MES integration certified.

The Körber Ecosystem Partner program has been joined by COPA-DATA and receives the "PAS-X MSI Plug & Produce Ready" certification for its zenon software platform.

Giuseppe Menin

"With Körber we are cooperating for several years as a member of the ISPE Pharma 4.0 working group, addressing digitalization challenges in life sciences manufacturing. We are very pleased to be part of the Körber Ecosystem Partner program and happy to provide a comprehensive solution for pharmaceutical companies with our PAS-X MSI interface in zenon," says Giuseppe Menin, Life Sciences & Process Industry Manager at COPA-DATA.

zenon is a software platform that helps pharmaceutical manufacturers automate their manufacturing facilities and manage data more effectively. COPA-DATA has developed strong functionality as well as comprehensive connectivity that makes it easy to integrate shop floor machines into higher systems, such as a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) - for greater efficiency, better control and comprehensive documentation of manufacturing processes.

The Werum PAS-X MES Suite from Körber controls, monitors and documents manufacturing processes digitally and in real time. With just a few mouse clicks, customers can seamlessly integrate Körber's best-of-breed ecosystem solutions from partner companies with PAS-X MSI Plug & Produce. This no-code integration uses standardized message-based communication between MES and shop floor equipment as outlined in the ISPE Plug & Produce Working Group's Concept Paper. The partnership between Körber and COPA-DATA makes it possible to implement out-of-the-box projects with zenon as a configurable interface to PAS-X MES.

"COPA-DATA's zenon software platform is a strong solution for the pharmaceutical industry particularly regarding the integration of filling lines into MES. In addition, the COPA-DATA team has already built up the required skill set for both, technology and business processes. We are pleased to have them join the PAS-X MSI Plug & Produce partner program," says Lars Hornung, Senior Principal Alliances & Technology Partners Software, Körber Business Area Pharma.

@WerumKarriere @copadata #Koerber #PAuto #Pharma #MES

Cyber security standards met.

“We are doing our utmost to support our customers’ security strategies and protect them against cyberattacks whenever we can,” Reinhard Mayer, Copa-Data.

TÜV SÜD (part of the German Association for Technical Inspection) has awarded Copa-Data, the manufacturer of zenon software for industrial automation, a certificate of conformity to the new ISA/IEC 62443-4-1:2018 security standard. This confirms that their software development, quality assurance, and support processes are securely designed in line with current industrial IT security guidelines.

Developed by the International Society of Automation (ISA) and adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards provides a framework for closing and reducing security loopholes in industrial automation and control systems, allowing users to take a preventive, systematic approach. January 2018 saw the publication of a new standard as part of this series: ISA/IEC 62443-4-1:2018, Security for industrial automation and control systems, Part 4-1: Secure product development lifecycle requirements.

This provides companies with process specifications to follow when developing products that conform to security requirements. The standard aims to make the entire lifecycle of products more secure. This includes security requirements definition, secure design, secure implementation (including coding guidelines), verification and validation, defect management, patch management, and product end of life.

To ensure that Copa-Data would receive its certification in line with the latest IEC 62443-4-1-standard, the project team – led by Reinhard Mayr, Head of Information Security & Research Operation at the company – had to develop a realistic, cross-industry use case. Structured with multiple layers, this practical example involved a range of different systems of the kind found in a state-of-the-art production facility. These were assembled layer by layer to form one complete, secure system. “Our objective was to define a use case that would not only reflect the real use of our software in a networked production environment and take our investments in security features from recent years into account, but would also meet the requirements of the standard,” says Reinhard Mayr.

At the heart of the use case is a production cell that forms part of a production process. It requires maximum protection against harmful influences from the production areas to which it is linked, such as control rooms that carry out monitoring, network and management levels, and cloud solutions. For this reason, the example that was used for certification purposes also contains a demilitarized zone (DMZ) that is based on zenon technology and in line with the general IT security concepts outlined in the IEC 27001 standard. “The DMZ keeps external influences away from the operational area and strengthens IT security. The strategies and concepts that we have been pursuing for many years now when developing zenon, such as security by design and defense in depth, also help to achieve this. Thanks to our many native zenon protocols, we are also able to make it more difficult for attackers to cause serious damage,” he explains.

With the aim of making industrial IT security an even more significant part of the software development process, COPA-DATA expanded its security management team and gave it more powers. Now that the new certification has been achieved and recertification will take place annually, the entire COPA-DATA security lifecycle will be constantly under scrutiny.
“COPA-DATA has always dedicated itself to achieving continuous improvements in security. It is a pillar of our corporate strategy. We actively promote this wherever we need to, working closely together with official bodies and other manufacturers.”

Security remains an issue with which all areas of a company and manufacturers of system components need to concern themselves. Everything and everyone linked by an IT network – humans, companies, hardware, and software alike – has a requirement to uphold fundamental security standards.

• More about ISA99 (ISA/IEC 62443-4-1-2018)

@copadata #ISAuto #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Using predictive analytics technology.

In this article, Stefan Reuther of COPA-DATA explains how these manufacturers can use predictive analytics technology to reduce factory downtime and increase their business competitveness.

Research by IndustryWeek shows that equipment failure is the cause of 42 per cent of unplanned downtime. This raises questions about why more manufacturers aren’t using technology to improve machine and factory performance.

There is more to remaining competitive in industry than machine performance, and predictive analytics is the key to unlocking success.

A report from Statistics MRC estimates that the global predictive analytics market will grow from $3.89 billion in 2016, to $14.95 billion in 2023. You could argue that this growth is a result of advancing technology. However, I believe that a larger contributor to this adoption is the growing understanding of the benefits predictive analytics can offer.

Traditionally, maintenance in manufacturing facilities has been performed on a fixed cycle, often referred to as scheduled maintenance. Plant managers schedule time to conduct checks on machinery and plan downtime for more in-depth maintenance. However, this can mean that parts are replaced too late, or even too early, increasing the risk of failure.

As an alternative, predictive analytics empowers plant managers to detect potential defects before they materialize — and avoid unnecessary maintenance for parts that do not need repair. It also prevents unnecessary downtime by allowing potential problems to be fixed without the need to stop the machinery.

These analytics help plant managers spot potential hardware or system problems by comparing historical machine data with current performance. However, there is much more to the software than simply identifying future equipment failures. One example is the integration of new machinery.

