Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, today announced major product updates to KEPServerEX version 5.15. The release demonstrates Kepware's unwavering commitment to communications standards and support of industry-leading hardware manufacturers. The updates are particularly relevant to customers in the Manufacturing, Building Automation, and Energy Management markets.
KEPServerEX version 5.15 introduces the Omron NJ Ethernet Driver to its Omron Server Suite. The industry's only native driver, it provides connectivity to Omron Sysmac NJ controllers, utilizing the EtherNet/IP protocol for fast and robust communications. Recognized by Omron as a Vendor Endorsed Protocol, the driver enables unimpeded communications to HMI, MES, and other client applications through the KEPServerEX communications platform.
"The Sysmac NJ controller is Omron's flagship machine control platform, designed to advance the industry by integrating logic, motion, vision, safety, robotics, and database connectivity into a single architecture," said Matt Trowbridge, Director of Marketing at Omron Automation & Safety. "In this high-performance market space, it was important for us to partner with a leading OPC provider to create reliable and scalable solutions for customers using our machines in their industrial applications. Kepware was selected to be Omron's recommended OPC provider with the industry's only native driver to the Sysmac NJ controller, leveraging the built-in EtherNet/IP protocol in order to streamline communication."
KEPServerEX version 5.15 also features major enhancements to the BACnet/IP Driver to support schedule and calendar objects for the Building Automation and Energy Management markets. The driver supplies data access to clients outside of typical Building Automation clients, including HMI, SCADA, Historian, and Enterprise applications that support OPC standards.
"Kepware is committed to developing products that meet the evolving needs of our customers," said Tony Paine, CEO, Kepware. "KEPServerEX version 5.15 is no exception. Its new capabilities are a response to increasing customer requests for support of leading hardware providers and technologies like Omron and BACnet. We are confident that our latest release will have a significant and positive impact on the industry."
In addition to the Omron and BACnet drivers, KEPServerEX version 5.15 includes updates to 28 of its supported drivers and plug-ins, including AES Version 3 encryption support for the SNMP Driver. Kepware also recently released ClientAce version 4.0.2.6, a .NET developer toolkit that enables applications programmers to design custom OPC clients. Maintaining its highly intuitive drag and drop development style, ClientAce now includes support for Visual Studio 2013 and .NET 4.5 Framework.
Nike Odyssey React
Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has announced a new groov Box (GROOV-AR1) that hosts groov mobile operator interfaces for virtually any automation system. Users simply connect their automation system to groov, and then connect authorized mobile devices to groov via either a web browser or an app interface. This allows each mobile device to interact with the automation system in a secure and predefined manner.
Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management, has released a powerful new HMI software product as part of its market-leading Wonderware® InTouch® portfolio. Designed to run with modest hardware requirements and operable on embedded versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems, InTouch Machine Edition software is tailored to meet the needs of end users, OEMs and machine and system builders while giving them scalability and tight integration with Wonderware Historian and Wonderware System Platform. Because it can directly connect to industrial data sources, the new software enables users to access the information they need to improve plant operations and lower total cost of ownership in real time.
C-more b AutomationDirect 8" and 10" Micro-Graphic panels are full color, TFT models that offer touch screen capability and customizable graphics. In addition to the simple panel configuration software, a very helpful feature is the built-in project simulator. The project simulator allows you to view your project on the PC screen as it would appear on the panel and to test all your screens before downloading the project to the panel. You can simulate your entire project at any stage of development and even simulate the function keys and keypad bezel.