Honeywell joins COL association

By Control Engineering Staff November 2, 2005

Open process simulation software may be more likely after a related standard effort gained support. Honeywell joined membership of the CAPE-OPEN Laboratories Network (COL). COL is a neutral, industry and academic association promoting open interface standards in process simulation software.

CAPE-OPEN compliant interface is an industry standard for software developers. Products that meet this standard are “CO compliant” and can integrate seamlessly with other “CO compliant” applications.

“This membership enhances Honeywell’s UniSi simulation solution because our design, operator training and optimization solutions will allow our customers access to technologies from other providers, as well enabling them to integrate their own technologies into a comprehensive simulation solution” said Rob Eastick, UniSim product manager, Honeywell Process Solutions.

UniSim lets process manufacturers design, test new processes offline, and train employees prior to implementing the process. Once the new process is online, the UniSim solution supports process control and optimization, performance monitoring and business planning. Through COL membership, Honeywell expects its customers to:

  • Decrease time to market. CAPE software providers share the cost of foundation technology (the interface definition), decreasing product time-to-market and lengthening product life cycles;

  • Influence the technology adoption process. CAPE software providers and users, through well-proven collaboration mechanisms, jointly shape CAPE standards that better meet needs, enabling suppliers and users to make sound-and-timely, business-and-technology development decisions based on known and quantified requirements;

  • Network with industry experts;

  • Increase return on investment; and

  • Implement new business models.

— Richard Phelps, senior editor, Control Engineering
richard.phelps@reedbusiness.com