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November 2010
There is a flurry of activity, and a fair amount of confusion, about Tele...Services. For those who deal in Automation, "TELE" or "REMOTE" have quite an instinctively clear meaning: being able to offer a service to your own end customer without having to physically go to their premises.
Nowadays, use of Remote assistance is becoming more and more frequent, intended as a technical support service which a supplier offers its customer using a Remote station, or rather one geographically at a distance in relation to the automation system. There are now various technological solutions for this type of service. In the case of technical problems at a plant, the supplier of the service, connects up remotely to the system and, taking possession of the operating station, carries out all those activities which allow the malfunction to be identified and to try and get things back to working correctly again. The service is provided on demand: in case of faults on the plant the user requires technical support to the service supplier in order to identify and solve the problem. Unlike Remote assistance, Remote control generally has central software which, automatically, sends periodic interrogations to the peripherals (normally called RTUs) in order to allow monitoring, data collection and, if necessary, remote command, from a single central station, with the aim of keeping watch and guaranteeing functional continuity of a Remote process. RTUs are able to take the communication initiative in the case of an alarm or anomalous situations. This is therefore a continuously active service. An operator is in charge at the operating station in the Remote control room. Remote management can be considered the strategic evolution of Remote control. Whereas Remote control tends to provide the tools for a "real-time" assessment of the situation, with consequent possibility of correcting any anomalous situations, Remote management bases its operation on analysis of the historic data as well as the current data. Apart from continuous monitoring, multiple access to the data in the remote stations must be allowed. This imposes a change in architecture: it is no longer the central system which interrogates all the remote stations in polling. It is, instead, the remote stations which publish the data in a database accessible to all the applications which support supply of the management services: preventive and predictive maintenance, tuning process parameters, management of production, control of efficiency, etc. An efficient Remote management system allows new supply horizons to be opened up for "advanced services": those who produce filter plants could sell the cubic metres of filtered product; instead of selling heating or cooling machines, one could propose frigories/hour and calories/hour; and so on. To implement efficient Remote assistance, Remote control and Remote management systems, it is not enough to just select a product: a series of instruments, competences and services are required. Automa, who has been dealing in monitoring and remote control systems since 1989, is able to provide support in clearly identifying the needs of "going remote" and to create truly effective and competitive remote control solutions. Their experience gained in geographic, company and automation networking helps to clearly identify the most suitable solutions to satisfy the needs of each individual user, at all levels. For further information about Remote Services, please contact Automa on 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.
A fundamental part of Remote control and Remote management systems and, more generally, of geographically distributed systems, are the so-called RTUs (Remote Terminal Units).
Those who deal with automation do not normally have in-depth knowledge of these. Some questions therefore arise spontaneously: what are the RTUs? What difference is there between them and the PLC? Can I use a PLC as an RTU? From the purely technical point of view, both the PLC and the RTU are electronic cards fitted with a microprocessor. The PLC is specialized, in a highly structured way, in dealing with the I/O of complex processes, whereas the RTUs are mainly focused on communication towards the central system. The approach regarding communication protocols is also different. The PLC typically exchanges real-time data with the SCADA applications, while the RTUs create time histories which are then transferred to the central system. Generally, therefore, the RTUs have to be able to "record" the events or trends for a long enough period to ensure coverage of the time which passes between two communications with the central system. Rather than a direct comparison between RTUs and PLCs, one could make a comparison between RTUs and the ensemble of SCADA+PLC. A SCADA+PLC station, enriched with communication capability on a geographic basis, can certainly be a valid and powerful RTU. However, except in rare cases, the RTUs do not normally have the graphic representation capability. The HMI interface resides entirely in the central system. Obviously there are overlapping areas between solutions based on RTUs, on SCADA+PLC, and on PAC. Technological progress has enormously broadened these areas. Having different technological possibilities available for remote connection has further widened communication possibilities.
To obtain further information about the RTUs proposed by Automa, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911, or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Implementation of Remote assistance, Remote control and Remote management systems means facing up to the subject of the remote connection of the RTU or of the equivalent SCADA/PLC stations.
Geographic connections can be made by means of cabled networks, such as ADSL, or wireless networks, like mobile phone networks. When available, the ADSL connection is certainly preferable. Generally, however, availability is strongly influenced by the actual willingness of the end customer to allow transit, over its own company network, of the remote connections. Alternatively, it is possible to use a mobile phone network. To make connection of the RTU simple and safe, a modem is not sufficient, a true router is needed which, moreover, must have suitable characteristics for use in an industrial environment. Automa has selected and proposes GenIP 20i, an Erco&Gener product made specifically to help implementation of Remote assistance, Remote control and Remote management systems. This is a GSM/GPRS router which includes all the connection and safety functions required for this type of implementation. Supplied in an aluminium container with assembly on a DIN rail, it offers numerous functions which are normally lacking in traditional modems. Below are its basic features:
To obtain further information about the GPRS Router, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
Coming up to the end of the year we inform you that, for the brief Christmas holidays, out telephone assistance service will be suspended from 24/12/2010 until 7/1/2011.
