Product category:
Wireless process sensors
News Release from: Honeywell Field Solutions | Subject: Roche Temp Tx
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 November 2007
Wireless transmitters integrated with
Experion
Roche has integrated Honeywell wireless transmitters with Experion Process Knowledge System for improved temperature monitoring performance
Roche is a leading healthcare company with a broad spectrum of innovative solutions For more than 100 years, it has been active in the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of healthcare solutions
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 30 Nov 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Organized in two divisions, Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics, the Roche global mission is to create exceptional added value in healthcare.
In 2004, Roche Diagnostics decided to upgrade its temperature monitoring to an integrated, networked system of sensors at its Indiana facility.
Roche Diagnostics needed to meet stringent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliance regulations, as well as increase access and availability of data for improved decision making.
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With a building already equipped with a system of electronic temperature and humidity monitors, Roche first considered a wired application.
After reviewing configuration requirements, a wireless solution was selected as the optimal choice because it could change with the facility needs if the company wanted to reconfigure equipment or warehouse operations.
"Although we initially thought our best option was to upgrade to a new wired application since our infrastructure was in place, we soon learned that we had to design for flexibility," said Chris Upwards, Manager of Process Engineering, Roche Diagnostics: "By implementing Honeywell wireless transmitters, we were able to monitor temperatures in all areas of our facility and view both historical and real-time data in a centralised control room.
They also helped us reduce maintenance, personnel and other costs".
Roche had used the Honeywell Experion Process Knowledge System to control operations at the site and decided to select the company to provide this temperature monitoring solution.
Although Roche considered installing a hard-wired solution to monitor temperature readings in its warehouse, it realized that Honeywell wireless transmitters would provide the flexibility, accuracy and affordability required.
A 10-member team was formed with Roche, Honeywell and outside consultants to help validate the project.
After weighing all the hard-wired data acquisition options, Roche selected the Honeywell XYR 5000 wireless transmitters., which are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Honeywell Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS).
Honeywell wireless equipment efficiently transmits by frequency hopping, using sensors and bases that communicate through randomly alternating frequencies like the 900 MHz range.
"Transmission at Roche has been clear and uninterrupted despite hard-to-reach locations of various sensors," said Upwards.
To guarantee information redundancy and constant uptime, base radios were connected with coaxial cables to remote transmission units (RTUs) manufactured by RTUnet.
Data was then passed through the Roche LAN.
The implementation and validation process was completed in less than four months.
In addition to the temperature, the system monitors humidity and sensor battery life.
If temperatures move out of spec or a battery runs low, an alert pops up to control monitors logged into Experion.
If an alarm situation arises, the RTU signals off-site Honeywell staff who notify key Roche personnel.
"The wireless system has been operating for less than a year but the benefits are clear," concluded Upwards: "We know that we have a system that complies with regulatory requirements and provides us with the ability to generate accurate data and act on that data from any remote location.
The people on our team find this a very useful solution".
The wireless transmitters enabled Roche to realize the following benefits:.
* Reduced installation, operational and maintenance costs.
* Reliable and accurate data helped meet and maintain regulatory compliance.
* More timely, consistent and accurate measurements.
* Easy access to critical warehouse data through Experion.
* eServer linked to the main network for remote availability.
* Elimination of paper charts freed up employees to address more critical concerns.
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