This period saw an overlap between old and new. Our new Saturn product became available on general release, first as the HMI (formerly MMI but now polically correct - Man Machine Interface changed to Human machine Interface!) for SCAN1000 and then as more functionality was added, as a complete stand-alone package. Saturn was originally intended as an internal product development label and various names were used for the release product - EasySCADA, SCAN1000 v5, Saturn FactorySQL etc. The various names were used for different areas - EasySCADA as a low cost HMI, SCAN1000 v5 as a replacement to older SCAN1000 systems and FactorySQL for the increasingly important factory integration market.
Product pricing became an ongoing problem - are we selling large volume, low cost or low volume, high cost? Software was increasingly being sold online where large numbers of sales were possible for suitable product thus enabling a low cost per item. Our problem was the level of support required per sale - buying SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) software is not the same as buying a word processor!
Databases started to become a 'must have' in sales. We took on staff specifically for and with skills suitable for Microsoft SQL Server development in parallel with our SCADA systems. Initially, Microsoft Access was used but increasingly, SQL Server took over. Our work with existing customers enabled us to develop the skills required in this area. This really took off when Microsoft released Sql Server Express as a free product. Although limited in size, it proved to be a useful addition to the type of systems now being developed.
Manuals for Saturn steadily increased in size and in common with other software, we added videos to introduce the various 'Wizards' that were built in to the product. To view the manuals and videos, go to the SCAN1000 v5 page.
A new power station being built on the Isle of Man opened up a new line for us as Dick got involved with the design of the station control room. This led to other control room projects over the following years.