The service will start up regularly again on 10th January 2011. We remind you that it is possible to use the telephone assistance service every weekday from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to midday and from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. It is possible to access the service, at any time, by stipulating a contract which can last between 1 and 12 months. For the holders of at least one Super-Flash licence, our technicians are available free of charge every Tuesday and Thursday morning, from 9.30 a.m. to midday. For further information please contact Automa on number 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.
October 2010
Super-Flash is an environment for facilitated development of SCADA/HMI applications. It is reliable, compact, easy to use and economical.
Starting to work with Super-Flash is easy: simply connect up to our site and download the Runtime version of the development system from the freedownload section. It is possible to develop complete SCADA/HMI applications with this version, with the only restriction being the operating time, which is limited to 15 minutes for each execution. For operation without any time limits, it is necessary to purchase a Runtime licence to be selected among the 11 sizes available: from 25 to 30,000 variables and alarms. Apart from the traditional offer of customized courses, to facilitate your initial approach to Super-Flash, Automa also organizes collective courses lasting a few hours, with a pre-established programme, aimed at putting those attending the course into the condition of being able to make a simple HMI application by themselves. On Wednesday 17 November 2010 from 9:00 to 12:30, at its offices in Gorle, Automa proposes a basic course on Super-Flash. The course is aimed at all those who do not yet know Super-Flash and want to under stand its potential and how it is used. Attendance is free of charge but, since the places are limited, it is indispensable to book. We remind you that Automa also offers a service, on payment, for personalized training on all its products and for its customers' specific projects. To obtain further information about the basic course on Super-Flash, or to enrol in the event, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
The subject of energy efficiency is certainly one of the matters dealt with most over the past few years.
Those who build machines and plants are also becoming aware of this and are, at last, beginning to think about enriching their automation with electricity meters. The usefulness of this for the end customer is indisputable: having the consumption data available for individual machines or production lines is fundamental both for controlling consumption and for correctly calculating the production cost per product unit. But how do you make the data of power consumption available? Electricity meters are normally fitted with their own display, therefore even just installation of a meter provides the possibility of determining the consumption data, at worst manually. In the case of machine or production line automation, it is advisable to select meters which are at least able to communicate with a standard communication protocol, by means of a serial or Ethernet line: the most widely used one nowadays is ModBus. To also make electricity consumption data collection easier from remote stations, Automa has made kWweb, a platform that uses some RMS (Remote Metering System) devices as the RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) which, by means of a normal internet connection, are able to publish the data collected from the local meters. As an alternative to the RMS, it is possible to use XGate-kW, specific software, operating on a PC with Windows, dedicated to acquiring data from local meters, for processing/historicization, and for subsequent publication in a database on the Internet. By means of www.kwweb.it, it is then possible to access the data by downloading it as an Excel sheet or CSV file. To access the service use "demo" as the ID and Password. With regard to electricity, at present kWweb concentrates on the consumption aspect, i.e. quantity. The next step will, on the other hand, be dedicated to quality: threshold limits, peaks, harmonics and micro power cuts. For further information about kWweb.it, RMS and XGate-kW, our sales staff is available directly on number 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
The Automa name is often linked to Super-Flash, the development system for SCADA/HMI applications present on the market since 1989. In actual fact, Automa proposes a very wide range of products collected in some specialised Product Lines.
Below is a short list of the product lines set up by Automa.
Development systems, monitoring, remote control and integration : these are some of the specializations that Automa makes available to its customers. To learn more about the product lines, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
Reliability is a strong point of the applications made with Super-Flash. The entire Super-Flash project is strongly aimed at achieving this feature which is fundamental for industrial applications.The activity of checking functionality of Super-Flash on the new versions of Operating Systems also comes within this framework.
Generally Automa recommends using the new versions of Windows only after the version has had time to "settle down". Windows was, in fact, born and evolved, aiming mainly at its use in the office sphere. Its reliability must therefore be demonstrated in practical use. With regard to HMI stations, at the moment the version of Windows which can be considered most settled, from the point of view of reliability as well, is Windows XP, in the XP-PRO, XP/Embedded and XP/PRO for Embedded versions. The performances of these systems are more than sufficient for HMI applications: objectively there is no need to pass on to another version. The Vista version of Windows was a shooting star which soon dissolved: the system had been replaced by Windows 7 even before having reached sufficient reliability for industrial applications. Now Windows 7 promises to be one of the reference versions: when it has sufficiently settled it will certainly be a possible choice. Since Super-Flash does not rely in a very large way on the objects of the operating system, operation with Windows 7 is not, at least from the theoretical viewpoint, particularly critical. In fact, for some time many Super-Flash users already use the development system in Windows 7 environment without any apparent problems. Automa, however, is not content with this, and nor with Microsoft's declaration of retro compatibility. For these reasons, a few months ago an internal path was started for certification of functionality aimed at ensuring the possibility for our customers of using Windows 7, both for the Super-Flash development system and for the Runtime applications. Over the coming weeks the certification will be issued with possible release of a specific Super-Flash 4.1 patch. Once this is done, the version will be made available on the www.automa.it site. To show your interest in the certified version of Super-Flash for Windows 7, you can contact the sales staff of Automa directly by telephone on number 035.32.33.911, or via e-mail at the address: sales@automa.it.
