Doorway Internet News

Last updated - 27th August 2010

The Doorway BMS supervisory software has sold more than 8000 software licenses. Doorway is powerful yet easy to use, and compatible with industry standard Office software. Doorway offers unrivalled value and stability, and there is no page limit so you can monitor every point in your BMS regardless of size.

Doorway 8.36.00 27th August 2010

For improved IQ3 controller support Doorway now encodes controller PIN 0 which is a valid PIN number unlike IQ1 and IQ2 series controllers. The *LOGEVENT command which writes into Windows application event log for monitoring by IT systems has been ehanced and allows user defined EventID and Category.

Doorway 8.35.00 6th August 2010

The Print Page option now has a selection to print the item only which is intended to improve printed site documentation. Any IC comms by mistake writing to Doorway from IQ1+2+3 controllers are now acknowledged by Doorway so the controller does not become congested making endless retries. Any IC communications write messages are shown in the show communications screen. New Generic text page for IC Comms with failure status indicators to assist in checking for correct IC communications operation.

Doorway 8.34.00 4th July 2010

The Server version now correctly locates SeaChange pages.

Doorway 8.33.00 5th June 2010

Hand-Off-Auto controls now work correctly with IQ3 series. New command *EXIT to close program from button.

Doorway 8.31.00 21st February 2010

The Chart has been extended to show 1000 points. The Sensors Generic Text page has been improved. When a sensor item is clicked if only a single plot channel is connected that is fetched immediately. If more than one plot channel is attached a list appears to allow selection of plot interval, short-long and compact-precise features. Updated sensor syntax options for Sensors include ? to show list of plots (unless one only) and ! to always use first plot in the list like IQ1 controllers. Using the ? and ! syntax graphs arrive slower as the plot list is fetched first, so for fastest graph display place the required plot interval code in the sensor datapoint syntax. The Controller list of plot channels now allows creation, deletion and attachment of plot channels to sensors, and works correctly when a controller pin is in operation.

Touchscreen PCs - 28th January 2010

A plant room panel mounted touchscreen PC that runs the same Doorway graphic pages as desktop and laptop makes managing plant easier, and several users have installed them with Doorway software. Up until now touchscreen PC's have cost around Ł1500. Doorway Systems has been fitting the Asus EETop PC ET1602 with Windows XP which is available in the UK for around Ł400. The ET1602 has a bright and clear 15.6" 1366 x 768 pixel resolution screen touchscreen and Doorway works very well with finger control. The existing stand is easily removed to allow secure mounting to a control panel door, using a self made bracket.

Doorway 8.30.01 16th January 2010

This incremental update allows longer entries in datapoint (yellow) and Button (blue) and alarm retransmission properties. The bug where images which changed value when the Doorway screen was minimised vanished until the screen refreshed has been fixed.

Doorway 8.30 12th January 2010

The lists feature now fully supports IQ3 controllers. On the Sensors generic text page when a sensor item is clicked a list of connected plot channels appears which allows selection of plot interval, short-long and compact-precise features.

Doorway 8.26 27th November 2009

The bug in v8.25 where images would occasionally show their file name on top of the image has been fixed.

Doorway 8.25 24th March 2009

*EMAIL command to send messages and alarms by email. New dynamic image type 'L' (Label) to show the numeric value on top of the decimal dynamic image.

Doorway 8.24 5th January 2009

Datapoint ToolTips showing the item's label ($ where available) has been relocated to above the datapoint to facilitate legibility and mouse click. Text mode 'Enhanced' has been renamed 'Structured' to align with the BMS manufacturer's notation.

Doorway 8.23 1st November 2008

You can now synchronise SeaChange clock from the PC with the command *SEND *NOW /Lnn/onn/[s1]. The INI file option StartupWindow=0,0,0,0 now sets Doorway minimised on start up as documented. Snapshots now correctly collects IQ3 controller sensor labels. The yellow datapoint edit toolbar has been increased from 128 to 150 characters. The Global Rescale feature has been updated to allow screen resolutions up to 2560*1600 pixels, and also allows user entered values.

Small Portable PCs - 8th July 2008

Christmas 2007 the Asus EeePC 701 created a new category of small portable PC now generally called Netbooks, and now most manufacturers have announced similar products. We have been evaluating the Asus EeePC 701-4G. Linux didn't appeal so we chose the Windows XP version at Ł200 which works well. Doorway works fine and fits in the 800 x 480 screen OK. At a higher price later model EeePC 900 and competitors with 1024 x 600 screens will of course be even more comfortable. The EeePC's small size, light weight of 0.9Kg and low cost means you really can carry this laptop anywhere.

Doorway 8.22 1st July 2008

Start after Delay application (DWdelay) now allows 3rd party application startup, for example the Dynamat DDE link application. There is a new local idle option for the Gateway and Router which replaces the previous preset optimisation with Client 0. Driver bit state syntax D1(B) is now handled as a digital, in the same way as D1(Sv) etc.

The SeaChange SmartServer is now supported. Select EINC and EINC Gateway 0. From IP button top line Gateway 0 set SmartServer IP and Port 80. A new SeaChange generic page shows and allows adjustment of SeaChange serial adapter settings.

