IDX version 6 includes many new and improved features:

IDX now VeriTest approved IDX 6 was certified through the VeriTest Windows Server 2003 and Windows Client testing program that ensures IDX is compatible with Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

IDX MMC Configuration Tool Since IDX can opreate on and interface between many systems, creation and administration of these IDX gateways in a large or dispersed deployment can become complex. In addition, the IDX Configuration platform required a boost in functionality to provide an more intuitive user experience, as well as provide a framework for other exciting upcoming IDX product developments. The IDX MMC Configuration Tool intends to address these issues. It allows for any IDX gateway that falls within the enterprise network to be configured and administered from a single location. The tool uses the familiar Microsoft Management Console tree visualisation to make the the intuitive representation of an IDX communications infrastructure. The IDX MMC Tool is now the center-piece of IDX development to provide a single, integrated IDX management framework. The new tool also introduces the concept of Configuration Wizards. For IDX 6, three Wizards are provided, namely the OPC Client, Performance Monitor and Playback Wizards. These allow for the connection to an OPC or Windows NT-based server, selection of tags to import to IDX, and the auto-generation of slots and actions based on the selected server tags. Additional improvements to the MMC utility in version 6 include: Live tag data viewing inside the utility - It is now possible to view live tag data while configuring tags Adding the Logger Module to an IDX instance unlocks built in shortcuts to allow quick right-click selections of tags and logging them to disk.

IDX 6 sees the introduction of the following new modules:

Control System Monitor Module IDX Control System Monitor (CSM™) is a simple, yet powerful network monitoring solution. It allows one or many data networks to be monitored on a continuous basis while providing a multitude of additional features. These include: A highly configurable monitoring service that can deliver monitored data into nearly any real-time data system. CSM is centered on the robust and industry-proved IDX core. A user-friendly Graphical User Monitoring Interface that allows site-wide CSM monitoring to be summarized and viewed from a single workstation. Detailed network information, statistics and reports, site-wide, can all be obtained through a single application. Since CSM uses the standard OPC data transport mechanism, it is simple to import selected information into current SCADAs or any other system to present operators with critical network information, with or without the use of CSM Control Center. Service-local packet and alert logging with configurable event triggering and filtering. On-the-fly device detection and data transport tag creation. Automatic network change detection which is automatically reflected in CSM Control Centre™. Network fault and failure corrective action reporting that operators and on-the-ground personnel can understand and act on immediately. Best-effort real-time packet transport (limited). Support for obtaining physical network information from Siemens Diagnostic Repeaters on PROFIBUS networks. Remote monitoring over dedicated links or the Internet over secure VPN connections. Secure, independent network monitoring and response by IDXOnline or affiliated partners, to ensure your industrial network stays healthy and minimizes costly downtime. A compact, robust hardware platform optimized to run CSM. Due to its component-based architecture, CSM allows for a broad range of application scope: Since IDX CSM is a module in IDX, it allows the data gathered by IDX CSM to be transported via and into all varieties of real-time data systems. This includes, for example, historians, ERP systems and SCADAs. CSM consists of an IDX service core (IDX CSM Module), data transport (OPC) and presentation layer (IDX CSM Control Centre™). Only the service core is a requirement for system integrators and/or developers that wish to present only specific information or wish to incorporate that information natively into a site SCADA application.

Simulator Module The Simulator module allows simulated data to be fed into the IDX data stream providing varying data for testing and/or analysis purposes. Signals such as square, sine and triangular waves can be generated on a per-tag basis.

TCP/IP Client Module The TCP/IP client module completes the IDX TCP/IP family that now allows data to be transported between IDX instances using the TCP/IP protocol. TCP/IP clients can now connect to TCP/IP server modules across firewalls and also avoid the authentication problems often experienced with OPC connections.

IDX Help Documentation In IDX 6, the product help documentation has been completely revised. There has been a growing need to improve the quality and quantity of IDX support documentation. This release of IDX delivers the a new, format-standardised help system. Amongst new content that has been added, primarily for IDX driver modules and configuration examples, the help structure has been largely reorganised to be more user friendly and intuitive. Topic and content cross-linking has been improved to make finding solutions simpler. On the whole, the new help documentation is seen as a significant step toward improving the usability and world-class standard of the IDX product suite. Due to the nature of the number of IDX interface modules, not all modules will be documented or have complete documentation in this release but content additions and improvements are ongoing. Note that the most widely used modules have received the majority of the attention, most of which now have detailed configuration overviews, as well configuration examples for common scenarios.

IDX Support Tracker IDXOnline aims to the improve the quality of its customer support with the new support tracker. It allows any IDX customer with valid software licenses to be able to log, track and resolve any issues or problems encountered with IDX. The tracker allows customers to interactively raise potential bug alerts, support requests, license requests, and suggestions to be attended to by IDX engineers. The tracker is accesible from here for all registered clients.