The ModBus protocol is without doubt the most widespread standard protocol in the industrial environment. Being traditionally linked to serial lines, it seemed destined to be replaced by other protocols.
A few years ago, with definition of the ModBus TCP/IP standard and with the success of Ethernet as a privileged physical medium, this protocol has practically been re-born. In view of the enormous fleet of ModBus serial peripherals already installed, and the even more massive offer of ModBus slave devices fitted just with a the serial line, the possibility of interconnecting the new ModBus TCP/IP with existing ModBus Slave RTU or ASCII peripherals becomes very interesting. Automa distributes ATOP products in Italy. A low cost converter able to carry out automatic conversion of the ModBus TCP/IP protocol into ModBus RTU or ASCII has recently been announced. In practice, this device functions as a ModBus TCP/IP server and as ModBus RTU/ASCII Master. For further information about the ModBus TCP/IP converters, please contact Automa on number 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.
May 2010
Automa announces availability of the 1.0 version of X-SMS, a software application which allows you to manage sending and receiving SMSs from a PC. It works in connection with a GSM modem which can be either local or remote. It displays the messages sent and received and historicises the operations carried out on a logger.
It manages a telephone number directory and a macro archive which allows rapid execution of pre-recorded messages. X-SMS is software supplied on a PenDisk with an integrated protection device. This makes its use extremely practical. In fact, it does not require any installation: to use it, simply insert the PenDisk USB in a PC which has a modem connected either directly or remotely by means of Ethernet. Automation systems, particularly unmanned ones, use SMSs more and more frequently as a simple way for on-call technicians in charge of supervision. Receipt of SMSs on your mobile phone is certainly a convenient way to be informed anywhere you may be about a situation to be managed. On the other hand, use of the telephone for the purpose of responding to an emergency situation or to interrogate plants for preventive purposes is more complex. X-SMS expresses itself best in the case of remote control systems based entirely on SMSs: in these cases, the messages become a true "language" which is used to read and write the operating parameters. Use of a PC facilitates sending more "cryptic" and complex SMSs, also allowing greater possibility of storing and managing the messages. X-SMS is an application made with Super-Flash, a development system for making SCADA/HMI systems. In the version "with sources" X-SMS is fully customizable and open to all the functions typical of SCADA applications. Apart from being a product which can live a life of its own, it is also useful during the installation stage of SCADA/HMI applications which use a modem to signal operating data to operators who are geographically distributed. X-SMS operates as a client of G-SMS for sending SMSs over the Internet, via Web Services using modems physically managed by G-SMS. For further information on X-SMS, or for a personalised offer, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Those who work in Windows environment with SCADA development systems know how problematical changing the development environment generally is.
At times simply changing an operating system service pack is enough to cause some compatibility problems. This means that developers are usually very cautious, not to say fearful, or even terrified at the idea of converting old versions of applications to the new ones. Developers who work with Super-Flash have the good fortune to use a product which, thanks to its specific architecture with little connection to the operating system, makes conversion of old applications particularly simple. With Super-Flash it is normal to be able to convert to the current Windows version, even for applications made almost 20 years ago and destined to operate exclusively in DOS. For the developer and for the end customer, this means optimising the investments made and considerably reducing the costs for even important technological updates. Normal caution requires conversion of old applications from twenty years ago to be accompanied by a careful functional test, but big compatibility problems to do not generally arise. As well as reliability and compactness - still unequalled by other systems, compatibility with old applications is another characteristic setting Super-Flash apart on the rather crowded market of SCADA/HMI packages. These characteristics are a true competitive advantage for developers who choose Super-Flash for their supervision applications and man-machine interface. For those who have old Super-Flash applications, but who do not know the development system, Automa makes a low cost conversion service to the new versions available. For further information about the conversion service offered by Automa, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
The Ethernet technology is increasingly widespread at industrial level. To facilitate implementation of industrial networks with high performances in terms of reliability and speed, ATOP has released the new set of switches in the EH73xx series.
