Connection to take the next step in digital transformation.

Emerson has announced new connections for Plantweb Optics, the asset performance platform for the Plantweb™ digital ecosystem, that will help organisations take the next step in their digital transformation to a more efficient, reliable operation. The latest release adds connectivity to computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) to create, prioritise, execute and track actions. It also includes a native historian for deeper analysis, and additional connectivity to plant floor data sources.

“Connection between operations and enterprise systems is a requirement to digitally transform your operation,” said Peter Zornio, chief technology officer, Emerson Automation Solutions. “By providing better workflows between systems and leveraging performance analysis, organisations can move away from often unsafe and inefficient run-to-failure reliability approaches to strategies based on insight and analytics.”

Effective predictive maintenance strategies demand that operations teams can efficiently respond to the most urgent issues in the plant. By integrating with IBM Maximo and SAP CMMSs, Plantweb Optics becomes a single platform where personnel can see operational issues, collaborate on a solution, and manage maintenance response, parts ordering, scheduling, and work order execution – enabling a fully automated workflow loop for reliability from the prediction of problems to the execution of prescribed, preventative tasks to avert failure.

The native historian provides operators and reliability teams with the ability to validate maintenance and operational response based on past asset behaviour and assess future performance of the asset. Now coupled with the automated workflows to their CMMS, personnel can more efficiently respond to reliability issues that affect production and ensure critical issues don’t go unresolved.

Plantweb Optics is also expanding the supported asset classes by adding access to Plantweb Insight applications, another component of the Plantweb digital ecosystem. The edge analytics provided on steam traps, pumps, and heat exchangers is channelled to the operations team, so they can determine effective strategies for these essential assets.

With this new release, Plantweb Optics expands its view of asset health - connecting more applications to one centralised location for better insight into asset and plant health. The asset performance platform helps customers improve reliability and promotes Operational Certainty, Emerson’s programmatic approach aimed at helping customers define and implement pragmatic strategies for improving performance.

@EMR_Automation #Pauto  

Distributed control system uses ProfiNet.

Emerson Process Management, working with MYNAH Technologies, has expanded customers’ network possibilities and application options by adding PROFINET protocol abilities to the DeltaV distributed control system (DCS) - further opening plant floor integration to DeltaV users.

The addition of PROFINET saves DeltaV users time and effort by enabling direct connection between the DeltaV DCS and plant floor devices such as motor control centres, variable speed drives, and PLCs in process automation businesses. Taking advantage of PROFINET, users do not need to use a protocol converter to connect to the system.

DeltaV S-series VIM2 Card

PROFINET joins a wide range of DeltaV Ethernet-based protocols, such as Modbus/TCP and Ethernet/IP. The new capability is easily added to the system via both M-series and S-series Virtual I/O Module 2 (VIM2) interfaces.

The PROFINET driver supports simplex VIM2 modules deployed with standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network equipment. For enhanced reliability and availability, simplex VIM2 modules can be deployed with an external switch that handles media redundancy network topology via Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) and also behaves as the ring master.

Saving time and increasing safety, the VIM2 interface and firewall function allow a high level of access without sacrificing control system security and integrity. The VIM2-based PROFINET architecture enables users to optimise expansion activities or perform maintenance operations on applications in remote locations using a laptop with vendor-specific diagnostic tools - all while constantly monitoring applications from a centralised network.

“PROFINET is a growing bus protocol choice in process industries,” said Emerson Process Management’s chief strategic officer Peter Zornio. “The DeltaV system has a strong history of interconnection to busses of all types with seamless information integration for end users. MYNAH has been a great partner in attaining this achievement, and the addition of PROFINET will help our customers reduce their integration costs.”

“We are excited to work with Emerson to bring this technology to DeltaV users worldwide,” said Nobin William, vice president of technology at MYNAH. “The VIM2 Industrial Ethernet driver product family provides cost-effective, high-performance integration between DeltaV and an incredible number of plant floor devices. The PROFINET driver extends this integration capability to new markets and new users.”

