HMIs: Microsoft Windows CE terminals find acceptance
Relatively strong growth in open operator interface terminals continues through 2011; which operating systems?
Austin, TX – The open operator terminal market, which includes operator panels using the
Microsoft Windows CE operating system
, is forecast to experience relatively strong growth through to 2011. UK-based
IMS Research
has found that machine builders and users adopting the product type typically need a higher level of functionality than is offered by a touchscreen or graphical operator terminal, but do not want to significantly increase their expenditure with the purchase of an industrial PC. In separate research from Control Engineering , 19% of subscribers surveyed expressed preference for Microsoft Windows CE operating system; Microsoft Windows XP scored the highest. Find the
most popular operating systems: HMI Software: Steady Growth Ahead
, a September 2007 article.
Mark Watson, IMS Industrial Automation Research Group market analyst, said an operator terminal with a Microsoft Windows CE-based operating system provides higher levels of functionality and flexibility in comparison to other operator terminal product types.
“Also, the reliability of an operator terminal’s operating system is paramount in ensuring that downtime is minimized, and the tracking and processing of data is performed in a secure environment. Windows CE-based operator terminal products can now boast exceptional levels of reliability, which is a key factor in encouraging machine builders and end users away from alternative interface solutions.”
Research shows that Asia Pacific is expected to show the strongest growth for open operator terminals through to 2011.
Watson said a limiting factor to the potential growth in use of these products is the time required by the user to configure the panels to exact specifications. “Many users lack the knowledge [and need] to have an operator terminal that has been specifically tailored to their application.
— Renee Robbins , senior editor Control Engineering News Desk Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free .
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