VersaView CE gives Windows CE in a tough package

Rockwell Automation introduces the Allen-Bradley VersaView CE, a rugged industrial computer supporting the latest Windows CE.NET operating system and offers an unrivalled multi-application capability

Rockwell Automation introduces the Allen-Bradley VersaView CE, a rugged industrial computer that supports the latest Windows CE.NET operating system and offers an unrivalled multi-application capability.

Bridging the gap between the Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus range of dedicated operator terminals and VersaView Windows 2000/XP industrial PCs, VersaView CE is versatile enough to run a wide range of third party applications in addition to those required for a pure human machine interface (HMI).

These include the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser, enabling the VersaView CE to browse virtually any web-serving device, such as PLCs, drives or other PCs, providing easy, low cost access to information across the Internet or a company intranet.

Using the latest Microsoft.NET web solution, the VersaView CE is ready for the next generation of XML-based web services currently under development.

Microsoft.NET is a set of software technologies that makes it easier to share information by connecting computer systems and applications through the use of web services.

The VersaView CE also comes with pre-installed file viewers including Adobe Acrobat, Windows Media Player and Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint to enable operators on the plant floor to download and read documents such as manuals, drawings and other files in most popular formats.

In addition, this means maintenance engineers no longer need to carry around large manual or notebook computers - instead they can now simply call up relevant files from the server on the nearest VersaView CE.

Operators are able to send or receive files from remote locations using FTP Server, a protocol that allows users to copy files quickly and securely between their local system or any server they can reach on the network.

Ideal for distributed HMI and information systems, the VersaView CE can operate as a "thin" client in a client/server architecture where the application software is run on a central server and accessed via high bandwidth networks.

"VersaView CE bridges the functionality gap between dedicated operator terminals and open industrial computers running full-scale Windows installations," says Rockwell Automation product manager Paul Herron.

"It provides end-users and OEMs with the flexibility to use a wide range of third party IT applications while still benefiting from the robustness and low cost of typical operator interfaces".

One particular application for which the VersaView CE will be well suited is operating as a remote terminal unit (RTU) designed to monitor plant in unmanned locations in the water and waste treatment sector.

As standard, off the shelf hardware that can easily be configured to the user requirements, the VersaView CE is a highly cost-effective alternative to the specialist equipment currently being used in this demanding role.

A 100% solid state unit with no fans, hard drives or other moving parts to fail, the VersaView CE boasts a high performance 650MHz Intel processor and 256MB of RAM and flash memory.

The VersaView CE is panel-mounted and is available with a wide range of bezel formats, including high performance 6.5 to 15 inch TFT colour displays with keypad or touchscreen options.

All units come pre-loaded with Rockwell Software RSView Machine Edition v3.0 runtime software, a key element in the new generation RSView Enterprise Series visualisation software that supports the Rockwell Automation ViewAnyWare approach.

ViewAnyWare provides enterprise-wide visualisation, enabling information to be passed seamlessly around the organisation and allowing applications to be reused rather than recreated for different platforms.

RSView Machine Edition applications are developed using RSView Studio, the common development and testing environment for all ViewAnyWare compatible products.

Able to operate in the toughest of industrial environments, the VersaView CE provides unrivalled flexibility for diverse Windows CE applications as well as dedicated HMI capability.

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