MSEA Graphic Platform Comparison

Johnson Controls MSEA Graphic Comparisons

Feature

Standard Graphics Advanced Graphics Graphics+ 
Installed Base  Large Small Very Small
Tooltips object reference name only Yes Yes (not configurable)
External Application Yes Yes Yes
External Hyperlinks Yes Yes Yes
Interface Java - Web Based Java - Web Based Silverlight (XAML)
Copy/Paste Graphic Objects To Other Graphics Sometimes Yes Yes
Pick Actions Datafield: CMD & Object Window Only Yes Yes
Dynamic Object Types Square, Circle , Triangle, Switch, Slider, Spinning Fan, Button, Datafield Unlimited  Varies by symbol, limited to symbol library, not customizable.
Flashing Dynamic No Yes  No
Color Change Dynamic Very Limited - 3 colors Yes No
Span Color Dynamic No Yes No
Sound Dynamic No Yes No
Rotate Dynamic Spinning Fan Only, fixed colors Yes No
Scale Dynamic No Yes No
Data Field Properties Font Size, Border - Limited Yes  Font Type, Color, very basic
Data Field Status Colors Fixed Unlimited Fixed
Local Variables No Yes No
Validation No - 3rd Party Only No - 3rd Party Only No - 3rd Party only
Search & Replace No - 3rd Party Only No - 3rd Party Only No, but can use in text editor
Frame-Based Animation No No - 3rd Party Only No (fixed in some symbols)
Animated GIF No No No
Move Dynamic No Yes No
Show/Hide Dynamic No Yes No
Custom Actions No Yes - JavaScript only No
Conversion Tool Visio 2003 or 3rd Party Visio 2003/AGA or 3rd Party GGT (External Editor)
Gradients Some Visio gradients not supported Some Visio gradients not supported Yes
OLE Object Support Some Some No
Metafile Support Some Some No
Background Format jpg, svg, svgz svg, svgz  XAML
Supports All SVG Standards No No No
Batch Update Graphics No - 3rd Party Only No - 3rd Party Only No
Developer Learning Curve Easy Steep Moderate, development & customization locked down.
Alias multiple systems No Yes Yes
Aliased Link Within a Template No Yes ?
Extensible User Interface No No No (not published)
API Available No No No (not published)
Prone To Errors No Yes Yes
Developer ease of use Easy Very Difficult Easy but cumbersome.  Development locked down.
Comprehensive Symbol Set Somewhat No Somewhat, but you get what you get. 
Graphic Development Cost Cheap Expensive* Moderate - Expensive
Extra Software Required Visio 2003 Visio 2003 and AGA Addin JCI GGT
MSEA Platform Support NIE, NAE, ADS, ADX ADS, ADX Only v5.2+, ADS, ADX, RAP, NAE, NCE`
Binding Tool Built In AGA/Visio Copy/Paste or 3rd Party GGT Tool Required

* Graphic development becomes cost-effective only with additional 3rd party binding and validation tools.

3rd Party Tools:  Streamside Solutions MSEA Binder, MSEA Validator, and MSEA SVG Animator application.  If you are interested in any graphic development tools created by Streamside Solutions, please contact Brian Russell @ 970-586-2419.