Wonderware, exclusively represented in South Africa by Futuristix, now offers its new InControl CE runtime engine, along with the release of a specific InControl 7.1 platform upgrade designed for contec Windows CE industrial computers
InControl CE is a new version of Wonderware's Windows NT-based InControl software. It provides an integrated control solution that replaces proprietary control systems with open architecture control for Windows CE embedded platforms.
The InControl CE runtime engine has been selected by Contec of Osaka, Japan, as the application engine for their new line of Windows CE-based industrial controller hardware platforms. Initial shipments of hardware began on 7 June. The platform upgrade allows existing InControl 7.1 users to develop application programs for the InControl runtime engine that is pre-integrated with Contec hardware.
InControl CE takes advantage of the IEC 61131-3 compliant InControl NT development environment to allow users to create applications that are easily downloaded to the InControl application engine on the Contec platform.
"Users of the Contec Windows CE platform pre-integrated with InControl will also realise the major benefits of seamless connectivity and scalability of their systems all the way from plant floor manufacturing systems up to the ERP layer," said Mike le Plastrier, Managing Director of Futuristix."Since Windows CE shares the same WIN32 API as Windows NT, the same software used to configure Wonderware's FactorySuite product on NT systems is now available to create realtime embedded automation solutions on Contec Windows CE platforms, or on other Windows CE-based systems that may choose to pre-integrate their hardware with the Wonderware InControl CE runtime engine," concluded le Plastrier.
A capable, compact, low-cost package, the Contec Box PC combined with InControl CE is designed to provide a more capable and lower-cost alternative than traditional PLCs. InControl CE offers a robust control package, more open connectivity and sophisticated logic capabilities to handle complex discrete and batch processes. InControl offers greater overall capacity compared to micro PLCs, and a lower cost-per-point than mid-size PCs.
InControl CE can be programmed using user-friendly IEC 61131-3 relay ladder logic (RLL), sequential function chart (SFC) and structured text (ST) editors and can utilise popular, low-cost I/O from a variety of open I/O systems. InControl is designed to expand end-user control capabilities using ActiveX-based factory objects such as PID and custom user controls. In addition, existing FactorySuite 2000 InControl NT applications can easily be upgraded to support the Contec Box PC.
When connected to the Wonderware FactorySuite, InControl provides an advanced operational and real-time application engine, offering powerful communication capabilities. With its exclusive SuiteLink communications, InControl offers a significant degree of flexibility and scalability over and above that of typical PLCs.
About Contec
Contec is based in Osaka, Japan, and operates regional offices in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, the United States and throughout Europe to support a global network of distributors. Contec offers complete solutions for the industrial automation industry based on its line of industrial embedded microcomputer, IPC and WS hardware and software products and systems.
The Contec Box PC incorporates a Windows CE operating system with a powerful SH3 CPU, flash memory, multiple I/O interfaces and standard Ethernet communication interface to allow users to tailor a control system to meet their exact application requirements.
About Wonderware
Wonderware, a business unit of the Invensys Intelligent Automation Division, is a world-leading supplier of industrial automation software. Founded in 1987, Wonderware pioneered the use of Microsoft Windows-based, human-machine-interface (HMI) automation software for manufacturing operation systems. Today, Wonderware's mission is to provide integrated software suites that drive the customer's strategic, planning and operational decision-making based on realtime plant floor information.
The first of these suites, FactorySuite 2000, was introduced in 1997. FactorySuite is an integrated set of Windows NT-based application development modules used to configure factory automation systems for supervisory control and data acquisition; PC-based control; work-in-process tracking; batch process management; a realtime relational database; and Internet remote application viewing capabilities. Main-tenanceSuite, introduced early in 2000, is an integrated suite of plant-centric software applications designed to improve manufacturing productivity and offer rapid response asset management tools.
Future suites will be based on Wonderware core technology and industry standards and will be designed for customer needs involved in discrete, repetitive, scada and process industries.
Recent corporate and product acquisitions have broadened Wonderware's market coverage to range from 'sensor to supply chain." In addition to its HMI and manufacturing execution systems (MES) products, Wonderware offers leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise asset management (EAM) solutions including Protean, Prism, Avantis.XA and Avantis.Pro as well as strategic consulting services.
Wonderware is based in Irvine, California and has regional sales and development offices throughout the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia to provide support to its network of more than 160 independent distributor offices. With more than $270 million in sales, Wonderware has more than 150 000 successful software installations in more than 25 000 plants worldwide.
About Invensys
Invensys is a global leader in the automation and controls industry.
With its head office in London, Invensys operates in all regions of the world through four focussed divisions: Intelligent Automation, Industrial Drive Systems, Power Systems and Controls. With more than 100 000 employees, the company's products and services range from advanced control systems and networks for automating industrial plants and controlling the environments of buildings, to electronic devices and controls found in residential buildings and light commercial applications. The company also offers complete power systems for the telecommunications and information technology industries. The group was formed in February 1999, through the merger of BTR and Siebe.
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