FactoryTalk Optix 1.8 Raises the Bar for Industrial HMI and SCADA

Designed for operational resilience

A key highlight of FactoryTalk Optix 1.8 is the introduction of High Availability, enabling users to deploy a three-node runtime cluster consisting of one active node and two standby nodes.

With automatic failover, synchronised application data and virtual-IP client reconnection, operators can maintain access to critical visualisation and control applications even if a runtime node becomes unavailable. The result is improved system resilience, reduced downtime and greater confidence in mission-critical operations.

The new architecture also simplifies deployment by allowing a single Extended Runtime package to support the entire three-node cluster.

AI assistance built into engineering workflows

FactoryTalk Optix 1.8 introduces an AI Design-Time Assistant embedded directly within Optix Studio Pro.

Users can ask natural-language questions about configuration, development and product functionality and receive structured responses based on approved FactoryTalk Optix documentation. By providing contextual guidance without requiring engineers to leave the development environment, the assistant helps accelerate onboarding, reduce troubleshooting time and improve productivity.

Importantly, project files remain local, allowing teams to benefit from AI-assisted support while maintaining control of application data.

Enhanced connectivity for modern industrial applications

As industrial systems continue to exchange larger volumes of operational data, FactoryTalk Optix 1.8 delivers expanded support for modern connectivity requirements.

MQTT Publisher and Subscriber capabilities now support complex data structures, including folders, nested objects and arrays. Event Logger data can also be published directly to MQTT brokers, helping simplify cloud connectivity and remote analytics applications while reducing the need for custom middleware.

The release further expands connectivity through direct EtherNet/IP communication with supported PowerFlex® drives, providing access to drive parameters without additional gateway requirements.

Flexible application deployment

FactoryTalk Optix 1.8 introduces Workstation Clients, allowing web-based applications to be installed and launched as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).

This approach provides a consistent experience across browser and workstation environments while supporting dedicated operator stations, kiosk-style deployments and simplified application access from the desktop or taskbar.

For organisations looking to scale applications over time, updated runtime licensing enables users to begin with a Base Runtime package and add Extended feature tokens as requirements evolve.

Additional enhancements

The release also includes a range of usability, performance and development improvements, including:

• Retentivity backup and restore functionality
• Browser-based file upload and download capabilities
• Role-based signatures
• New design-time C# APIs
• Offline tag import from FactoryTalk Design Studio projects
• Memory optimisation improvements for large applications
• New firmware enhancements for Optix-based devices, including browser mirroring, backup and restore, and expanded OptixEdge networking capabilities

Whether you're developing standalone machine visualisation, plant-wide SCADA systems or connected industrial applications, FactoryTalk Optix 1.8 provides new tools to improve resilience, simplify engineering and support future growth.