Control Systems Integration in a business environment
15 Jan 2000
A central theme to the Control Systems Integration part of CIM '99 is the need to link plant-level information with the rest of business IT - the `plant to boardroom' concept. Rockwell Automation for instance, as part of its focus on `soft automation', is showing for the first time RSHistorian, a data logging, reporting and analysis package built on an industry-standard relational database. Also on view for the first time is RSPocketLogix7, a Windows CE-based package for factory floor maintenance and troubleshooting that runs on a handheld personal computer. How these packages can link in with enterprise systems will be demonstrated on the stand, which will be divided into several areas representing a typical manufacturing site.
Through its dedicated integration arm Aurega, Siemens says it can advise companies on the best approach to shopfloor-to-boardroom integration. General manager Steve Prevett says that integration is more than just the physical links between control and computer systems. `Our aim is to understand a company's business issues,' he explains, `and translate that into a workable solution.' Aurega, which is hardware and software independent, is also sponsoring the Manufacturing Systems Integration seminars, where companies such as New Covent Garden Soups and Whitbread will report on their moves towards the integrated enterprise.
Meanwhile, back at the control level Schneider Electric is introducing more Ethernet and Internet based products to its `transparent factory' strategy. One is a web utility module that allows users to build web pages with, for example, their own HMI interfaces, and then download them to Ethernet web modules.
A new high-speed Ethernet network interface module for its FieldPoint intelligent, modular I/O is also to be featured by National Instruments, along with the latest version of NI's Lookout 4.0 automation software. With object-based networking technology, Lookout (pictured on the previous page) is said to make communications more direct and to simplify the development of shopfloor applications.
And moving back upstairs once again towards the boardroom, Foxboro is unveiling Dynamic Performance Measures (DPM), described as a patented econometric modelling methodology that delivers real-time information to `every member of the decision-making process'. Foxboro says that any company currently using, or thinking of using, its new I/A Series systems `has nothing to lose and should make a point of visiting our stand to see how optimisation of performance and profitability can be clearly demonstrated.'
Accompanying the new Foxboro launch is `an unprecedented, cast iron "money back" guarantee to maximise return on investment'.
Another stand demonstrating the benefits of integrated control systems is that of UK Automation, a partnership between Cross Services and Nano Automation. Featured will be a system using Rockwell's RSBatch with Wonderware's InTouch Scada software. InSQL software will be installed on the server and the system will be linked to an Allen Bradley PLC5.
