Wonderware Corporation, represented exclusively here in South Africa by Futuristix, has licensed the Equipment Condition Monitoring (eCM) technology from SmartSignal Corporation, of Lisle, Illinois, to integrate into their Avantis enterprise asset management (EAM) solution for providing enhanced equipment monitoring capabilities.
SmartSignal's patented eCM software will allow Avantis to provide early warning of abnormal behaviour in heavy capital equipment and processes that could lead to system failures. By understanding the complex relationships between multiple sensors and sensor types, SmartSignal eCM provides earlier detection of abnormal machine behaviour than has been available with traditional condition monitoring (CM) systems.
"The bottom line for Wonderware customers who use Avantis integrated with eCM is that they will be able to reduce unplanned downtime, minimise planned downtime and optimise asset utilisation," said Joe Cowan, Wonderware President. "For the first time, EAM systems will have advanced knowledge of developing problems on factory floor equipment using realtime data. SmartSignal's eCM technology uniquely enables this by analysing the sensor information from factory floor equipment and providing exception-based, realtime asset health information."
"The Enterprise Asset Management market has stalled, with suppliers grappling for ways to provide added value to customers and further differentiate themselves from others," said John Moore, Industry Analyst at research consultants ARC Advisory Group. "With this agreement, Wonderware has taken a bold leap to add early warning capabilities to its EAM suite, thereby moving into the realm of plant asset management, where realtime information of asset health leads to optimal maintenance strategies. This move clearly separates Wonderware from many of its EAM competitors. SmartSignal will also gain a significant advantage from this relationship by leveraging Wonderware's powerful distribution system and solid reputation, spurring future growth for this young, innovative company."
"SmartSignal's early warning technology will add immediate value to Wonderware customers by helping increase their return-on-assets," said Gary Conkright, SmartSignal chairman and CEO. "The relationship validates SmartSignal's embedded business strategy and will provide significant volume in the short term."
(Wonderware plans to release the integrated Avantis and eCM solution in the 3rd quarter of 2001.)
About SmartSignal
SmartSignal is a venture-backed start-up software company based in Lisle, Ill. The company received its initial venture capital funding on 17 March, 1999. The core eCM technology, originally developed at Argonne National Laboratory, is the result of a multimillion-dollar US Department of Energy (DOE) research effort. SmartSignal has 31 issued or licensed patents pending/owned and broad foreign coverage. For additional information about SmartSignal and its products, visit the company's website at: www.smartsignal.com
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