To mark the 50th anniversary of its Centum distributed control system (DCS), Yokogawa has released CENTUM VP R6.12. The updated DCS version is designed to improve performance, reliability, and adaptability in continuous and batch operations. Yokogawa CENTUM VP R6.12 includes enhancements to alarm management and visualization and adds support for development tools like Microsoft Visual Studio 2022.
Yokogawa Electric Corp. has released Yokogawa CENTUM VP R6.12, the latest version in the CENTUM VP series distributed control system (DCS).
The CENTUM VP architecture includes human machine interfaces, field control stations, and a control network. It is compatible with continuous and batch process control, as well as manufacturing operations management.
Centum DCS 50th anniversary
Yokogawa’s Centum, distributed control system will mark its 50th anniversary in June 2025.
Since its launch in 1975, Centum has been regularly updated to incorporate new technologies. Yokogawa has prioritized backward compatibility to support smoother transitions for existing clients between system generations.
Yokogawa plans to maintain the system’s established architecture while adapting it to evolving environmental and technological requirements to meet the needs of future industrial applications.
Centum VP overview
CENTUM VP represents the ninth generation in the Centum series. Centum systems are designed for reliable operation in demanding industrial environments. CENTUM VP maintains compatibility with previous versions while supporting modern industrial operations.
DCS upgrades: New in Centum VP R6.12
Yokogawa released CENTUM VP R6.12 in December 2024. CENTUM VP R6.12 focuses on quality improvements, including enhancements to the Unified Alarm Conditions Server (UACS). UACS was initially introduced with R6.07.10 designed to help clients drive compliance with ISA 18.2 standards for alarm management systems. Since its introduction UACS has received enhancements such as support for virtualization environments and alarm suppression status among others.
Key enhancements in CENTUM VP R6.12 include:
- Ability for users to add comments to shelving operations to rationalize their actions.
- Shelved alarm statuses can be displayed dynamically on graphic panels.
- UACS connection status is displayed in the System Status Overview window
- Browser Bars feature shows the number of active alarms, supporting clearer alarm tracking and operator collaboration.
- Transition status of alarm suppression can be notified to upper OPC Clients through Exaopc.
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 support: Support for Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 has been added. When creating .NET components in Graphic View, users can access features available in Visual Studio 2022.
For a full overview of the system, visit the Yokogawa CENTUM VP product page.
The following Control Engineering articles discuss additional Yokogawa capabilities:
https://www.controleng.com/new-insights-100-controller-exxonmobil-open-process-automation/
https://www.controleng.com/refining-process-automation-trends-and-emerging-technologies/
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering, from a Yokogawa Electric news release.
