Enhanced system support for HART field devices
January 2004
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
As demonstrated at both the HART Foundation and FDT Joint Interest Group exhibits at ISA EXPO 2003, Foxboro Automation Systems has introduced exciting field device tool (FDT)-based software tools that open up important new HART capabilities for I/A Series system users.
These new FDT-enabled HART capabilities include a common, productivity-enhancing configuration, diagnostic, and support environment across all HART field instrumentation, FoxCom field devices, and, in the near future, all Foundation Fieldbus devices
A wide variety of increasingly more capable software applications from Foxboro, other instrument vendors, and third parties can now be plugged right into the I/A Series automation system to help speed instrument configuration, simplify support, and maximise instrument utilisation.
Realtime device data from HART and other intelligent field instrumentation can now be passed up through the I/A Series system into enterprise asset management (EAM) packages, such as Invensys' own Avantis software, to support advanced, condition-based predictive monitoring and maintenance; as well as conventional EAM functions. The latter includes preventive maintenance, materials management, supply chain management, and work order management.
For more information contact Keith Guest, Protea Automation Solutions, 011 719 5700, [email protected], www.protea.co.za
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