@EmersonProcess @MYNAHTech #PAuto

Helping users simplify cybersecurity best practices.

With 20 years’ experience helping users manage the security of their control system, Emerson Process Management now provides additional safeguards for precise system access control and network reliability.

The version 13 releases of the DeltaV distributed control system and AMS Suite: Intelligent Device Manager asset management software focus on tools to make cybersecurity compliance to emerging cybersecurity standards and best practices easier and more robust.

AMS Device Manager helps users prevent unauthorised or accidental changes to critical process instrumentation and valves. AMS Device Manager provides tools to control access by plant area and task, giving users increased flexibility to ensure only trained, authorised individuals have access.

The DeltaV Security Administration application simplifies security management of the DeltaV Workstation. In version 13, system administrators can easily monitor changes in the workstation security environment and enable a locked-down configuration of the Microsoft® Windows® firewall to enhance the security of communication between workstations and external networks.

With the DeltaV smart switch, administrators can protect both the control network and the plant network as well as lock down the network between workstations and the perimeter firewall. Users have the ability to manage and act on Emerson smart firewall alerts at the DeltaV operator workstation.

“Security risks and requirements are constantly evolving,” said Emerson’s chief strategic officer Peter Zornio. “What has remained constant is Emerson’s commitment to help our users protect their systems and streamline compliance – so that they can focus on their business goals.”

@EmersonProcess  #PAuto 

Easier configuration of HART devices & streamlined wireless management!

Asset management software decreases start-up and turnaround times for HART devices and helps users build more reliable wireless networks

Emerson Process Management’s AMS Suite: Intelligent Device Manager version 13.0 software enables customers to configure HART devices in bulk, saving time and reducing errors. Managing wireless networks is also easier as users can expand wireless networks faster and with more built-in reliability.

Users can now quickly and reliably standardise asset configuration for both HART and FOUNDATION™ fieldbus devices, simultaneously applying features, options, and alerts to an unlimited number of devices, in a fraction of the time. Built-in validation reports automatically compare configurations and quickly identify when devices deviate from the associated template. After commissioning, changes can be applied in bulk to modify or fine tune device configurations. With both HART and FOUNDATION fieldbus devices, bulk configuration reduces time to fully configure devices by up to 80 per cent compared to existing work practices.

“Customers are under constant pressure to start up their plants more quickly to deliver product,” said Peter Zornio, chief strategic officer of Emerson Process Management. “Emerson is committed to delivering technology to promote engineering efficiency and help our customers reduce risk to project schedules and budgets.”

AMS Device Manager version 13.0 also features the AMS Wireless SNAP-ON™ application which allows users to identify liabilities in network set-up and receive critical device and network health alerts. For organisations with an increasing wireless network footprint, network splitting is simplified. It is easy to identify where to put a new gateway, evaluate all existing devices on any number of networks, and receive guidance on organising devices for maximum efficiency. Making structural changes is as simple as dragging and dropping devices between networks.

Real-time insight into energy performance!

Energy Advisor helps process manufacturers reduce energy costs by up to 10% annually through improved energy targeting and utilisation

Energy Advisor, a real-time energy management information system that automates the process of monitoring and managing energy consumption across mills, plants and refineries has been introduced by Emerson. With real-time, meaningful information about a site’s energy performance, process manufacturers can identify inefficiencies and irregularities and take corrective action, saving on average 5 to 10 per cent in energy costs annually.

“Energy Advisor is a natural extension to Emerson’s Smart Energy Management portfolio,” said Peter Zornio, chief strategic officer, Emerson Process Management. “In 2011, we announced the company’s commitment to improving our customers’ industrial energy efficiency and we began focusing on how to help our customers best optimise combustion processes, steam systems, and on-site electrical generation. In 2013, Emerson unveiled its pervasive sensing strategy that extends wireless technologies beyond process controls to include the extensive use of wireless sensors to monitor energy consumption in our customers’ operations. Energy Advisor leverages this technology with analytics to provide visualisation of the full energy picture, helping companies make smarter decisions with real-time insight into site-wide energy performance.”

