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October 24, 2007
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    Sponsor: Advantech

    EKI-7659C Industrial Ethernet Managed Switches

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    The EKI-7659C is the first in a family of our new Industrial Ethernet managed switches. This compact and industrially hardened switch offers advanced traffic control for optimum network performance and security, along with rapid self-healing fiber optic ring capabilities to ensure network uptime in adverse environments.

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    Sponsor: Online Development

    Connect ControlLogix® PACs with Installed Controllers without Programming

    Learn More...

    cATM™ modules from Online Development let you exchange data between ControlLogix PACs and a wide range of Allen-Bradley® controllers without programming message instructions. Compatible with existing data bridges such as Ethernet®, ControlNet™, Data Highway Plus™ and DH485.

    Learn More…
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    In this Issue

    From One Techie to Another:
    Breaking down barriers - Bottom-line Automation

    Featured White Paper:
    3rd Generation Simulation Solves Process Industry Challenges

    Product Announcements:
    -Opto 22 8-Channel Analog Input Modules
    -NI enhances LabVIEW SignalExpress 2.5
    -ASI expands PTC push-in jumpers
    -Matrikon OPC driver for GE Mark V Turbine
    -Banner SC22-3 safety controller
    -HEIDENHAIN UTI 192 touch probe interface
    -Red Lion adds DeviceNet to Data Station Plus; and much more

    Resources & Literature:
    -RFID Configuration Software

    Events, Seminars & Training:
    -Automation Fair 2007
    -Thermo Informatics World 2007
    -SCS Automation & Control; and much more

    Company & Organizational News:
    -ARC says Plant Asset Management to grow 10.8% annually
    -Schneider Electric acquires Pelco
    -ARC questions future of non-Ethernet Industrial Networks; and much more

    Application News:
    -ABB to supply power plant controls in India
    -Siemens vision systems ensure quality at DaimlerChrysler

    New Job Opportunities

    Humor of the Week
    Sponsor: OPC Foundation

    More Information about OPC Events

    What is OPC? Want your company to be an innovator leader, and maximize your product and resource utilization? Learn more about OPC, and how to achieve secure reliable interoperability with high performance quality products from hundreds of vendors.

    • For End-Users and System Integrators: the OPC Foundation provides no-cost seminars providing the solid foundation for what and how to use OPC-based products.

    Click Here for more details, schedule and registration for these and other important OPC Events.

    From One Techie to Another

    Breaking down barriers - Bottom-line Automation
    Wonderware is holding its North American WonderWorld 2007 Conference in Las Vegas this week. Yesterday morning, Dr. Peter Martin of Invensys Process Systems gave another insightful keynote address to more than 780 attendees. It's no wonder that Fortune Magazine has coined Peter the "U.S. Hero of Manufacturing." I'm losing count of the number of times that I've heard Peter speak at various automation industry events. But I never get tired of hearing his engaging combination of insight and humor.

    Peter's keynote again focused on empowering strategic business and operational excellence. Translation - maximizing asset utilization and availability, and not only equipment assets, but material, energy, and most of all, people. It's imperative that all manufacturing facilities improve operations to stay competitive in this global market.

    Where we are and how we got here
    It all started with the irrational investment strategies of many people in the 1990s. Previously, executives could rely on long-term capital investments. But, suddenly people began investing for short term gains by buying and selling shares monthly, weekly or even daily. Company executives no longer had the long-term capital they relied on, and boards of directors started overlooking the executives' decisions. So, executives did what they could to attack costs by downsizing IT and engineering groups. You see, these two groups are typically viewed as liabilities.

    Many facilities have invested millions of dollars in automation infrastructure, but few have been able to leverage those systems to improve bottom lines. Why? Because they don't have visibility of how process or production values relate to real dollars. And it's not because the technology doesn't exist. It does. It's because operational groups within companies just don't get along and, as a result, they don't collaborate.

    What do we do?
    The reality is that the IT and engineering groups can add the most value to the bottom line, if they can collaborate with other organizational groups.

    The problem is people and organizations have been molded over the past few decades to think a certain way. People went to college to earn very specialized degrees. For example, accountants don't understand engineers and engineers don't understand accountants. They are islands of organizations within many companies. Historically, the laborers and operators were uneducated. Today most of them have some sort of college degree. But, we haven't changed how we design systems. Engineers don't want to give operators access to too much because they think operators might break something. We have suppressed the people who possibly understand how the plant actually operates better than anyone else.

    We need to convert the laborers and operators into automation craftsman, information craftsman and subsequently, business craftsman. Give them a dashboard so they can make better decisions based on process values that affect the bottom line.

