What preliminary steps are necessary to configure the $WinPlatform for saving historical data?

To configure the $WinPlatform for saving historical data, the crucial preliminary step is to ensure that data storage to the Historian is enabled, which is accomplished by checking the "Enable storage to Historian" checkbox on the Engine tab. This step is fundamental because it activates the system's capability to log and store data in the AVEVA Historian, which is essential for monitoring and analyzing historical trends and performance metrics.

Without enabling this setting, the platform will not record any historical data, rendering all other configurations ineffective for data storage purposes. Therefore, ensuring that this checkbox is selected is the first and primary action that must be taken to facilitate any further configuration or setup related to historical data storage.

While the other choices may pertain to broader configurations within the system or enhance data handling capabilities, they do not specifically initiate the process of storing data in the Historian as effectively as enabling the storage checkbox does.