Software helps optimize plant operations.
Press Release Summary:
Proficy(TM) Plant Applications v4.1 offers unified plant model and notification service that allows users to define how products are manufactured based on plant layout, product specifications, and product routing instructions. Capabilities range from integrated quality management and overall equipment effectiveness to production tracking and recipe management. Auditing, 21CFR Part 11, and e-Signature features enable secure, auditable operations.
Original Press Release:
GE Fanuc Introduces Proficy(tm) Plant Applications New Production Execution and Management Software Offers Easier Way to Achieve Peak Plant Performance
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. January 11, 2005 GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc., a unit of GE Infrastructure, has announced the new Proficy(tm) Plant Applications Version 4.1 - a major new version of the company's Efficiency, Quality, Production and Batch Analysis software application - which enables managers across process, discrete and hybrid industries to gain clear insight into their operations to more efficiently manage to peak performance. The new Proficy Plant Applications Version 4.1 adds powerful new capabilities to reduce overall implementation time with improved ease of use and configuration, enhanced reporting, improved connectivity and extensibility, and more expansive scheduling execution and production tracking. Additionally the new version has advanced analysis and drilldown improvements, making it even easier to determine production variation. The enhanced security, auditing, 21CFR Part 11 and e-Signature features of this new version allow users to have more secure, auditable operations by identifying changes and access to the system.
A major component of the Proficy software family, Plant Applications supports GE Fanuc's open and layered software framework, communicating with GE Fanuc systems as well as other applications to quickly leverage a manufacturers' installed base of equipment and enable faster ROI. The capabilities of Proficy Plant Applications range from integrated quality management and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) to production tracking and recipe management.
"In order to achieve peak manufacturing performance, companies must gain a real-time understanding of what is actually happening on the plant floor," said Bill Estep, vice president of automation solutions, for GE Fanuc Automation. "Loss of insight becomes a barrier to process improvement, and therefore it is critical that production managers have and share information with other decision makers and take quick action to improve both manufacturing performance and bottom line."
Proficy Plant Applications offers a unified, easy-to-configure "plant model" and notification service that enables users to define how their products are manufactured based on their actual plant layout, product specifications and product routing instructions. Plant Applications automatically generates configurable intelligent Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and alarms so that managers can monitor performance and receive notification when exceptions occur. Managers can then make real-time changes to their operations to improve performance.
"Proficy Plant Applications digitizes the collective information generated throughout a production facility into a 'virtual plant' that can be accessed where, when and how users' need it," Estep explained. "This intelligent solution allows users to measure and monitor performance across key criteria in real time. In this way, businesses can gain clear insight into their production and greatly improve operational effectiveness."
The new Proficy Plant Applications Version 4.1 adds powerful new capabilities, such as:
Enhanced Reporting helps users accelerate quality improvements, reduce implementation time and simplify reporting initiatives. Powerful enhancements to the Plant Applications reporting solution include several new standard reports, improved reusable and publishable Excel reports - with a web publish wizard - and many other additional features and capabilities.
Analysis and Drilldown can increase quality and consistency of end products as well as increase overall operational productivity by helping users analyze the right information at the right time. Several advanced analytical web pages, "web parts" and web applications are provided for analyzing and drilling down through data to identify and analyze problem areas in order to make improvements. Analytical capabilities include variability conformance, event analysis, unit time accounting, alarm detail and batch analysis. Using these powerful capabilities, users can - for example - improve quality and consistency of products by comparing production "events" and by comparing and analyzing data by shift, machine and other configurable elements. Batch analysis allows production run inconsistencies to be identified through overlay and time synchronization capabilities, so users can determine the cause of variation and take the appropriate corrective action.
Improved Connectivity and Extensibility can reduce costs and complexities associated with the integration and connection to legacy systems and sources. This new version features expanded connectivity options to additional systems and sources, including OPC, Generic SQL, InSQL, and others. OPC Support and an advanced SDK allow end users and systems integrators to extend the core Plant Applications offering.
Enhanced Security, Auditing, 21 CFR Part 11 and e-Signatures help users avoid costly product recalls and fines and adhere to new regulatory requirements. Comprehensive support for electronic signatures, complete system audit trails and many other security capabilities allow users in regulated and non-regulated industries to have secure audited operations.
Expansive Schedule Execution and Production Tracking simplify implementation time and expand overall genealogical, scheduling and execution capabilities. Proficy Plant Applications 4.1 adds more comprehensive product definitions to support complex Bills of Materials. This new version also simplifies automated configuration for complex genealogical applications as well as standard reports and metrics made available through the reporting and analytical capabilities.
Enhanced Ease of Use and Configuration save time and money by quickly and easily getting the right information in to the hands of those who need it. With simplified and streamlined configuration for client and server applications, this new version makes creating reports, analyzing data and setting up the Plant Applications system much easier.
About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation, a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Infrastructure and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments.
For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com or contact: GE Fanuc Information Center, P.O. Box 8106, Charlottesville, VA 22906, Phone: (800) GE FANUC (800-433-2682), Fax: 434-978-5205, e-mail: gefanuc@gefanuc.com
Proficy is a trademark of GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Alicia Bowers
Leader, Customer Marketing Communications
GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc.
717-285-4400, Dialcomm *272-8005
Fax: 434-978-5205
E-mail: alicia.bowers@ge.com
Website: www.gefanuc.com