    Peter ended his keynote with a challenge for each and every automation/IT professional in the manufacturing sector. Transform your mindset. Shift from a technology focus to a business focus. Rather than specialize, collaborate with other organizational groups. Convert laborers to performance managers. Wonderware's message was they have the tools to help you achieve operational excellence. Peter claims that companies who have been able to pull off this transformation have seen ROI in a matter of weeks. Break down the barriers in your organization.

    Do you want to hear more from Peter? Read his book Bottom-Line Automation, available from ISA.

    Enjoy the rest of this Automation Weekly!

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Publisher
    Featured White Paper

    3rd Generation Simulation Solves Process Industry Challenges
    Third-generation simulation software solves the industry’s complex needs and delivers significant results with minimal risk and investment. This white paper shows how using simulation for testing and training has proven benefits for capital project execution (CAPEX) and operational excellence (OPEX) initiatives.

    Read full white paper by MYNAH Technologies

    Browse Portals for more articles, white papers and application stories by topic
    Product Announcements
    Opto 22 releases 8-Channel Analog Input Modules Opto 22 releases 8-Channel Analog Input Modules
    For use with SNAP PAC System, these higher-density modules connect to temperature, pressure, flow, level, and other analog sources.
    NI enhances LabVIEW SignalExpress 2.5 NI enhances LabVIEW SignalExpress 2.5
    Improvements include a Project Analyzer to help engineers and scientists identify and address common measurement mistakes.
    ASI expands PTC push-in jumpers ASI expands PTC push-in jumpers
    Push in jumpers are now available for terminal blocks, relays, and fuse and disconnect terminal blocks.
      Matrikon announces OPC driver for GE Mark V Turbine
    The MatrikonOPC Server for GE Mark V provides a TCI-independent link to the Mark V and is capable of sub-second scan rates.
    Banner introduces SC22-3 safety controller Banner introduces SC22-3 safety controller
    Safety module incorporates numerous input devices and manages multiple safety-related functions.
    HEIDENHAIN releases UTI 192 touch probe interface HEIDENHAIN releases UTI 192 touch probe interface
    UTI 192 interface makes 3-D touch trigger probes compatible with CNC controls.
    Red Lion adds DeviceNet to Data Station Plus Red Lion adds DeviceNet to Data Station Plus
    XCDN DeviceNet option card adds DeviceNet Slave connectivity to the Data Station Plus or Enhanced Modular Controller Master units.
      Matrikon enhances Control Performance Monitor 5.1
    Improvements allow control assets such as PID loops, advanced control applications and analyzers to be continuously monitored and diagnosed.
    Emerson enhances 375 Fieldbus and HART Communicator Emerson enhances 375 Fieldbus and HART Communicator
    Upgrades in version 2.0 include diagnostics in trend charts, gauges and process images, giving users graphics during configuration and maintenance.
    Northwire expands DataCELL Foundation fieldbus cables Northwire expands DataCELL Foundation fieldbus cables
    Northwire added 84 more part numbers to provide more configuration options.
    Moxa releases MPC Protocol Converter software Moxa releases MPC Protocol Converter software
    MPC establishes bi-directional data stream channels between any two embedded computer ports, and uses drivers to audit the data stream.

    Other Product Announcements

    Product & Supplier Search

    • Featured Products for October
    • Search Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date
    • Search Suppliers by keyword or product category
    Resources & Literature
    RFID Configuration Software
    TURCK announces new configuration software for its recently introduced BL ident RFID system. The free software aids in RFID equipment selection by quickly simulating an application’s parameters and values.
    Events, Seminars & Training
    Automation Fair 2007
    Rockwell Automation’s Automation Fair® is a premier industry event focusing on advanced automation products, integrated control and information architecture, value-add services and solutions. Many targeted industrial forums and labs provide a fantastic educational experience for professionals at all levels. The complete program includes over 50 Technical Sessions, 20 Hands-On Labs and more than 100 exhibitors.

    Other Upcoming Events & Training

    Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar.
    Company & Organizational News
    ARC says Plant Asset Management to grow 10.8% annually
    The market was $1.4 billion in 2007 and is forecast to be over $2.4 billion in 2011, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.

    Schneider Electric acquires Pelco
    Schneider acquired all shares of Pelco, a maker of video security systems, for a total consideration of $1,540 million.
    ARC questions future of non-Ethernet Industrial Networks
    Prospects for non-Ethernet device networks dwindle as Ethernet continues its migration into lower levels of the industrial automation hierarchy.

    Other Company & Organization News:

    Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.

    Application News
    ABB to supply power plant controls in India
    ABB will supply $127 million worth of power and automation solutions for two power plants that will generate electricity needed by steel mills.

    Other Application News:

    Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.
    New Jobs

    Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:

    To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function. For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.

    Humor of the Week

    Dilbert - Teamwork, redefined.

    Goin' Fishin' - Careful evaluation by the competition speeds development

     

    I hope you enjoyed this Automation Weekly update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Publisher
    Automation.com

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