The common parts database, shared with the EPLAN Platform, uses a standalone synchronization utility to maintain part synchronization between Harness proD and the EPLAN Platform.

In order to use EPLAN Platform Master Data library and Synchronizer, EPLAN Platform 2023 has to be installed.

Synchronizer

Database synchronization is performed by one of two tools that provide the same function and differ only by their deployment strategy: Synchronizer application (HSynchronizer.exe) or Synchronizer service. The recommended solution is using Synchronizer service. A single windows PC, ideally a 24/7 availability server, is designated as the synchronization host. A windows service is set up on this PC which runs all the time (even when no user is logged in) and continuously synchronizes the parts database.

For smaller deployments or in situations where the central synchronization point is not feasible, the Synchronizer application can run on every workstation with Harness proD installation. It can be set up to launch on startup and it will ensure that the common part database is up to date every time the user is logged in. If multiple Synchronizer applications attempt to synchronize the same parts database, only the first one performs the actual synchronization, while the others wait. If the first Synchronizer ends, the next one takes over.

Regardless of whether the standalone Synchronizer application or Synchronizer service performs the parts database synchronization, the process is always the same: the synchronizer periodically checks the parts database looking for changes, modified or deleted parts, either on EPLAN Harness proD or EPLAN Platform side. When such a part is found, the changes are applied to the other side of the database. If the same part was modified in both Harness proD and Platform, then whichever change was performed last, takes precedence.

Synchronizer controller

Since both Synchronizer application and Synchronizer service are background applications without any GUI, a controller application is provided to allow a user to configure and monitor either of them. The HSynchServiceController.exe application can be launched at any time or on startup to monitor the local Synchronizer application / Synchronizer service status.

The controller application consist of four tabs:

• Synchronizer
• History
• Settings
• About

Synchronizer tab

Synchronizer status tab shows the basic status of the synchronizer and allows the user to start or stop it. In case of Synchronizer service, the controller application must be run with administrator privileges in order to start or stop the service. The rest of the functionality is available even to a non-privileged user.

History tab

The history tab shows the last 25 updates the synchronizer performed on the monitored database(s).

Settings tab

This tab allows the user to change various settings related to the synchronizer:

a) Configure the controller and/or the HSynchronizer.exe to run on startup. If Synchronizer service is installed on the PC, the Start synchronizer after login option is disabled since the service always starts automatically anyway.

b) Configure the TCP port which is used to communicate with the synchronizer. The default port should be used unless there are explicit reasons to change it.

c) Set up the list of databases, which the synchronizer should monitor. Databases are synchronized sequentially one after another. In case there is an issue with one of the databases (lost connection, etc.), the remaining databases will continue to be synchronized normally.

About tab

The about tab shows version and copyright information.

Synchronizer operation

In the case of the HSynchronizer.exe deployment, the user needs to ensure one or more instances of HSynchronizer.exe configured to synchronize the common database is running somewhere – either by launching it manually or by using the Start synchronizer after login option. The database is synchronized automatically and continuously as long as the Synchronizer application is running. When a part is edited in Harness proD Library, it will be shown in the light gray color until the next synchronization. It highlights the part that is not up to date with the EPLAN Platform common database. The part can be still edited and used in Harness proD.

In the case of Synchronizer service deployment, Harness proD user does not have to perform any special tasks to use the common parts database.