Kepware Technologies recently announced that it has signed an agreement with WeatherBug, a world-leading source for realtime weather information, for the purpose of licensing weather information through Kepware's KEPServerEX OPC technology, to the automation industry.
KEPServerEX is the latest generation of Kepware's OPC server technology. It was designed to allow users to quickly set up communications from equipment to control systems via a wide range of available 'plug-in' device drivers and components. KEPServerEX will now support Internet Connectivity to realtime weather information, available as a licensed service.
The WeatherBug for Automation driver will be delivered as an additional plug-in, joining the over 100 automation protocols already supported. Weather variables include: Date, Time, Station Location, Temperature, Relative Humidity, Wind Speed, Average Speed, Max Speed, Light Intensity, Rain Levels and more.
As part of this relationship, WeatherBug will also create a joint venture, advertiser-free, version of the popular WeatherBug Desktop application, WeatherBug Plus. The application will highlight Kepware as the solution provider and will highlight WeatherBug as a source of realtime, local weather information. This customised version will be available from the Kepware website, free of charge, and will allow automation professionals to review local weather, forecasts and severe weather alert information.
By combining its proprietary asset, the world's largest network of live weather sensors, with publicly available weather data from around the world, the WeatherBug network provides a level of depth and granularity that is unmatched in the industry. The data from this network is relied upon by millions of consumers, television broadcast partners, businesses, energy companies and federal, state and local government agencies every day. WeatherBug information is available in realtime, with variable updates on the order of seconds. In contrast, most other weather sources provide data that is an hour or more old.
"No other weather source can match the accuracy and timeliness that the WeatherBug network provides. Kepware is very excited to have been chosen by WeatherBug as its exclusive partner for delivering its weather information to the Automation marketplace," says Roy Kok, VP of Sales and Marketing for Kepware. "We approached WeatherBug with the concept of licensing weather information for control purposes, highlighting that we are the ideal choice as the leading provider of communications for automation. They immediately understood the value of this offering, and our support for industry standards, enabling their weather data to be used by any automation system or vendor," he added.
"WeatherBug's realtime weather information has proved to yield breakthrough cost benefits and efficiencies in business operations. Numerous manufacturing processes are impacted by temperature, humidity and other weather factors daily and this impact can be costly to the bottom line," says John Doherty, senior vice president for WeatherBug Professional.
About Kepware
Kepware is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers unique experience in both OPC and embedded device communications. Since its beginning in 1995, Kepware has focused on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices. Operating system support includes; Microsoft Windows Desktop, Windows Server and Windows Embedded (Windows CE and Windows Embedded NT/XP). Today, with over 100 communication protocols, and through the efforts of our direct sales, distribution and embedded partners, Kepware is the leading provider of communications with annual shipments exceeding 100 000 units. Kepware's responsiveness to customer needs and strong partnerships with other leading automation suppliers ensure that your next application will be a success. Ask around and you will hear why automation professionals everywhere consider Kepware Technologies 'automation's best friend'. (http://www.kepware.com)
About WeatherBug
WeatherBug (http://www.weatherbug.com and http://www.weatherbugprofessional.com) with a worldwide network of weather sensors, WeatherBug Tracking Stations and cameras primarily based at neighbourhood schools and public safety facilities across the US, WeatherBug maintains the largest exclusive weather network in the world. The live local weather conditions are delivered to millions of consumers via the Internet and mobile devices; to more than 100 state and local government agencies, including the National Weather Service; and to broadcast television stations, schools and businesses. WeatherBug is a brand of AWS Convergence Technologies. (http://www.aws.com)
For more information contact Neil Upfold, eTX Data Services, +27 (0)31 764 2099, [email protected], 083 325 4139.
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