Published: 11-08-2021.

INTRODUCING DCC 1.9

We’re delighted to introduce DDC version 1.9; the newest iteration of Secomea’s Data Collection Cloud.

Version 1.9 features improvements for dashboard widgets: including new icons, tool tips, and reorganized configuration items. Usability upgrades include UI performance optimization. For example, you will experience speed improvements when loading domain tree objects.

There’s a multitude of enhancements in DCC 1.9. Let’s shine a spotlight on a few honorable mentions. For the complete details, please read the full release notes, linked below on the Secomea Knowledge Base.

Complete Release Notes

MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA)

DCC now supports two-factor authentication with the well-known iOS and Android authentication apps, Google Authenticator and Authy. DCC administrators can now enforce MFA for all users, for individual users and for specific roles. For example, you can define that Administrators must use MFA, while dashboard users can login with just their usernames and passwords.

Are you interested in adding MFA to your DCC? Click the button below to explore the MFA tutorial, hosted on the Secomea Knowledge Base.

Complete Guide

AUTOMATIC CERTIFICATE RENEWALS

As of version 9.6, SiteManager can receive certificates and private keys from DCC. With the release of DCC 1.9, the corresponding logic has been implemented in DCC. SiteManagers will stay connected regardless of expiry dates of installed certificates. Security is maximized by enforcing SiteManagers’ authentication with unique, time limited access certificates.

Should you still want to make a generic configuration profile for provisioning new SiteManagers, (for instance, via a USB flash stick), you can create a “Project certificate” for insertion into SiteManagers’ DCC configurations. On first connection, DCC automatically exchanges the project certificate with a unique access certificate.

Click the button below to explore our top-down guide to DCC on the Secomea Knowledge Base.

Complete Guide

ACCESS WEB PANELS VIA DCC DASHBOARDS

A revolutionary feature of 1.9 is the Web-widget that can embed a web browser session with remote devices inside a DCC dashboard, without logging into GateManager. The Web-widget uses the LinkManager Mobile API to interface with GateManager. Enter the credentials for the LMM account and the remote SiteManager Agent ID through the dashboard’s settings – this will give you instant access when you open the dashboard. As of 1.9, the DCC Web-widget is in Beta.

If you need more security, you can mandate that users input LMM credentials for access to the device. For example, Web-widget can merge device status information with a visualization of the machine’s HMI, empowering full control of the device.

Complete Guide

REMOTELY OPERATE PLCs OVER MODBUS

Another innovative tool brought to Beta with DCC 1.9 is the Modbus-widget. This feature expands on DCC’s Modbus compatibility, enabling DCC to write Modbus values directly to a PLC. For the Beta version, int32, int64 and String values are supported.

The Modbus-Widget is based on the LMM API and utilizes the LMM API extension “VPN GTA.” This allows applications to connect via TCP to Ethernet devices listed as SiteManager Agents. Typical use cases include using the DCC dashboard to instruct a PLC to perform machine operations.

Click the button below for a step-by-step guide to remote access through DCC.

Complete Guide