Emerson, Cisco to jointly offer open-standard wireless

Austin, Texas — Emerson Process Management and Cisco have linked up to offer “open-standard” systems for wireless process and plant management applications to the process industries. The goal, they said, is improved productivity, safety, and operational efficiency for manufacturing customers.

Emerson’s wireless technology features self-organising field networks for monitoring of plant data for control and asset optimization as well as mobile operator and maintenance worker applications. Cisco, meanwhile, supplies wireless plant networks for applications such as worker mobility, voice over IP communications, tracking of personnel and assets, and video applications.

“The combined field and plant communications platform supports current and future applications that help enable faster and more effective business management … Cisco's commitment to open standards makes it an ideal partner,” said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management, in a 10 Sept announcement.

Networks and mobility are dramatically transforming customer businesses and in-plant processes, added Maciej Kranz, vice president of product marketing for Cisco Wireless Business Unit. “By delivering a combined wireless architecture from Emerson and Cisco, we are enabling our manufacturing process customers to deploy flexible, scalable and safe wireless solutions and mobility applications in rugged plant environments.”

Under the arrangement, Emerson will expand its Smart Wireless programme by collaborating with Cisco to deliver an open wireless plant network and expanded wireless portfolio. This is to be delivered via Cisco's Unified Wireless system comprising Cisco industrial-class 1500 Series wireless mesh access points, Cisco Wireless Control System for wireless network management, supported by Cisco Secure Services for network security.

Emerson added that it will use the Cisco architecture to provide secure wireless LAN coverage and integration within the plant’s existing IT infrastructure. Cisco's Wireless Control System, it said, will centralise configuration and management of industrial Wi-Fi networks.

“We envision that the open-standard wireless infrastructure and applications jointly architected with Cisco will simplify the implementation of value-added wireless automation projects and reduce risk,” said Berra.

Emerson's Smart Wireless technology is an extension of its PlantWeb digital architecture and related offerings to customers in the process industries. The company's self-organising mesh wireless field networks and wireless services are designed to provide reliable, highly secure connection to process data.

The company’s wireless field networks are based on IEEE 802.15.4 and designed to be compliant with WirelessHART. They provide connectivity for Emerson’s portfolio of wireless sensing, condition monitoring and diagnostics devices to deliver process data for control and asset management.