Automa announces the availability of its own Ethernet driver for FINS communication with the Omron PLC.
The driver (SFOMETH) is available, in the Runtime mode, both for Super-Flash and, in the form of DLL, for programmers who work in Visual C++ or Visual Basic.
We remind you that Automa proposes a rich series of drivers able to communicate directly in Ethernet with the following PLCs:

• Allen Bradley
• B&R
• ModBus TCP/IP
• OPC Client
• Rockwell
• SAIA
• Siemens and VIPA

The drivers are available in Runtime with hardware protection (USB) or with a software enablement code.
Although continuing to market the Applicom software driver for Ethernet, Automa has made a suite of Ethernet drivers of its own with the aim of maximising communication efficiency for those who use Super-Flash and to be able to guarantee full technical control and immediate delivery of the products.
For further information about SFOMETH and about the other Ethernet drivers, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

By the end of the month of May, the 1.0 version of the communication driver for the B&R PLC will be released. As a PVIcom application, the driver connects up to the PVI software which makes the network of B&R devices virtual.
The product will initially be available (SFBERPVI) as an optional Runtime driver for Super-Flash. It will also shortly be available as a DLL for those who develop applications in Visual C++ or Visual Basic.
For further information about the SFBERPVI drivers, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

The subject of energy efficiency is certainly one of those most commonly dealt with over the past few years. Machine and plant manufacturers are also realizing this and are finally thinking about enriching their own automation features with electricity meters.
The usefulness of this for the end customer is indisputable: the availability of consumption data for each machine or production line is fundamental, both for controlling consumption and for correct reckoning of the production cost per product unit. Consumption can also often be an indicator of malfunctioning. Measurement therefore becomes indispensible.
But how to make the electric power consumption data available?
Electric power meters are normally fitted with their own display, therefore even just simple installation of an electricity meter provides the possibility, at worst manually, of obtaining the consumption data.
In the case of machine or line automation, it is advisable to select meters which are at least able to communicate, by means of a serial line or Ethernet, using a standard communication protocol: the one most widely used nowadays is ModBus.
To facilitate data collection of power consumption from remote stations as well, Automa has made kWweb, a platform which, as the RTU (Remote Terminal Unit), uses the RMS devices (Remote Metering System), which are able to publish the data collected from the local meters, by means of a normal internet connection.
As an alternative to the RMS, it is possible to use X-GatekW, specific software operating on a PC with Windows, dedicated to acquiring data from local meters, to processing/historicizing it, and to its subsequent publication in a database on the internet.
By means of www.kWweb.it it is then possible to access the data, downloading them as Excel sheets or CSV files. To access the service, use "demo" as the ID and Password.
For further information about kWweb.it, RMS and X-GatekW, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

kWweb (www.kWweb.it) is the portal which Automa makes available for collection, on the internet, of electric power consumption data.
To carry out publication of the data found by meters, Automa makes X-GatekW available, a software application which interfaces with the energy meters fitted with the ModBus RTU protocol.
X-GatekW reads the data from the meters and publishes them on www.kWweb.it by means of an internet connection. By acquiring personalized access, it will be possible to access your own data, filtering and downloading them as Excel sheets or CSV files.
To connect up to the meters, typically fitted with an RS232 or RS485 serial line, it is possible to use the SE5001 series of serial Ethernet converters. This way you avoid having to have the serial line on the PC.
For further information about X-GatekW, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

The GenIP-20i GPRS router can be validly used to make remote connections devoted to implementing Remote control and Remote management systems.
This is a GSM/GPRS router which integrates all the connection and safety functions needed for these types of implementation.
Nowadays there is quite a wide offer of GPRS routers. The GenIP-20i stands out, however, for a whole set of functions which make it a true Gateway, able to make different communication technologies interact efficiently.
GenIP-20i offers a very powerful configuration environment which, by means of macro commands defined by the user, allows complete and automatable interaction among GPRS, SMS, e-mail, ModBus, TCP/IP channels and management of serial lines.
For further information about GPRS routers, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

The hardware section on our site has been further enriched.
In this section, it is normally possible to download the datasheet of the various products and it is a precious source of technical information.
In particular, the TIBBO and Arbor products have been added.
Arbor Tecnology is a company which has been specialized in design of industrial and medical PCs for more than 10 years. Automa decided to base its own HMI Super-Flash-based stations on these products.
TIBBO is a company producing Ethernet-based programmable electronic devices. Their high degree of programmability and the availability of an advanced, congenial and free development environment are the basic characteristics of the devices offered. Their strong orientation towards networking, the availability of serial lines and on-board I/O allow compact intelligent devices to be made in order to carry out even complex automation and processing.
For further information please contact Automa on number 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.

