New version 8.0 of InTouch HMI software

New Wonderware product from Invensys with enhanced security configuration and integrated support for ArchestrA architecture, is designed for Windows XP

Wonderware, an operating unit of Invensys plc, has announced version 8.0 of its InTouch graphical human-machine interface (HMI) product for industrial automation, process control and supervisory monitoring.

InTouch 8.0 software is part of the FactorySuite A2 (squared) product series, which provides factory automation solutions based on the Invensys ArchestrA software architecture.

The A2 signifies the ArchestrA product family.

The InTouch 8.0 HMI provides users with several new security and alarming capabilities for industrial applications and has been designed to tightly integrate with the new Wonderware Industrial Application Server, also released this month.

"Version 8.0 of the InTouch HMI brings together several new time-saving capabilities that industrial applications require, and builds upon Invensys ArchestrA architecture," said Renee Robinson, product marketing manager for Wonderware visualisation products.

InTouch 8.0 software also achieved the "Designed for Windows XP" logo certification from Microsoft, which assures customers that it meets the requirements specified by Microsoft for logo certification and that the application will have full functionality on an XP system.

"In keeping with the Wonderware legacy of offering leading-edge technology, we continue to provide our customers with software to support the latest Microsoft operating system as quickly as possible," Robinson said.

"Wonderware was the first company to pioneer the use of the Windows platform in industrial automation in 1989, and our strategy has always been to keep pace with Microsoft technology".

The release of InTouch 8.0 software is a significant announcement in support of the ArchestrA framework.

It supports and leverages the new FactorySuite A2 Industrial Application Server for use with distributed HMI, SCADA or centralised manufacturing information management applications.

When using the Industrial Application Server, the InTouch 8.0 HMI can leverage the Industrial Application Server security model, component architecture, application logic, scalability, diagnostics and networked namespace.

In addition, the Industrial Application Server protects and extends previous InTouch engineering investments with the capability to re-use scripts, tags and communications from existing InTouch applications, providing for powerful co-existence and easy migration.

"InTouch 8.0 software support for the new FactorySuite A2 Industrial Application Server allows Wonderware customers to take advantage of the latest application development capabilities, while preserving their existing engineering efforts," Robinson said.

"Current InTouch customers can easily migrate their applications while maintaining a familiar, easy-to-use HMI development environment".

Some of the new capabilities include the following: Security authentication that is easy to configure and maintain, facilitating user compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements; New alarm control for querying and sorting alarms; More than 800 new graphic symbol controls designed to simplify screen design and increase performance.

InTouch software provides visualisation for a plant-centric, operator-centric manufacturing information system, where information is shared within and between plants.

The InTouch HMI is in use in more than 180,000 installations around the world, in a variety of vertical markets, including food processing, oil and gas, automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, transportation and utilities.

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