Invensys Operations Management, a global provider of technology systems, software solutions and consulting services to the manufacturing and infrastructure operations industries, has released a new version of its Wonderware® InBatch software. Used to manage complex batch processes that require maximum flexibility, InBatch 2012 R2 software is integrated with the company’s ArchestrA® System Platform software to provide a unified application and information environment across the complete manufacturing process. By making batch management data available to users and systems throughout the plant, the software increases operational effectiveness and enables better levels of business optimization in real time.

With more integration, InBatch 2012 R2 software makes equipment and phase information quickly available and useable with the company’s other offerings, including its Wonderware Historian, MES, Corporate Energy Management and ArchestrA Workflow software. This end-to-end approach to production management helps streamline processes, provides complete traceability and genealogy and improves collaboration across systems and people.

“Providing unified supervisory and execution capabilities in an overall production context helps improve operating efficiency, reduce costs and optimize business performance in real time,” said Michael Schwarz, the company’s InBatch product marketing manager. “It’s part of our strategy to eliminate islands of automation and lower costs by offering an integrated set of manufacturing operations management functions built on our ArchestrA System Platform solution. On its own, InBatch software is highly effective in managing our customers’ processes, but in many cases the produced batch is handed over to discrete filling, packaging and other non-batch-oriented processes. Now, because of its new integration with ArchestrA System Platform, InBatch 2012 R2 provides interoperability with all types of operational processes in real time without the need for other application-to-application integration.”

Wonderware InBatch software is control system independent and consistent with the ISA-88 standard on batch control. Its capabilities include recipe management, batch execution management, equipment history, material genealogy, stringent security, web-based reporting and the ability to facilitate the design and implementation of systems that are compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulations.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the Allen-Bradley brand, and to celebrate its history of providing quality and innovative products, Rockwell Automation has launched the Engineered to Outlast photo contest. Rockwell Automation customers, partners and employees are invited to submit photos of Allen-Bradley products and materials on the contest tab of the company’s Facebook page.

“The Engineered to Outlast photo contest is truly inspired by our customers,” said Ninveh Neuman, vice president of global commercial marketing, Rockwell Automation. “Those who interact with Allen-Bradley products as part of their daily work responsibilities frequently comment about the quality and innovation they associate with the Allen-Bradley brand. This contest is a way for them to share and celebrate that strong legacy.”

During April, Rockwell Automation will be awarding weekly prizes for the most creative submissions. Everyone that submits a photo will be entered to win the grand prize, a JAMBOX wireless speaker by Jawbone. Select entries also will be featured in a photo gallery on the Rockwell Automation website. The contest will be open to submissions through April 26, 2013 and the grand-prize winner will be announced May 3. Weekly winners will be displayed on the Rockwell Automation contest website every Monday during April.

To further showcase the rich history of the Allen-Bradley brand, Rockwell Automation will share historical images, stories and trivia on its social media channels throughout the month. Those interested in more information about the 110th anniversary of the Allen-Bradley brand are encouraged to follow the company Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages, and to follow the #ABoutlasts hashtag on Twitter.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces the introduction of a new "Wireless Anywhere" business concept on the plant-wide use of ISA100.11a*1 compliant wireless communication technologies for both monitoring and control applications. Yokogawa will aggressively promote this concept to widen the use of ISA100.11a-compliant products and related services. This augments our existing "Grow" concept, which encourages the introduction of wireless communication technologies by making a case for their inherent reliability, flexibility, and openness.

The ISA100.11a standard ensures high reliability, application flexibility, network expandability, and compatibility with a variety of wired communication standards such as FOUNDATION™ fieldbus, HART®, and PROFIBUS. "ISA100.11a full functional" field wireless network systems and devices make use of state-of-the-art dual redundant technologies that enable a much higher level of reliability, and allow massive scalability and long-range communications.

By following up on the Grow concept with this announcement of the Wireless Anywhere concept, Yokogawa is advocating the use of "ISA100.11a full functional" field wireless systems throughout plants. To this end, Yokogawa will pursue the following three initiatives:

1. Modularizing wireless components to accelerate product development
2. Promoting adoption of the ISA100.11a standard
3. Facilitating host connectivity for both wired and wireless field networks

Field Wireless website

The OPC Foundation has announced that MDIS has selected OPC UA as the Master Control System (MCS) and Distributed Control System (DCS) protocol standard. The selection of OPC UA will provide secure and reliable data transfer for offshore oil and gas production.

MDIS is an international joint industry network group whose main mission is to optimize the MCS and DCS interface of topside systems in oil and gas production. MDIS defines and establishes a standard for the interface, in order to simplify implementation of data communication links, whilst increasing the data quality.

To streamline the Master Control System (MCS) and Distributed Control System (DCS) communications on topside systems, a standard interface needs to be developed, including a standard communication protocol. The MCS-DCS Interface Standardization (MDIS) network has formed with involvement from key industry players in the subsea controls area, topsides specialists and oil companies. Standardization of the interface simplifies implementation of data communication links, whilst increasing the data quality. Using the network group as a collaborative resource to the industry, it is able to facilitate information exchange in furthering development of the standard MCS-DCS interface.

“In looking for the MDIS protocol, the network considered a number of potential candidates for validation testing. The MDIS community has selected the OPC UA protocol for further investigation due to its flexibility and performance over a broad number of criteria such as scalability, reliability, object orientation and the amount of anticipated time spent in programming / design,” states the MDIS steering committee.

“The OPC Foundation is excited to collaborate with MDIS in providing the MCS-DCS interface standard,” said Tom Burke, OPC Foundation President and Executive Director. "OPC UA will allow secure and reliable information exchange for the topside systems within offshore production.”

MDIS selected OPC UA based on several requirements. Here is a sample of the requirements:

• MDIS Vendor Support
• Communication Integrity
• Robust Test Tool
• Communication Integrity
• Reliable Implementation
• Redundancy and Robustness
• Independent Organization Support