A development system for SCADA/HMI applications without RUNTIME licence costs: is this possible?
To be able to have this important economic advantage, many embark on development of applications in programming languages, such as Visual Basic or Visual C++. However, making an advanced HMI graphic application is not really so simple as it might seem at first glance. And then, once an initial application has been made, you find out that the reliability of applications developed starting from these languages is not easily achieved: the need to modify some executables each time to adapt them to the specific requirements of each application does not allow sufficient test plans to be carried out in order to guarantee the necessary reliability.
A company, even a middle-sized one, is unlikely to be able to afford to dedicate a whole group of staff to HMI software. This often therefore means that a single person (the "programmer") sees to the PC software. If you add to this the intrinsic difficulty everyone has in laying their hands on complex applications developed by others in VB or VC++, it is easily understood how an encumbrance which can potentially be the source of a lot of tension is created.
Moreover, the situation becomes "dramatic" when the programmer, who has been entirely entrusted with this task, decides to embark on other professional challenges elsewhere, basically leaving the company stranded.
However, the solution does exist: this is the Royalty-Free licence of the Super-Flash development system. In fact, Super-Flash is the only SCADA/HMI package which really offers a Royalty-Free licence. Thought up by Automa in 1989 as a "sensational" sales proposal, this has allowed many companies to make supervision applications even for highly cost-sensitive machines and plants.
The objective declared by Automa is not so much competition with other SCADA, but enlargement of the market of SCADA/HMI products: without the fixed cost of the licence on the applications it is also possible to provide supervision in applications which are not able to support the costs typical of the Runtime licences of rival products.
The Royalty-Free version of Super-Flash is available with licences which differ "by Size" and which go from a minimum size of 50 variables and 50 alarms, up to 30,000 variables and 30,000 alarms.
Sold at costs starting from less than € 5,000.00, the Royalty-Free licence is generally already good value starting from 15/20 applications, with an impact on individual applications which goes progressively down towards zero. Moreover, this is not talking about "applications/year", but about an absolute number which can normally be reached quite rapidly.
For further information about Super-Flash Royalty-Free, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

The Royalty-Free proposal offered by Automa is the only one of its kind: it allows you to purchase a development licence of the Super-Flash SCADA/HMI package without any further royalty obligations on the applications made.
This is the most suitable instrument for drastically reducing the fixed costs of supervision applications: by being able to amortize the cost of the development system, the impact on each single application rapidly goes down to zero.
Having noticed that various companies continue working with rather dated licences, Automa is launching a promotional campaign to encourage updating of the Super-Flash Royalty-Free licences.
The 4.1 version offers licences which are different according to size. Up to the 3.9 version, the Royalty-Free licence had a single size corresponding to 10,000 variables and 16,000 alarms: this is a rather large size, which is unnecessary in many cases.
To allow optimization of the costs for updating the Royalty-Free licences, Automa has provided a specific "update with reduction in size" in their Price List.
In addition to this, for all orders for Super-Flash Royalty-Free licence updates which arrive by 31/3/2011, a discount of 35% will be given on the Price List.
For further information on the promotion, for offers or orders, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

