Product category:
Process Control: SCADA, ERP, MES and networks
News Release from: Tecnomatix Technologies | Subject: FactoryLink 7.5
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 December 2004
Software for custom SCADA or
manufacturing control
Latest version of leading SCADA development software provides a high level of traceability, faster development times and easy compliance with purchasers' requirements and international regulations
A major new version of the FactoryLink system from Tecnomatix Technologies combines high-speed tools for the development and deployment of bespoke manufacturing control systems with the ability to comply with international regulations governing process monitoring and product traceability, particularly in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries With more than 80,000 systems installed worldwide, FactoryLink goes beyond basic supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), encompassing real-time human/machine interfaces (HMI) and industrial information management
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 15 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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It is aimed primarily at OEMs and companies wishing to develop custom SCADA and manufacturing control systems.
Earlier versions of FactoryLink provided a full range of state-of-the-art tools to enable the configuration of applications to users' exact requirements.
FactoryLink 7.5 goes significantly further.
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It has been developed in response to increasing international requirements for full traceability and visibility of the manufacturing process, especially within heavily regulated industries such as food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Key among the new functionality of FactoryLink 7.5 is the ability to build, at speed, applications that can track with absolute precision the processes undergone by any product, and to identify the individual operators responsible at each stage.
This accountability is embedded in many good automated manufacturing practices (GAMP), and is a statutory requirement of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Part 11, which sets the standard for other international regulations.
In addition, buying organisations such as the large British and European supermarket chains are increasingly placing the onus on their suppliers to provide this level of operational information about their products.
Field tests show that the new functionality provides FactoryLink 7.5 users with a ten times performance improvement in the automatic creation of custom SCADA systems.
These systems can be equipped with functions that enable users to react faster to operational data and to use real-time manufacturing intelligence to improve their operations.
Other new functions include out-of-the-box reporting, which gives an instant view of process and data trends; and automatic emailing of alarms and events, which allows users to respond instantly to processes that stray close to or beyond permissible limits.
A waveform and sequencing task enables users to emulate and optimise real-world I/O and devices, thus bringing projects to the commissioning stage more quickly.
A lightweight installation feature with a one-click client enables the rapid deployment of client nodes on a LAN or VPN.
In addition, several ease-of-use and license server enhancements make it easier and quicker to set up redundant applications.
These tools encompass real-time human machine interfaces (HMI), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and industrial information management applications.
FactoryLink is comprehensive, state-of-the-art system for the custom development of manufacturing control applications.
Encompassing real-time human machine interfaces (HMI), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and industrial information management applications, the versatility of the product is virtually unlimited.
This flexibility is demonstrated by the more than 80,000 systems that have been installed worldwide in companies of all sizes, in such diverse industries as automotive, electronics, semiconductor, packaging, the utilities, oil and gas, chemicals, metals, mining, printing, building automation and transportation, as well as the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The added features of version 7.5 will be of particular benefit to companies for whom regulatory compliance is an issue, as well as those needing a system that is simple to use and fast to implement.
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