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Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, announced the release of KEPServerEX version 5.17. Key enhancements to it's flagship communications platform include a new Scheduler Plug-In and updates to it's Local Historian Plug-In and EFM Suite. The release broadens Kepware's product offering in industries requiring remote communications, including Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, and Power.
The new Scheduler Plug-In enables users to move the scheduling of data requests from the client to the server to better optimize device communications for networks with limited bandwidth. Its centralized scheduling functionality allows users to help prioritize schedules and define when and what specific data sets to poll—providing control and monitoring of network utilization. It also adds security to the network by preventing "rogue" clients from hijacking available bandwidth from critical applications.
Kepware's EFM Suite for KEPServerEX is a collection of drivers and Electronic Flow Measurement (EFM) exporters that enable Oil & Gas companies to poll real-time and historical EFM data from pipeline flow computers and RTUs. While the EFM Suite has always supported FLOWCAL CFX files, KEPServerEX version 5.17 allows users to more cleanly import gas EFM data into FLOWCAL's Oracle database via the FLOWCAL Transaction Queue. This helps to simplify training, configuration, support, and maintenance for customers that use FLOWCAL and Kepware's EFM Suite.
To help improve operational efficiency and reduce network load, Kepware updated the Local Historian Plug-In to support OPC Historical Data Access (HDA) processed read requests. The processed read requests shift the heavy data computation load from the client to the historian server, helping to minimize the network load from each request.
KEPServerEX version 5.17 also features updates to 25 drivers, including enhancements to the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix Ethernet Driver, Allen-Bradley Ethernet Driver, DNP3 Drivers, and OPC XML-DA Driver.
Keywords: Communications, Automation, Centralized Scheduling, Electronic Flow Measurement (EFM), ARC Advisory Group.