Increasingly, operator interface and supervision applications (HMI and SCADA) with the capacity to communicate with software of the higher level (MES) are required. Database technology is often chosen among different software applications for these connections.
To allow the Super-Flash applications to interact easily, and in an advanced way, with the database, Automa makes SmartDB available to its customers, which is a product allowing a Super-Flash application to publish and read the data from one or more tables of one or more databases. Fully compatible with the ODBC standard, SmartDB also offers the possibility of carrying out SQL commands.
It is available in the Royalty-Free and Runtime sales formulas. After having purchased the package, those who choose SmartDB Royalty-Free can use it for an unlimited number of applications. On the other hand, if the Runtime formula is preferable, the licence for a single application is purchased. Thanks to this sales proposal, our customers do not take any investment risks because only the number of licences needed at a certain time are purchased.
The Runtime version can be downloaded freely from the freedownload section of our site: it contains a Runtime of 15 minutes, which will allow the functionalities of the product to be evaluated.
With the aim of encouraging an initial approach to SmartDB, Automa offers a basic training module on the databases and on SmartDB.
For orders and to book courses, please contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

Implementation of Remote assistance, Remote control and Remote management systems means facing the subject of remote connection of the RTUs, or of the equivalent SCADA/PLC stations. An ADSL connection is definitely preferable. In this case it is sufficient to ask the customer to make a "Remote assistance" internet connection of the PC available.
The modern Remote assistance systems no longer require you to have a static type of public IP address.
However, in many cases, the end customer is not very willing to allow transit of the remote connections over their own company network. 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.
There is often the need to create a VPN, i.e. TCP/IP connections with certain security requirements.
In view of the interest shown for the last edition of the course on remote assistance, a new event has been organized.
On Wednesday 23 March 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to midday at its head office in Gorle, Automa proposes a course illustrating the operating methods and configuration of the GenIP 20i GPRS router, of the "internet key" and how to make VPNs in Windows environment.
Attendance is free, but as places are limited, booking is indispensable.
For further information about the GPRS router or on creation of VPN, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

Automa continues its activities for selecting hardware and software devices which can be useful for those dealing with SCADA/HMI applications for industrial applications and for remote control and remote management systems.
Two devices have been selected. Both deal with the problem of connecting RS232 or RS422/485 peripherals to the Ethernet network. One is an RS232<-->Ethernet converter, the other is a small serial server able to manage and convert up to 4 ports configurable as RS232/422/485 to Ethernet.
In most cases, the selected converter allows the devices to be connected to Ethernet without having to make any modification to existing software.
The problem of conversion from serial lines to Ethernet arises more and more frequently because new PCs no longer have the RS232 or RS485 interface available.
On the other hand, use of the Ethernet network allows wiring to be greatly simplified and makes connection of serial devices possible from any point of the network.
Furthermore, the programmability of the devices means personalisation requirements can be dealt with.
Automa offers complete technical support for these devices, also including any programming for personalisation or adaptations required by the customer.
For further information, please contact Automa on 035.32.33.911 or at the email address: sales@automa.it.

Service Pack 1 (SP1) for the 4.1 version of Super-Flash has been issued.
It is available in the download and freedownload sections of our site.
This Service Pack fixes some bugs and introduces the support of USB dongles of various different manufacturers.
For further information please contact Automa directly on 035.32.33.911 or by e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

This year is 150 years from the Unification of Italy. As decided on 28th January 2011 by the Council of Ministers, schools and offices will be closed on 17th March.
On the occasion of this National Holiday, our head offices in Gorle will be closed on 17th March. The telephone help line will therefore be suspended on that day. Normal activities will start again regularly on 18th March 2011.
For further information please contact Automa on number 035.32.33.911 or at the e-mail address: sales@automa.it.

With regard to development of Super-Flash, 2011 will feature the development project of the 4.2 version.
Whilst the 4.0 version offered extension and boosting of performances in terms of "numbers", the 4.1 version, currently in use, is concentrated on reducing the time required to make applications of medium complexity.
The 4.2 version will aim at improving the possibilities of integration. Some performances and functions will be added to facilitate dialogue and data exchange with other applications, both at MES level and at the same HMI/SCADA level.
Release of the first Beta version is foreseen by the beginning of March 2011.
For more information about the new 4.2 Beta version, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

