Rockwell, Endress+Hauser work to simplify instrumentation needs

Two major companies have joined forces to provide more convenient, standards-compliant methods for configuring a wide range of process instruments. The undertaking between Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser will expand device connectivity and configuration capabilities using standard technologies such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and HART, implementing and testing the capability of E+H devices with Allen-Bradley Logix controllers and RSLogix 5000 software. The move is part of a broader initiative by Rockwell into the hybrid process applications segment.

In addition, Rockwell will use E+H FieldCare software to offer configuration, diagnosis, and integration of a wide range of process devices into Rockwell Software’s RSMACC suite of asset management software solutions. This effort will let Rockwell provide integration of process devices using both EDD and “Field Device Tool/Device Type Manager” (FDT/DTM) specifications.

Rockwell and E+H will also join other companies on the FDT/DTM Joint Interest Group steering committee in an effort to further their commitment to open standards and the use of FDT as a configuration and data management interface for text- and graphically-based process device profiles. “We see this as a means to help the customer more easily manage the wide range of critical and complex process devices,” said Ken Deken, vice president and general manager, Logix NetLink business, and Rockwell Automation’s representative on the Fieldbus Foundation Board.

—Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com

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