CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2007 — Rockwell Automation released FactoryTalk AssetCentre, a software tool that streamlines change management and helps manufacturers better leverage their automation assets.Built on the FactoryTalk Services Platform, FactoryTalk AssetCentre provides manufacturers with a centralized tool for gathering, managing and securing data on automation assets such as control systems, drives and human-machine interface devices. The new application helps manufacturers quickly and efficiently respond to new opportunities, production changes or problems through a set of asset-centric tools designed to help improve production system security, minimize risk, maximize uptime and improve operational efficiency.
The FactoryTalk suite of plant-wide information software offers a flexible solution to help manufacturers reduce costs and extend the life cycle of existing investments. FactoryTalk AssetCentre expands that objective by helping manufacturers securely and centrally manage factory and process automation production environments by securing access to the control system, tracking users' actions, managing asset configuration files, configuring process instruments, and providing backup and recovery of operating asset configurations.
“While many manufacturers realize the value in protecting their automation equipment, far fewer are taking the same measures to protect the programming, processes and intellectual property embedded in that equipment,” said Kevin Roach, vice president of Software, Rockwell Automation. “We’ve redesigned our FactoryTalk AssetCentre to help companies better manage their automation assets, and protect the data, processes and intellectual property that has been developed over time through continuous operational improvements.” FactoryTalk AssetCentre provides many of the same capabilities included in the company’s previous asset management software – RSMACC, but is built from a framework designed to add support for additional devices and grow to better meet a user’s needs.
Its evolving set of add-on capabilities helps manufacturers optimize and leverage factory automation and process device investments. By using FactoryTalk AssetCentre, manufacturers can centrally track and manage changes through four key areas of functionality:
- Security – Helps reduce unauthorized system access and controls authorized user actions using the security functionality within the FactoryTalk Services Platform.
- Audit Trail – Records users’ actions within Rockwell Automation software applications and generates an audit trail that tracks user, device, computer, time and action taken.
- Archive – Tracks versions of binary files and provides check-out and check-in capabilities.
- Disaster Recovery – Provides automatic “backup” or “backup and compare” of an asset’s configuration to help the user view and analyze all changes that have been made to equipment on the plant floor.FactoryTalk AssetCentre is part of the Asset Management production discipline in the FactoryTalk suite, which helps deliver distinct business benefits across six production disciplines common to most manufacturing operations.
This record can help provide faster troubleshooting of system problems, improve user training, and improve regulatory compliance with laws such as 21 CFR Part 11.
This helps manufacturers better manage version control and, ultimately, their applications.
These scalable software applications are designed for tight integration with the Rockwell Automation Logix Control Platform, as well as extensive connectivity to third-party and legacy systems.
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
(NYSE: ROK) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses.
The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation which include Allen-Bradley controls and services and Rockwell Software factory management software.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.