by Gary Mintchell | Feb 18, 2014 | Automation, Operator Interface
Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has announced groov version 2.1, an update to its groov web-based mobile operator interface system for building and using effective, scalable operator interfaces on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. groov 2.1 improvements include faster tag handling with OPC-UA servers, and improved data exchange with mobile devices for faster response times and lower mobile network costs.
groov lets industrial automation end-users, system integrators, machine OEMs, technicians, or any authorized person quickly and securely monitor and control PLCs and PACs like Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix, Siemens SIMATIC S7, Schneider Electric Modicon, GE PACSystems, and other controllers, all from a mobile device. groov gets important data out of processes, OEM machines, and manufacturing systems and into operators’ hands.
A major improvement in groov 2.1 is faster operator interface development due to new real-time OPC tag browsing. An OPC-UA server can have potentially tens of thousands of tags to choose from for an operator interface, and real-time browsing makes it faster to select tags and link them to on-screen indicators and controls.
groov 2.1 exchanges up to 75% less data with smartphones, tablets, and other devices running an operator interface than earlier groov versions, thanks to improved data handling and compression. Mobile devices operating over a cellular or other network with slower connections benefit with faster updates, faster interface responses, and lower mobile network costs.
groov 2.1 includes other improvements and new features:
- Webpage links can be added to interface screens, making it possible, for example, to incorporate an internal company webpage showing production targets and KPIs.
- Update/refresh rates can be individually set for IP camera widgets, so an IP camera monitoring a production machine, for example, can update twice a second, while a camera watching a loading area might update once every ten seconds.
- Slider controls and range/level indicators can be oriented horizontally or vertically. Orienting these items vertically saves screen space and is particularly useful for compact mobile devices.
- Using IP camera widgets on an interface screen no longer requires router configuration changes or opening firewall ports for each camera’s IP address. Instead, IP camera widgets can optionally use a reverse proxy server to communicate through the groov’s IP address.
What’s groov?
groov is a zero-programming, web-based way to build, deploy, and view effective, scalable operator interfaces to monitor and control systems and equipment using mobile devices and other computer-based systems. These operator interfaces can be viewed on almost any mobile device or computer regardless of its manufacturer, operating system, or screen size, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and even smart high-definition televisions.
groov can augment existing human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems by making important information available at any time and in any location. groov is available as either the standalone groov Box hardware appliance or the PC-based groov Server for Windows software.
groov uses a standard method of securely communicating with devices on the plant floor, including PLCs, DCSs, PACs, databases, and OPC-DA servers called OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA). A fully functional version of groov Server for Windows is available to download and try so you can see your own system’s data on a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. groov operates for two hours without a license and can be restarted if more time is required.
groov works with Kepware Technologies’ KEPServerEX communications platform. Kepware has developed hundreds of device drivers for communicating with diverse automation systems, databases, building automation systems, and more.
groov 2.1 will be available on Mar. 3, 2014. Choose either the groov Box hardware appliance (GROOV-AT1) at a list price of $2895.00 USD, or groov Server for Windows software (GROOV-SVR-WIN) at a list price of $2695.00 USD. groov.com
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 17, 2014 | Automation, Podcast, Safety
Following up on a popular podcast interview I did with Jonathan Johnson of Rockwell Automation on its industrial Safety Automation Builder, here is a conversation with Rockwell’s Steve Ludwig, Safety Programs Manager, and Mark Eitzman, Safety Market Development Manager, who provide an update on acceptance of the SAB and discuss the Safety Maturity Index.
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 11, 2014 | Automation, Technology
I recently had the opportunity to interview Todd Gordon, computer/instrument technician leader at We Energies courtesy of the FDT Group. He discusses how the ability to see into smart field devices using diagnostics from digital networks and an asset management system prevented many production problems.
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
Last week many meetings in cold and snowy Chicago. This week is sunny Orlando and my 17th trip to the ARC Forum. Today is the “press conference marathon.” Right now, Tom Kinney of Invensys is speaking. Much more news coming this week.
