ABB Expands System 800xA DCS Capabilities

Kicking off its World Control Tour this week at Hannover Messe 2014 in Germany, ABB has announced its move closer to a truly collaborative process automation environment. The sixth generation of its flagship distributed control system (DCS), System 800xA, enables data sharing without boundaries to generate productivity, efficiency, and safety improvements.

System 800xA consolidates process, electrical, safety and telecoms in one system. This newest release is geared toward supporting upgrades of older DCS units running on unsupported platforms such as Microsoft XP. It also provides customers with a more secure automation environment.

800xA v6 adds to the system’s existing security features such as advanced access control, white listing, and means to monitor and manage the control system’s security integrity. New cybersecurity features include the use of the latest operating system Windows MS 8.1/Server 2012 R2; improved system installation that automatically sets policies simplifying system hardening; digital code signing to ensure software legitimacy code; and faster, more immediate access to approved antivirus files.

V6 also supports a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). “Advances in technology have allowed for some amazing changes in how automation systems are deployed compared to five years ago,” said Jonas Brannvall, Extended Automation Product Group manager. “In addition to virtualization of the entire 800xA system, performance has been optimized to the point where we can significantly reduce the infrastructure needed for our users when upgrading from previous releases.” In some cases, automation system owners will see a 50 percent reduction in footprint, leading to reduced capital and lifecycle costs, Brannvall added.

Special consideration has been given to ensure a significantly improved upgrade experience supported by an enhanced Sentinel customer care program. “Upgrading installed systems requires planning and testing,” said Mats Pettersson, head of 800xA product management. “That is why we’ve concentrated on tools and services to make the transitions easier and faster."

800xA v6 includes more intelligent installation and upgrade tools that reduce manual steps by more than 80 percent. A service called the “customer lab” can be used to upgrade systems and allow for initial testing in a virtual environment, reducing the required end-user manpower for upgrade testing and validation.

In addition to alarm management, advanced control, video systems, safety, electrical integration, power management, and a host of other embedded capabilities, System 800xA v6 adds:

• Wireless routers, enabling the safe and secure deployment of mobile operator clients, maintenance workplaces, and even process controllers.
• New ways to visualize, curate and analyze data with the addition of the System 800xA Collaboration Table, providing a 3D view of plant key performance indicators.
• A new information management platform, enhancing secure connectivity to 800xA so that data can be safely gathered and used for mining and analysis.
• A list of operator effectiveness improvements, including trend and alarm list enhancements, an embedded public address system, and a KNX interface that brings the operator’s environment into the overall solution.

Hannover Messe is the first stop on ABB’s World Control Tour of events this spring. Other stops are in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Vasteras, Sweden; Lake Maggiore, Italy; Guangzhou, China; Essen, Germany; Singapore; Calgary, Canada; and Houston.