Cantara Integration Platform 6.1 Released

Following the successful major release of Cantara 6.0 in 2020, Rinami has added a number of key enhancements to Cantara Integration Platform with minor release 6.1. This post describes some of the functionality and security supported in this latest version.

Cloud Security

Increasing the security of Cantara cloud deployments, Cantara software is now protected by Google Cloud Platform container analysis and vulnerability scanning. Automatic scanning of Cantara software deliverables adds another layer of assurance for your business data. Full details about the capability are available from Container analysis and vulnerability scanning  |  Google Cloud.

SFTP Authorization for Media Objects

Cantara 6.1 adds secure communications for Media Objects, enabling SSH encrypted data connections for mobile devices in the field. Media objects allow Cantara users to attach marked-up photos, pdf files and other attachments to work orders. This extra detail can be very useful for storing inventory parts images and specifications relevant to a particular asset, which a parts interpreter will know but a service mechanic may not. Media objects can also be used to capture images of equipment wear or damage, or to draw attention to circled engine parts requiring repair. SFTP authorization ensures that Cantara media objects can be trusted with potentially sensitive data attachments.

Tenant Scheduler Auto-Start 

The tenant scheduler now supports automatic start-up upon server restart. This improves Cantara's recovery from disruptions, particularly for on-premises environments. Services are restored without the need for manual intervention, minimizing downtime.

OAuth2 Refresh Token Disabled for De-Authorized Users

Disabling a user's single sign on account now triggers disabling of JDE access as well. This ensures that de-authorized users who are already signed on will not be able to continue accessing JDE services through the Cantara API. This is an important feature for managing the information security of your business and reducing the risk of a data breach.

Cantara Legacy API default Response Format

To maintain full compatibility with Cantara 4 and 5 applications, the Cantara 6.1 API provides response data that is XML-formatted by default. Requests which specify a particular response format (either XML or JSON) will continue to be honored. Rinami recommends that requests should always specify a required format, rather than relying on a default format.

Minimum JDK Release Updated

The minimum JDK version required by Cantara 6.1 servers has been upgraded to JDK 11, ensuring modern support and security for the platform. For customers whose deployments include a Cantara Agent server, note that the agent server will now only upgrade automatically if the required JDK version has been installed.

WebLogic Support Updated

Cantara now supports Oracle WebLogic version 14.1.1. Details of the enhancements provided by this release are available from Announcing Oracle Weblogic 1411.

Cantara Scheduler Negative Day Offset for Period Date Trigger

The Cantara scheduler now supports period date triggers defined as a negative offset in days. This enables customers to configure report scheduling configurations such as the day before a new period begins.

Trust Added To User Management Methods

Cantara 6.1 adds support for Trust authentication. The full list of supported user management methods now includes Cantara, LDAP, Everest SSO, JDE, Steltix TLX10, OAuth2 (including Azure AD and Firebase) and Trust.

Rinami Asset Performance Suite (RAPS) Enhancements

RAPS, the tools that help you to get more from your JD Edwards EnterpriseOne solution, now offer a number of new features.

Maintenance Execution Planner

Maintenance Execution Planner is a new RAPS module that lets planners allocate work orders to resources and schedules, using drag-and-drop. The interface provides a fast and convenient way to update work order assignments and planned start times, without requiring keyboard entry. Of course all updates are stored directly to JDE using the Cantara REST API. 

Maintenance Execution Planner is efficient because it is usable - it saves you time, and reduces planning errors made during data entry. You can rearrange allocated work orders on a timeline, to organize tasks for the day. The tool also provides a visual indication of remaining schedule availability, so you can easily manage workloads.

Service Logic Enhanced

The RAPS Service Logic module now offers an extended range of configuration attributes for each asset, which can be used to identify specialized maintenance requirements. The attributes can be automatically analyzed to define preventative maintenance schedules.

Service Logic gives planners finer control of service schedules, by introducing Cycle Type elements to model multi-step service cycles. Rather than relying on JDE associations, Service Logic assigns priorities to each cycle step, and performs its own forward-planning calculations to select the active step in the cycle. This avoids the problems of parts over-ordering and asset over-servicing.

When maintenance schedules need to be adjusted, Service Logic recognizes that cycle steps need to be handled differently for different circumstances. Rules can be configured, so that when the planned date for one cycle step is adjusted, dates for the other steps are updated automatically. The rules define a range of scenarios, and specify which cycle steps are allowed to be rescheduled. For example, you can choose whether schedule changes made to minor services should automatically trigger changes to major service events. Setting up these rules greatly simplifies day-to-day schedule management for large fleets, ensuring that assets are always serviced at correct intervals, and applicable maintenance regulations are complied with.

More Information

Take a look at the full range of available RAPS modules at rinami.com/products/rinami-asset-performance-suite.