We Asked the Experts: What's Your Favorite FIN Framework Tool?

One of the unique features of the FIN Framework is its ability to be customized and extended through the use of power tools; these are forms or wizards that help automate and eliminate repetitive tasks. Many of the applications (such as DB Builder, Folio, Schedules, and Notes) have a tools icon typically visualized as a gear that displays a list of available tools. This unique technology enables J2 and OEMs to rapidly add new workflows and functionality without major core code changes. 

In this blog, we're going to highlight a sample of the many tools to choose from that can eliminate mouse clicks and help system integrators build solutions faster, easier, and better. We polled our team of experts to find out their favorite FIN Framework tool. Here's what they said.

DB Builder App

Gerard Huff, Technical Trainer

"One of my favorite examples of a tool that I cover in class is the Batch Edit and Clone tools found in DB Builder. For example, when a System Integrator would like to add histories to a bunch of points. This would typically require multiple tags to multiple points manually one at a time. By selecting the Clone tool, any number of tags can be duplicated or cloned across multiple instances of that same type of point." 

Schedule App

Scott Muench, Customer Experience

"I actually have multiple favorites when it comes to tools found in the Schedule App. One of the biggest challenges for both end users and system integrators is making the link between schedules and the points they control. Historically this required users to have and understand a full suite of engineering tools to simply create a link. With FIN Framework and Add Point to Schedule tool, it's as easy as choosing which points to assign to a schedule from a list.     

Another productivity boost when creating a new schedule is to use the Duplicate Schedule Day tool, which simply (as the name implies) allows you to create a daily schedule for "Monday, 9-5" and then duplicate it for Tuesday through Friday with just two mouse clicks." 

Folio App

Aaron Sanchez, Senior Application Engineer

"Working with customers, I find one of the most key concepts for them to understand is that our database is simply a collection of records that contain tags. These records represent points and pieces of equipment from which all of our other functionality and the power of FIN Framework are built upon. We have created a tool that allows users to add and/or remove tags from point or equipment records. Found under the Advanced Apps menu is the Folio App and one of the tools is the Advanced Tag Editor. What I like about this tool is its built-in search function that can look for specific tags or general filters, such as the point name or a portion of the name. Then the wizard progresses to show the total number of records that will be modified and in batch, makes those changes programmatically." 

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to power tools in FIN Framework. What's your favorite tool?