This is a family of UNmanaged switches. They are based on a Bradcom Chipset which guarantees latency times among the best in its category (5 µs). Furthermore they are certified for operation in difficult environments. Apart from the advanced certifications, among their main characteristics, we point out:
For further information about the ATOP switches, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
The Super-Flash 4.1 version was issued in January 2010.
Its use by customers has highlighted its productivity and stability. Some minor problems have come up over these past months, which have been promptly solved with Hot Fix 1, which is now available to everyone. The product can be found in the freedownload and download sections of the www.automa.it site for users of the Runtime and Royalty-Free versions respectively. By downloading this version, it is possible to consult the ReadmeHotFix1.txt file which summarises the problems solved. For further information about Hot Fix 1 of Super-Flash, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Alla fine del mese di Aprile è stata emesso il service pack (SP1) della versione 2.1 del driver ModBus TCP/IP.
The service pack (SP1) of version 2.1 of the ModBus TCP/IP driver was issued at the end of April. This is a corrective version which solves the following problems:
The product is available in the freedownload and download sections of the www.automa.it site for users of the Runtime and Royalty-Free versions respectively. For further information about the ModBus TCP/IP driver, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
March 2010
Super-Flash is an environment for simplified development of SCADA/HMI applications. It is reliable, compact, user-friendly and economical.
Starting to work with Super-Flash is easy: simply connect up to our site and download the Runtime version of the development system free of charge, from the freedownload section. With this version complete SCADA/HMI applications can be developed with the only restriction being the operating time, which is limited to 15 minutes for each run. For operation without any time limits, it is necessary to purchase a Runtime licence to be chosen from among the 11 sizes (from 25 to 30,000 variables and alarms) available. As well as the traditional offer of customised courses, to facilitate an initial approach to Super-Flash, Automa also organises collective courses lasting 4 hours, with a set programme, aimed at putting those taking part in the condition of being able to make a simple HMI application on their own. At its offices in Gorle, Automa is proposing a basic course on Super-Flash on Wednesday 28th April 2010 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The course is aimed at all those who do not know Super-Flash and who want to understand its power and how it is used. Attendance is free, but as places are limited, booking is indispensable. For further information about the basic course on Super-Flash or to enrol for the event, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Euro Maintenance 2010, the worldwide travelling event regarding industrial maintenance will be held From 12th to 14th May 2010, at Verona Fiere.
Automa invites you to take part in the event and to meet us at stand 37 of our partner RCC, who offers the possibility of pre-registering thanks to using the link activated on the event logo. Apart from MainteX, the software for preventive maintenance, Automa will present two products linked to the world of SMS: X-SMS and W-SMS. These are applications which allow management of sending and receiving SMS from a PC. They work in connection with a GSM modem. They display the messages sent and received and record the operations carried out in a logger. They manage a directory of telephone numbers and a macro archive which allows rapid execution of pre-recorded messages. They also work as G-SMS client for sending SMS on the internet, via Web Services, using the modem physically managed by G-SMS. Why two products instead of just one? These are technologically distinct solutions and are aimed at different markets. X-SMS: is an application made with Super-Flash. It can be supplied in the Royalty-Free or Runtime mode, with or without sources. It is very compact and able to operate, without installation, on a pen-disk which also acts as a software protection device. It is particularly useful for those who develop applications with Super-Flash. X-SMS could be seen as a basic product to be extended and personalised as one likes using Super-Flash. W-SMS: is an application developed in .NET, supplied in the Runtime o Royalty-Free mode. It is a general-purpose product destined for those who want a tool to manage SMS, but who do not see any need for future personalisation. To indicate your possible interest in the Euro Maintenance event and to get to know the X-SMS and W-SMS products, please contact Automa's staff directly by phone on +39 035.32.33.911, or via e-mail at the address: sales@automa.it.
Maintenance is a strategic company function. Continual maintenance and improvement of production efficiency contribute positively to the results of the company balance sheet.
For modern and efficient Maintenance it is often necessary to collect the operating data of the plants to be maintained. To drastically reduce the costs of collecting the data, it is advisable to automate the procedures. Generally, the machines and plants are controlled by a PLC or SCADA nowadays: in these systems the data required for maintenance are usually already present. The technological convergence of the last few years certainly helps and today makes it possible to build data collection networks with decidedly lower costs than in the past.
MainteX is software for managing ordinary and preventive maintenance. Designed with the maintenance technician in mind, it is characterised by its strongly operative tendency.
Some of the strong points of the product are its easy and simple use. Added to these, is a particular feature, which comes from Automa's twenty years of experience as a producer of software for industrial automation: the possibility of interfacing MainteX directly with machines and plants to collect the data from the field. This way the costs of collecting the information needed for good operation of the system are reduced, at the same time reducing both the time required for data collection and the errors typical of manual copying. MainteX is software for managing preventive maintenance which, since it can be connected to the plant, helps to increase the overall efficiency of the Maintenance function. Although an excellent support for traditional methods, MainteX brings out its best in the most innovative approach, i.e. with predictive and condition based maintenance, since its basic characteristic is exactly the possibility of going to get the data directly from the SCADA/HMI applications or even from the PLC, where necessary. To assess the product, you can download a DEMO version from the freedownload section of our site, where numerous pieces of information are available on the general subject of maintenance and on the software.