Industry 4.0-compliant systems and technologies are changing the factory floor. While advancement is great, investment in this machinery can be costly — and how can manufacturers ensure that these changes will be positive?

This has been the question plaguing plant managers in recent years. Thankfully, using analytics, they no longer have to accept a sales person’s guarantee that their offering is the best option. Analytics can predict how the process will react as a result of a change in specific parameters, giving manufacturers an accurate view of whether the investment has been beneficial.

To support this, predictive analytics software, like COPA-DATA’s zenon, can statistically evaluate production quality. The technology, when implemented to function at its fullest capability, can monitor historical processes to predict potential production variances at a very early stage. Supporting quality assurance (QA) from the start of a process reduces wasted time, materials and money.

Predictive analytics is the tool that will make sense of all other Industry 4.0 technology. Connecting devices and collecting masses of data is only useful if that data is then presented in a way that is understandable and perhaps more importantly, actionable.

COPA-DATA’s zenon, for example, takes data from various sources, such as a PLC or smart meter, and uses predictive analytics reports to produce smart analyses. This enables decisions to be made based on past values with the assistance of prediction models. It supports two types of prediction: time-based prediction, which forecasts how a value will develop over time, and value-based prediction, which shows how one value will behave if another is changed.

This includes classic uses for predictive analytics, by monitoring how machinery will perform over time, but it can also help in other areas, such as reducing energy consumption. The system can take data about previous energy usage and predict how it will be affected in the future based on changes to production tools or processes.

Predictive maintenance is incredibly useful, and it will help manufacturers reduce the risk of unplanned downtime. However, we shouldn’t limit predictive analytics just to this area of manufacturing. There is more to remaining competitive in industry than machine performance, and predictive analytics is the key to unlocking success.

@copadata #PAuto #Industrie4.0 @StoneJunctionPR

Speaking the language of intelligent buildings!

The BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL),  have confirmed that the automation software zenon by Copa-Data complies with the criteria of the BACnet standard. Entry onto the international list of products conforming with the standard and receipt of the BTL certificate affirm the reliable communication between zenon and other systems and devices in building automation.

Copa-Data project team (LtoR)– Helmut Weber, Markus Wintersteller and Lewis Williams

Each building is equipped with technology that fulfills a variety of tasks. The spectrum here ranges from heating, air conditioning, ventilation and sanitary systems to lighting management, lift monitoring, energy management or access control. To make sure that the different technologies can exchange data with each other, they need to speak the same language. BACnet, the international communications protocol, is primarily used for networks in building automation. To guarantee reliable and flexible communication in zenon projects in the area of building automation, COPA-DATA developed the native BACnetNG driver about ten years ago.

Markus Wintersteller, Technical Product Manager at Copa-Data, explained: “Our zenon BACnet driver had been communicating flawlessly, yet it did not comply with any profile description in terms of the BACnet standard. Along with increasing expectations from modern buildings and the growing trend in smart buildings, the BACnet protocol has become more and more important. The certification of zenon BACnet connectivity is a fundamental factor for us to be independent in this area as well.”

Speaking the language of intelligent buildings
The international BTL Listing attests that zenon 8.00 complies with the BACnet Operator Workstation Profile, or B-OWS Profile for short, of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) standard 135-2012. To comply with one of the three profiles for user interfaces, products must meet certain criteria, such as setting values. On the basis of a profile, handlers can better classify the capabilities of a system or device in the BACnet environment.

Lewis Williams, Technical Consultant at COPA-DATA, adds: “zenon was carefully examined on the basis of the BACnet test framework outlined by the independent inspection body MBS GmbH from Germany. In the process, zenon standard functionality such as the equipment model has been of great benefit; it brought advantages to the tests and accelerated them. We want to provide our customers with top flexibility and reliability in their projects. Therefore, we had already developed our own BACnet stack early on. We are pleased to know that an independent laboratory has rewarded our efforts with a positive test report, achieving a certificate and entry into the BTL Listing.”

@BACnetIntl #BuildingAutoSys 

"World Cup of Automation!"

The agenda for the Copa-Data Global Partner Academy 2018 included presentations and in-depth workshops with experts, practical reference visits and international networking under the event slogan "World Cup of Automation".

This year's Copa-Data Global Partner Academy (GPA) in Vienna (A) had 215 participants representing 98 companies from 30 countries. The third-annual GPA, the worldwide rendezvous for members of the company's partner community, brought together twice as many people as it did in 2016.

Johannes Petrowisch, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Copa-Data, was delighted by this growth, commenting: "This GPA shows the continuous growth trajectory that we and our partners are experiencing worldwide. It is a strong sign that our zenon software is delighting so many experts throughout the world and that automation is advancing in harmony with digitalization. We would like to warmly thank all participants."

One highlight was an insight provided by Ulrike Huemer, lawyer and CIO of the city of Vienna, into city development and planning for one of Europe's largest and, at the same time, most liveable city regions. The city of Vienna has already been following a digital agenda for increasing transparency and decreasing bureaucracy for its citizens for several years now. In the lawyer's speech, she focused on a key challenge for the coming years: interlinking all social sectors that are involved in the digital transformation. International participants at GPA 2018 agreed with her conclusion that only through open discussion and dialogue between economy, industry, society and public authorities can the advantages of digitalization take effect.

Furthermore, Copa-Data partner companies obtained extensive know-how on the new zenon 8.00 and zenon Analyzer 3.20 software versions. Example applications from around the world underscored the variety of solutions that can be implemented with zenon – from ergonomic human-machine interfaces and powerful control stations to cloud-connected production analyses across different locations. GPA participants benefitted both from face-to-face conversations with company technology experts and in-depth workshops on technical and sales topics.

The agenda was rounded off by two reference visits. In the energy distribution sector, participants at Wiener Netz's premises were able to get an idea of how 46 transformer stations and a 28,000 km distribution network provide energy to the city of Vienna and other parts of Austria. In the pilot factory for Industry 4.0, which was initiated by TU Wien, the Technical University of Vienna, GPA 2018 participants gained insights into the future of industrial production with a focus on smart, cyber-physical production systems.

The Copa-Data  British technical & sales team accompanying partners Roy Coleman and Lee Hancock of Applied Integration and Capula.

Photo:Stefanie Starz,

@copadata  #PAuto #Austria

Growing team for industrial software expert.

Copa-Data's team in Britain has been expanded with the appointment of three employees. The new recruits follow the company's relocation of its headquarters to Cardiff, which was intended to facilitate the company’s projected growth.