New price list from 1st May 2008

Remarkably we have been able to hold Doorway software prices fixed for over 10 years. The new price list comes into force on orders received from 1st May 2008 and shows the various USB licence key options.

Doorway 8.21 7th April 2008

Additional SMS text message support by using a GSM phone with Bluetooth or cable connection to PC. Windows XP and Vista support some Bluetooth hardware without additional software. The availability of low cost GSM handsets and 'PrePay' SIM cards provides an attractive solution compared with expensive proprietary hardware.
A new print page option to select datapoint style facilitates paper documentation for auditing and archiving.

Doorway 8.20 22nd February 2008

Doorway software is now shipping with a USB licence key compatible with all Windows versions that support USB. The USB licence key has to remain in the PC while the software is running. The floppy licence token option is still available and will be supported.

Doorway works fine with Vista32 with Service Pack SP1. SP1 final release to manufacturing was released this month to Microsoft Partners such as Doorway Systems. Vista has 'virtualised' both floppy disk and CD drivers to reduce the PC slowdown that can occur, but it means Doorway's floppy disk security does not validate. However Doorway's floppy licence can be installed over a network from an XP PC. Inconveniently file sharing security in Vista as shipped is set higher than XP as shipped hence people are finding it difficult to share Vista with XP.

Vista file sharing:
Vista account password must not be blank else the only file sharing allowed is Public Folders.
You must log into both Vista and XP PC's with the same Username + Password.
You share the Vista drive for 'Authenticated Users', the 'Everyone' share does not work.
If the shared drive is still not visible then you should align Vista and XP's security policy as follows:
From Control Panel-AdministrativeTools open the LocalSecurityPolicy screen.
Locate SecuritySettings-LocalPolicies-SecurityOptions and find key [LAN Manager Authentication Level].
We suggest setting both Vista and XP to [Send LM & NTLM - use NTLMv2 if negotiated].

If configuration settings file DOORWAY.INI is moved to a new PC on CD the file's Read only attribute from the CD may still be set when copied to the PC, so user settings are not saved to disk, Doorway now checks the INI file for write access.
Global pagepath modifier now applies to dp image files.
There is a new Snapshot export file format for import into the IPI Climate Notebook software popular with archivists.
The Gateway and Router applications now use the password level set in Doorway when closing, previously this was fixed at level 99.

Doorway 8.13 22nd August 2007

Optional audit trail files .DWA now record user Login and Logout events if the .LOG files option is selected.

Doorway 8.12 24th July 2007

When Edit mode is selected and Windows Taskbar is set for Auto-hide Doorway now places the edit toolbar with space for the Taskbar to reappear below. A COM port locator is introduced in the communications preferences screen, also COM ports above 10 are no longer supported as they don't work with Doorway.

Doorway 8.11 21st June 2007

If an alarms is received from a controller in coded format Doorway will attempt to set the controller's Text On flag by sending B495(S0=I) and any current PIN. Optional font for preliminary support for non Western character sets.

Doorway 8.10 25th April 2007

Doorway Server licence now permits up to 99 clients. The *SEND *NOW syntax now works as documented, sorry about that bug. The wait time for data from failed controllers has been reduced, and is also now user adjustable. New command *START to improve opening of a file in the associated application. The Map's screen size is adjustable. To reduce Windows TaskBar clutter the IT Gateway and IT Router now minimise to an icon on the desktop, double click the icon to open. A user menu option allows minimise to the TaskBar as before.

Windows Vista 16th February 2007

Doorway had no problems with the Windows Vista beta releases for developers we obtained from Microsoft. However the Vista release version (v6000) reveals a problem for Doorway licence installation from floppy disk.
While we investigate the solution you can install the licence over a network from an earlier Windows with integral or usb floppy drive as follows:
1. Install Doorway on Vista PC but omit option 6 Install Licence.
2. Now share Vista hard disk drive C: with 'Full Control, Change and Read' parameters enabled. It's exciting finding where in Vista these features are located...
2. At earlier PC with floppy drive locate the Vista PC in 'My Network Places', select it's hard disk C: and 'Map' as Z:
3. Run Doorway setup on earlier PC and select Option 6 and install licence to folder Z:\DOORWAY.
4. When done disconnect the mapped drive Z:
5. Run Doorway on Vista.

Doorway 8.08 25th January 2007

The edit feature 'DataPoints Distribute' only worked on the first 60 datapoints instead of all 120, this fault has been corrected.

Doorway 8.07 8th January 2007

DDE requests from external applications now use BMS type 'a' (terse) messages as a default to simplify working with IQ3 controllers. Windows XP can synchronise with Internet or Server time clocks which makes accurate time available for the BMS through Doorway. Doorway can synchronise BMS controller clocks individually or sitewide either manually from a button or automatically with the Event Calendar. The syntax *SEND *NOW has been expanded to update controllers with Winter/Summer time set (chanGe = 1). New screen in Engineering to List User Levels.

Doorway 8.06.02 5th November 2006

The Event Calendar item length has been increased from 50 to 80 characters to allow more complex expressions.