The new 2011 Price List is about to be issued.
This is an update of the 2010 version and is structured in exactly the same way.
We remind you that the 2011 Price List gives the amounts for End Customers. A specific discount is reserved for Solution providers and Resellers.
The Price List will be valid from 1st March 2010.
For any clarifications about the New Price List or to ask for it to be sent to you in PDF format, please contact Automa on phone number 035.32.33.911 or by 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 characteristic which, for industrial applications, is fundamental. The verification activities for functionality of Super-Flash in the new version of Operating Systems also come within this context.
The functionality verification process of Super-Flash 4.1 HF2 in Windows 7 has been completed successfully.
No functional problems were found which would makes its use inadvisable either for the development system or for the Runtime engine which carries out the applications made.
A technical document, which is a sort of "Guide to the use of Super-Flash in Windows 7", has been prepared.
To ask for the document, you can contact the staff at Automa by phone on 035.32.33.911, or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

Super-Flash is an environment for aided 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 the Automa site and download the Runtime version of the development system free of charge, from the freedownload section. With this version it is possible to develop SCADA/HMI applications with the only restriction being the operating time, which is limited to 15 minutes for each run.
For operation without time limits, it is necessary to purchase a Runtime licence to be chosen from among the 11 sizes available (from 25 to 30,000 variables and alarms).
As well as the traditional offer of customised courses, to facilitate an initial approach to Super-Flash, Automa also organises collective courses lasting three and a half 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.
On Wednesday 9 February 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Automa is proposing a basic course on Super-Flash at its head offices in Gorle. The course is aimed at all those who do not yet know Super-Flash and who want to understand its potential and how to use it.
Attendance is free, but as places are limited, booking is indispensable. We remind you that Automa also offers a service, on payment, for customized training in all its products and in specific projects of its customers.
For further information about the basic course on Super-Flash, or to enrol in the event, please 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 the subject of remote connection of the RTUs, or of the equivalent SCADA/PLC stations.
ADSL connection is certainly preferable. In this case, it is sufficient to ask the customer to make an internet connection available on the PC to be "Remotely assisted". Modern Remote assistance services no longer tie you down to having a public static type IP address.
In many cases, however, the end customer is not willing to allow transit of remote connections over their own company network.
As an alternative, it is possible to use a mobile phone network. To make connection of the RTUs simple and safe, a modem is not enough. A true router is required, which must also have characteristics suitable for use in industrial environments.
There is often the need to create a VPN, i.e. TCP/IP connections with certain security requirements.
On Wednesday 16th February 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to midday at its head office, Automa proposes a course to illustrate the operating and configuration methods of the GenIP 20i GPRS router, of the "internet keys" and of making VPNs in Windows environment.
Attendance is free, but because places are limited, booking is indispensable. To obtain further information about the GPRS router or on VPN creation, you can contact our sales staff directly on 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

The use of Ethernet in automation has now become very widespread.
To make network backbones or very complex segments, it is advisable to select "managed" switches, or in any case those with high performances (e.g. the EH73XX family), and if possible with optic fibre connection.
It is often necessary to make sure that each electric panel can be connected over Ethernet. This local cell connection (PC, PLC, I/O, etc.) can, on the other hand, also be made using low cost switches, as long as these are industrial ones and for DIN rails.
The EH2006 product is ideal for these types of applications. It is a low cost industrial device which offers 6 Ethernet 10/100 autosensing ports, RJ45, dual power supply, and fitting for DIN rails.
It is possible to download the product datasheet from the hardware section on the Automa site. This is an industrial product which has now reached a highly competitive cost and which allows Automa to offer it at a very interesting price, even for small quantities. For further information about the industrial Ethernet switches, or to ask for an offer, please contact our sales staff directly by phone on 035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at: sales@automa.it.

Version 1.3 of SFABXETH for Ethernet IP communication with Logix 5000 controllers is now available.
This is an 'advanced' version where the following functions have been inserted:

• Two-dimensional and three-dimensional arrays management
• BOOL type data management, both as a single tag and as an array
• Number of PLCs which can be managed has been increased from 32 to 100

The product is available in the freedownload sections on our site.
It is possible to use the product for 15-minute sessions without a licence activation key.
For further information about the new version of the SFABXETH driver, please contact Automa's staff directly by phone on 035.32.33.911, or by e-mail at the address: sales@automa.it.