The prospective catchment area of MainteX users is really extensive: maintenance departments, machine and plant manufacturers, companies operating in continuous or discrete industrial manufacturing processes, companies in the building automation and home automation sectors, etc.
To satisfy the extremely wide variety of requirements of those who can gain a competitive advantage from a product like MainteX, in the best way, Automa has designed a commercial proposal which has seven different "sizes" of the product. For example, the smallest licence, costing € 199.00 (MainteXPress), allows use of MainteX as a valid alternative to simply supplying the maintenance manual on paper or electronically, normally combined with the supply of machines and plants. Automatic management of the maintenance cards, elements, and historical logging of interventions, are higher functions compared with the systems based on electronic sheets. The proposal goes as far as the method with an unlimited number of cards and elements to operate on, to allow easier implementation of even highly structured and complex maintenance systems. For those who have, or foresee having, particular integration needs, the software sources are also available. Along with the MainteX product, Automa also offers training services, telephone assistance and start-up assistance. Automa wants to make implementation of a system based on MainteX easier. The start-up assistance service is particularly appreciated.: Automa provides one of their staff to work alongside the customer to help them and to simplify and speed up the design stage of the system and its initial implementation. To learn more about the commercial proposal, which has special conditions for solution providers and distributors, simply ask for the MainteX Price List via e-mail at: sales@automa.it or by telephoning directly on +39 035.32.33.911.
Integration of a piece of software for maintenance is certainly a critical process since it has to interact with production, with the warehouse and with the management system.
Often it turns out that the standard software products are not sufficient to fully satisfy the end customer's requests: it therefore becomes necessary to develop customisations. Taking note of this specific requirement, Automa also proposes MainteX in source format (VB6). This way, the solution provider and the end customer have the possibility of evolving the maintenance system over time, adjusting the developments according to their own needs. With MainteX it is possible to start from a standard and reliable product, thereby facilitating the start-up stage, but at the same time having the guarantee of the possibility of piloting development of the product in a completely independent way. The supply of MainteX with the sources foresees different types of licences for Solution Providers, Producers or End Users. Apart from the MainteX product, Automa can make its own personnel and its competences available to assist the user or the solution provider in implementing a maintenance system based on MainteX. For more information on the software and on the commercial strategy, you can contact us at sales@automa.it or directly on number +39 035.32.33.911.
Ethernet is now becoming the most widespread bus for communication between the various components of industrial automation systems as well.
The Ethernet/serial converters can be used to be able to connect up devices only fitted with serial lines in Ethernet networks. However, there are some peripherals which have some peculiarities which make connection using a traditional converter difficult. In the case of the Siemens S7-200 PLC, it is possible to use the ATOP Ethernet/RS485 converter to connect up directly, without the PC/PPI cable, to the PPI port of the PLC. For further information about communication with Siemens S7-200 PLCs by means of ATOP converters, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
February 2010
On occasion of the official release of the 4.1 version of Super-Flash, Automa is organizing some events to illustrate the new performances implemented.
On 17th February 2010 there was a presentation of Super-Flash 4.1. Those taking part were given various pieces of useful information for successfully exploiting the power characteristics of the new version of Super-Flash. In view of the numerous requests to take part, another similar day has been organized for Wednesday 17th March 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to midday, once again at Automa's offices in Gorle, in the province of Bergamo. The presentation should not be intended as a basic course on Super-Flash: it is aimed at users who already know at least one of the previous 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 or 4.0 versions. Attendance is free of charge, but enrolment is compulsory. For further information about the new 4.1 version presentation, or to enrol in the event, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Until just before the year 2000, Automa proposed a rich series of Simulator software to its customers. These were products able to simulate comunication of a peripheral with the aim of being able to check operation of the supervision applications without having to have in-house peripherals physically present.
