by Gary Mintchell | Dec 5, 2014 | Automation, Data Management, News, Operations Management, Operator Interface, Software, Technology
The consumer boom with mobile devices has not been ignored by production automation companies. Rockwell Automation showed FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI v 6.0 enabling any digital device to access performance metrics and production data analytics from plant floors and machines.
The VantagePoint v6.0 software now includes VantagePoint mobile, a component that enables users to create displays and interact with data across any HTML5-compliant browser and mobile platforms, such as iOS and Android. Users can now easily log in to the VantagePoint system and automatically view Web-based KPI content that is responsive to the device they are using – from smartphones to tablets to PCs. No user-specific configurations created by network administrators or IT staff are required, enabling manufacturers to quickly on-board more users and deliver value to increase productivity.
“The VantagePoint mobile component instantly detects the type of device being used to access information and adjusts the user experience for that screen,” said Angela Rapko, product manager for FactoryTalk VantagePoint software, Rockwell Automation. “This out-of-the-box solution will enable more users to access valuable operational insight while lowering the cost of delivering that data.”
Another new key capability is the “composer” feature, which allows VantagePoint v6.0 users to browse through data and easily customize content based on individual roles, priorities and viewing preferences. Using the software’s drag-and-drop interactive tools, users can create personalized displays to quickly find the information that is most important to them. The “favorites” capability also allows users to configure KPI data in the visual formats they prefer, from bar graphs to gauges to plant maps. They can then save the data or share it with a group using the VantagePoint mobile component.
“Customers have expressed a big need to drive usage of data across their organization for frictionless productivity,” said Kyle Reissner, mobility platform leader, Rockwell Automation. “With portability in mind, we wanted users to be able to move between devices seamlessly, allowing them to be more responsive and reducing time to solution. The VantagePoint mobile component is now at the core of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint software to deliver this ease of use.”
For OEMs, this streamlined connectivity provides the framework for delivering an information-enabled machine. Plus, they gain the ability to visualize data without the need for custom development.
For system administrators and integrators, improved diagnostics built into the VantagePoint v6.0 software on the server side – as well as more application-centric data sources – allow them to view and display the overall health of the system and specific applications. The VantagePoint v6.0 software also includes improved tag-provider templates to allow anyone initially building the model and applications – whether a system administrator or a customer – to accelerate design and deployment time.
All users will benefit from the flexibility of receiving and applying the VantagePoint software updates without having to uninstall, re-install and, in some cases, re-validate their current application.
“With the VantagePoint mobile framework, we intend to release software updates more frequently, including new display widgets and capabilities,” Reissner said. “We’re focused on eliminating friction, realizing productivity value, and ensuring users are able to do more with fewer barriers.”
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 5, 2014 | Data Management, Manufacturing IT, Operations Management, Software
Schneider Electric has released Wonderware SmartGlance 2014 R2 mobile reporting manufacturing software. The updated version includes a host of new features including support for wearable technologies, a modern user interface for any browser, self-serve registration, support for multiple time zones for a global user base and full import and export capabilities for even faster deployment.
“Plant personnel are now mobile so they require immediate access to real-time operations information via their smart phone, tablet or whatever mobile device they carry,” said Saadi Kermani, Wonderware SmartGlance product manager, Schneider Electric. “Wonderware SmartGlance 2014 R2 software delivers highly relevant information coming from industrial data sources to targeted plant workers in the form of personalized charts, reports and alerts. It provides them with the flexibility they need to view and instantly collaborate around real-time plant data on any device so they can make rapid, effective decisions.”
With a small install footprint and no additional hardware requirements, the Wonderware SmartGlance implementation process is fast and simple. MyAlerts, the software’s newest mobile app feature, proactively notifies users of process events so they can stay current with real-time information based on configurable thresholds for tag reports. The software can be used with smart watches to alert mobile and remote field workers, plant supervisors and managers of critical production and process information in a real-time, hands-free manner.
By leveraging the combined power of mobility and Schneider Electric’s cloud-hosted managed services, the software empowers mobile and remote users with the right information at the right time, without disruption or distraction, so they can quickly assign resources and resolve issues. It also features an open interface to connect and push data to mobile devices from virtually any data source, including historians, manufacturing execution systems, enterprise manufacturing intelligence systems or any real-time system of record. It also provides connectors for accessing data from any SQL database and any OPC-HDA-compatible system for better access to third-party data sources and systems. This most recent version also extends connectivity to key Schneider Electric software products, including its Viejo Citect SCADA offering, InStep PRiSM predictive asset analytics software and the InStep eDNA historian.
