Online Development Inc. introduced a new family of eATM automation appliances that enable the connection of plant floor data with enterprise and plant-wide computer systems via Java Messaging Service (JMS) connection technologies in addition to traditional databases. JMS-based connection technologies simplify the connection of dissimilar enterprise systems to support MES, ERP, CRM and other enterprise-wide business applications. The new eATM family makes integrating plant floor data easier through simple configuration of bidirectional data exchange, and connectivity with various plant floor controllers.
eATM appliances can be installed in a Rockwell Automation factory floor controller, or as a standalone module. Connectivity with the enterprise or plant system general computer system is via Ethernet. These appliances are available with adapters that connect to specific business systems and controllers. These include Messaging Adapters for IBM WAS JMS, Red Hat JBoss JMS, JBoss Community JMS, and IBM WMQ. Database Adapters are available for DB2 (AS400, System i, z/OS), MS SQL, My SQL and Oracle. Automation Adapters for Rockwell Automation CIP are available via the ControlLogix backplane, Rockwell bridge modules or by EtherNet/IP. Automation Adapters are also available for Siemens Industrial Ethernet and Schneider Electric Modbus TCP.
Configuration software for eATM appliances features intuitive screens and drop down menus to select data and establish conditions for triggering data exchanges based on values, time and other characteristics. It also configures the appliance's store and forward and failover features. If data is interrupted between the controller and the computer system, it is either stored in the module and then forwarded when the connection is resumed, or sent to a defined failover destination. In either case, alerts can be configured to be sent by email to warn of data loss.
Craig Resnick, ARC Advisory Group, commented, "Automation Appliances are designed to provide embedded intelligence to support the end user's quest for operational excellence, which results in increased productivity and profitability. The growth of Automation Appliances, such as Online Development's eATM-JMS modules, has been fueled by their inherent benefits that include ease of use, low installation costs, reliability, flexibility, data security, and scalability, which results in faster product changeovers, better equipment utilization, higher quality levels and production rates, and quicker response to customer orders."
New Module Simplifies Connecting Over 50 Brands of Factory Floor Controllers and Devices with Rockwell Automation PACs
Online Development Inc. also introduced a new controller-to-controller module, the cATM Universal Gateway data appliance. This appliance makes connecting over 50 brands of factory floor controllers and devices to Rockwell Automation controllers fast and easy by eliminating the need to program message instructions between controllers or other devices. It is available as a module that installs in a Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PAC, or as a standalone module for DIN rail mounting. Either configuration delivers over 130 protocols for connectivity to thousands of plant floor devices. The new appliance features a universal driver to connect to Ethernet and serial devices, such as analyzers, bar code readers, weigh scales, RFID systems, serial printers, and label machines. Target applications for this appliance include M2M (machine-to-machine) communications. All drivers are supplied with the module at no additional charge.
The cATM Universal Gateway eliminates the need for custom programmed data bridges and is supplied with a setup utility that uses intuitive screens and drag-and-drop operation to configure data transactions between controllers. After the module is configured, it automatically and transparently exchanges data between controllers with no control program changes. Configurable data exchange enables machine-to-machine connectivity for horizontal integration and migration at the control level. The cATM Universal Gateway also features a backplane interface that enables direct access to data in the ControlLogix processor, or to other PLCs/PACs through Rockwell Automation bridge modules. Connections to other controllers or devices are made via the module's serial or Ethernet ports.