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.
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.