Glossary

Acknowledge

An active alarm has been acknowledged by the Runtime operator.

Action Browser

The Action Browser is where you can select commands for a Workflow Action block or Button to execute.

Alarm

An alert displayed to the Runtime user. Alarms are assigned to an asset status. When the asset is in that status, it will appear in the Alarm Banner, can be set to flash, and will play an audible alert.

Alarm Type

The categorization of an alarm, which can be assigned to an asset status. For example, a No Communication alarm can be assigned to the No Communication status, alerting the Runtime operator when an asset is no longer connected to Runtime. New alarm types can be created with their own colors and sound to play when the alarm is active.

API

Application Programming Interface. The PrismUI API is used to allow external programs to connect to PrismUI to retrieve information and send commands to Runtime.

Asset

An asset represents a device or sensor belonging to an Integrated System. The asset provides a visual representation of the status of the device, and can have commands issued to it from the PrismUI Runtime application.

Asset Type

The asset type is the categorization of an asset by type. For example, a camera and input asset. Each would have their own set of commands and statuses available to them.

BACnet

A communications protocol for Building Automation and Control (BAC) networks that leverage the ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO 16484-5 standard protocol. BACnet was designed to allow communication of building automation and control systems for applications such as heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning control (HVAC), lighting control, access control, and fire detection systems and their associated equipment. The BACnet protocol provides mechanisms for computerized building automation devices to exchange information, regardless of the particular building service they perform.

Bounding Box

The frame around a graphical object that can be stretched to increase or decrease the size of the image, and can be dragged to reposition an image on a Map or Display Layout.

Bookmark, Bookmarking

Bookmarks are a feature of video systems to allow users find and review a recorded event later. Bookmarked video can be protected against scheduled data cleanup so it is never deleted.

By Design

Systems which are integrated by design have been built against the system's specifications to work with PrismUI. These integrations have not been fully tested against the third party system, but rather in an environment which differs from the setup typically observed within a facility. For further information on a specific integrated system, please contact PrismUI support.

Canvas

The working area for Maps, Display Layouts and Workflows.

CEM

Critical Event Management. The management of critical events such as severe weather, workplace violence, active shooters, terrorism, IT and power outages, environmental discharges, critical equipment failures, medical emergencies, social media attacks, etc.

COM

Component Object Model. A standard that enables communications between software components.

Command

Commands are actions which can be performed on an asset or integrated system in Runtime. Certain commands will cause changes in the physical integrated system when executed. For example, the Mask command will hide the asset's status in Runtime. Issuing an unlock command on a door will physically unlock the door in the integrated system.

Command Panel

The visual representation of the commands which are available to an asset in Runtime. This panel is displayed when an asset is selected.

Dataserver

Dataservers are a centralized server or computer where Integrated System drivers are run, allowing Runtime Workstations to connect to the systems.

Designer

Designer is the application where you create and edit your PrismUI projects.

DNS

Domain Name System. The naming system used to translate domain names into an IP address.

Failover

Dataserver failover allows installed integrated systems to communicate with a secondary dataserver in the event of a server communication error.

Fault

An error reported for an asset in integrated system driver.

GUID

Globally Unique Identifier. This is a unique identifier used to reference something within a system. This is commonly used in Integrated Systems to identify specific devices within the system.

Heartbeat

Regular messaging from each Workstation and Data Server to declare to all Workstations that it is still online.

HMI

A Human Machine Interface is a software application that presents information to an operator about the state of a process, and to accept and implement the operator's control instructions. Typically information is displayed in a graphic format (Graphical User Interface or GUI).

Icon

The visual representation of an asset on a Map.

Integrated System

An integrated system is a plug-in component that permits a third-party system to communicate with PrismUI. Devices from the systems can be added to Maps as assets. When these assets are added into PrismUI, their status can be monitored and have commands issued to them.

Latch, Latching

When an alarm is latched, it must be acknowledged then reset before the alarm state can be cleared. Until then, the alarming state will be visible. A non-latched alarm will not require acknowledgement or resetting to return to a normal state.

Layout, Display Layout

A Display Layout is a layout containing the collection of displays and controls on a Workstation monitor. These can contain items such as Map Containers, Video Viewers, Navigation Items, and more. A Workstation can have multiple Display Layouts assigned to it, and one layout can be used on multiple Workstations.

Legend

A table on a Display Layout or Map that identifies and explains the symbols used on the Runtime operator's screen. For example, this can be used to assist identifying what an asset will look like in each of its states.

Logging

Logging is the service which collects logs from Runtime Workstations and stores them in a database. These can later be viewed from the Reporting application.

Logging Description

A unique identifier found in an assets Properties panel that will be used as the logging location for commands and statuses associated with this asset. If it is empty, the asset's caption will be used instead.

