ArchestrA community Web site launched

Invensys has been anything but quiet about ArchestrA, its industrial software architecture, designed for the rapid assembly and integration of software applications and devices—both new and legacy—across a plant’s automation framework. One of the principal issues Invensys has been promoting about ArchestrA is its standard device integration methodologies, which allow for interoperability of old and newer systems by normalizing all data into a common integration layer.

By Control Engineering Staff November 13, 2003

Invensys has been anything but quiet about ArchestrA, its industrial software architecture, designed for the rapid assembly and integration of software applications and devices—both new and legacy—across a plant’s automation framework. One of the principal issues Invensys has been promoting about ArchestrA is its standard device integration methodologies, which allow for interoperability of old and newer systems by normalizing all data into a common integration layer. According to Invensys, this means that ArchestrA works to connect all information systems, plant systems, plant equipment, and networks.

To help answer the many questions sure to arise about this technology and help users and developers begin applying ArchestrA, the Wonderware and ArchestrA business units of Invensys Systems Inc. have launched the ArchestrA Community Web site . The site is designed to serve as an applications aid and communication tool for people interested in applying ArchestrA technology. It also serves as a resource for application engineers and product developers and as a central repository for ArchestrA technical and application information.

The new Web site promotes the use and application of third-party and Invensys products that integrate with and build upon ArchestrA software architecture, including FactorySuite A2, I/A Series A2and more than 120 other third-party product lines.

The Web site currently hosts five forums that facilitate communication regarding the use and implementation of ArchestrA technology with categories ranging from application development and technical support to industry topics, products and vendors. Users can post and edit new topics, and reply to postings in the ArchestrA forums to assist in applications and product development. Application consultants from Wonderware and ArchestrA business units moderate these forums.

A key component of the new ArchestrA Community Web site is the ArchestrA application object warehouse, an expanding resource of downloadable ArchestrA objects available via shareware. In coming months, additional industrial application objects will be available for purchase. ArchestrA application object warehouse is not just for Invensys products: Third parties are encouraged to submit their own object templates built on ArchestrA technology for review and inclusion in the warehouse.

In addition, ArchestrA.biz provides information on industry news and events. Users can access customer application stories, current news articles in industry trade publications and links to other Web sites offering additional information related to ArchestrA technology.

—David Greenfield, Editorial Director, Control Engineering, dgreenfield@reedbusiness.com