Tom Kinney, Invensys VP Optimization
This innovative offering has been built from the ground up to emphasize ease of use. It modernizes the graphical user interface while retaining the rigorous and robust calculation engine from the company’s successful Connoisseur APC offering. The new SimSci APC 2014 software is structured around an enhanced, natural workflow that includes full support for model case file development and a connection wizard for faster integration to any distributed control system and programmable logic controller, including the company’s Foxboro I/A Series DCS and its new Foxboro Evo process automation system. The software will be even more tightly integrated in future releases of the Foxboro Evo system as well, providing enhanced simulation capability.
“Advanced process control can result in tremendous improvements in plant efficiency and performance, but it is largely underutilized, in part because some potential users find it too much of a challenge,” said Peter Reynolds, senior consultant with the ARC Advisory Group. “Invensys addresses this issue head on, with new graphical interfaces, intuitive workflows and custom calculation engines. Making optimization easier will empower both seasoned APC users and the next generation of engineers and operators to address a wider range of process conditions and business challenges.”
SimSci APC 2014 software extends the capabilities of traditional APC offerings to garner more control over the process. Director, a powerful new feature, allows the control engineer to build custom calculations or add custom supporting controller functions that augment the user’s experience. Natural workflows speed up model building, configuration and deployment, and additional features make the software suitable for a complete APC project implementation. These advancements help the transitioning workforce more easily build and maintain APC applications, and can cut implementation and commissioning time by up to 50 percent.
“We are excited about our new APC offering, which builds on our market-leading Connoisseur APC software to help our customers enhance quality, increase throughput and reduce energy usage,” said Tom Kinney, vice president of Invensys’ optimization business. “The software was developed with the end user in mind, and it includes several well-thought-out features that help achieve better and more sustainable control of the process. A built-in auto-discovery wizard captures the specific syntax of any DCS for even faster buildup of tag connections; its automated testing feature means faster, more flexible configuration; its new, tablet ready click-and-drag functionality allows users to select the best models from many scenarios, and customizable user-defined functions improve how users can cope with changing process conditions. The end result is that SimSci APC 2014 provides a better, friendlier and more flexible user experience than traditional APC applications, making operators and engineers far more effective and productive.”
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 3, 2014 | Automation, News, Process Control, Technology
Jim Nyquist, Emerson Process Management
An international gathering of media and dignitaries (including yours truly) witnessed the grand opening of Emerson Process Management’s Emerson Innovation Center – Process Systems and Solutions in Round Rock, Texas, near Austin on Jan. 30. Dignitaries at the grand opening included Texas Governor Rick Perry and Dell CEO Michael Dell.
This 282,000-square-foot, nearly $70 million facility is the global headquarters for Emerson’s automation systems and project services business, which helps customers safely, reliably and profitably operate facilities in industries such as oil and gas, refining, chemicals, power, life sciences, food and beverages, and metals and mining.
This new Emerson Innovation Center is the third globally. The Emerson Innovation Center in Marshalltown, Iowa, develops and tests flow control applications and technologies, replicating real-world conditions no other test or R&D facility in the world can match. The company’s Emerson Innovation Center in Pune, India focuses on world-class software application development.
The Emerson Innovation Center in Austin is comprised of several world-class disciplines under one roof:
- A technology and product design and support center, providing engineering and development for the company’s DeltaV digital automation system and DeltaV SIS Safety System.
- The first-ever Emerson Integrated Operations (iOps) Center where customers can explore new ways of managing remote operations and of enabling easier collaboration by experts located anywhere in the world.
- Emerson Process Management’s Human Centered Design Institute, a consulting and engineering practice that drives usability-based design into all products Emerson Process Management designs and manufactures.
- A world-class interoperability and testing lab in which Emerson tests both its own products as well as competitors to ensure safe, reliable and robust operation.
- The Life Sciences Industry Center that provides consulting, engineering and project management expertise to support pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers.
- Educational Services where more than 2,500 customer personnel gain product, technology, and operational skills on the latest technologies.
- The company’s Project Management Office (PMO) that aligns and integrates the company’s best practices, processes, systems and metrics for global project execution.
“No other facility in the world can do what our new Emerson Innovation Center can do,” said Jim Nyquist, president of process systems and solutions for Emerson Process Management. “We have the brightest minds in the industry developing world class automation technologies and collaborating with customers to imagine, plan and execute their vision of future operations to deliver breakthrough performance. “
