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Systems Integration Portal
Systems Integration Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Welcome to the Automation.com portal for Automation and Control Systems Integration with valuable information and resources for systems integrators. Efficient and quality system integration is vital to having successful automation projects. Control and automation engineers who work for systems integrators need to keep up on system integration techniques, tools and products.
Subscribe to our e-Newsletter or get the latest information on automation and control Systems Integration sent to your desktop as soon as they are published on this page.
Articles
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Open Architecture "Use Cases" - the Next Frontier
- 01/23/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor The next major frontier in the evolution of open architecture is the development of application standards built around Use Cases to increase automation productivity and efficiency. Packaging machine standards from OMAC's Packaging Workgroup is a good example. |
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Managing Process Plants for Failure
- 12/19/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor Companies are looking for ways to improve efficiency and profits but the use of and Real-Time Optimization (RTO) including Advanced Process Control (APC) is still limited. Why? |
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Uninterruptible power supplies and cybersecurity
- 02/04/12 InTech, February 2012 By Michael A. Stout Every network connected device in a data or SCADA network is a potential backdoor—even a UPS connected to the company’s Ethernet network for remote monitoring and management could be compromised by a hacker. |
White Papers
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Ethernet I/O – Technical Considerations
- 01/25/12 Automation.com, January 2012 By SoftPLC The number of vendors offering Ethernet I/O products is continually growing. However, not all products are designed for all applications. This paper discusses some of the important considerations when selecting Ethernet I/O products. |
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PC vs. PLC: key factors in comparing control options
- 11/03/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Bosch Rexroth When deciding whether to choose a PLC or PC, analyze and compare characteristics that could differentiate the two technologies such as operation, robustness, serviceability, hardware integration, security, safety, programming and cost. |
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Building a Business Case for Wireless
- 10/19/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Apprion This white paper provides some best practices, core economic benchmarks and performance metrics to use when developing a strategy and plans for deploying wireless at a plant. It includes case study examples with proven real-world data of the positive ROI of industrial wireless application systems. |
Application Stories
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A thin client solution at Richards Bay Coal Terminal
- 01/29/12 South Africa Instrumentation & Control, January 2012 Reliability problems with standard PCs as well as the difficulties presented by backups and upgrades prompted the terminal to look for a more centralised solution based on thin client technology. |
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HART Communication proves valuable on a major project
- 01/29/12 Control Engineering, January 2012 The 2011 HART Plant of the Year is Shell’s Scotford Upgrader, recognized after programming and commissioning 1,500 devices from Rosemount, E+H, Fisher, Krohne, K-Tek, Magnetrol, Metso, and Ohmart Vega. |
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ABB controls world’s newest copper mine
- 01/24/12 ABB supplied gearless mill drives, process and electrical control systems, power quality systems, a substation and a System 800xA integrated operations center. |
Resources & Literature
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Machine & Process Safety Engineering Guide
Omron Scientific Technologies introduces the 2011-2012 Guide to Machine and Process Safeguarding. The guide also highlights Omron STI’s Safety Library with access to educational resource material including fully-illustrated articles on safety regulations and directives, risk assessment, types of protective measures and background on safety technologies. |
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Siemens releases Online Energy Savings Estimator
- 01/31/12 Energy Savings Estimator gives customers using drives, motors, couplings and gearboxes the ability to estimate potential energy savings across an entire drive train. |
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Start-Up: A Technician's Guide, 2nd Edition - $69.00
This book explores and explains the crucial role a technician plays in the start-up process of a newly built or substantially changed manufacturing plant or control system. |
Training News
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Semaphore Introduces SCADA training video
- 01/26/11 The video is an introduction to Semaphore's T-VIEW data aggregator software. |
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Windows Embedded Compact 7 technical training
- 01/06/11 Adeneo Embedded provides 3-day and 4-day Windows Embedded Compact 7 training based on Microsoft official training curriculum. Classes are held February through April. |
Training & Seminars
Cartoons
Featured Products
Product Announcements
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Endress+Hauser Introduces Installed Base Audit Program
- 02/05/12
The Installed Base Audit simplifies measurement device maintenance, helps a plant conform to various regulations and safety requirements, and reduces its Total Cost of Ownership. |
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SoftPLC announces Allen-Bradley PLC Migration Kits
- 01/30/12
With these Migration Kits, users can upgrade an Allen-Bradley PLC CPU without re-programming or re-wiring. |
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Rockwell Automation enhances RSLogix 5000 software
- 01/17/12
Enhancements in v20 of RSLogix 5000 include support for GuardLogix 5572S and 5573S safety controllers, CompactLogix 5370 PACs, and EtherNet/IP. |
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Company & Organization News
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Mechatrolink Members Association Offers Free Upgraded Membership
- 01/31/12 Mechatrolink is the most widely used motion control network in Asia, and is gaining ground in the U.S. An annual Regular Membership in MMA normally costs $1,500, but until March 31, 2012, it’s free. |
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Siemens Selected by Dow Corning as Process Automation Partner
- 01/18/12 Siemens Simatic PCS 7 will be the control platform for Dow Corning’s batch, continuous and discrete process automation solutions. |
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JMP Engineering opens branch in Dallas
- 01/10/12 Overseeing the new office are Marc Goulet and Dan Foster. |
Project News
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Metso to control Allimand’s new paper machine in Spain
- 02/01/12 Metso will supply a DNA automation system, Process and Quality Vision for web inspection and web break analysis, and the IQ quality control system. |
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ORTEC to consult for Shell on gas field production
- 01/31/12 ORTEC will consult on supply chain processes in gas field production capacity optimization, spare parts management, and cost estimating. |
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Vistrian to supply MES software to NuvoSun solar manufacturer
- 01/24/12 NuvoSun is a manufacturer of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules based on flexible Copper Indium/Gallium di-Selenide (CIGS) technology. |
Event News
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HANNOVER MESSE covers sustainable efficiency
- 02/01/12 HANNOVER MESSE 2012, which runs from 23 to 27 April, provides an overview of all key resource-saving industrial technologies. |
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Industrial Supply 2012 Showcases U.S. Industrial Subcontractors
- 12/06/11 Leaders in the subcontracting business will be presenting their latest product developments in industrial materials to a vast audience attending HANNOVER MESSE. |
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HANNOVER MESSE 2012 focuses on sustainability
- 11/21/11 By adopting "greentelligence" as its keynote theme, HANNOVER MESSE 2012 has put the spotlight squarely on green technologies as a central growth driver for industry. |
Events
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