Most PLCs were still connected over a serial line. By means of the simulators Automa proposed it was possible - on just one PC - to simulate communication of one or more PLCs. The advent of field buses has led to interest in these products falling off. The recent introduction of the TCP/IP standard for ModBus as well is, on the other hand, bringing back interest in this type of application. Automa has reviewed and adapted its own ModBus simulator, also making it able to support the TCP/IP ModBus protocol. SIMBUS is the new simulator which is both RTU ModBus and TCP/IP ModBus. This is able to simulate communication of 247 different PLCs, and to receive up to 100 RTU or TCP/IP clients. Apart from the possibility of seeing and modifying all the values of the configured registers, SIMBUS supports MicroC, a programming language which allows manipulation functions to be created for all the register data of all the PLCs. This way checking operation of the supervisor can be done more completely, not being limited to a static test, but also introducing the dynamic component typical of effective field operation. SIMBUS allows a data base (registers) to be defined, shared among various TCP/IP and Master RTU Clients. By exploiting this characteristic it is possible to make the client and master heterogeneous so they can exchange data. This way, for example, it is possible to provide a Super-Flash application with the capacity to act as a TCP/IP ModBus server. For further information about the ModBus simulator, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
The SMS (Short Message Service) technology is one of the technologies currently mainly used by mobile phone users. Although it was widely underestimated due to its limited performances, nowadays it is a service able to put both people and machines or systems into communication with each other.
For Automa, the most relevant point of view is exactly communication between machines and systems. SMS are often used by remote control, remote surveillance and paging systems. SMS can also be a valid support for automation systems. For some time, Automa has selected and proposes a range of GSM/GPRS modems which, apart from the traditional voice or data telephone connection, also offer SMS. However, in the field of modems, although these are technologically mature products, the software tools they are provided with are very limited. Developers often finds themselves having to work with emulators of terminals, each time wrangling over the endless series of "almost always" standard AT commands. Configuration and debugging tools are either missing or thin on the ground. The result is a stunning amount of time lost in trying to configure the modem appropriately in order to obtain the desired function. The most discouraging effect which emerges is the incredible difference compared with the possibilities offered by the modern modems and the absolutely basic use which is made of them. To offer support to everybody who uses a GSM/GPRS modem , Automa has decided to make some targeted products. The theme areas where the products will be made available are:
SMS technology was selected as the first area for intervention. In the case of the modems proposed by Automa, provided with digital I/O, the SMS can also be used for remote reading and setting of inputs and outputs. Products oriented at the problem are provided for each area. For further information about GSM/GPRS modems and correlated products, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
The first product made available is the SF-SMS driver for Super-Flash: this is an evolution of SendSMS which allows messages to be sent from Supervision applications to mobile phones.
SF-SMS is two-way: it manages both sending and receiving SMS messages. It is available in Runtime or Royalty-Free mode. The Royalty-Free version is supplied with the MicroC sources. For further information about SF-SMS, or to get an offer, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
X-SMS is an application which allows management of sending and receiving SMS from a PC. It operates in connection with a GSM modem, displays the messages sent and received and historicizes the operations carried out on a logger. It manages a directory of telephone numbers and a file of macros which allow pre-recorded messages to be dealt with rapidly.
It is a software provided with a PenDisk USB protection key. The software does not require any installation: simply insert it in a PC which has a modem either connected directly or via Ethernet. As well as being a product which can live a life of its own, it is also useful during the installation stage of applications which use a modem, or to connect up to remote control systems which base their operation on SMS. X-SMS also works as a G-SMS client to send SMS over the Internet, via Web Services using the modems physically managed by G-SMS. For further information about X-SMS, or for a personalised offer, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
G-SMS offers a solution for shared use of one or more GSM modems for sending SMS.
Modems are, in fact, still fitted with a serial line. If there are numerous stations which are to send SMS, there is the problem of potentially having to put in a modem for each station. By means of Ethernet/serial converters, it is certainly possible to make a modem visible to all the stations of a supervision system. Unfortunately however, there can only be one connection at a time with the modem. To make it possible for an entire network to share access with one or more "single-connection" peripherals, a gateway is required. G-SMS is gateway software. It is able to manage several modems and provides a web service or a direct connection in TCP/IP as an external interface. The messages are queued in an external database. The web service allows the client to access the service to be selected freely: from a simple browser to the web-based or desktop application able to exploit the technology of Web Services. For systems which require maximum efficiency, a component which implements a direct connection in TCP/IP towards the gateway is available. For further information about G-SMS, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
The Ettore Majorana Technical Institute in Seriate is, for the province of Bergamo, a benchmark for higher training of automation, telecommunication, electronic and home automation technicians.
From 1st to 5th of March, the Majorana has organized a Learning Week, aimed at the students in the final stages of their studies with electric and electronic vocations. The aim of the training initiative is to provide additional competency in the "Home Automation" sector, with special consideration paid to "Environmental Sustainability". Automa takes part in the initiative, on the morning of 4/3/2010, by illustrating the characteristics of the display systems for home automation plants. Examples of HMI interfaces made using Super-Flash will be shown. We remind you that in 2009, with a view to constant technological updating of its technical equipment, Majorana completed its home automation laboratory with the installation of 10 Super-Flash stations, all interconnected, by means of OPC, to the EIB bus of the laboratory home automation system. For further information about Automa's initiatives for schools, or to indicate Technical Institutes which may be interested, or to take part as a sponsor of local schools, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Ethernet is now the most widespread bus for communication among the various components of industrial automation systems. Thanks to the serial/Ethernet converters it is also possible to connect the peripherals only fitted with RS232, RS422 or RS485 RS232, RS422 or RS485 serial lines in a single network .
