With WinCC Unified View of Things, users can configure their visualization instead of programming it. What exactly does that mean?

Kranert: A web server has been available in the S7-1500 for some time. This makes it possible to program your own web pages, for example for simple use cases for operating and monitoring. However, this presupposes that the company has the know-how for web programming. In addition, it must be taken into account that the costs of maintaining and servicing an individually programmed solution can quickly become high.

With WinCC Unified View of Things, there is a comparable solution that follows our 'project planning instead of programming' approach. There is an editor in the TIA Portal that enables operating screens to be created with just a few clicks. The effort required to maintain the application remains very low in this way.

User experience is playing an increasingly important role. What opportunities arise in this context?

Kranert: Basically, we are pleased that topics such as usability and user experience are becoming increasingly important in mechanical engineering and industry. I see two key points: Firstly, the software gives many more options for implementing an application or solution. Technologies such as 'Dynamic SVGs' or 'Custom Web Controls' have made it very easy to use individual representations or controls. This is particularly helpful when it comes to providing detailed visual feedback in the HMI.

On the other hand, the WinCC Unified system helps to implement a consistent operating concept. A screen that was created for a 'View of Things' application can be adopted for a Unified Comfort Panel or WinCC Unified. These use the same controls, which also helps to ensure that the operator has a consistent user experience.

What roles do apps play - today and in the future?

Kranert: Apps are becoming increasingly important. Precisely because the technologies on which the apps are based are perfectly suited to a variety of tasks in the context of digitalization, such as the analysis of data or the training of algorithms. We have therefore provided the option of running apps on the devices in the Unified Comfort Panels right from the start. This not only brings a new level of openness, but also flexibility when implementing an application. For example, customers can run 'NodeRed' directly on our panels in parallel with the visualization. No code needs to be written for this.

Not every mechanical engineer has the know-how to write their own apps. That's what makes low-coding platforms like Mendix so interesting. Getting started in the 'world of apps' is much easier. And the easier it is to get started, the more companies will use apps to take their applications to a new level.