Tag: Device Connectivity

As the digital transformation takes hold of the process industry, many companies are facing the challenge of reconciling innovation and continuity. In response to this, NAMUR (the User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries) has developed the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) model, which brings plant optimization through IT/OT integration within reach for the process industry. In this blog, we present a range of NOA-compliant products that process plant operators can use to extend their plant in compliance with NOA to directly reap the benefits of modern IT applications.

Intelligent field devices, from valves to temperature transmitters can detect faults, and in many cases, enable you to trend incoming data to avoid faults altogether. The challenge of managing the complexity of many intelligent field devices across different protocols can be overcome by utilizing a handheld, portable interface tool that supports multiple protocols simultaneously.

When it comes to field device management, the process industry still seems to overlook the two key aspects of protocols and ‘accessibility’ – at least that’s the impression we get from the tools provided by instrument suppliers. Softing Industrial has filled this application gap with two mobile enterprise solutions, which are the first in the world to support the three major protocols of HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, and PROFIBUS PA in a single device for connection to intelligent field devices while also offering an interface for integration and data provisioning.

Driven by the digitalization of field devices in the process industry, the growing importance of predictive maintenance and the increasing possibilities offered by centralized field device configuration, digital communication protocols like HART-IP are on the rise. In addition to providing access to a device’s process variables, the protocol also supports device parameter setting and advanced diagnostics. HART-IP will therefore play an important role in enabling the Industrial Internet of Things in process plants. Softing supports HART-IP technology and offers an NOA-compliant gateway with its smartLink DP product.

An essential feature of modern Industry 4.0 solutions is the networking of machines and plants. If a continuous digital data flow is guaranteed across all production levels, data from intelligent field devices can provide well-founded information on the plant status. In this way unplanned outages can be avoided, downtimes reduces and maintenance costs lowered. How does this work in the ideal case?

Digital, mobile and networked solutions for efficient management of critical business assets