Originally launched in 1994, Freelance is ABB’s DCS solution for process industries. It combines the advantages of a DCS with the PLC, and is characterised by ease-of-use, scalability, flexibility and reliability. Freelance 2019 is the latest version of the DCS.
New features and benefits of Freelance 2019
Improved usability: provides a significant increase in efficiency and usability for its Operations and Engineering solution by adding advanced navigation, filter and sort functionality. The user experience has been improved through the modern user interface.
Scalable: a new controller, PM 904F, expands the Freelance AC 900F controller family in the upper range, supporting four communication interfaces. It also provides more application memory and enables the reservation of specific memory. As for all Freelance controllers, user applications are 100% runtime-compatible, which also enables smooth upgrade opportunities.
More connectivity: up to four monitors can now be connected to a single operator workplace. The available display types per monitor, as well as the arrangements of the monitors, are easily configured and fulfil the typical requirements for occupational safety and operator effectiveness.
Enhanced security: Freelance provides an additional alternative to its user management capabilities, known as Security Lock, via a solution called Extended User Management. This new option makes use of Windows user accounts, supporting both local and domain accounts. As a result typical requests for options such as central password management, rules for password complexity, or password ageing can be fulfilled.
Compatibility: Freelance 2019 can run on Windows 10 and Windows 7 in the same system architecture. This allows customers to do a step-wise upgrade to modern IT infrastructure which helps in reducing maintenance costs.
As in earlier versions of Freelance, customers have the option of staying automatically up-to-date by subscribing to the Automation Sentinel life cycle program by, for example, providing automatic cyber security patches.
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