The following procedure outlines the process of setting up and configuring Rockwell FactoryTalk Historian SE on Windows Server 2012 R2.

1. Install the FactoryTalk Services Platform. If you need assistance, follow the link Installing Rockwell FactoryTalk Services Platform (FTSP).
2. Launch Setup.exe from the install directory
3. Select Install FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition
   
4. Select Install FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition
   
5. Select Install FactoryTalk Historian Asset Framework
   
6. Select Install Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express
7. Select New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation
8. Select the first radio button, Perform a new installation of SQL Server 2012 and then Select Next
9. Read the End User License Agreement, if you accept it Select Next
   
10. Select all three check boxes and Select Next
    
11. Select Next
    
12. Select Startup Type to Automatic for both services and Select Next
    
13. Select Next
    
14. Select Next
    
15. Select Close
    
16. Close the SQL Server Setup window
17. Select FactoryTalk Historian AF Server
    
18. Select Next
    
19. If you accept the license agreement Select Next
    
20. Select Next
    
21. Select Next
    
22. Select AF Application Service and AF SQL Database and Select Next
    
23. Select Install
    
24. Select Finish
    
25. Select Back
    
26. Select Install FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition
27. Select Next
    
28. Select Next
    
29. Enter User Name, Organziation, Serial Number, and Select Next
30. Select Next
    
31. Select Next
    
32. Select Install
    
33. You may be warned that the server will need to be restarted after installation, if this is acceptable Select Yes
    
34. Wait for the install to complete
    
35. Select OK to stay in the existing FactoryTalk Directory
    
36. Select Finish
    
37. You may be prompted to restart the server, if this is acceptable Select Yes
    

The following procedure outlines how to install the Rockwell FactoryTalk Services Platform on Windows Server 2012 R2.

1. Ensure you have the .Net Framework installed. If not, you may receive the following error:
   Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is not installed.
   To install the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, open an elevated Powershell prompt and enter the following command:
   PS C:\Windows\System32> Install-WindowsFeature -Name Net-Framework-Core -IncludeAllSubFeature

2. Install FactoryTalk Services Platform

3. Launch the installer and select Install FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition
   

4. Select Install FactoryTalk Historian Site Edition
   

5. Select Install FactoryTalk Services
   

6. Select Install FactoryTalk Services
   

7. Select Next
   

8. Select Next
   

9. Read the Software License Agrement, if you agree to it, Select Accept all
   

10. Select Install
    

11. Select Finish
    

12. Select Yes to reboot server
    

FactoryTalk Viewpoint is a great way to extend FactoryTalk View SE and ME HMI applications to browser based clients. Said another way, FactoryTalk View SE and ME applications can now be viewed and controlled through a web browser on a wide array of devices. These can include: mobile devices (phones and tablets), traditional PCs and even thin clients. Rockwell supports Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Safari browsers.

New with the release of FactoryTalk ViewPoint 8.1, rendering of graphics now uses HTML5; prior versions relied on Microsoft's Silverlight technology. Silverlight limited the supported client platforms that could be used with Viewpoint. New with Viewpoint 8.1, HTML5 brings the full View SE and View ME client experience to some of the most common platforms including iOS devices (iPhones and iPads), Android devices (phones and tablets), and Windows devices (PCs and Phones). Currently Mac OS X and Firefox are not listed as supported clients.

Prior versions of Viewpoint, relying on Silverlight, presented a challenge because it was mainly supported on Windows based PCs and required the plug-in to be installed. Not all users have Windows based PCs or the ability/privileges to install the SIlverlight plug-in. Using HTML5 greatly increases the accessibility of FactoryTalk View SE and ME applications both on and off the plant floor.