Alan Binning has joined as Regional Sales Manager. Boasting over 16 years of experience in automation and industrial solutions, including several, including time as an applications engineer, Binning will bring a wealth of industrial knowledge and experience to the team. This skillset is bolstered by a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Reading.

With an extensive background in multi-channel marketing, Abigail Walters-Davies will now lead the company's marketing efforts throughout Britain. Walters-Davies is responsible for communications across Copa-Data’s network of customers in the energy and infrastructure, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and automotive industries.

As Marketing Manager, Walters-Davies will also manage and maintain relationships within their extensive Partner Community, including the local promotion of Copa-Data’s Global Partner Academy (GPA) 2018, which will be held on 13 to 14 June in Vienna, Austria.

To further support the company’s technical capabilities, Aaron Cowdry will also join the team as a Technical Consultant. As a graduate in Computer Networks from University of Wales, Trinity St. David’s, Cowdry will deliver in-depth knowledge of cyber and network security to support customers of their industrial software, zenon.

Markus Hillinger has also joined the team in a move from their headquarters in Austria. Having worked at Copa-Data for over a year, Hilllinger’s experience as an international sales consultant will assist in the British team’s continual growth.

“Last year’s move to Cardiff marked ten years of Copa-Data’s presence in the UK,” explained Martyn Williams, Managing Director of Copa-Data UK. “However, it has also provided us with greater opportunities on our doorstep, including the appointment of three new members of the UK team and the chance to create new partnerships and collaborations.”

@copadata  #PAuto #Britain

Automation and reporting software.

New versions of Copa-Data's automation and reporting software with zenon 8.00 and zenon Analyzer 3.20 have been announced. Users will benefit from a number of performance improvements, extensive functionality for smart factories and energy distribution, as well as new predictive analytics calculations.

As well as module and industry-specific extensions, the focus of this year’s release is fundamental adaptations to product infrastructure. In future, zenon customers can take advantage of improved performance in the areas of data distribution, grids and redundancy, as well as cycling archiving. For example, through optimized data distribution between driver and Runtime, zenon 8.00 processes more than 10,000 variable changes per second in one screen. Thanks to multi-threading, grid redundancy performance is improved by up to 50 percent. In stress tests, cycling archiving performance of 250,000 variables written per second has been demonstrated.

In addition, further zenon developments lay the foundation for a new licensing system which makes license management more flexible, quicker and clearer for customers. In the future, zenon users can manage their software licenses more independently and enjoy more flexibility and time savings thanks to automated digital processes.

Customers enjoy enhanced user-friendliness
in Extended Trend

“With our short release cycles, we support the innovation capability of our customers. The increasing volumes of data from the digital transformation of industry demand reliable applications. Thanks to design thinking and agile software development, we guarantee the continual development of zenon while bringing reliable new technology promptly to the market,” explains Reinhard Mayr, Head of Product Management at Copa-Data.

New features in zenon 8.00
The Extended Trend module in zenon presents recorded values graphically in the shape of a curve. It shows historically recorded data, as well as online data that has not been saved. Project creators and users enjoy enhanced user-friendliness in zenon 8.00 due to many new features and optimizations in Extended Trend. Increases in engineering efficiency are delivered through, for example, index substitution of curve variables – a form of object-oriented engineering. Graphical renderings of archived data can be engineered faster and more intuitively – the project engineer is provided with the best possible assistance when creating effective diagrams. It is even simpler for users to receive customized and relevant information. For a quicker overview, variables can now be pulled natively by drag and drop into the diagram window. A configurable pop-up window provides supplemental information on a specific value, which reflects the trend.

Equipment Modeling in zenon organizes a physically existing system into any number of hierarchically structured groups and units. Variables, recipes, functions and archives, and other meta-information can be assigned to these equipment groups over several projects. This allows for data modeling in the development environment, as well as the user environment. This way, the module offers an optimal overview of the status of equipment used. In zenon 8.00, the Industrial Maintenance Manager module is now comprehensively coupled with Equipment Modeling. Machine and maintenance data can, therefore, be managed that much easier. Service intervals can be conveniently planned and clearly represented.

zenon Batch Control is a solution for batch-based production in a variety of industries. Its intelligent design and seamless integration in zenon as a process control system provide for quick implementation and efficient validation. With zenon 8.00, master recipes can now be automatically released. In addition, a recipe can be created in an external program, then automatically imported and released for production. This allows for a consistently automated workflow. Moreover, touch operation for batch recipes has been improved.

zenon 8.00 also brings essential new features for shift management. Process data in the Alarm Message List, the Chronological Event List, and in Trends and Reports can now be filtered based on shifts. As a result, informative production analysis with consideration of shift data is an option, which can be particularly helpful in large production facilities.

zenon Process Recorder offers the possibility to transparently analyze errors and problems after the event. It supplements existing zenon tools for even more precise error analysis. With zenon 8.00, the evolution of a project can now be illustrated. Any deviations from the current state are highlighted in the replay mode tables. That way, several project development stages can be consistently analyzed using one tool.

New features for the energy industry
For energy automation, COPA-DATA has developed additional functionality with regard to a comprehensive Distribution Management System. Two new modules, Load Flow Calculation and State Estimator enable grid calculations in the context of energy distribution. Load Flow Calculation benefits smaller energy grids in which all inputs and charges can be properly measured. The State Estimator plays a role in larger energy grids in which complete measurements do not take place. Furthermore, calculations can now be made to optimize grid operation, such as topologic interlocking from the grid calculation or the (n-1) calculation to assess faults in subcomponents of the grid.

If invalid data is sent from a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), this can lead to widespread loss of function at the operator site. The newly developed Alternative Data Points (ADP) driver helps avoid this issue and provides improved data consistency and operation safeguarding through robust data flow. The alternative data points jump in during an RTU fault and maintain the data flow either with redundantly collected data from other RTUs or through programmable simulation data. Moreover, the ADP driver is also useful for control systems in other industries.

Based on historical values, and with the help of prediction models, better decisions can be made in the manufacturing industry using the Predictive Analytics Reports included in zenon Analyzer.

