Kepware Developing WITS Support for DNP3 to Deliver Water Industry Telemetry Standards


Kepware Technologies, a leading provider of Communications for Automation, has announced the release of Water Industry Telemetry Standard (WITS) support, within the company's DNP3 Drivers, which are already supported within the KEPServerEX OPC Server.

As an additional feature set, Kepware has added WITS support to its robust set of DNP3 Ethernet and Serial communication drivers. Built upon the DNP3 functionality, the WITS drivers will provide added security through authentication and additional data sets specific to the water industry, as well as the ability to manage distributed device assets and their attributes.

With an ever growing need to improve efficiencies within the control systems of the Water Industry, Kepware predicts that the WITS specification will be a valuable addition to its extensive range of protocols drivers.

Increased environmental concerns, legislation and higher business demands are putting pressure on the Water Industry to update many of its outdated, bespoke control systems and move forward towards an IP-based, open-platform future. Open-standard strategy will bring increased flexibility, compatibility and expandability, therefore reducing operating costs and improving the bottom line.

Much like the OPC standard, WITS looks to standardise device communications across the Water Industry. "A goal of the OPC Foundation was to reduce the number of made-to-order applications and give the end user choice of best-in-class options across all aspects of the control system," said Dave Hammond of M.A.C Solutions, the UK distributor for Kepware solutions. "WITS is doing the same, thus creating a more open and competitive market."

KEPServerEX is the most widely used communication solution for automation and already delivers a powerful set of DNP3 communication drivers, upon which WITS is built. "Kepware is always looking for ways to bring best in class interoperability to market," states Tony Paine, President and CTO of Kepware Technologies. "With the water industry standardising on WITS DNP, we recognised that we needed to enhance our existing DNP offering to allow our customers to implement the next generation of infrastructures."

For more information on Kepware Technologies and its WITS drivers, please visit the website at www.kepware.com or contact M.A.C Solutions on 01527 592999 or email sales@mac-solutions.co.uk .

About M.A.C Solutions (UK)
M.A.C Solutions (UK) Ltd (www.mac-solutions.co.uk) is a UK-based maintenance, automation and control systems provider and technical service and support company that specialises in helping customers select and source appropriate systems to help leverage their production machine and process data from existing plant control and automation systems, up to enterprise business level systems. With more than 12 years' experience in the industry, M.A.C Solutions (UK) Ltd offers a range of industrial Ethernet 'open connectivity' solutions, as well as version control software, industrial Ethernet switches, web visualisation tools, alarm management software, connectivity devices for Siemens' PLCs, Ethernet-enabled OPC servers, industrial monitors and PCs. M.A.C Solutions' clients include utility companies, food and beverage manufacturers, power generation, breweries, oil and gas, automotive, water treatment, wind farms, paper and print, electronics and pharmaceuticals.

ABOUT Kepware
Kepware is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers a unique experience in both OPC and communication protocols. Since 1995, Kepware has focused on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices. Applications include M2M (Machine to Machine) and M2E (Machine to Enterprise) communications. Operating system support includes Microsoft Windows Desktop, Windows Server and Windows Embedded (Windows CE and Windows Embedded NT/XP). Today, with over 140 communication protocols, and through the efforts of our direct sales, distribution and embedded partners, Kepware is the leading provider of communications with annual shipments exceeding 100,000 units. Kepware's responsiveness to customer needs and strong partnerships with other leading automation suppliers ensures that your next application will be a success. Ask around and you'll hear why automation professionals everywhere consider Kepware Technologies "Automation's Best Friend." www.kepware.com

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