User prerequisites
Regarding existing users of Domat SoftPLC IDE (Version 1), Mervis IDE is to be understood in two aspects:
1. Tool for commissioning of Domat controllers and I/O modules
Mervis IDE is used as an engineering tool for the Domat PLCs (mark100, …) and I/O modules. The controllers are programmed in Mervis IDE using the „simple mode“ more or less in the same way as in SoftPLC IDE: Domat I/O modules are inserted in a serial bus, program is created in the FUPLA editor, and the whole stuff is uploaded to the PLC. Mastering Mervis IDE in this way only requires a couple of formal know-how. We can say that Mervis IDE and SoftPLC IDE are more or less similar programs, however, Mervis IDE brings along a lot of potential advantages.
2. Universal tool
Mervis IDE makes it possible to bring virtually any functionality to the controller. Users programming in ST may apply any logical structure which would be difficult or impossible to create using function blocks. Users are free to write their own communication drivers, I/O device definitions, programs, function blocks etc.