4Wire CAO Server Update – High-Level Overview

4Wire CAO Server Update – High-Level Overview

This article explains what you, as a customer, can expect during a 4Wire CAO update and outlines your responsibilities to ensure a smooth and successful process.

🔄 4Wire CAO Update – What Customers Need to Know?

An 4Wire CAO Server Update involves applying new software versions, patches, or configuration changes to the MES server infrastructure. These updates may include:
  1. Performance improvements
  2. New features or modules
  3. Bug fixes
  4. Database schema updates

✅ What You Can Expect

During a 4Wire CAO update, the following will take place:

🔧 Planned Downtime

During updates, the CAO system may be temporarily unavailable. This article outlines expected downtimes and planning considerations.
  1. The CAO system may be temporarily unavailable during the update process.
  2. You will be notified in advance of the update schedule to allow for proper planning.
  3. A downtime of approximately 30 minutes is typically expected.
  4. For major version updates or significant version jumps, a longer downtime may occur.
  5. The exact duration depends on server performance and the amount of data being processed.
  6. In the case of a major version jump (e.g., from CAO 5.x to 6.x), the expected downtime is approximately 1–2 hours.
All CAO web applications and APIs will be unavailable during the update phase.

📦 New Features or Fixes

Updates to the CAO system may include performance improvements, bug fixes, and new functionalities. This article explains how to access release notes and stay informed about changes.
Each update may contain:
  1. Performance enhancements
  2. Bug fixes
  3. New features or functionalities
  4. A summary of changes is provided in the release notes.
  5. Release notes are available on the DiIT download portal: https://dl.diit.de

🔍 Post-Update Testing

Our support team will perform initial system checks. You may be asked to verify key workflows in your environment.

🧑‍💼 Your Responsibilities

To support the update process, please ensure the following:

1. Acknowledge the Update Schedule

Confirm that the proposed maintenance window is acceptable. Inform your internal teams about the planned downtime.

2. Dependency Check

Verify compatibility with connected systems (e.g., ERP, SCADA, Reporting tools, any 3rd party application).

3. Prepare for Downtime

Complete or pause any critical CAO-related tasks before the update. Ensure no active operations are running in the system during the update window.

4. Support Post-Update Validation

Perform basic functional checks (e.g., order processing, machine communication). Report any issues or unexpected behavior to the support team immediately.

5. Updating 4Wire CAO Clients After Server Upgrade

After updating the CAO server, it is important to update the CAO Client Office and CAO Machine Applications to ensure compatibility and benefit from the latest improvements.

Timing
Update the CAO Client Office and CAO Machine Application (MavSE) in the plant in the days following the server update.

Installer Access
The required installer files are available on the DiIT download portal: https://dl.diit.de

Compatibility
Notes
  1. Clients running version 5.x or newer are compatible with the updated CAO Server and will continue to function.
  2. However, we strongly recommend gradually updating both the CAO Client Office and Machine Applications to take full advantage of new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes.
Older Versions
WarningIf the currently installed CAO Client Office or Machine Applications are older than version 5.x, a full installation may be required instead of a simple upgrade.

Recommendation
Idea
Plan the client updates shortly after the server upgrade to maintain system stability and ensure access to the latest enhancements.

6. Stay Informed

Review the release notes provided epically the release notes and the 4Wire instruction manual.

📞 Need Help?

If you have any questions or need assistance before, during, or after the update, please contact your 4Wire CAO support representative or email us at support@diit.de.

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