Wonderware’s FactorySuite Gateway adds OPC to legacy operating systems

Lake Forest, CA—Wonderware reports that its recently released FactorySuite Gateway provides OPC connectivity to its current and legacy products running on many Microsoft Windows operating systems.

By Control Engineering Staff August 24, 2004

Lake Forest, CA— Wonderware reports that its recently released FactorySuite Gateway pro-vides OPC connectivity to its current and legacy products running on many Microsoft Windows operating systems. This communications gateway further simplifies integration of third-party applications with Wonderware’s software. It also enables easier integration and coexistence of older PCs running Wonderware products with the latest offerings built on its ArchestrA software architecture.

To further assist users with software solutions that work with many of their legacy PCs and automation systems, FactorySuite Gateway is available at no additional charge for Wonderware’s FactorySuite customers.

‘Consistent with Wonderware’s tradition of providing a connectivity pathway for all customers, FactorySuite Gateway allows data exchange between the latest OPC clients, InTouch HMI software, and the Industrial Application Server, which is built on ArchestrA,’ says Rashesh Mody, Wonderware and ArchestrA’s CTO and OPC Foundation’s chief architect. ‘It does so via Wonderware’s older SuiteLink or DDE protocols (I/O servers), or newer OPC servers. This lets users continue running legacy Windows NT 4.0 operating systems in conjunction with Wonderware software. Users also can leverage existing investments into an integral part of a network of the latest OPC applications and applications based on ArchestrA technology. By developing the FactorySuite Gateway, Wonderware reinforces its commitment to using OPC technology to expand connectivity of Wonderware products.’

In addition, FactorySuite Gateway enables users to connect to the distributed application database of the Industrial Application Server or tag databases of the InTouch HMI as if they were OPC servers. This universal connectivity allows OPC clients and other applications, such as those based on Microsoft’s Visual Basic development system, to obtain and use live data from FactorySuite components.

In fact, OPC technology was created to provide open interoperability, compatibility and connectivity between multiple systems and applications. Invensys’ Wonderware and ArchestrA business units actively support this open connectivity standard. Earlier this year, the business units hosted the North American OPC Interoperability Workshop event at Wonderware’s campus in Lake Forest, CA.

‘This new connectivity product enables users to convert classic Wonderware DDE I/O servers to SuiteLink and/or OPC servers,’ adds Tim Black, Wonderware and ArchestrA’s device integration product manager. ‘Because FactorySuite Gateway gives Wonderware’s software users the ability to leverage the latest technology without having to re-implement device communications, they can build on their investments while continuing to upgrade and expand existing applications. As a result, Wonderware customers can focus resources on optimizing operations rather than investing in legacy or standards-based communications.’

Also, FactorySuite Gateway’s underlying OPC technology facilitates easy browsing and selection of items to be configured and monitored. ‘Customers often request the ability to leverage Wonderware’s

FactorySuite Gateway, and other device integration products, are now available for download from Wonderware’s Technical Support Web site at www.wonderware.com/support . www.wonderware.com/products/connectivity/ .

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com