You might also check out my podcast interview with Kermani.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 1, 2014 | Automation, News, Operations Management, Software
Rockwell Automation product managers took me through a number of new software initiatives at Automation Fair November 19. Here is a description of the enhancements to its Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software.
“Modern manufacturing requires modern MES. Manufacturers today have operations spanning time zones and continents; employees that need to collaborate as they travel between plants or work remotely; and complex and varied enterprise-, plant- and cloud-based information systems that must interface continuously.” To address all these needs, Rockwell Automation updated its FactoryTalk ProductionCentre manufacturing execution system (MES) software to improve application performance and scalability, speed deployment, and support mobile and cloud infrastructures.
“Manufacturers continue to investigate how to better leverage new technologies, like the cloud, to cut costs,” said Kevin Chao, senior director for Rockwell Software product marketing and engineering, Rockwell Automation. “With our latest iteration of the FactoryTalk ProductionCentre system, we’ve aligned to Java EE 7 and HTML5 standards. The application is now even easier to use and lets customers explore mobile and cloud-based solutions at reduced risk and infrastructure costs. Additional upgrades to the notification service and work flow structure improve process enforcement and reduce re-work.”
Technology Update: The latest iteration of the MES software has been refreshed to the latest Java Enterprise Edition 7 (EE7) standards. FactoryTalk ProductionCentre R10 software improves application performance and flexibility on the Web, and speeds time to value by reducing development and deployment effort, all while maintaining adherence to open standards.
Mobile and Cloud Support: New HTML5 zero-footprint, true, thin-client user interfaces (UIs) eliminate the need for virtual terminals, like Citrix, or terminal servers. Users can run the application in a Web browser, easily integrate it into an HMI terminal, and implement it across multiple networks without the need for local installation. This reduces IT capital costs and maintenance burdens. Additionally, the thin client UIs can be easily extended to mobile devices. Mobile applications leverage the existing FactoryTalk Security mechanisms built into FactoryTalk software freeing IT from supporting multiple configuration platforms.
I/O server: The new I/O server supports clustering and load balancing. Several FactoryTalk ProductionCentre I/O servers can be assigned a single IP address, so more servers can be added as the data load grows without impacting the application. Should an I/O server fail, a built-in failover capability will automatically switch data collection to another server in the cluster, helping to ensure high availability. The I/O server also provides store and forward services for controlled, real-time data exchange with remote or cloud-based databases.
Notification and Work Flow Flexibility: The FactoryTalk ProductionCentre R10 notification service now drives alerts based on work flow. Notifications are triggered by system-based events, such as an order start or out-of-spec quality event, letting operations know it is time to perform critical tasks, before, during or after production. Notifications can be tied to a specific work area, machine, equipment type or plant, and are sent to key stakeholders on a workstation or HMI via email or text, among other options.
by Gary Mintchell | Oct 9, 2014 | Automation, News, Process Control, Safety, Security, Technology, Wireless
Day two of Emerson Global Users Exchange for the press is usually a huge new product and technology “dump” or otherwise known as the “tornado” as editors and analysts get an overview of a variety new technology advances as seen in new products. Eve Chief Strategic Officer Peter Zornio can’t talk fast enough to get them all covered in the allotted time.
Zornio set the tone for the session telling us that “Pervasive sensing changes the fundamentals of automation.” Pervasive sensing, making use of wireless technologies, provides producers and manufacturers with a strategy, “the more you sense, the more you solve.” Customers can easily improve not only processes but reliability, Energy and HSSE (health, safety, security, environmental).
“Pervasive Sensing” or the idea of enabling installation of sensors easily in a multitude of plant uses has been a theme for Emerson for at least seven years. This coincides with the development of a wireless sensor network technology that became WirelessHART. My take on this has always been that this strategy is a good first step. What Emerson needed in parallel was the software/IT side–historian, analytics, dashboards. One of the announcements this year was a connector to OSIsoft PI. This is a great step forward.
Every theme Zornio introduced was exemplified by a customer application. First, though, Zornio mentioned that the company is taking a broader view of what’s in a plant. Ergon Refining on mobility and taking advantage of wireless; Conoco Philips and Flint Hills Pine Bend for condition monitoring and asset reliability; BP in the HSSE category for monitoring hydrocarbon leaks; and Tanatex Chemicals monitored steam traps to achieve energy savings.
