Ever since GE laid out its vision around the Industrial Internet back in 2012, virtually every news release from the company has been focused on this topic. (See links at bottom to several GE/Industrial Internet-related news articles).
This plethora of releases from GE over the past two years has made it evident that the company is clearly all-in on its strategy around the Industrial Internet (more commonly referred to as the Internet of Things). And, apparently, the process of updating the company’s products to fully position those products with its vision continues.
Most recently, GE Intelligent Platforms, GE’s industrial automation computing, control and software unit, announced that it has upgraded three of its core automation software products in keeping with its Industrial Internet strategy.
The upgrades involve Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX, Proficy HMI/SCADA Cimplicity, and Proficy Mobile software.
Here’s how the upgrades are described by GE Intelligent Platforms:
New features of Proficy HMI/SCADA Cimplicity 9.0 include improved configuration capabilities as well as an improved operator experience with reduced alarm noise. A new object library and long point names allow use of 256 characters, which allows for building a structured database more quickly. Proficy Historian for SCADA is also included in this release.
The company says the upgrades in Version 9.0 enable companies to develop better applications, improve operators’ experience, and extend the reach of existing systems. Users can now more easily improve structured databases to bring Real-time Operation Intelligence (RtOI) to users at any time or place.
Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX 5.8 supports dynamic resolution for graphics including more efficient rendering and reduced CPU footprint. This capability allows support for deploying iFIX graphics on widescreen monitors, LCD TVs, and the ability to move graphics from one resolution to another.
Perhaps the most upgrades in this most recent announcement from GE Intelligent Platforms relate to the company’s Proficy Mobile app. Upgrades to this app, which reportedly requires no development and can be layered on top of existing systems, allow managers to view and execute workflows, and better facilitates a tight integration with SCADA systems for faster response on alarms. It also enables simpler configuration for geo-intelligence capabilities, which can be used with Google Maps.
According to GE Intelligent Platforms, Proficy Mobile Tasks allows operators and technicians to develop dynamic task lists with interactive, step-by-step instructions—directing plant teams to the right actions to enforce compliance and quality as well as reduce time and waste.
Another aspect of the updated Proficy Mobile app is Mobile Notes, which allows managers to increase collaboration across teams and augment documentation. Operators can now enter comments, take and attach pictures, and include KPI details.
Other GE Industrial Internet-related announcements:
- GE Brings Its Data Insight to Other OEMS
- Big Data Industrial Computer
- Industrial Performance & Reliability Center
- Data Collection & Analytics
- High-Performance Communications Modules
- Operator Interfaces
- Connected Products are Changing the Manufacturing Business Model (GE and PTC expanded collaboration reference)
- Controls Convergence Strategy
- Monitoring & Analysis Software Suite
Leaders relevant to this article: