have in the rack. I’m going to push the SE Network Distributed application."
Elias hit the Apply button. The progress bar crawled across the screen. Validating displays... Verifying tag definitions...
Suddenly, a red error banner flashed. Connection Failure: RSLinx Enterprise cannot locate the PLC shortcut.
"Come on," Elias hissed. He checked the RSLinx Enterprise configuration within the View SE setup. He realized the migration had ported over an old, static IP address that the IT department had changed two years ago. The system was trying to talk to a ghost.
He quickly updated the device shortcut, pointing it to the new IP of the ControlLogix PLC. He hit Apply again. The status light in the communications diagnostic panel turned from red to a comforting, steady green.
"Okay, Marcus," Elias said, keying the mic. "I’m going to switch the client over. Stand by. It might look different."
"Don't care. Just want to see the pressure."
Elias launched the runtime client on the server. The screen flickered for a second, then the new interface loaded. It was crisp. The graphics were high-resolution, scaling perfectly to the 24-inch monitors. The buttons had a modern, flat design.
But the most important part was the top right corner. The Tank 4 Pressure indicator.
It hovered at 402 PSI.
"I see it!" Marcus shouted. "I see the numbers matching the local gauge! You did it!"
Elias let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He watched the historical trend object on the screen. In the old system, trend lines would freeze and lag. Now, with Version 13’s optimized data buffering, the line moved smoothly, archiving the pressure spike that had just occurred.
"Elias, the alarm banner is scrolling," Marcus said, sounding calmer now. "It says 'High Pressure Warning' at 14:02. That happened... two minutes ago."
"That’s real-time logging for you," Elias said, leaning back in his chair. "And the best part? It’s using half the CPU of the old system. The memory leak is gone."
"What version did you say this was?"
"FactoryTalk View SE Version 13," Elias said, watching the smooth animation of the agitator on the HMI. "It has better support for modern OS, improved security, and the VBA engine actually behaves."
"Keep it running," Marcus said. "Old Bess likes it." The fluorescent lights of the control room hummed
Elias smiled and saved the project. The ghost of the legacy system was finally exorcised. He minimized the development studio, leaving the runtime running, steady and solid. He took a sip of cold coffee. It was going to be a good shift.
FactoryTalk View SE Version 13 is not a revolutionary redesign, but it is a polished, secure, and high-performance evolution of a trusted SCADA platform. For medium to large industrial facilities in oil & gas, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and water/wastewater, V13 offers the stability and security needed for the remainder of the decade.
Download the trial from Rockwell Automation’s Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC). Test your existing displays in a virtual environment. And most importantly—document your upgrade rollback plan. With careful execution, V13 will serve as the robust backbone of your operations center for years to come.
About the Author: This guide was compiled by industrial automation engineers with over 15 years of experience deploying Rockwell Automation systems. For further questions on FactoryTalk View SE Version 13, contact your local Rockwell distributor or visit the official Rockwell Automation Knowledgebase (Article ID: QA57432).
FactoryTalk View SE Version 13: Bridging the Gap Between HMI and Digital Transformation
In the world of industrial automation, the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is no longer just a screen for toggling switches; it is the window into a facility's data soul. With the release of FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) Version 13, Rockwell Automation has pivoted toward a more "web-forward" and data-centric approach.
Whether you are a system integrator or a plant manager, Version 13 introduces several pivotal shifts designed to simplify the user experience while hardening security. 1. Enhanced Integration with FactoryTalk Hub
The standout theme of Version 13 is connectivity. This version is designed to live within the FactoryTalk Hub ecosystem, facilitating a more seamless bridge between on-premise operations and cloud-based analytics. This integration allows for easier management of software entitlements and simplifies the deployment of applications across distributed networks. 2. Evolution of FactoryTalk ViewPoint
Version 13 continues to pour resources into FactoryTalk ViewPoint, the web-client extension of View SE.
Mobile-First Design: The emphasis is on "anywhere visibility." Version 13 improves the fidelity of HMI screens when viewed on tablets and smartphones, ensuring that the HTML5 rendering is crisp and responsive.
Functionality Parity: One of the historic gripes with web clients was the lack of feature parity with the desktop "thick" client. Version 13 narrows this gap, allowing more complex animations and alarming features to translate directly to the browser. 3. Streamlined Development with New Objects
Efficiency in the Studio design environment is a major focus. Version 13 introduces several new native objects and symbols that reduce the need for custom scripting.
Better Scaling: Improved support for high-resolution displays (4K) ensures that graphics scale properly without pixelation.
Automatic Diagnostics: Integration with Logix controllers is tighter than ever. Version 13 makes it easier to pull extended property data and "instruction-faceplate" information directly from the controller, saving hours of manual tagging. 4. Data Driven Insights: Trending and Alarming
Data is only useful if it’s legible. Version 13 enhances the TrendPro tool, allowing operators to overlay disparate data points—like alarms and real-time process values—on a single timeline. This "contextualized" data view helps operators pinpoint exactly what happened in the seconds leading up to a fault. 5. Security and Infrastructure
As cyber threats to ICS (Industrial Control Systems) rise, Version 13 reinforces the "Defense in Depth" strategy.
User Authentication: Enhanced integration with Windows Active Directory and modern authentication protocols ensures that only authorized personnel can make setpoint changes.
Operating System Support: Version 13 is optimized for the latest Windows Server and Windows 10/11 environments, ensuring long-term supportability and patch compatibility. Why Upgrade?
If you are running Version 10 or 11, the jump to Version 13 is significant. The shift toward HTML5 via ViewPoint means you can move away from dedicated HMI terminals and toward a more flexible, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) architecture. Furthermore, the reduced engineering time provided by the new Logix-integrated objects offers a tangible Return on Investment (ROI) for new projects.
FactoryTalk View SE Version 13 isn't just a minor patch; it’s a statement that the future of HMI is web-based, mobile-friendly, and deeply integrated into the broader data enterprise. By focusing on the "operator experience" and "developer efficiency," Rockwell has ensured that View SE remains a heavyweight in the SCADA market. View ME feature sets for a new project?
Upgrading to FactoryTalk View SE Version 13 requires careful planning. Below are the official minimum requirements:
| Component | Requirement | | :--- | :--- | | Processor | Quad-core 2.4 GHz (3.0+ GHz recommended for 10+ clients) | | RAM | 16 GB (32 GB for mixed Workflow/AssetCentre installs) | | Disk Space | 20 GB (SSD strongly recommended for alarm/tag history) | | Operating System | Windows Server 2022 or Windows 11/10 IoT LTSC | | Database | Microsoft SQL Server 2019 or 2022 (Express no longer sufficient for large sites) | | FactoryTalk Services Platform | Version 6.40 (included with install) | | .NET Framework | .NET 6.0 (Runtime & SDK) |
Yes, if any of the following apply to you:
Wait, if:
The Alarm and Event Server in V13 now supports deduplication of transient alarms (avoiding alarm floods) and native integration with FactoryTalk Analytics for predictive alerting. The alarm history database has also been optimized for larger retention periods without performance degradation.