Launched in late 2007, Asset Master is generating widespread interest throughout the automation industry for successfully integrating more features, functionalities and system compatibilities than previous asset management systems. The software can access and prioritise faults in up to 500 devices, thus ensuring major problems receive attention first.
The standalone solution offers comprehensive capabilities
Designed to assist engineering and maintenance staff, the solution manages ABB and non-ABB devices in all areas of field instrument engineering, commissioning and maintenance. It monitors devices like analysers, actuators, control valves and flowmeters, detecting faults and recommending alternative actions. It even issues work orders.
Based on the System 800xA automation platform, it provides a complete asset management solution running on a Windows-based desktop PC. Integration is easy, which is important for manufacturers seeking to manage production assets without installing full distributed control architectures.
The range of primary functions covers the entire spectrum of needs in device configuration, commissioning, diagnostics and realtime asset optimisation. According to ABB the system provides users with a number of benefits which differentiate it from others:
* Communication on all three fieldbuses - HART, PROFIBUS, and FOUNDATION Fieldbus - is supported.
* In addition to monitoring device parameters the software diagnoses the probable cause of a problem and suggests corrective action.
* Fault criticality is assessed to ensure that operators and maintenance personnel prioritise and manage their time efficiently.
* Integration with computerised maintenance management systems, eg SAP, allows workorder submissions to be triggered and tracked to completion.
* The product can coexist with a variety of distributed control systems.
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