New features in zenon Analyzer 3.20
To measure and ensure production quality, the Statistical Process Control – SPC is frequently used. The most common SPC reports can be created and analyzed in the new version of the COPA-DATA reporting software, zenon Analyzer 3.20. These include process capability analysis to assess quality stability in pilot production, control charts for quality checks in series production and a histogram to render the distribution of measured values around the average value. Additional statistical reports such as box plot, trend with limits, or the XY trend, supplement the already extensive analysis offered to optimize production quality.

In addition, zenon Analyzer 3.20 offers smart analysis tools thanks to the new Predictive Analytics Reports. Based on historical values, and with the help of prediction models, better decisions can be made. The requirement for meaningful predictions is a comprehensive and solid database, which is made possible through consistent digitalization of production. zenon Analyzer offers two types of predictions. Time-based predictions provide an outlook of how a variable will develop in the future. Value-based predictions show how a value will develop if another value is changed, for example, to assess energy consumption following a fictitious change in production volume.

In the future, the project engineer will configure the prediction model in the Prediction Model Manager. This newly introduced tool is a part of the zenon Analyzer Management Studio. It includes helpful wizards for step-by-step creation of prediction models.

@copadata #PAuto @StoneJunctionPR

Gold standard in cloud!

In addition to classic automation projects at field level, the demand for scalable solutions that offer connectivity from the sensor to the cloud and with mobile devices is increasing among industrial manufacturing firms. COPA-DATA is responding to this demand by integrating its zenon software with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Thanks to its knowledge and wealth of experience in cloud-based smart factory and smart city solutions, the company has now achieved Gold status in the Microsoft Cloud Platform competency.

Stefan Reuther

With the awarding of competencies, Microsoft is supporting its partners in the Microsoft Partner Network to advertise their industry-leading skills and specialist knowledge in a professional manner and to clearly set themselves apart from the competition.

In order to achieve one or more of the 18 competencies in the six categories available at present, it is necessary to meet certain requirements and to evidence these in annual reviews. Depending on the extent to which these requirements have been met, a company may be awarded either a Gold or a Silver competency. Only partners that have shown consistent high performance and exceptional commitment are given Gold competencies.

After achieving Silver status in the Cloud Platform competency in 2016, COPA-DATA has now satisfied all the requirements for the highest level – Gold – in this category.

“The requirements for achieving Gold status in this competency are high,” explained Johannes Petrowisch, Global Partner & Business Development Manager at COPA-DATA. “One of the criteria, for example, was to have achieved Microsoft Azure sales amounting to at least 100,000 US dollars within the last twelve months. This shows that companies have to implement customer projects on a relatively large scale and in a relatively short space of time to obtain the necessary competency. We are therefore particularly pleased that we have been able to evidence this and put ourselves forward as an expert partner for cloud projects.”

As zenon is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Azure, data can be retrieved and further processed centrally and in real time. This means, for example, that relevant production, performance, or consumption indicators from various locations can be captured, collected, processed further, and compared in order to identify potential for improvement and to take corresponding optimization measures. Thanks to connectivity from the field level up to the cloud, the interaction between the two technologies presents an entirely new range of applications which sees classic automation projects merge with typical IT or business intelligence projects. As a result, production efficiency can be increased, use of resources optimized, and completely new service or business models implemented, to name but a few benefits.

Integration between zenon and Microsoft Azure started back in 2014. Initially, the main reason for integrating selected Microsoft Azure services was to provide a scalable solution for storing the large volumes of data collected in industrial projects centrally in a cost-effective infrastructure.

“In today's industrial applications, which extend up into the cloud, the delivery model is mainly used for calculations across systems or locations, and for predictive analyses,” explains Stefan Reuther (Pictured above right), Chief Sales Officer at COPA-DATA. “In order to capture, collect, aggregate, further process, and present data, users require a high-performance piece of software like zenon to obtain valuable insights into production output, energy consumption, and quality indicators.”

In addition to its Gold Cloud Platform competency, COPA-DATA is also listed as a Microsoft Gold competency partner for Application Development.

@copadata #Pauto @Azure

A smart collaboration.

Copa-Data is inviting plant managers and engineers to register for its upcoming webinar ‘Smart Factory solutions with Copa-Data and Microsoft Azure’. The webinar, created in collaboration with Microsoft, will be held on 7 December 2017 at 10am. Participants are invited to register for the free smart factory webinar in advance via the COPA-DATA website.

zenon, their industrial automation software, provides seamless integration with Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. In fact, the company was named 2017 Microsoft Partner of the Year in the ’Internet of Things’ category. The webinar will be hosted by Lee Sullivan, Regional Manager at Copa-Data UK and expert in zenon implementation. Sullivan will discuss how ambitions of a smart factory can be made a reality by combining zenon and Microsoft Azure.

The webinar is recommended for existing zenon customers, plant managers and engineers curious about the potential of the software for smart factory implementation. It will explain how manufacturing intelligence, such as predictive analytics and preventative maintenance, can be easily achieved with the collaboration of these two systems.

“Storing manufacturing data in the cloud allows organisations to access their information anywhere at any time — which means that they don’t need to eat away at their own infrastructure,” explained Lee Sullivan. “That said, the integration of Azure and zenon can provide a greater benefit than simply saving on-premises storage.

“In the webinar on December 7, we will demonstrate how effective supply chain management, global benchmarking and real-time key performance indicator (KPI) calculations can be put into practice using the combination of this technology.”

• Copa-Data has been an active member of the Microsoft Partner Network since 2005. Its software, zenon, is based on Microsoft’s latest technology, so data collected by the system can be easily integrated into the Azure cloud platform.

@copadata  #PAuto @Azure

HMI/SCADA distributorship in Japan.

Effective immediately, Yokohama-based LINX R&D Corporation has become the new Japanese distributor for zenon, the software system developed by Copa-Data. Founded in 1990, the corporation specializes in the distribution of state-of-the-art automation technology within Japan. In the process of distributing zenon, LINX will leverage its wide and well-established sales and partner network.

Kei Murakami, CEO of LINX (left) 

& Stefan Reuther, CSO of Copa-Data

“We are delighted to be entering the Japanese market through our new distributor, LINX. Our zenon-based solutions are the perfect fit for a high-tech country like Japan. We believe that this market holds significant potential and hope to provide the experts at LINX with the best possible support,” says Stefan Reuther, Chief Sales Officer at Copa-Data.

Several of LINX’s technicians have already received training in zenon, immediately putting them in a position to pass their knowledge on to customers and partners. What’s more, the first zenon projects have already been launched with a system integrator from Japan.

