Flow 5.0

5.0.1 Release | Build 5.0.0487.618

Released: October 23, 2018

Important:

Release notes for 5.0.0 below also apply to this release.

What's new/fixed?

• A bug in the migration of reports from version 4.3.4 to 5.0.x relating to the default chart Period Interval was resolved.
• A bug in the migration of reports from version 4.3.4 to 5.0.x relating to the Time Series Table and Chart base axis time formatting was resolved.
• A bug in the validation of calculations using "contained" measures was resolved.
• The Flow Server chart and dashboard image/PDF export timeout setting was increased to 5 minutes.

5.0.0 Release | Build 5.0.0483.836

Released: October 17, 2018

Important:

• From version 5.0.0 upwards, Flow no longer supports deployment of SSRS Reports. All reports will be migrated to the Flow Server.
• From version 5.0.0 upwards, Flow no longer supports external client access via database views. All clients will need to be updated to use the Flow Server Data API. Alternatively, the new Flow Integration Engine can be used to push data into a separate custom SQL database for continued external client access.

What's new?

Version 5.0.0 is a significant update with a number of additional features:

NEW: Flow Server

• The Flow Server has been designed and built from the ground up.  A new plug-in architecture for charts allows increased flexibility, functionality and configuration.
• The Flow Server provides stunning data visualizations with custom theming and multiple color palettes.
• Export your charts and dashboards to Image, PDF and CSV formats. 

NEW: Template-First Configuration

• In addition to the classic model configuration, version 5.0.0 introduces Template modeling capability. Once templates have been designed, they can be instantiated multiple times in the model.
• A template-first configuration approach not only enables rapid model roll-out, but also enforces standard asset and KPI structure across your Flow System.

NEW: Integration Engine

• The Flow Integration Engine extends your Flow System even further.
• Model data and commentary can now be "pushed" into external data "consumers":
  • Microsoft SQL databases
  • MQTT brokers
  • other Flow Systems (Tiering)
• The Flow Integration Engine enables tiered information consolidation from multiple Tier 1 (e.g. Site) instances to a higher level Tier 2 (e.g. Head Quarters) instance for comparative and bench-marking analysis.

NEW: Template Server

• The Template Server allows templates to be modeled and managed at a Tier 2 (or higher) level.
• These templates can be served to lower level Flow Systems for rapid model roll-out and simplified model maintenance across multi-site organizations.

Data Sources

• New data sources include:
  • Oracle
  • Ignition Historian
  • OPC UA (Historical Data)

Notification Services

• New notification services include:
  • Slack. For assistance in configuring your Slack "Flowbot", please email us at support@flow-software.com and we'll get you started.  

Before installation:

1. Make sure .Net 4.7.1 or higher is installed - download
2. Make sure .Net Core 2.1 or higher is installed - download
3. Make sure KB2999226 for your specific OS is installed
4. Restart your server

If this is a Flow upgrade from 4.x:

1. Undeploy all components using existing Flow Config
2. Stop the Flow Bootstrap Service
3. Make a note of the Administrative user that is used to run the Flow Bootstrap Service
4. Perform a Database backup

Installation:

1. Run the Flow.msi installer

After Installation:

1. Set the Flow Bootstrap Service logon details to an Administrative user

If this was a Flow upgrade from 4.x:

1. Open Flow Config, select your Flow instance, connect and then accept the migration process when prompted
2. Deploy all components # If this was a new Flow installation: 2. Open Flow Config and create a new Flow Instance