Honeywell releases Business Flex upgrade for Experion systems

By Control Engineering Staff September 6, 2006

With embedded trends, shapes & Active X controls, Honeywell’s Business Flex application displays provide graphics designed for easier reading than schmatics.

Honeywell has released Business Flex 200, an updated version of their manufacturing execution system (MES) software package and part of the larger Experion process knowledge system. Business Flex reportedly helps companies synchronize their production schedules with larger objectives while reducing operating costs. The new version has enhanced multi-language support, improved security features, and interfaces with third-party historian systems.

‘The continuous development and evolution of Business Flex solutions clearly addresses the needs of the process industries by allowing companies to take advantage of spot opportunities, improve planning processes, enhance supply chain execution, boost operational efficiency, and increase profitability,’ says Tom Fiske, senior analyst for ARC Advisory Group.

‘An industrial plant is a mountain of raw data, and decision makers from operators to accountants need to be able to make sense of those data to help their plants improve business results,’ said Gerry Guiterrez, director of performance services for Honeywell Process Solutions. ‘Honeywell’s MES solutions aid the decision-making process by translating those data into meaningful and actionable information for a broad range of users.’

Business Flex is now in use at more than 400 industrial facilities, operating within the larger Experion system, supporting applications in oil refining, petrochemical, chemical, pulp & paper, power generation, and primary metals. Honeywell reports that companies using Business Flex can increase production 3-6% and decrease costs 2-3%, while experiencing significant improvements in operations, production, planning, scheduling, and production automation.

–Control Engineering Daily News Desk Peter Welander , process industries editor