IT in Manufacturing


Rockwell Automation enhances FactoryTalk ViewPoint

October 2011 IT in Manufacturing

Tag write capability and enhanced security added to web-enabled HMI software.

Manufacturers now have greater flexibility and mobility for making real-time changes to plant floor operations using the latest version of FactoryTalk ViewPoint software from Rockwell Automation. In addition to tag write capabilities, the latest version of the company’s Web-enabled HMI software also features enhanced security capabilities that allow administrators to manage and control who can access system and machine parameters from outside the plant.

FactoryTalk ViewPoint 2.0 software extends visualisation and real-time decision making capabilities to browser-based remote users, such as plant managers, supervisors and mobile workers. The software supports fully scalable and animated Web displays of existing FactoryTalk View HMI software and Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus applications. The latest release adds compatibility with Google Chrome 10 and Safari 5, in addition to the existing support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7 or 8, and Mozilla Firefox 3.

Using FactoryTalk ViewPoint 2.0 software, operators of a line could, for example, see if equipment was over dispensing and remotely change the parameters to reduce product waste. In the past, this could only happen on site or on the factory floor. Today, operators can use a browser to make the necessary adjustments instantly whether they are at another plant, in the control room or on the road.

The software is also ideal for system integrators and OEMs that want to monitor customer installations, perform diagnostics or provide support for visualisation applications they have deployed. This functionality is also becoming vital for applications that require monitoring of remote sites such as in the water and wastewater, oil and gas, and mining industries.

“Remote visualisation and control marks a major advance in the manufacturing industry,” says Sean Homan, business manager of control systems at Rockwell Automation. “With FactoryTalk ViewPoint 2.0 software, users can access critical plant information when and where it is most actionable and valuable to them. Delivering this information via a secure Web browser provides a cost-effective and easy-to-maintain way of reaching remote users.”

The new functionality allows users to access and write to FactoryTalk View Machine Edition and Site Edition (SE) applications remotely using numeric and string (text) entry objects, and momentary, maintained, multistate, ramp and interlocked pushbuttons. Companies with FactoryTalk View SE applications can also access and write to FactoryTalk View SE commands remotely, including set, toggle, ramp and simple expressions (for example: Tag1 = Tag2 *.55 + 72).

The enhanced security system allows administrators to define user groups and assign them access to view and write capabilities whereas previous versions only permitted administrators to allow or disallow users’ access to the entire FactoryTalk ViewPoint application.

For more information contact Sean Homan, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Prefabricated data centres for an AI-focused future at the edge
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
As AI technologies continue to advance, data centres are being pushed to the edge, reshaping their operations to meet daily demands. To meet the relentless demands of AI workloads at the edge, prefabricated data centre solutions offer a scalable, efficient and fast alternative to traditional builds.

Read more...
Quantum computing and its impact on data security: a double-edged sword for the digital age
IT in Manufacturing
Quantum computing is poised to redefine the boundaries of data security, offering groundbreaking solutions while threatening modern encryption’s foundations. For third-party IT providers, this duality presents both a challenge and an opportunity to lead organisations through one of the most significant technological transitions in decades.

Read more...
Next-generation road-legal race car.
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced that Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) will move to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software and use it to develop the next generation of its single-seater road-legal race car, Mono.

Read more...
Cybersecurity at a crossroads
IT in Manufacturing
here’s a growing unease in boardrooms, data centres and cabinet offices across South Africa. It’s not just about economic headwinds or political uncertainty, it’s about something quieter, more technical and yet just as dangerous - the rising tide of cyber threats.

Read more...
Enabling a sustainable industrial organisation
IT in Manufacturing
This article explains the top sustainability trends and key actions that you can leverage to become a more sustainable organisation.

Read more...
Navigating discrete manufacturing in South Africa through digitalisation
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa’s discrete manufacturing sector faces mounting pressure from global competition, fragmented supply chains and outdated infrastructure. In this complex environment, digitalisation is a critical lever for survival, resilience and growth.

Read more...
Africa’s pragmatic approach to AI and how data centres are enabling it
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
In Africa, the current AI momentum is driven by a fundamental need, building a resilient digital infrastructure that addresses the real-world challenges of the continent’s communities.

Read more...
World first simulation of error-correctable quantum computers
IT in Manufacturing
Quantum computers still face a major hurdle on their pathway to practical use cases, their limited ability to correct the arising computational errors. In a world first, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have unveiled a method for simulating specific types of error-corrected quantum computations.

Read more...
Platform to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric has launched Zeigo Hub by Schneider Electric, a powerful new digital platform designed to help organisations decarbonise their supply chains at scale.

Read more...
Future-ready data centres
IT in Manufacturing
The white paper ‘Future-Ready Data Centres’ by Black & Veatch outlines how integrating sustainable design principles not only helps meet ESG goals but also ensures reliability, operational efficiency and business continuity in the face of climate change and growing digital demand.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved