Siemens SIMATIC PCS 7 Enhancements Overcome Traditional Barriers
SPRING HOUSE, Pa., — Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. today announced the release of Version 7 of their field proven SIMATIC® PCS 7 Process Automation System that gives plant operators new ways to minimize total cost of ownership, protect automation assets, increase plant availability, minimize downtime, optimize process performance, and modernize existing installed systems.
As with previous versions of the PCS 7 system, Version 7 breaks traditional DCS limitations by offering the world's only platform that integrates new and existing automation systems (process, batch, discrete and safety) and devices (instrumentation, analytics, motors, drives, and safety instrumented functions) within a single platform. The system also boasts common tools for engineering, visualization, and plant-wide asset and maintenance management.
"These improvements are the result of experience gained from installing over 5,000 PCS 7 systems worldwide over the past 10 years,” said Raj Batra, vice president, Siemens Automation and Motion Division. "Version 7 eliminates the limitations of common control systems with a single platform that can start small and be expanded with future growth. Regardless of the size or scope of the operation, PCS 7 can handle the process.”
New capabilities offered with Version 7 include:
Configuration / Change Management - New tools, including Security and Access control, Version Trail, Version Management, and Change Logging help minimize project risk, maximize traceability, and comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
Redundant fieldbus with Safety Communication - New PROFIBUS PA redundancy provides increased availability and reliable safety communication for instrumentation and control elements.
Integration of Foundation Fieldbus – Engineers who have standardized on Foundation Fieldbus instrumentation can integrate with PCS 7 and Siemens plant-wide asset management system.
Smart Alarm Management - Advanced alarm management tools help minimize unplanned downtime and achieve operational excellence with state-based alarming and alarm shelving.
Industrial / Cyber Security – A comprehensive approach to industrial security (virus scanners, firewalls, user management, access control, auto-configuration of Windows firewalls, and "defense in depth" architectures) helps protect automation assets from cyberspace threats.
Plant Asset Management and Condition Monitoring- Siemens plant asset management system has been expanded to support user-defined equipment assets (including heat exchangers, distillation columns, tanks, and others). The expansion also defines key asset condition monitoring (including pump power consumption and pressure drop). As a result, plants may implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to minimize costs.
For additional information about the SIMATIC® PCS 7 Process Automation System visit:
www.sea.siemens.com/process.
About Siemens
Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. is one of Siemens’ operating companies in the U.S. Headquartered in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, Ga., Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. manufactures and markets one of the world’s broadest ranges of electrical and electronic products, systems and services to industrial and construction market customers. Its technologies range from circuit protection and energy management systems to process control, industrial software and totally integrated automation solutions. The company also has expertise in systems integration, technical services and turnkey industrial systems. For more information:
www.sea.siemens.com.
Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $107.4 billion in fiscal 2006. Founded nearly 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $21.4 billion and employs approximately 67,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 475,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States:
www.usa.siemens.com