Control Network Newsletter
BASview1 Users – Flash Player Announcement
The BASview1, an easy to use web-based graphical interface from Contemporary Controls, was introduced in the mid-2010 era. It provides a state-of-the-art graphic display of operational data utilizing Adobe Flash Player, which at the time was the dominant platform for Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements.
Over time, Flash Player has been criticized for its performance, consumption of battery on mobile devices, and security vulnerabilities. In July 2017, Adobe announced that it will end support for Flash Player on December 31, 2020 and encourages the use of the open HTML5 standard in place of Flash. All major web browsers plan to officially remove Adobe Flash Player on that date as well, and Microsoft will be removing it from the Windows OS entirely in January 2021 via a Windows update.
A migration path for BASview1 users is available with the BASview3. This more powerful and flexible device utilizes the HTML5 markup language which is universally recognized today and is supported by all the major web browsers. All BASview1 hardware interfaces are compatible with the BASview3, and BASview1 database backup files may be loaded in to a BASview3 for seamless upgrading or new sites. All features will work as they did on the BASview1, but the older flash graphics need to be recreated in HTML5. HTML5 has newer, simpler graphic screens that are designed (but not required) to be embedded in Dashboards to allow them to work properly on mobile devices. Dashboards are where the gauges, switches and other visual gadgets can be found, and are recommended over graphic screens when possible for better mobile compatibility.
Our BASview3 is a stand-alone, embedded, web-based graphical interface for building automation and process automation systems. It can be accessed from any web browser — providing supervisory functionality to any BACnet/IP or Modbus TCP system. By using Contemporary Controls BASrouter or BASgateway products, additional protocols such as BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RTU are supported. The BASview3 is simple to install and use. It is housed in a DIN rail mounted metal enclosure and is 24VAC/ VDC powered for convenient installation. A 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection is all that is needed for communication.
Supervisory features include animated graphic screens, scheduling, historical trending, runtime accumulation and email alarms. BASview3 will automatically toggle outputs and change setpoints on schedule, collect runtime and trend data, and monitor alarm conditions. As an embedded device, BASview3 uses Flash memory for internal storage to maintain its ruggedness. The BASview3 is totally self-contained, requiring no external application for its use. Multiple, simultaneous web browser users can access the device. The BASview3 is ideal for small to medium buildings or processes that require a simple-to-use graphical interface with no licensing requirements. The BASview3 can handle up to 2000 nodes — a combination of devices, points, schedules, alarms, trends, etc.
To learn more about the BASview3, visit the BASview product page. For technical assistance with the BASview1, contact our support team.