Logic Editor

A panel used in Workflows which allows a user to create a logical expression. This can be used to determine a block exit path based on the specified information.

Map

A graphical representation of real-world elements. This is commonly a floor plan or grid containing asset icons. A project typically has many Maps. The Navigation Item is used to allow the Runtime operator to change the Map displayed. A Map Container must be used on a Display Layout to use Maps.

Masking

To hide the true state of an asset.

Modal

Modal dialog windows show information to users on the same page they are working on.

Monitor

The physical monitor for the computer acting as a Workstation.

Multicast

A communication method where data is sent to multiple endpoints simultaneously.

Navigation

Navigation is a method for users to switch between Maps. Navigation can be set to differ between Workstations, and change based on which Map is currently being displayed.

No Communication

The state of an asset when PrismUI is unable to connect to its driver.

Nurse Call

Event triggered by a patient, nurse, or other person to indicate that assistance is needed.

OID

Object Identifier. OIDs are an identifier mechanism standardized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and ISO/IEC for naming any object, concept, or "thing" with a globally unambiguous persistent name. OIDs are generally provided by the hardware manufacturers or can be found in so-called OID repositories, where collections of MIB trees and the corresponding OIDs can be accessed.

OPC

Open Platform Communications. A series of standards and specifications for industrial telecommunications. OPC specifies the communication of real-time plant data between control devices from different manufacturers.

Operator

The user operating an PrismUI Runtime Workstation.

Posting, Alarm Posting

A grouping of alarms that can be assigned to a Workstation. Depending on the posting assigned, some alarms in Runtime will not be shown to the user in the Alarm Banner, flash, or audibly annunciate.

Project

A project contains the configuration of Integrated Systems, Workstations, Alarms, Workflows, and more for a site.

Publish

Sending the latest version of a project to one or more Workstations. This can be done via a Force Publish, which completes the update without prompting the Runtime operator, or via a Publish which prompts the user to complete the update.

Publication

The service which handles sending, receiving, and processing of project updates to Workstations.

PTZ

Pan-Tilt-Zoom. PTZ describes the movement capability of cameras.

Reporting

Reporting is the application where you can generate reports from the logs collected by the logging service. These reports can allow you to view an audit trail of events and actions in PrismUI, or generate statistical information. Filters can be applied to the data.

REX

Request to Exit. This is used in access control systems to manage accessibility within secured areas.

RPS

Remote Programming Software. Software used to remotely program a system or device.

RTLS

Real-Time Location System. RTLS devices are used to track the location of a person or object.

Runtime

Runtime is where PrismUI runs the projects which are created in Designer. It connects to Integrated Systems, runs Workflows, manages alarms, etc. A graphical Runtime can be interacted with by an operator on a Workstation. It can also be run as a service instead.

Select

Selection is clicking a selectable item in Runtime, usually an asset. The asset select can be used to trigger Workflows or display the commands for that asset. The ability to select an asset can be disabled either in the properties grid, or disabled for a specific status in the Status Table.

Single Sign-On

Single sign-on is a property of access control of multiple related, yet independent, software systems. With this property, a user logs in with a single ID and password to gain access to a connected system or accomplished using the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and stored LDAP databases on (directory) servers. A simple version of single sign-on can be achieved over IP networks using cookies but only if the sites share a common DNS parent domain.

SMS

Short Message Service. A text messaging service component used to exchange short text messages between devices.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol. A standard protocol for managing devices on IP networks. Hardware monitoring can include basic SNMP devices.

SSL

Secure Sockets Layer. A method of encrypting the data sent between endpoints. An SSL connection requires an SSL certificate.

Status

The status is the current state of an asset based on the state of the physical device it represents. Statuses can differ between different systems and assets, and have an alarm assigned to them. For example, a camera can be in a Normal status when it is online and connected to PrismUI. Its status can change to recording when it begins recording video.

State

The representation of what is occurring with a device. A state can be assigned to a Status within a Status Table.

Trigger, Triggered

Triggers are events or conditions configured in PrismUI Designer to start Workflows. Once those conditions are met, the Workflow begins execution.

Trigger Browser

The Trigger Browser is where you select the trigger for a Workflow in the Start block.

Version Control

Version Control is used in PrismUI to create a repository to track changes to your project. This can roll back and revert changes to previous versions of the project.

VMS

Video Management System. A system that manages the playback, storage and gathering of video.

Workflow

A Workflow is used to execute a process. This can be a standard operating procedure, automating system actions, and more. Workflows can be either Interactive or Background Workflows. Interactive Workflows can display visual information to the end user, whereas Background Workflows do not.

Workstation

Workstations are physical or virtual computers that run an instance of PrismUI Runtime. Each instance of Runtime must be associated with a single, unique Workstation. They are where the operator monitors and interacts with PrismUI Runtime.