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Tuesday, November 14, 2006 |
In the realm of significant enhancements to current software platforms, ABB has released the latest version of its 800xA system. The system was originally a way for ABB to bring unity and modern interfaces to the disparate platforms it inherited through the acquisition strategy that made it a major player in process control (and beyond).
The system has greatly enhanced collaboration capabilities as well as a broader integrated engineering environment. The company is also bringing MES-like functionality into the umbrella.
A few details from the press release:
The integration capability allows customers to combine data from traditionally disparate automation-related applications into a single integrated information view in real-time to facilitate business decisions and actions to maximize productivity.
Load-Evaluate-Go lets customers modify, download and evaluate a new or "revised" application, without interfering with the running "current" application. They can see how the new application will work with their controllers and input/output devices (I/O) and how it will affect the production process, while continuing the run the current application. After evaluation, the customer may choose to put the new application on-line, modify it, or discard it.
Multi-System Integration makes it possible to supervise and operate several 800xA systems from one central operating room, regardless of system location. Customers can access and view objects configured in one system from another system.
Multi-User and Distributed Engineering provides a flexible engineering environment to move, copy and reuse configuration data between different systems, and to make engineering changes in an environment that is separate from running production.
System 800xA integrates production management, safety, smart instrumentation, smart drives and motor control, information management, asset optimization, simulation and documentation along with process control.
5:06:17 PM 
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No posts yesterday. I was totally immersed in interviews and meetings. Should have been in Seville, Spain at the Honeywell EMEA Users Conference. I heard about it a little late and had too many schedule conflicts to clear. I also should be in St. Louis at the meeting of the Center for Intelligent Maintenance Systems. Tomorrow I have two meetings down in Dayton, Ohio. More on those later.
Apparently, the reason Honeywell wanted to get North American editors to Spain was a speech on its wireless strategy. The "battle" between it and Emerson and their various partners is intensifying as products begin to become available. I've interviewed Tom Phinney of Honeywell recently and gathered a perspective. Each company is solving a different problem, in my opinion. Neither is totally wrong and neither is totally right. The solution will not be one only for all users. Honeywell is concerned with a total end-to-end solution for not only sensor information, but also loop control over wireless. In that regard its engineers are working hard on a totally secure, totally reliable wireless solution. Emerson sees an immediate value to its customers in getting a sensor-based solution implemented that (while it can be used for control, I am assured) has the immediate impact of supplying a tremendous amount of information to the plant operating software system such that plant operations can be made more efficient--and profitable.
A final caveat on wireless--make your salesperson or other marketing person define "mesh." I'm beginning to think that this term is beginning to become a buzz word devoid of its precise meaning. Putting something on "the mesh" may not mean a self-organizing, self-healing network specified by IEEE 802.15.4. Make people be precise in their terminology to you.
I also saw on the agenda that one of my colleagues is making a keynote at the users conference on his "gloom and doom" prophecy that we're running out of process control engineers. I'd have to ask him, were I there, if that is true, then why are process manufacturing companies laying off skilled and experienced engineers and replacing them with rookies? I'm hearing about that often. The companies themselves are hastening the demise of that genre of engineer in their plants in order to cut operating costs. That tells me that most of the processes are already automated. When they need automation, it will be on new projects. So, rather than have a full time staff to design new processes, they will hire talent from their suppliers in order to design them. The talent is moving toward the Honeywells of the automation world. And all the suppliers are actively recruiting and training talent. That is where the process control engineer supply will come from in the next few years. Jack Bolick, president of Honeywell Process Solutions, has told me that many times it's easier for a company the size of Honeywell to recruit top talent from colleges. It can put together a good compensation package and provide interesting and varied work. So, the solution is already here.
7:27:57 AM
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Here's an article with implications for automation professionals about Microsoft leading a vendors' alliance with a goal of getting various software technologies to interoperate better. Interoperability is certainly a theme in the automation space.
Microsoft Aims to Improve Its [OE]Works Well With Others[base '] Score. Microsoft plans to unveil a technology industry alliance to make software from competing companies and partners work better together. By VICTORIA SHANNON. [NYT > Business]
7:04:26 AM
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© Copyright 2006 Gary Mintchell.
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