Mobile capabilities added to Rockwell Automation’s ­manufacturing intelligence software

February 2015 IT in Manufacturing

Manufacturers now have the freedom to use any digital device to access optimised performance metrics and data analytics from plant floors and machines. This is due to new capabilities embedded in the FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI v6.0 software from Rockwell Automation.

The VantagePoint v6.0 software now includes VantagePoint mobile, a component that enables users to create displays and interact with data across any HTML5-compliant browser and mobile platforms, such as iOS and Android. Users can now easily log in to the VantagePoint system and automatically view Web-based KPI content that is responsive to the device they are using – from smartphones to tablets to PCs. This is a significant change from the conventional, costly and time-consuming approaches that enable desktop or mobile access to manufacturing data. No user-specific configurations created by network administrators or IT staff are required, enabling manufacturers to quickly get more users on board and deliver value to increase productivity.

“The VantagePoint mobile component instantly detects the type of device being used to access information and adjusts the user experience for that screen,” said Angela Rapko, product manager for FactoryTalk VantagePoint software, Rockwell Automation. “This out-of-the-box solution will enable more users to access valuable operational insight while lowering the cost of delivering that data.”

Even more capability

Another new key capability is the ‘composer’ feature. This allows VantagePoint v6.0 users to browse through data and easily customise content based on individual roles, priorities and viewing preferences. Using the software’s drag-and-drop interactive tools, users can create personalised displays to quickly find the information that is most important to them. The ‘favourites’ capability also allows users to configure KPI data in the visual formats they prefer, from bar graphs to gauges to plant maps. They can then save the data or share it with a group using the VantagePoint mobile component.

“Customers have expressed a big need to drive usage of data across their organisation for frictionless productivity,” said Kyle Reissner, mobility platform leader, Rockwell Automation. “With portability in mind, we wanted users to be able to move between devices seamlessly, allowing them to be more responsive and reducing time to solution. The VantagePoint mobile component is now at the core of the FactoryTalk VantagePoint software to deliver this ease of use.”

For OEMs, this streamlined connectivity provides the framework for delivering an information-enabled machine. Plus, they gain the ability to visualise data without the need for custom development.

For system administrators and integrators, improved diagnostics built into the VantagePoint v6.0 software on the server side – as well as more application-centric data sources – allow them to view and display the overall health of the system and specific applications. The VantagePoint v6.0 software also includes improved tag-provider templates to allow anyone initially building the model and applications – whether a system administrator or a customer – to accelerate design and deployment time.

All users will benefit from the flexibility of receiving and applying the VantagePoint software updates without having to uninstall, re-install and, in some cases, re-validate their current application.

“With the VantagePoint mobile framework, we intend to release software updates more frequently, including new display widgets and capabilities,” Reissner said, “We’re focused on eliminating friction, realising productivity value, and ensuring users are able to do more with fewer barriers.”

For more information contact Christo Buys, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.com/za

Credit(s)

Rockwell Automation

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