These devices can allow easy Ethernet connection of peripherals only fitted with a serial line. In most cases, this is possible without having to intervene on the existing communication software. To offer its customers a valid solution, Automa has selected, proposes and technically supports converters able to satisfy the Ethernet serial conversion requirements in a suitable way. The converters are available both in RS232 and in RS422 or RS485. There are models with one, two, four, eight and sixteen ports, generally proposed in the low cost version. For some models there is also an IP67 outdoor version. Automa has checked functionality of the devices proposed with particularly critical communications as, such as the programming port of the old Siemens S5 PLC. The list of ATOP products distributed by Automa can be consulted in the hardware section of our site. An easily downloadable data sheet is also available for each product. For more information on the Ethernet/serial converters, or to fix up a course or to ask for an offer, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at:sales@automa.it.
January 2010
Ambitious targets and good propositions are always to the fore in all conversations at the beginning of a year. Having left 2009 behind, it is useful to set a new reference framework of activities for this 2010.
For many economic operators, 2010 should be a turn-around year, when the first real breaks in the clouds should appear for economic recovery. The perception of an improvement in market prospects will, at least partly, reawaken an inclination towards investments. Energy and the Environment have been the hot subjects of latter years, which should also be taken strongly into consideration by machine and plant manufacturers as well as those who deal in automation. Nowadays it is no longer sufficient to produce machines and plants with competitive costs: "their energy consumption" and "respect for the environment" must also measure up to market expectations. On well-established markets, end customers are now ready to go well beyond the purchase price: in evaluating machines and plants the choice also includes analysis of the running costs. Costs which risk becoming much higher for the End Customer if the manufacturer does not take these as their own reference points. To achieve the objective of reducing machine and plant production and running costs, it is essential for the 2010 technological innovation projects to aim at reducing waste. Reduction in sizes, overall dimensions and weights; intelligent management of consumption and of the powers in play; thermal and sound insulation: these are all topics which go in the right direction. Machines and plants which are unnecessarily large, unnecessarily heavy, unnecessarily complicated, unnecessarily power-eating, unnecessarily difficult to integrate in the production system of customers and unnecessarily difficult to service must be increasingly avoided. In this context, the software (SCADA/HMI) can play a vital role and make the real difference between simply "Spartan" and truly efficient solutions. By means of the controller-supervisor chain, both the size, which lies behind all improvements, along with the relative historicization, and intelligent control and management of consumption are possible. For those who develop SCADA/HMI applications, Automa proposes Super-Flash, a solution featuring high reliability and a very limited cost. As well as its traditional supply of products, Automa also offers its technological and system competence as well as its twenty years' experience in automation systems, to help companies study, evaluate and set up innovative technical solutions to improve their market position. Well-studied technological innovations often show themselves to be the most suitable way to allow a structural and significant reduction in costs of their finished product, at the same time increasing the performances and functionalities offered. To set up a meeting for the purpose of evaluating the contribution Automa can offer on matters of technological innovation, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
As already announced in last year's AutomaNews, the final version of Super-Flash 4.1 has been officially released.
Two Beta versions (Beta 0 and Beta 1) were issued during 2009, which allowed users to get to know the numerous new performances introduced. The Royalty-Free and Runtime versions can already be downloaded from the download and freedownload sections respectively of the www.automa.it site. We remind you that 4.1 of Super-Flash has been set up with a single very important objective: to reduce the time needed to make applications of medium complexity. Attention to and focalizing on a single objective has led to important results. Those who have used this new version have clearly declared that they do not want to go back: the difference in productivity compared with the previous version is very great: one can perhaps sense this from the titles of the performances, but it is definitely noticeable when using the new version personally. As for all the other versions of Super-Flash, full compatibility with the previous versions is ensured for the 4.1 as well. Automa organizes free presentations aimed at those who intend to go into the numerous new functionalities inserted in the 4.1 version in a rapid and effective way. For further information about the new 4.1 version and the presentations, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
The Super-Flash licences are proposed in "sizes" for both the Runtime and Royalty-Free methods. Size means the maximum number of variables and alarms which can be managed by the application made.
Each individual variable of Super-Flash has a size which can vary from 1 bit up to 256 byte. The alarms are managed on bits. In the case of Royalty-Free, the size regards the development system, allowing you to generate applications, free of royalties, of the maximum size coherent with the size of the development system. In the case of Super-Flash Runtime, the size does not regard the development system, but the licence for the engine which runs the applications developed: it will only be able to run applications which can be managed by the size selected. Following an explicit market request, 3 new sizes of licence have been added. Now the range of sizes offered is truly very wide and as such is to be able to satisfy the need to optimize the costs of each individual installation in the best possible way.
