Press Release
Release date: February 8, 2008
Eliminating Complex Programming and Software Maintenance to Exchange Information Between Dissimilar Devices is the Basis for New Data Appliances
Knoxville, TN - Online Development Inc. is making it easier for manufacturing companies to exchange and manage data between the plant floor and business systems. Their new Appliance Transaction Module (ATM) platform is focused on eliminating costly and complex custom programming between dissimilar plant floor products and business systems. It also promises to eliminate the need to conduct software updates in the future while eliminating data security concerns.
The new platform consists of hardware modules with embedded transaction software for the exchange of data between specific dissimilar products such as a factory floor controller and a database. Each one features an easy-to-use interface with automatic identification of connected products such as controller tags and database tables. The interface also features intuitive screens and drag and drop operation for easy setup and configuration of data transactions such as establishing preset actions and reactions between products.
Appliance Transaction Modules provide a low-cost, low-risk, alternative to traditional custom programmed PC-based software and hardware bridges used to exchange data between dissimilar plant floor devices and/or business systems such as a database. These bridges commonly use proprietary software that requires significant programming expertise and lengthy development and testing to exchange data between dissimilar devices. Since these bridges are PC-based, they are susceptible to software viruses, hackers, unintended operation and ongoing maintenance such as software maintenance and patch management.
The Appliance Transaction Module platform has been developed in response to the growing need for a simple, flexible and reliable real-time data exchange and management between plant floor devices and business systems. Data exchanges that support corporate-wide initiatives such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), data warehousing, supply chain management and other business intelligence initiatives. They also support in-plant applications such as downloading of batch recipes and process line configuration, transfer of SPC (Statistical Process Control) information, dynamic warehousing, assembly order and bill of material processing and others.
The first of these modules, the xCoupler eATM module for exchanging Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PAC (Programmable Automation Controller) data with business systems, was introduced in 2005. Since then, it has become popular in a wide variety of industries as an easy way to exchange plant data with MySQL, IBM, Oracle and Microsoft business systems. Leading manufacturers around the globe including Nestle, 3M, Honda, John Deere, Caterpillar, Kraft Foods, Saint-Gobain, Nucor, Whirlpool and others are benefiting from this module's ease-of-use and reliable operation. It has also won several awards and recognition from the trade press including Control Engineering, Plant Engineering, Automation World and Industry Week.
The latest module, the RA56-cATM introduced in September 2007, exchanges data between the latest Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PACs and installed Allen-Bradley PLCs including SLC 500, PLC-5, MicroLogix and CompactLogix. It provides a simple and inexpensive way for users to maximize their investment in installed PLCs while migrating to the latest PAC technology by eliminating the need for programming message instructions between the two control platforms.
Online Development has several new additions to the Appliance Transaction Module platform under development that will include data exchange capabilities for many more types and brands of factory automation and business system products. According to Ron Monday, president and CEO, "Our experience with the xCoupler eATM module over the past 18 months has shown that these modules take a lot of pain out of exchanging data between controllers and business systems for end-users. They do just one thing and do it well, exchange and manage data between dissimilar platforms. That's why we are aggressively expanding this platform to provide users the building blocks needed to easily connect and manage various sources of data."
"For applications such as sending and confirming build orders from a database to a factory floor controller, many manufacturers are turning to automation appliances", according to Craig Resnick, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group. "Similar to computer data appliances such as routers, modems and Ethernet switches that have gained wide acceptance throughout the information technology industry, automation appliances are characterized by being simple to install and configure, which speeds up startup times, and offering longer product lifecycles, which minimizes the number of required maintenance upgrades".
To learn more about these data appliances, visit http://www.oldi.com/dba.htm, or contact Online Development by phone, 800-625-8678, or +1-865-251-5252.
Company Information:
Name: Online Development Inc.
Address: 7209 Chapman Highway
City: Knoxville
State: TN
ZIP: 37920
Country: USA
Phone: 865-579-3540
FAX: 865-579-4740
http://www.oldi.com
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