As we survey the product introductions and updates, one important factor emerges. Another Emerson initiative over the past few years has been Human-Centered Design. The concept was implemented such that it would filter to all the business units. Pretty much all the products exhibit the results. As I walked the aisles of the Expo Hall, I could see evidence everywhere.
The first piece of news was that Emerson has licensed royalty free patent rights for its PIDPlus wireless PID controller technology to improve real-time control performance, simplify tuning, and inherently protect against system failures. The licenses will be provided through the HART Communication Foundation, now the Fieldcomm Foundation.
DeltaV version 13 includes Ethernet support as well as a connector to OSIsoft PI.
Smart Wireless Navigator brings together tools for planning, managing and maintaining networks.
Smart Wireless Gateways firmware version 4.5 streamlines wireless network interface, security setup, and field device configuration.
1410D Smart Wireless Gateway allows for flexible antenna installation for use in hazardous locations.
Rosemount 248 wireless transmitter for single-point temperature measurement will be released in Feb. 2015.
Rosemount 705 Wireless Totalizing transmitter installs on new or existing turbine meters or pulse devices.
DeltaV Virtual Studio v2.3 expands virtualization capabilities especially designed for process control and implementation by process engineers without specialized IT training.
Rosemount 8700M magnetic flowmeter with enhanced safety for hazardous area applications along with intelligent diagnostics.
Micro Motion Model 5700 Coriolis flow transmitter uses Human-Centered Design to provide information, not just data.
New version of Rosemount 5400 series non-contacting radar level transmitter designed to overcome specific challenges such as inclining or sloping surfaces, low dielectric properties and high filling rates.
In addition, the new 5708 Rosemount 3D Solids Scanners use acoustic mapping and 3D mapping to provide an advanced picture of solids level and volume measurement as well as predict potential problems due to uneven unloading of a tank.
Said to be the world’s first, an online Guided Wave Radar transmitter and probe testing function available with the
Rosemount 5300 Series transmitters.
Danalyzer 370XA Gas Chromatograph is designed for continuous online analysis of natural gas.
Bettis EHO electro-hydraulic actuator handles critical shutdown situations where dependability is essential.
by Gary Mintchell | Nov 12, 2013 | Automation, Events, M2M, News, Technology
This is day two of my journey into Rockwell Automation land. I attended parts of the Process Solutions User Group (PSUG) yesterday and had many valuable hallway conversations.
Rockwell presents an annual media day on the day before Automation Fair—the huge trade show devoted to Rockwell and its partners. Rockwell executive intend this meeting to present key trends and drivers of manufacturing (and production if you are a semantic purist) to assembled media and analysts. This morning Keith Nosbusch, CEO, presented his vision of the future based on the connectivity inherent in the Internet of Things. Looking at his theme of “The Connected Enterprise,” I could not have chosen a better name for my new business (The Manufacturing Connection, in case you got here by mistake).
Here are few highlights of Nosbusch’s talk.
“We are at an inflection point driven by convergence of control and information technologies including IoT that we call ‘The Connected Enterprise.’ “
Trends:
* Population growth, 70 million people annually will become middle class adding to consumer spend thus requiring the manufacture of more goods;
* This places increased demand on industrial prodution putting stress on more water, more vehicles, more steel, more energy, commodity scarcity;
* Higher standard of living and quality of life demands a more productive, sustainable enterprise.
Enablers:
* Cloud-traffic will increase 6x in 2 years necessitating more bandwidth, infrastructure developent;
* Mobility-standard IP-based networking facilitates, device and people connectivity and collaboration;
* Big data analysis-to support collaboration, decision-making, note that manufacturing generates more big data than any other sector;
* Smart things-data has been trapped in the assets due to proprietary and closed networks and systems, integrated control and information solutions from Rockwell exist with standard networking protocols to enable analytics and distribution of information;
* Security-common secure network is a key component of the connected enterprise from the plant to business applications.
Analysts think the economy of the Internet of Things could reach $14 Trillion within just a couple of years.
The consumer boom with mobile devices has not been ignored by production automation companies. Rockwell Automation showed FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI v 6.0 enabling any digital device to access performance metrics and production data analytics from plant floors and machines.
