Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that it will release ProSafe-RS R3.02.20 on December 26. This enhanced version of the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system (SIS) offers improved connectivity with the ProSafe-SLS SIS, enabling the status of both systems to be monitored onscreen by operators of the Centum VP integrated production control system. In addition, R3.02.20 offers enhanced support of widely used open communication protocols, improving connectivity with other companies' SCADA software.

Infor announced Infor CloudSuite Academy, a new training program for Infor Channel partners designed to equip them with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to help customers select and implement Infor applications in the cloud. The initiative will offer practical, hands-on instruction on how to best market, demonstrate, license and deploy Infor CloudSuite Industrial and Infor CloudSuite Business, two of Infor's fully integrated, industry-specific solution suites available on Amazon Web Services' (AWS) cloud.

GE's Digital Energy business, in collaboration with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has announced that its commercial and industrial smart meters have achieved a UL voluntary safety certification, making them the first meters of this type in the industry to receive this significant mark. In April 2014, GE announced that its residential smart meters were the first in the industry to achieve the UL safety certification, and today, this certification has been expanded to include GE's commercial and industrial smart meters.

AVEVA announced a number of improvements to AVEVA NET, its Information Management software. Customer feedback has reportedly already shown that these improvements enhance both overall user experience and productivity, enabling significant savings across engineering projects and asset operations. This latest release benefits from simpler and quicker installation and an enhanced user interface that is both intuitive and tablet-friendly.

Announces Platform, Products and Expanded Company Ecosystem Designed to Accelerate Adoption and Innovation

Intel Corporation announced the Intel IoT Platform, an end-to-end reference model designed to unify and simplify connectivity and security for the Internet of Things (IoT). Intel also introduced integrated hardware and software products based on the new platform and new relationships with an expanded ecosystem of system integrators that promise to move IoT from infancy to mass deployment.

ABB is joining the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), a group of more than 100 companies, organizations and universities working to accelerate growth of the Industrial Internet by identifying and promoting best practices and robust standards.

ABB has for years advanced the Industrial Internet via the company's control systems, communication technology and industrial sensors. These help customers use data to optimize operations on offshore platforms, in mining and robotics, aboard marine vessels and in the chemical and paper industries.

ABB has launched its SmartVentilation system for mines. ABB's SmartVentilation is a complete solution to the challenge of providing fresh air and venting toxic gases from subterranean mines. It also minimizes energy use by ventilating only those areas of a mine that require it. ABB estimates that this ability to work "on-demand" could reduce an operator's electricity bill by up to half.

Rockwell Automation has rebuilt its Motion Analyzer software as a Web tool. The tool offers new features and an expanded product catalog to help users specify, design and validate complete motion control systems.

IFS, a global enterprise applications company, announces that the new version of its extended business software suite – IFS Applications 9 – will be released at the IFS World Conference 2015, May 5–7 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Attendees of the event will be the first to learn about the new features and capabilities of IFS Applications 9.

ODVA, a global association whose members are comprised of global automation companies, made three announcements about Expansion of Conformance Testing Services for CIP Safety in Germany, Formation of Special Interest Group for EtherNet/IP in the Process Industries, and EtherNet/IP Includes Power Management for Equipment in Operation.