Plant-wide process solutions
May 1st 2008

Rockwell Automation delivers process solutions through its Integrated Architecture, FactoryTalk Suite and plant-wide Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) interface. Its process capability has been further enhanced by three acquisitions and a technology partnership.

As technology advances blur the distinctions between discrete and analogue control systems, Rockwell Automation's solutions demonstrate the ability of Integrated architecture to be used in traditional DCS environments.

Many companies use different control and information systems for each type of production discipline.

This means difficult and expensive system integration and, more importantly, decisions are made based on the limitations of these disparate systems.

Rockwell Automation's says its ability to integrate high-speed, discrete, drives and motion control applications with process applications opens up a realm of facility-wide optimisation for its core industries.

Multi-discipline, plant-wide solutions based on the Integrated Architecture platform are said to be particularly successful within the so-called hybrid industries – those which operate both discrete and process manufacturing, where limitations of interoperability in systems and interfaces are most marked.

This capability has been enhanced by the acquisitions of ICSTriplex (safety capability and critical control), ProsCon (process technology) and Pavilion (advanced process control). The company has also entered into a partnership with Endress+Hauser (instrumentation).

Whether customers need to migrate, upgrade or replace equipment, Rockwell Automation will test, stage and implement the project without major disruption to production.

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