Invensys introduces secure wireless strategy for plant and enterprise applications


CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA (ISA EXPO 2005) - October 25, 2005 - Following closely on the recent announcement of the company's comprehensive asset performance management focus two weeks ago, Invensys Process Systems today announced its unique strategy for wireless communications. Utilizing a unique, comprehensive managed network approach, Invensys' wireless strategy centers around shared access point technology and common data and security models for all wireless devices - regardless of vendor or application. Unlike the point solutions recently introduced by other automation companies, Invensys' comprehensive approach provides the foundation to ensure appropriate levels of integration, robustness, and security for all industrial and enterprise wireless applications. Invensys is demonstrating this approach at ISA Booth 354, October 25th-27th.

"Wireless communications will provide a powerful new enabling technology for asset performance management," said Chris Lyden, vice president of marketing at Invensys Process Systems. "Wireless technology makes it possible to incorporate new strategic measurements and other data within our solutions that simply were either not practical or even possible to implement in a wired communications environment. This includes solutions for process optimization, device management, real-time equipment condition monitoring, energy management, personnel tracking, asset tracking, security, and enterprise asset management that can all work in unison to address both industrial asset utilization and availability."

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"The good news in the emerging world of wireless technology is that more and more ingenious wireless devices are being introduced all the time," commented Hesh Kagan, wireless program manager at Invensys Process Systems. "The bad news is that most of these devices utilize different, vendor-specific wireless protocols, technologies, and access points to communicate with the wired communications infrastructure. This can make it very difficult to effectively utilize the data coming from these devices and virtually impossible to ensure appropriate levels of security.

"That's why we worked closely with our partners and several large customers to develop a unique managed wireless network approach that uses shared access point technology for all devices and a common data and security model for all wireless frequencies and protocols (WiFi, WiMax, 802.15.4, RFID, ZigBee, VoIP, proprietary protocols, etc.)," Kagan added. "The shared access points provide significant upfront and ongoing cost-savings for our customers. The common data model makes it much easier to incorporate the wireless data into our asset performance management applications. And with a standardized security model, we can now effectively manage the wireless infrastructure to help ensure appropriate levels of security and performance."

Invensys' wireless network strategy is designed to overlay existing plant control and information infrastructures (Invensys or third-party). It includes:

· Hardware and software as needed

· Site survey and analysis services

· Engineering and systems integration services

· Implementation services

· Ongoing maintenance, support, and optimization services

Site surveys are already in progress at several large North American chemical manufacturing complexes.

For more information, readers can visit ips.invensys.com, call 1 866-746-6477 (508-549-2424 outside the US and Canada), or send an e-mail message to apm@ips.invensys.com.

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About Invensys Process Systems

Invensys Process Systems, a business unit of Invensys plc, provides products, services and solutions that enable today's industrial process plants to monitor, manage, and improve the performance of their manufacturing assets. In addition to its rapidly expanding Global Solutions group, Invensys Process Systems includes industry-leading brands such as Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor, Wonderware, and Avantis, whose products are installed in more than 100,000 plants across the world. These range from small hybrid and batch plants to the world's largest upstream projects, refineries, gas plants, petrochemicals plants, power plants, and pulp and paper mills.

The Invensys Group (www.invensys.com) is made up of five businesses: Process Systems, APV, Eurotherm, Rail Systems and Controls. The Group is headquartered in London and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with over 30,000 employees working in 60 countries.

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