Built on its Industrial^IT solution, ABB's Industrial System 800xA Extended Automation encompasses functionality beyond the essential process control offered by ABB's control systems, reaching into production management, safety systems, smart instrumentation, smart drives and motor control, robotics, information management, asset optimization, and documentation.

The idea behind 800xA is to create an environment to manage one set of consistent data for single-point entry, single-point change, and reuse across the plant. ABB says data are presented in "the proper context," so management, operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel can access information and functions relevant to them and not be exposed to information overload. As such, the company claims the 800xA database presents one source of truth for use by applications. Furthermore, 800xA doesn't duplicate data accessed in other databases to avoid replication errors. As for connectivity to an array of devices and systems, 800xA supports FOUNDATION fieldbus, Profibus, and HART communications.

An XML interface enables integration of 800xA to enterprise business systems, such as enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution systems. www.abb.com

• Extends the reach and functionality of traditional DCS
• Single operations and engineering environment
• Enhanced access and data management
• Helps customers achieve dramatic productivity gains