Energy Advisor pulls energy data from various sources, including (but not limited to) Emerson’s DeltaV™ and Ovation™ distributed control systems, as well as its wireless infrastructure, to provide real-time analysis and historical context. Using Emerson’s unique process models, manufacturers are now able to analyse and compare three critical items: the amount of energy a system is designed to use, what it has used over time, and what it is consuming in the moment.

“Many manufacturers are looking at their energy performance, but it is usually in hindsight and is often an incomplete picture, with data culled from disparate sources,” said Barbara Hamilton, energy management programme manager at Emerson Process Management. “To increase energy productivity and eliminate waste, manufacturers need more than historical data. They need real-time insight into what is going on to drive continuous improvement behaviour. That is what Energy Advisor delivers.”

Energy Advisor integrates seamlessly with current site control and information systems, allowing a straight-forward and cost-effective implementation. Key features of the technology include Consumption Monitoring which identifies and logs root causes for energy over-consumption events and a Data Integrity Checker that verifies integrity of energy data before it is used. There is also an Energy Target Calculator which creates models from past historical data to predict target energy consumption. Optional process models from Emerson provide theoretical targets as well as other energy-related performance indicators. Standard Reports include cost per unit of production, energy performance trends and electrical demand cost.

In energy-intensive process industries like chemical, metals and mining, oil and gas, pulp and paper, and refining, where energy is often 30 to 50 per cent of their operating expense, these savings can have a significant impact on the bottom line.   

Enhanced distributed control system helps users improve automation efficiency & performance!

Version 13 (v13) of the DeltaV™ distributed control system (DCS) delivers greater efficiency and performance for process control applications. New features focus on integration, advanced alarm management and security, with an overarching design that improves ease of use and minimises the need for specialised expertise.

Peter Zornio

“In our effort to keep the DeltaV system the easiest DCS on the market, we also worked directly with existing users to discover how we can improve their effectiveness,” said Emerson’s chief strategic officer Peter Zornio. “Their input was invaluable in helping us improve the user experience and resulted in a number of specific user-defined features”

The DCS is the system that brings all the disparate subsystems in a plant together for the operations team; however, integrating multiple data sources in process automation projects is traditionally costly and time consuming. DeltaV v13 delivers all new technologies to bring those sources together for easy operator access and use. These technologies include an Ethernet I/O card (EIOC) for added flexibility and capacity for integrating Ethernet-based subsystems and devices, including a direct interface with smart motor control centres and substations. Also, new technologies improve the factory acceptance testing (FAT) experience by providing enhanced safety instrumented system simulation capabilities and easy-to-use virtualisation environment.

With v13, the new native support for discrete outputs over wireless provides opportunities to reduce project wiring and associated costs through wireless devices. Additionally, template-based FOUNDATION™ fieldbus device configuration improves commissioning by eliminating steps and decreasing errors. New function blocks and redundant, high-density I/O provide opportunities for even greater footprint savings and project efficiencies.

Once a facility is up and running, operators have to be able to work effectively. One of their biggest challenges is to respond effectively to process upsets. The new DeltaV Alarm Mosaic has an intuitive alarm display that enables operators to more quickly identify, analyse and respond correctly to the root cause of an abnormal process condition. Improvements in alarm-related information and alarm audit tools offer a better understanding of the plant’s current state. The new DeltaV release also provides trend display optimisations for better visibility of process changes which also improves operator efficiency.

Security is an ever-increasing concern across process facilities, and the DeltaV system was built with security in mind, and complies with national and international standards. DeltaV v13 improves on security, with features including workstation hardening, extension of DeltaV smart switch technology above the area control network to ensure up-to-date and effective response to today’s evolving cyber security threats.