Experienced, networked, specialised
As a zenon distributor, LINX will exclusively market and distribute the software in the Japanese market in the future. LINX brings several years of experience as a distributor of automation solutions and machine vision systems to the partnership. In addition to its Yokohama headquarters, the corporation operates three sales offices in Japan. Technical training is conducted every month, ensuring that expertise is communicated quickly to project-leading partner companies. At the annual LINX Days event, more than 1,000 participants from partner and sales companies find out about the latest developments in industrial automation.

With the addition of LINX, COPA-DATA’s international sales network now encompasses 17 distributors worldwide. Their work, together with that of the eleven COPA-DATA subsidiaries, enables COPA-DATA’s software solutions to be sold in 60 countries. This sales network is supported by over 200 partner companies in the COPA-DATA Partner Community.

 @copadata  #PAuto  #Japan, #SCADA

Software company locates to Cardiff.

The move to Cardiff, the Welsh capital, by Copa-Data UK will allow more space to expand. The new office is based in the heart of the city and will provide the company with greater opportunities on its doorstep, for new business, new partnerships and collaborations, and for recruiting the expanding team.

The move to Cardiff coincides with ten years of Copa-Data’s presence in the British manufacturing and utility industries. In the same year the company celebrates its 30-year anniversary of the company being founded in 1987 by Thomas Punzenberger in Austria.

Martyn Williams

“Cardiff has always had a special place in my heart, having lived and studied here,” explained Martyn Williams, Managing Director. “It’s incredible to see how the city has experienced major transformation in recent years and is fast becoming a hub for digital and technology industries.

“The new office space provides us with room to expand the team as the business continues to grow and, being situated in the heart of the city, the space provides the team and clients alike with an easily accessible, vibrant and dynamic environment to conduct business.”

Copa-Data’s headquarters are based in Austria, but the company sales its software in over 60 countries. The Bristish office handles all sales and services of the company’s software system, zenon, in the Britain and Ireland.

 @copadata  #PAuto #Wales @technicalPR

30 years 'setting parameters instead of programming" in automation!

COPA-DATA will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its founding on September 1, 2017.

Thomas Punzenberger

With the vision of making automation in industry a hands-on and enjoyable experience, Thomas Punzenberger founded Ing. Punzenberger COPA-DATA GmbH in 1987 in Salzburg. What began as a small start-up is now a company which boasts international success, with subsidiaries, distributors, partners and customers based all around the globe.

Since its foundation, COPA-DATA has dedicated itself entirely to technology. By the end of the 1980s, the brothers Thomas and Alexander Punzenberger recognised the potential software systems offer to industry – and to the energy industry in particular.

“Right from the start, our aim was to develop automation software which was to be better and simpler than any other system on the market,” explains CEO, Thomas Punzenberger. “At that time, many advised us against establishing our system on the basis of Microsoft Windows, because this was not common practice in the industry. Our concept of  'setting parameters instead of programming' was also met with a great deal of scepticism at the begnning. But our success proved us right. Both decisions have contributed significantly to our growth over the last 30 years.”

Software “made in Austria”
As a privately owned Austrian family business, COPA-DATA is independent of external investors and stock markets and can therefore trade with flexibility, agility, and autonomy. Although more than 90 percent of the turnover is generated through exports, the zenon software is developed exclusively at the company's headquarters in Salzburg. From here, the product is distributed via eleven subsidiaries, 16 distributors, and around 200 partner companies around the world.

With the 30 year anniversary fast approaching, it is fitting that COPA-DATA recently appointed a larger management team of three people at the beginning of the year. This will prepare the company well for the future. In terms of both its turnover, which stands at 31.4 million euros (2016), and number of employees, of which there are presently around 230 worldwide, COPA-DATA has set itself an ambitious course for growth over the next five years.

Pioneer of the digital Smart Factory
With its high-performance software systems, zenon and straton, and a growing network of professional partner companies, COPA-DATA now supports companies in the automotive, energy & infrastructure, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors as they undergo a digital transformation to the Smart Factory. This extends from traditional automation projects for visualising, monitoring, and controlling machines and equipment, right up to cloud-based Industrial Internet of Things solutions for cross-location data analyses or predictive maintenance.

“As the industry becomes increasingly digitalised and the previously separate worlds of OT and IT begin to merge, application scenarios which include entirely new elements are emerging for zenon. This allows us to make inroads into additional business sectors such as smart cities. Our software is best equipped for the new challenges faced by the industry and we have many more innovations in the pipeline for our customers over the coming years,” explains Punzenberger.

@copadata  #PAuto #Austria

Partners in industrial automation.

Capula has been awarded with Qualified Partner status by COPA-DATA. 

Martyn Williams and Mark Hardy

Capula has been a member of the COPA-DATA Partner Community* since 2015, however, the company’s newly achieved Qualified partner status is an official acknowledgement of Capula’s proven record of success in the energy industry.

Capula became a Registered Partner of COPA-DATA in 2015, however, the company’s professional collaboration with COPA-DATA began six years beforehand in 2009. Capula began looking for a flexible, off-the-shelf control system for its automation projects and chose COPA-DATA’s platform, zenon.

Capula’s decision to choose COPA-DATA’s software, zenon, has proven to be pivotal and is now an integral part of Capula’s offering to the power transmission industry. Capula is currently using zenon to provide the human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for substation control monitoring, as part of Capula’s IMPERIUM Substation Control System. To date the software has already been used in the first 8 substations covered under National Grid’s SCS (substation control system) framework and will continue to be deployed on numerous sites nationally, and for electrical distribution.

Moving forward to 2017, the professional relationship between COPA-DATA and Capula has gone from strength-to-strength. Since the original collaboration, several members of the Capula team have attended events hosted by COPA-DATA UK. What is more, some Capula employees have also gained official personal certification from COPA-DATA by attending technical training courses in zenon automation software.

"Working with COPA-DATA has been a positive experience,” explained Mark Hardy, Managing Director of Capula. “Being a COPA-DATA partner validates Capula’s track record of providing quality solutions and demonstrates its ability to collaboratively adapt to future requirements and employ new technical breakthroughs.”

“Appointing Capula as a Qualified Partner is a real cause for celebration,” explained Martyn Williams, Managing Director of COPA-DATA UK. “Creating long-term, successful partnerships with likeminded companies has always been crucial for us and Capula represents everything we look for in successful members of the COPA-DATA Partner Community.”

