Today's Automation News Headlines from Automation.com

October 27, 2011 - Rockwell Automation announced Arena simulation software v14.0. The latest version includes the new Visual Designer tool that allows users to build realistic 3-D animation and dynamic business graphic dashboards in an intuitive drag-and-drop environment. With the new functionality users can better visualize simulation models and more effectively communicate the impact of process changes to operations and business management, promoting faster user adoption, time-to-value and overall greater total benefits of ownership.

Arena software helps businesses analyze the impact of "what-if" business ideas, rules and strategies by creating a simulated environment before they develop or implement a new process or technology. By simulating or modeling the process in a virtual environment, Arena software can provide added guidance to users that are analyzing the best approach to a situation. For example, an oil producer can determine how to most effectively queue oil tankers at a port for faster loading and shipment, or a food producer can determine how to produce more packaged goods without increasing waste.

The Arena Visual Designer tool offers 3-D-animation capabilities similar to those used in the latest personal gaming systems. Users can now quickly and easily build realistic 3-D animation within the application itself or import content from popular 3-D modeling programs such as Google SketchUp, AutoDesk or Blender for animated meshes.

In addition, Arena users can use the drag-and-drop interface to create customized graphic dashboards for more impactful, easy-to-understand business presentations. The new Arena design tools run on the Microsoft .NET framework to provide common functionality with Windows applications and a comprehensive and consistent programming model for building applications. The .NET framework provides users with access to charts and graphics available from Microsoft, visually appealing user experiences, and seamless and secure communication.

Arena simulation software v14.0 can be purchased as a standalone software application of varying capability, a custom turnkey solution delivered by a team of Arena consultants, or as a package of software, training and consulting to support a breadth of applications. 
 

“To stay ahead of the competition, it’s imperative that businesses measure results and anticipate problems before they occur,” said Carley Jurishica, product manager, Arena Simulation Products & Services, Rockwell Automation. “Our Arena application incorporates the latest tools to help manufacturers visualize a process before development, and it enables them to easily share simulation results with stakeholders and business leadership. By applying simulation technology to business problems, Arena users typically see a return on investment of 10 to 15 times the original outlay.”

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs about 20,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.