New members to fieldbus board

Gunther Kegel

Dr. Gunther Kegel, president, Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH, has been elected chairman of the Fieldbus Foundation board of directors. Dr. Kegel replaces John Berra of Emerson Process Management, who is retiring after serving 16 years in his foundation leadership post.

Other executives named to the foundation’s board include: Daniel Huber, senior group vice president, business unit manager - open control systems, process automation division, ABB; Takuji Hosoya, managing executive officer - advanced automation company, Azbil (Yamatake); Peter Zornio, chief strategic officer, Emerson Process Management; and Ralph Carter, president, Rockwell software business, Rockwell Automation.

The remaining board members include: Farshad Amir, DuPont; Timm Madden, ExxonMobil; Masatsugu Tomotaka, Fuji Electric Systems, Co. Ltd.; David Eisner, Honeywell, Inc.; John Eva, Invensys/Foxboro; Fred Cohn, Schneider Electric; Hans Georg Kumpfmueller, Siemens AG; and Kimikazu Takahashi, Yokogawa.

Fieldbus Foundation President and CEO Rich Timoney congratulated the new members on their selection to the foundation’s board of directors. “On behalf of the Fieldbus Foundation, I would like to welcome the latest additions to our board. These professionals will bring valuable experience to our organization and help us to serve the needs of the global automation industry,” said Timoney. “During this period of rapid growth for Foundation fieldbus, we are fortunate to have the support of key executives with the world’s leading control system and instrumentation suppliers, as well as major end users companies.”

In recognizing the new board members, Timoney also thanked Berra for his many years of service to the Fieldbus Foundation. He said, “John Berra has been a dedicated supporter of the foundation since it was established in 1994. As chairman of the board, he helped to guide our organization in reaching many key milestones over the years, and has been tireless in his efforts to promote Foundation technology within his own company and throughout the marketplace. The entire fieldbus community owes John a significant debt of gratitude.”

Dr. Gunther Kegel studied Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Darmstadt, Germany. After completing his doctoral thesis on the topic of "Integration of Sensor Signals Into Robotic Controls," he became a freelance engineering collaborator for several small-sized engineering companies. In 1990, Dr. Kegel was employed by Pepperl+Fuchs Mannheim, a manufacturer of electronics for factory and process automation, as head of its Pre-design Department. He was subsequently named head of Pepperl+Fuchs’ Development Department/Factory Automation and Division Factory Automation, and later served as its deputy managing director. In 2004, Dr. Kegel was chosen as chief executive officer of Pepperl+Fuchs Mannheim. He currently serves as the company’s president and chief executive officer (CEO).

Prior to his current position with ABB, Daniel Huber served as the company’s global technology manager for process industry products and oversaw product roadmaps and forward evolution for ABB’s control systems portfolio. Huber joined ABB in 1987 and has held numerous positions in Research and Development, product management, marketing, sales, service, and business development, as well as Corporate Research. He has also held similar positions at Adtranz and General Electric.

Takuji Hosoya is a 33-year veteran of smart transmitter marketing and development, and the process automation solution business. He is currently executive director of Advanced Automation Company, Yamatake Corporation, in charge of field instruments/automation solution system marketing.

Peter Zornio

As chief strategic officer for Emerson Process Management, Peter Zornio has responsibility for group-level coordination of technology programs such as PlantWeb and Smart Wireless, as well as the group-level marketing team. He also has direct responsibility for the product definition and development organizations for DeltaV, Ovation, and AMS Suite. Zornio has been at Emerson for four years. Prior to that, he spent 21 years at Honeywell, most recently as director of product marketing.

Ralph Carter joined Rockwell Automation in November 2007 through its acquisition of Pavilion Technologies, where he served as president and CEO, and sat on the company’s board of directors. He brings more than 25 years of automation industry experience to his current role with Rockwell, having worked for corporations such as Datastream, Honeywell and Measurex.

Changing the guard at Fieldbus Foundation (The Great Kanduski - ControlGlobal 27/11/2010)