* The COPA-DATA Partner Community is a global network of dedicated industrial automation experts. The Community offers interested parties three levels of Partner membership: Registered, Qualified and Expert. Registered Partner, being the entry level, requires members have a certain knowledge and experience with delivering projects using zenon. Qualified Partners are more engaged and involved with zenon in different projects and have received specialised trainings. And the highest tier of membership, Expert Partners, have considerable experience and their expertise is reflected in a consistently growing customer base and market share.

Different types of organisations can join COPA-DATA’s Partner Community, including system integrators, original equipment manufacturers, hardware manufacturers, educational institutions and research facilities. Some of the key benefits of joining are sales support, customer lead generation, joint marketing, professional training and knowledge transfer.

@copadata @CapulaLtd #PAuto

Milestones for automation software systems.

Copa-Data has presented what it call "further milestones for ergonomic working for project engineers and operators in manufacturing companies and the energy sector," with the new version of its automation software systems, zenon 7.60 and zenon Analyzer 3.10.

zenon 7.60:
Fully traceable processes
A significant new feature is the zenon Process Recorder module. It records individually definable processes in full and provides them on request at a later point in time. Past processes can be played back, forwarded or reversed step by step, or stopped as often as required. The findings related to possible causes of errors can be used to increase effectiveness and quality.
The zenon Process Recorder is not just suitable for manufacturing companies such as food and beverages manufacturers or pharmaceutical companies; but it is also suited to power supply companies. The improved traceability of process in electricity grids or substations supports grid operators in maintaining critical infrastructure.

Bundled individual information in a structured manner
With the new Context List screen type, zenon provides improved support for users when structuring manually entered data. Entries made by different users can be harmonised with the new context lists, which is particularly beneficial for the analysis of alarm causes. Uniform, pre-defined descriptions ensure that alarm causes are subsequently evaluated – with zenon Analyzer for example – and can be used for quality management.

Quick location of statuses and errors
Project engineers can easily integrate 3D models into a visualisation project with the new 3D Tool in zenon. The three-dimensional view of production machines increases user friendliness and promotes intuitive working. In the model, variables that call up the detail screens in a machine part can be linked or created. This makes it possible to locate certain states in the machine quickly.

zenon 7.60 also offers the possibility to combine data from geoinformation systems (GIS) and zenon visualization. With the GIS editor and GIS control, users can display electricity grids in the zenon visualisation in geographical mapping material. Current statuses, such as alarms, are shown on the map directly. Users can thus localise certain states and events more precisely and handle alarms more efficiently.

The impedance-based fault locating is also new in zenon. This functionality plays a vital role in energy automation. Using the impedance measured (alternating current resistance), it is possible to localise errors in the grid with great precision. The employees at energy supply companies can thus react quickly, significantly reducing power outages.

Efficient planning, documenting and analyzing
The new zenon Shift Management integrates staff planning into the production environment. The shift calendar allows the planning and documentation of shift-based production processes. Shift-dependent production analyses can now be carried out in zenon Analyzer. Shift management is integrated into the zenon Message Control module, allowing an efficient communication chain to be built in the event of a problem, because only the people in charge of the respective shift are informed.

Easy add-in integration
Software users who want to amend or expand the performance of zenon with their own self-developed functions – Add-Ins – can use the Microsoft Visual Studio programming platform in zenon 7.60. Individual, code-based development for the zenon Editor and zenon Runtime can thus be integrated in a simple and professional manner on this basis. Thisexpands the range of possibilities for automated engineering.

zenon Analyzer 3.10:
Ergonomic report configuration
The user interface of zenon Analyzer Management Studio (ZAMS) has been completely redesigned. In addition to the user-friendly ribbon menu, the creation of reports in zenon Analyzer 3.10 is even more intuitive and flexible. The person creating the report is guided through configuration by the software and report designs can be compiled according to user requirements. Different reports can be combined on an overview sheet. Users thus have all important key figures, tables and graphics at a glance.

Increased equipment availability
In zenon 7.60, the Context List screen type has been implemented, which makes it possible to structure alarm causes in a uniform manner. The alarm causes can be evaluated in detail in zenon Analyzer and can contribute to better quality management. On the basis of the findings in relation to recurring errors and their causes, users can act in a more targeted manner, limiting the sources of errors and increasing equipment availability.

Flexible benchmarking
In the new software version, comparative reports can be easily and individually created in accordance with the user's requirements. Time periods, lots or shifts can thus be compared to one another flexibly; for example, actual values can be compared to “perfect” values from the past. Based on this data analysis, processes can be optimised and costs can be saved.

International cooperation and communication
Labels and descriptions in the report can now be easily translated in the language table. Pre-prepared entries can be amended or enhanced as desired. For the translation process, the list can be transferred to a translator by means of an XML export and re-imported again by means of an XML import.

@copadata  #PAuto

Automation partnership to enhance service.

GroupCytek has joined the COPA-DATA Partner Community - a specially selected consortium of businesses dedicated to developments in industrial automation. As a Partner Community member, GroupCytek will have access to the wealth of knowledge shared between partners and can leverage these connections to drive innovation, open doors to new markets and solidify existing customer relationships.

“Our participation in the COPA-DATA Partner Community program will ensure that we deliver quality zenon solutions to our customers,” explained Andrew Cann, Operations Director of GroupCytek.

The COPA-DATA Partner Community consists of hardware manufacturers, systems integrators, original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s), educational institutions and research facilities. As the technology leader in industrial automation software, COPA-DATA’s objective is to co-operate with other experts in the industrial automation field, with the goal of driving further innovation in the automation industry.

GroupCytek specialises in providing control systems, software and engineering services across Britain. The company consists of three divisions: Cytek Consulting, Cytek Projects and Cytek Automation. Collaboratively, the three divisions boast extensive in-house experience across a range of industry sectors, including oil and gas, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, utilities and transportation, amongst many others. The company has established a reputation for delivering platform independent automation, engineering and project management solutions.

In addition to the community benefits of joining the COPA-DATA Partner Community, GroupCytek will also be invited to COPA-DATA’s biennial Global Partner Academy. The Global Partner Academy, usually hosted in Munich, provides an opportunity for members to meet with COPA-DATA employees and to connect with likeminded automation enthusiasts, industry experts and COPA-DATA partners from around the world.