For further information about the sizes of the Super-Flash licences, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911, or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
2010 has also brought out a new version of the price list of the products offered by Automa. This new version changes the identity itself of the price list. The March 2008 Price List was, in fact, reserved for solution providers: starting from the 2010 edition, the document has become a Price List for End Users.
By solution providers one intends the manufacturers of machines or plants and all those companies which deal with automation. The structure of the Price List remains the same: those who have already used the old "March 2008" version will have no difficulty in finding their way around the new document. The amounts shown in the new Price List will therefore be those destined for End Customers. A specific discount regarding the Price List is reserved for Solution Providers and Distributors. The Price list will become valid from 1st February 2010. For any clarifications about the New Price List, or to ask for it to be sent in PDF format, please contact Automa on number +39 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.
On occasion of the official release of the 4.1 version of Super-Flash, Automa is organizing some events dedicated to illustrating the new performances implemented.
The next of these events is fixed for Wednesday 17 February 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to midday, at Automa's offices in Gorle, in the province of Bergamo. The presentation should not be intended as a basic course on Super-Flash: it is aimed at users who already know at least one of the previous 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 or 4.0 versions. Attendance is free of charge, but enrolment is compulsory. For further information about the presentation of the new 4.1 version, or to enrol for the event, you can contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
On the occasion of the new year, Automa has made 3 new sizes for the Super-Flash licences. One of these is to be considered as the Entry version: this is a licence with 25 variables and 25 alarms which is proposed at a highly competitive price.
The Entry version is aimed at the market of applications which are highly sensitive to cost. Although 25 variables may seem few at first sight, in actual fact the applications which can be made are not at all banal. In fact, there are some distinctive features of Super-Flash which allow very fruitful use of the variables available:
Even with 25 variables one can therefore make sufficient applications with Super-Flash for various situations. In the case of a certain number of installations of the same type of application, by facing a bit of work in MicroC, you can therefore manage to reduce the cost of the Runtime licence of each individual application to a minimum. For further information about the Super-Flash Low Cost Entry licence, or to receive an offer, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
HMI applications are often faced with the terminal operator, whose characteristics are only and exclusively of interest if the application interfacing with the operator is of low profile.
As soon as slightly more advanced functionalities are required, the solution based on terminals becomes insufficient. On the other hand, the PC-based solutions, which are much more powerful and flexible, have, historically, always had two negative features: one their scarce reliability, due to the mechanical moving parts (fans and hard disk) and the other their cost. On the other hand, with a PC-based solution it is much easier to add functionalities like teleassistance, integration with the customer's network, data collection, and in general to make interfaces which can offer the end customer solutions tailored to their own requirements. Nowadays, there are also PC-based solutions for the HMI applications, which eliminate the two historical weaknesses. With the aim of helping to make operating stations based on SUPER-FLASH applications, Automa has selected a series of Panel PCs on the market which it intends to propose to those who want to go beyond the possibilities of the terminal, but to keep the costs down. The initial configuration selected has a fanless Panel PC complete with:
This is a complete configuration able to support the Super-Flash applications adequately. Everything comes at a cost which, already decidedly competitive for 1 piece, becomes incredibly low for a minimum purchase commitment. For further information about the low cost Panel PC or for a personalised offer, please contact our sales staff directly on +39 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.
Personal Mini-Tracker with GPS function (14 satellites), GSM-GPRS communication and voice call management.
2 Pushbuttons programmable by the user, 4 LED functions, integrated microphone and loudspeaker, motion detector and vibration, GEO-FENCING function to send alarms via SMS or GPRS when the zone is exceeded, whose range can be set by the user (up to 25 zones). Configurable and programmable by means of AT commands, external connection for USB and earphone, and 1300 mA/h internal battery, rechargeable by means of USB. The list of Erco&Gener products distributed by Automa can be consulted on our site in the hardware section. An easily downloadable PDF datasheet is also available for each product. For further information, please contact Automa on number +39 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.
With regard to modems, the Erco&Gener catalogue is very rich and proposes models for all needs.
The GenPro24e model is a GSM-GPRS Quad-Band modem. Apart from the classical standard fittings: RS232, Microphone input, Loudspeaker and Antenna output, this model makes the following available:
The product is certified as being able to be installed on means of transport ("e-label" automotive). This is an extremely versatile model which can be used in a great many different applications. The inputs/outputs, programmability and TCP/IP stack mean that it can also be used as the central component of remote communication applications. The list of Erco&Gener products distributed by Automa can be consulted in the hardware section of our site. An easily downloadable PDF datasheet is also available for each product. For further information, please contact Automa on number +39 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it. |
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