Software provides manufacturing interoperability.
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Press Release Summary:
Production Engine Software offers users ability to manage manufacturing operations, materials, and orders through graphically configured workflows. Workflow Engine responds to defined triggers by initiating and managing execution of workflows and controls interaction with user by assigning activities and dispatching information to specific users. Client layer can run as ActiveX® control inside another application, within browser, or remotely on Microsoft® Windows® CE device.
Original Press Release:
Invensys Introduces Production Engine Technology
Technology Provides New Levels of Interoperability within Manufacturing Facilities and Across the Supply Chain
FOXBORO, Mass., Sept. 4, 2002 -- Invensys Manufacturing Solutions, a business unit of Invensys plc, today announced the release of the Invensys(TM) Production Engine, a new interoperability technology that offers users the ability to manage manufacturing operations, materials and orders through graphically configured workflows. Invensys is using Production Engine to deliver accelerator applications, which are turnkey interoperability solutions that solve specific customer problems in many areas of manufacturing.
Production Engine will be introduced at the annual Invensys Showcase user conference and expo September 8-12. The event will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
One of Invensys' objectives is to dramatically improve
interoperability, between and across manufacturing facilities. This is achieved when each person, process and system in an organization can share timely information in the proper context.
The interoperability provided by the Invensys Production Engine
technology forms the basis of an agile, accelerated supply chain.
Interoperability has several facets: common user environment; event management and reporting; configurable, standard response to detected events; and the ability to leverage data from all manufacturing data sources and providers.
Workflows can capture information from various sources, such as user input, process data and other data sources that can be used as triggers or inputs to workflow activities. Production Engine technology uses adapters to expose the capability of Invensys, third-party, and custom-built applications, in the form of workflow activities.
The Invensys Production Engine technology set includes the following components:
-- Workflow Engine: The Workflow Engine is the core of the Production Engine technology. It responds to defined triggers by initiating and managing the execution of workflows and controls the interaction with the user by assigning activities and dispatching information to specific Production Engine technology users. The engine also captures workflow variables from user input, machines, devices and adapted applications, and integrates that information into each workflow. Workflow activities are transactions in manufacturing applications such
as MES, maintenance, downtime, quality, time and attendance, where an adapter has been created to expose those transactions.
-- Clients: Production Engine supports user interaction from several types of clients. The client layer can run as an ActiveX(R) control inside another application, within a browser or remotely on a Microsoft (R) Windows(R) CE device. These clients can receive information, be assigned activities, and initiate and provide input to workflows.
-- Graphical Workflow Editor: The editing tool allows users to view and configure workflows using graphical representations of the activities to be performed and the flow of the defined work processes. Activities are the primary building blocks of workflows.
-- Domain Adapters: The adapters expose functionality from adapted applications to the Workflow Engine in the form of activities. Once an adapter has been installed for a given application, its associated activities can be incorporated into workflows using the Graphical Workflow Editor. Adapters exist for several Invensys products and can be created for virtually any application using APIs, Web services and databases.
-- Domain Adapter Toolkit: The toolkit enables developers to create adapters for manufacturing applications. Specific functions can be exposed as workflow activities. Developers can package the functions and expose them to the workflow environment.
-- External Messaging Service: The service supports the exchange of events and transactions with other information entities. It can be used to link multiple manufacturing facilities, lines and cells, as well as enterprise-level information systems. This service utilizes S95-based XML to exchange information.
"Collectively, Production Engine components leverage the strength of each individual manufacturing application to deliver a strong collaborative solution," said Dave Westrom, senior vice president and general manager of Invensys Manufacturing Solutions. "Enterprise interoperability is essential for customers to realize the greatest benefit from their investments in manufacturing and supply-chain infrastructure."
This announcement represents the culmination of three years of
development on interoperability technology. Production Engine-based solutions are being implemented at several Wonderware and Baan customer sites. Since Production Engine leverages Invensys' new ArchestrA(TM) plant automation and information architecture as a plant-floor modeling and information source, customers can integrate every system in their plant and ensure that they work in concert.
The Invensys Showcase is expected to draw between 1,000 and 2,000
attendees from customer companies worldwide, including top management, manufacturing and plant management, maintenance/facilities management, corporate engineering groups, industry trade media and industry analysts.
For more information on Invensys accelerator solutions, please visit the Invensys Manufacturing Solutions' Web site at
IMSaccelerator.com.
About Invensys
Invensys plc is a global leader in production technology and energy management. The group helps customers to improve performance and profitability using innovative services and technologies and a deep understanding of industries and applications.
The Invensys Production Management businesses work closely with
customers in order to drive up performance of production assets,
maximize the return on investments in production technologies and
remove cost and cash from the whole supply chain. The division
includes APV, Avantis, Baan, Eurotherm, Foxboro, SIMSCI/Esscor,
Triconex and Wonderware. These businesses address process and batch industries -- including the oil, gas and chemicals, food, beverage and personal healthcare - and the discrete and hybrid manufacturing sectors.
The Invensys Energy Management businesses work with clients involved in the supply, measurement and consumption of energy and water, to reduce costs and waste and improve the efficiency, reliability and security of power supply. The division includes Energy Management Solutions, Appliance Controls, Climate Controls, Global Services, Metering Systems, Powerware and Home Control Systems. These businesses focus on markets connected with power and energy infrastructure for industrial, commercial and residential buildings.
Invensys also serves the specialized rail, wind-power and electronic manufacturing (power components) markets through Invensys Rail Systems, Hansen Transmissions and Lambda respectively in the Invensys Development Division.
Invensys operates in more than 80 countries, with its headquarters in London. For more information, visit www.invensys.com.
Contact:
Kari Garcia - for Invensys
Comm Strategies
(949) 753-9292, ext. 244
kgarcia@commstrategies.com
Invensys and ArchestrA are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. All other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.
