Software frameworks provide a platform to allow businesses to more easily build their end-product offerings. The patented
Niagara Framework® is targeted at solving the challenges associated with managing diverse smart devices, unifying their data, and connecting
them to enterprise applications. Examples of smart devices include: monitoring and control systems, sensors, metering systems,
and embedded controls on packaged equipment systems.
framework, n. something composed of parts fitted together and united; a structural frame; a basic structure (as of ideas); in object-oriented
programming, a reusable basic design structure, consisting of abstract and concrete classes, that assists in building applications.
Niagara Framework, n. a universal software infrastructure that allows companies to build custom, web-enabled applications for accessing, automating,
and controlling smart devices in real time over the Internet.
Using
Niagara 4, integrators and developers can build device-to-enterprise solutions and Internet-enabled control and monitoring products.
The framework:
- Integrates diverse systems and devices (regardless of manufacturer or communication protocol) into a unified platform that
can be easily managed in real time over the Internet (or intranet) using a late version HTML5-capable web browser.
- Supports the use of tags that can be queried, thus providing a foundation for many of the new features (search, tagging, relations,
templates, hierarchies).
- Includes a cutting-edge toolset that enables non-programmers to build rich applications in a drag-and-drop environment.
Most features are designed for dual use (for programmers as well as non-programmers). These features are built around a set
of Java APIs to be accessed by developers writing Java code. At the same time, most features are also designed to be used
through high level graphical programming and configuration tools. This vastly increases the number of users capable of building
applications on the
Niagara platform.
Niagara is fully scalable, meaning that it can be run on platforms spanning the range from small, embedded devices to enterprise
class servers. It is successfully applied globally in energy-services, building-automation, industrial-automation and M2M
applications.