“GroupCytek provides its customers with a service that represents the very best in professionalism and commitment,” explained Lee Sullivan, Regional Manager, COPA-DATA UK. “This high level of customer satisfaction is exactly what we look forward in a partner, in order to develop together and provide the industry with the cutting-edge solutions that our customers have grown to expect.”

#PAuto @GroupCytek @COPADATAUK

International automation company expands board!

COPA-DATA has expanded its executive board. With immediate effect, Thomas Punzenberger, Stefan Reuther and Phillip Werr are jointly responsible for company business.

From left:  Phillip Werr, (CMO/COO), Thomas Punzenberger (CEO) and Stefan Reuther (CSO).

Since founding the company in 1987, Thomas Punzenberger has been solely responsible for the management of COPA-DATA. In order to keep the growth of this family-owned business on a solid and future-proof foundation, responsibilities will now be divided across a team of three.

“Our turnover has doubled to over 30 million Euro in the last five years and the employee numbers show a similarly positive development. The future also holds signs of growth for COPA-DATA. In order to respond to our stable growth, it’s time to navigate the necessary course,” explains Punzenberger. “My decision to divide management responsibilities across several heads is also a clear commitment to COPA-DATA's continued independence.”

As Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thomas Punzenberger will now be focusing his energy on Product and Innovation. When it comes to Industry 4.0 and Industrial IoT, the entrepreneur sees particular growth potential for the software systems developed by COPA-DATA.

As Chief Sales Officer (CSO), Stefan Reuther takes over Sales and Business Development at COPA-DATA. Reuther has been with the company since July 2002. He began his professional career as a Technical Consultant at the COPA-DATA headquarters in Salzburg and then took on several positions within the firm – from International Key Account Manager to Head of Business Intelligence at the COPA-DATA subsidiary in Germany. As a new member of the executive board, Reuther is based at the Salzburg headquarters once again.

As Chief Marketing and Operations Officer (CMO/COO), Phillip Werr is responsible for Marketing and Organization in the company. Werr began his career at COPA-DATA in December 2010, initially as Product Marketer. He was Head of Marketing in the company from December 2012 until December 2016.

@copadata  #PAuto @StoneJunctionPR 

New network member!

IDEC Technical Services, a specialist in the design and installation of high voltage protection and control system integration has joined the Copa-Data Partner Community, the worldwide network of certified specialists in Copa-Data’s software, zenon.

As a new member of the  Partner Community, IDEC Technical Services will have access to a range of knowledge exchange initiatives provided by COPA-DATA with the aim of improving the ergonomics and productivity of partners automation projects.

“IDEC’s commitment to provide its customers with ‘the most flexible and cost-effective solution, giving full account of existing control systems and future expansion possibilities’ completely resonates with how we drive our business here at Copa-Data UK,” explained Adrian Kimberley, Regional Sales Manager at Copa-Data UK. “With two of the Engineers at IDEC Technical Services fully trained and certified in zenon Basic and zenon Energy Edition, I am highly optimistic about the longevity of this partnership.”

IDEC was originally founded in Teesside, in 1976, as a result of the booming chemical and steel manufacturing industry and a growing need for skilled workers in electrical engineering design and project management.

Throughout its 40 years of successful operations, IDEC has experienced exponential growth not only within Britain but also overseas, resulting in the expansion into new markets and formation of new companies.

IDEC Technical Services Limited was established in 2003, in order to strategically focus on control system integration, electrical high voltage protection systems and electrical distribution. Since it was set up, IDEC Technical Services has delivered numerous projects in substations, gas turbines, wind turbines alike.

@COPADATAUK #PAuto #Idec @StoneJunctionPR

Substation automation & HMI.

COPA-DATA is presenting its newest solutions for substation automation and substation HMI at the CIGRE Session* in Paris next month (August 2916). JS automation and COPA-DATA will jointly demonstrate the numerous possibilities of the software system for developing individual and ergonomic solutions within modern Smart Grids.

COPA-DATA has been offering its HMI/SCADA software in this environment for many years and continues to bring new innovative concepts for improved overview, safety and ergonomics in power plant and substation monitoring. The in-house designed drivers guarantee adherence to international standards such as IEC 61850 Edition 2, IEC 61400-25, IEC 60870 and DNP3. COPA-DATA and JS automation will introduce new highlights on the subject of Automated Engineering and the newest Command Sequencer zenon module for configuring complex command sequences even without PLC programming.

Command Sequencer
The Command Sequencer is a new zenon module that can be used to configure, test and execute command sequences. The command sequences for the automation of substations are configured in an editor with excellent usability. The individual commands also known as steps, are simply lined up together graphically. Testing is possible in a simulated environment and the engineer can make changes directly. PLC programming is not necessary.

Complex command sequences can be configured with the Command Sequencer: parallel branches for simultaneous use of switching commands, alternative branches for transitions or changing two-stage into one-stage commands to avoid unwanted stops.

Jürgen Resch

“A highlight is clearly the Teaching function of our Command Sequencer. Here, the system learns the command sequence while the user carries out the individual steps in simulation mode, in the usual single-line diagram. The command sequence editor records the actions and turns them into a sequence of commands. This can be tested and then used immediately”, explains Jürgen Resch, Industry Manager Energy at COPA-DATA.

Automated engineering with zenon
Integration in an existing configuration tool is carried out quickly by zenon, thanks to the extensive API (Application Programming Interface). As a result, project planning is simplified as zenon adjusts itself to the known configuration environment of the HMI. The wizards in the zenon Energy Edition for the IEC 61850-based SSD and SCD import also offer increased automated engineering.

The SCD import (System Configuration Description) reads the SCD file and creates communication configuration using the displayed data model of a substation therein. The report control blocks can be assigned to the various hosts per drag&drop. The variables can be imported using the linked dataset information. As a result, a complete driver configuration with variable lists is created in no time, establishing direct communication with an SCD template to the devices.

The SSD Import Wizard (System Specification Description) in zenon automatically creates a precise, functioning single-line diagram from an SSD file. The generated graphic including the linked variables can be configured at anytime later in the zenon Editor.

HMI talks GOOSE
GOOSE messages (Generic Object Oriented Substation Events) distribute status information within IEC 61850 environments. Connected devices receive this information use it to complete specific tasks. HMI applications using zenon can listen in corresponding status messages via GOOSE. Using GOOSE supervision, zenon monitors time intervals between sent messages and checks if they are complete.