Windows Vista 2nd September 2006

Windows Vista is expected to be available early in 2007. Doorway runs normally at our office on this weeks Windows Vista RC1. These two screenshots show Doorway with the new Windows Vista 'Aero' glass transparency effect.
Aug 2006 Windows Vista Pre-RC1
Feb 2006 Windows Vista Beta 1

Doorway 8.06 5th August 2006

When Snapshots are run with the Snaphot screen showing the snapshot MDB file remains open so the user can see the collected data. To faciliate sharing of Snapshot MDB archive files with external applications when snapshots are run in the background the MDB is closed after being run.

Doorway 8.05 24th July 2006

An override password of the day has been added so existing user password settings are retained. New datapoint tooltip feature shows item label where possible. Knobs called from a button with command *ADJUST now call for Value, Top and Bottom values unless values preset. New command *FILENAME for file renaming, suggested usage is with Events. Text Scan PIN numbers enhanced and sets change G=0. Global message *SEND commands needing the OR syntax | are now possible using || syntax. New shortcut to Show Communications screen with Shift Right mouse click on toolbar world icon.

Doorway 8.04 1st June 2006

The Time Zone Calendar has been updated to add support for IQ3 and SeaChange controllers. The Standard week selection now updates both Standard and Current weeks in applicable controllers. New Calendar printout option to list Areas and Zones. The *Snapshot command has been enhanced to allow dynamic selection of interval or once per day, typically used with alarm action filters. Snapshot printing improved with screens larger than 1024*768 pixels. Snapshot export feature to export as WMF file when snapshot taken.
To reveal what application created a picture stored in OLE format the Load Picture file screen and also the Toolbar Save tooltip now show the OLE application name when an OLE format picture is being displayed.

Doorway 8.03 21st April 2006

New feature to write BMS alarms to Windows XP and Windows 2000 Event Log to allow BMS monitoring by IT network management systems. RS232 Ports limited to 1 to 16 as previous 99 ports not always available to Windows.

Doorway 8.02 29th March 2006

The Windows MetaFile (WMF) format file contains vector drawing instructions which are compact, and image and text quality increase with size. WMF files may contain bitmap objects. If a full screen bitmap object is enclosed in a WMF file Windows has to draw the complete file, even when a tiny area is uncovered. The result is more screen redraws which are slow and use more RAM. For convenience when upgrading an existing project Doorway's WMF file size warning threshold can now be increased from 2 million bytes instead of updating large WMF files, see parameter WMFwarn in file Doorway.ini.
Windows intelligently manages bitmap objects in BMP files redrawing only the part uncovered. A BMP picture will resize to fit the screen if the 'resizeable' box is ticked, although image and text quality does not increase with size.

Over 10 years ago Doorway's design was started using WMF vector display. The forthcoming Windows Vista will use WMF vector for Windows underlying display technology, BMP bitmap was the basis for all previous Windows. The reasons are the lack of scaleability of bitmap files and their huge size with high resolution displays.

Doorway 8.01 27th February 2006

Improved support for IQ3 controllers in Time Zones and Generic pages. Access any IQ3 item on pages with new BMStype c. New enhanced engineering text mode to view, delete, create and modify IQ3 control strategy modules. High speed modem reset option allows custom initialisation string. The Edit Change Font Scaling feature has been enhanced to manipulate display of a pages created in another resolution, and does not require a *IMG datapoint tag on every page.

Windows Vista 10th February 2006

Many people have asked about the forthcoming Windows Vista expected by later this year. Doorway runs normally at our office on Windows Vista Beta 1. Last October we made this screenshot showing Doorway with the new Windows Vista 'Aero' glass transparency effect, click here http://www.doorway.co.uk/vista.jpg

SeaChange Doorway Generic Pages v2 6th February 2006

The SeaChange Doorway Generic pages have been downloadable since 2000 from www.seachange.co.uk , this link now redirects to www.sccontrols.co.uk . Related sites are at www.smartkontrols.co.uk , www.smarthomecontrols.co.uk , and www.energ.co.uk . Unfortunately the Generic Doorway pages link although present no longer works. The original version 1 pages required the folder location c:\doorway so did not allow use from fileservers. The pages did not allow for multiple sites using SmartEinterfaces or Doorway IT Gateways. Doorway Systems has now updated the pages for easy server and multiple site use. In addition the pages now automatically adapt to most monitor resolutions. We also have available for download the original brochure as PDF - 99K

Doorway 8.00.00 31st January 2006

Doorway ver 7.85 option 'System Idle Process' when used in a PC with Dual or HyperThreaded processors read the PC time at about 1/2 speed, this has been corrected! New edit features including Send to Back/Front and Distribute. New ToolTips options. New Graph definition feature with Save to file, Open and also create button on the current page. Graph 3D styles have enhanced appearance.

Available from your regular BMS specialist or directly from:
E-Mail: sales[at]doorway[dot]co[dot]uk
Telephone: +44 (0)7973-223643
Fax: +44 (0)1293-531923
Doorway Systems is based in the UK.