Ready made Automation Software. Appreciate your inputs

[JCollado]

Hello all.

I have been working on a few simple Labview applications for my Company which is an Aerospace Hydraulics Components Company.

While I was doing a few research for a new project someone asked me why I was using Labview for Automation when there are ready made software that other companies can customize for any applications we may need.

He says he brought this up in a meeting a few years ago but it never went anywhere.  He says it would save time and money. The only one I found is microComander.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE THAT IS MORE HIGH LEVEL THAN LABVIEW?

I love Labview although I'm not you r typical labview programmer since I was a text based programmer of windows application but since my background includes Navy Aircraft Hydraulics it is somewhat simple to understand the projects in my company.  I also worked as an Engineering Techncian here for a few years. I do not really have a mechanical or electrical engineering degree.

I would like to make sure we are making the right choice even if it means that I will not be able to work with what I like (LabView). Don't want to spend more time than I  have to on each project since we may have quite a few.

I would appreciate your opinion on this matter.

Thanks

[lmtis]

It seems to me that you are going at this backwards.  If this individual says there is a better software package available, ask him what it is and go investigate that software.  I wouldn't waste my time trying to prove or disprove a general comment like that.  "Ready made" usually means insufficiently flexible in the test and measurement world in my experience.

[JCollado]

Yes you are correct but that person tells me he will have to look for the company name since it has been while since he had that info.

I was wodering if anyone had any experience with software like microCommander. is it faster or will it be about the same as Labview but less flexible?

thanks

[Mark_Yedinak · Accepted solution]

A quick google of microCommand appears to have come up with a general purpose library for instrument control. From its buttons and display elements it looks like microCommander is written using LabVIEW.

While I agree that you shouldn't re-invent the wheel you do have to look at what is available and ask if it will meet your needs. Off the shelf libraries don't always meet your need since they implemented what they believed was needed. They did not have you project requirements available.

Using LabVIEW you have access to a complete programming language. You can still use off the shelf librabies in in LabVIEW. So, you can have the best of both worlds.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Look at NI's SignalExpress.

[JCollado]

Thanks Mark

ps: what would be of this world if we never had the plague of 1348-1352, plus all the wars, natural disasters?

As hard as it may sound it is the suffering of the few for the benefits of the many.