The HMI becomes the monitoring application for GOOSE communication. If necessary, zenon can go a step further. If, for example, a device that communicates via GOOSE were to malfunction, the zenon HMI would step in and manually transmit entered values to the remaining devices. This GOOSE substitution means that tasks continue until the faulty device is replaced. Apart from the GOOSE protocol, zenon includes a further 300 communication protocols as standard.

* The CIGRE Session 2016 is bringing experts from the energy industry together in Paris, with participants coming in from over 90 countries. 

 @copadata  #PAuto @CIGRE46 #France 

Partners "Growing together," in Munich!

COPA-DATA is inviting its worldwide certified COPA-DATA Partner Community members to the Global Partner Academy (GPA) from June 15-16, in Munich (D). The two day event focuses on open discussions about the newest technologies and solutions in automation with the software systems zenon and straton.

With the motto “Growing together” international representatives from participating partner companies can expect a comprehensive, cross-industry program with the goal of increasing mutual knowledge from a technological and sales driven aspect.

At this year's GPA we're expecting over 100 representatives from more than 50 partner companies spanning almost 20 countries. This includes partners from China, South Korea, Taiwan and Britain as well as the rest of Europe. "They`re all joining together in Munich to gain first-hand insight into our products and solutions, to have personal discussions with our experts and to give us their valuable feedback,” explains Lisette Lillo Fagerstedt, Partner Program Manager at COPA-DATA.

CEO Thomas Punzenberger and numerous COPA-DATA employees from Development, Consulting, Technology Services, Sales and Marketing will be there to share their knowledge during the event. Participants can choose from various presentation channels. Furthermore, exclusive one-on-one meetings can be arranged with the experts in advance.

General presentations on strategies for software development and technology trends as well as an in-depth exchange of solutions with zenon will also be included.

The agenda is divided into two main blocks which are broken down into a variety of sub-topics. Presentations in the “Smart Factory” block take a close look at automated engineering, mobile apps, Predictive Analytics, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud technologies and Big Data integration with zenon.

The block covering “Substation Automation” focuses on applications with zenon in the energy industry. Automated engineering is a further focus here, as well as topics such as IEC 61850 Edition 2, command sequences, security and general helpful tips and tricks to extend zenon know-how for participating partners.

“We will show practice-oriented examples and demos which also deliver a great deal of added value for our Partners` customer projects,” adds Lisette Lillo Fagerstedt. Each participant at the GPA will be given the appropriate credits towards their personal zenon Certification. This shows how valuable the knowledge gained from this event will be.

@copadata #PAuto  @COPADATAUK 

Co-operation on decentralised, modular automation of process equipment.

COPA-DATA is one of the first providers of process control systems in the DIMA – Decentralised Intelligence for Modular Applications project, initiated by industry specialist WAGO’s automation sector. The objective of the project is to create a de facto standard for decentralised, modular automation of process equipment and efficient engineering. This provides industrial companies with the possibility to implement process equipment in a flexible way and individualise their production.

Fluctuating procurement and sales markets, flexible relocation of production sites and the increasing requirement for customer-specific individualisation of a product range are leading to ever shorter product and innovation cycles in the process industry. Conventionally-constructed process technology equipment in the areas of chemical processing, food and beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are usually not flexible enough and cannot efficiently master the introduction of new products or amended production quantities.

Customising process plants

WAGO initiated the DIMA – Decentralised Intelligence for Modular Applications project to meet the demand for individualisation of process equipment and a high degree of modularity in the automation of production processes.

“Our aim is to considerably shorten the time between product approval and market availability. We estimate that some companies can save up to 60 percent of the development time of process equipment. But this can only happen if the equipment is created in a modular manner and we give the company the possibility to act more quickly and flexibly,” explains Ulrich Hempen, Manager of Industry and Process Market Management at WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH & Co. KG.

The committees of the User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries (NAMUR) and the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) have taken on the DIMA approach and further specified it. The objective of the cooperation is the development of an international standard.

Service-orientated architecture

The idea of the DIMA concept is to compile an entire plant consisting of several autonomous equipment modules. An equipment module displays one or more standardised process steps, carries out procedures, operations or functions. A module provides its process technology function as a service to the higher-level process control system, zenon, taking on the role of a service provider. The process control system can call up the service offered by the module, thus acting as a service user.

DIMA consequently uses the paradigm of service-orientated architecture (SOA). The modules have their own “intelligence” in the DIMA concept. Each module is equipped with its own WAGO controller, which executes services and monitors the module status. If companies wish to amend a production process, they only need to exchange one or more modules. The production quantity can be increased by means of numbering up, i.e. adding modules of the same type.

Philipp Schmidt

“The major advantage of the modularisation of equipment is the reduction of engineering work for the operator, both for commissioning and when making changes to the equipment. The operator can plan and construct modular equipment more efficiently, because a large part of the engineering can already take place in the module engineering phase. The modules then only need to be integrated into zenon”, explains Philipp Schmidt, Branch Office Manager at COPA-DATA Germany.

Electronic description model: Module Type Package

The technical implementation of the DIMA method requires a new definition for the description of process equipment modules: the Module Type Package (MTP). The following information is stored in the MTP: communication parameters for easy integration of the module into the equipment; services, such as the description of the process performance characteristics of the module, as well as graphics information for operation and observation. In addition, there are further descriptions, such as information on status, diagnosis, history and archiving.

Handling and management of the modules

To design the complete engineering or re-engineering process as efficiently as possible, COPA-DATA has developed an MTP handling and management system. With this system, companies can read in the MTPs, create all required variables and operating screens, and define their connection. All information with regard to name, size, position and variable connection of the screen objects in the operating screens come from the MTP. This guarantees that the operating screens of modules from different manufacturers, which are read in by different MTPs, correspond to the customer-specific look and feel in the control system. Users can also track in real time, which artefacts in zenon have been created by which MTP. This allows the connection of the different modules required in the process, even during ongoing operation.

zenon also gives customers the possibility to select and export customised services and operating screens. This way, companies can to reuse and reduce project-related costs. In addition to the creation and connection of variables and operating screens, the services that are also included in the MTP are created as phases in the zenon Batch Control module. The parameters of the phases can be set as required and linked to one another in the form of recipes. The production process of the equipment can begin after this step. If necessary, the user can implement cross-module interlockings in zenon using the variables created, and set up additional messages.

@copadata  @WAGOCorporation #PAuto