Emerson, Cisco attune
1 Oct 2007
Emerson Process Management and Cisco have linked up to offer open-standard systems for wireless process and plant management applications in the process industries.
Emerson's wireless technology features self-organising field networks for monitoring plant data for control and asset optimisation 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." said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management. "Cisco's commitment to open standards makes it an ideal partner."
Maciej Kranz, vice president of product marketing for Cisco Wireless Business Unit, added:. "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."
Cisco said it aims to deliver an open wireless plant network and expanded wireless portfolio, via its Unified Wireless system. This comprises Cisco industrial-class 1500 Series wireless mesh access points and Cisco Wireless Control System for wireless network management, supported by Cisco Secure Services for network security.
For its part, Emerson aims to expand its Smart Wireless programme; using 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.
In April, Cisco announced a collaboration with Rockwell Automation to integrate manufacturing and IT for "seamless" enterprise-wide connectivity. This cooperation, it said, would focus on reference architectures for global manufacturers leveraging EtherNet/IP standard networking technologies.
Emerson's wireless technology features self-organising field networks for monitoring plant data for control and asset optimisation 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." said John Berra, president of Emerson Process Management. "Cisco's commitment to open standards makes it an ideal partner."
Maciej Kranz, vice president of product marketing for Cisco Wireless Business Unit, added:. "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."
Cisco said it aims to deliver an open wireless plant network and expanded wireless portfolio, via its Unified Wireless system. This comprises Cisco industrial-class 1500 Series wireless mesh access points and Cisco Wireless Control System for wireless network management, supported by Cisco Secure Services for network security.
For its part, Emerson aims to expand its Smart Wireless programme; using 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.
In April, Cisco announced a collaboration with Rockwell Automation to integrate manufacturing and IT for "seamless" enterprise-wide connectivity. This cooperation, it said, would focus on reference architectures for global manufacturers leveraging EtherNet/IP standard networking technologies.
