Flash Player Support - Xpress, PFD and PAC Embedded Xpress Remote Browsing
Adobe and Microsoft have terminated support for Flash Player as of December 31, 2020
This will affect the Development side of Xpress (Xpress Manager) and browsers used to access HMIs remotely. (IE, Chrome, Firefox etc...)
The browsers require plug-in software from Adobe to play Flash content and these plug-ins are being actively removed by Microsoft and the Browsers.
Will the Runtime HMIs stop working?
No. The Runtime HMIs are not affected by the Adobe EOL. They use embedded images that have Flash built in and will continue to work with no upgrades required.
Xpress Development PCs will be affected differently depending on the Windows OS, Browser used and Xpress Version.
All Windows 10 users that are getting regular Windows Updates will see immediate problems with Xpress Manager and Browsers for remote access.
If you are running older Windows versions and have Adobe Flash Player loaded and working, it will continue to work as long as no updates take place that delete Flash Player.
Accordingly, Virtual machines are not affected unless updated and the Flash Player removed or deactivated.
Parker has two new products to address the ongoing support of our Flash Based HMIs.
Xpress Manager 4.2
Xpress Manager 4.2 version now includes a Parker Flash Player solution built-in which does not require Adobe Flash plug-in software.
Xpress Manger 4.2 natively generates Xpress 4.1 runtime files for use on the XTA so there is no upgrade necessary to the HMI.
Xpress Manager 4.2 can also open and edit any prior version Xpress Project without changing the version.
If you open a 3.1 project and do not upgrade, it opens the 3.1 editor and saves all edits as 3.1 version.
If you need to create a new project from scratch for a customer using the XPR or XPR2 and do not have an existing project, See this FAQ for Seed projects and instructions.
Click the Link to be directed to the Seed Projects FAQ. Xpress SEED Projects.
Parker Remote Browser
The PRM uses the same PARKER SPECIFIC Flash Player technology as Xpress Manager 4.2 and provides remote viewing and editing access.
The Parker Remote Browser (PRM) does not rely on the downloaded Adobe Flash Player and works with Windows XP/7/10
Using the new Parker Remote Browser (PRM) will be very familiar as it works very much like all other web browsers.
It is just a streamlined version since it will only be used with the Parker HMIs.
To connect to the remote HMI, the IP address can be entered in the Home screen URL box or directly on the Web Address bar at the top.
PRM is a "Tabbed" type browser which can have multiple units tabbed in the same screen or a new instance can be opened to have more units viewable at the same time.
PRM also supports Bookmarks allowing you to type in your IP address once and then bookmark the unit. Next time it can be started from bookmarks.
Important Notes:
This browser will only play Flash Player files that are part of the Parker Xpress, PFD and PAC.
It can not be used to access other Flash enabled programs or to run Flash Player SWF files alone
The Licensing for these new products prohibits downloading them from or using them in China.
PLACEHOLDER FOR DOWNLOAD LINK - In Process post by Jan 4, 2021
PLACEHOLDER FOR DOWNLOAD LINK - In Process post by Jan 4, 2021
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