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An inside view of international standards
Within the context of a diminishing role for national standards, Jon Severn discusses the influence of international standardisation with Ronnie Amit, the general secretary and chief executive officer of the International Electrotechnical Commission.
PC shipments rise to 69.9m units
Intel adds momentum; AMD makes long-term gains in Q1 microprocessor market, according to iSuppli Corp
Surging demand for valves and actuators
Rising demand from diverse process industries supports steady growth in global valves and actuators market
Electric motors and gearboxes may never look the same again
Jon Severn meets Justin Levine, the managing director of Parvalux Electric Motors,  the man for whom design is a mainstay of his strategy to rejuvenate the company
Bi-stable displays gain momentum
Despite LCD dominance, opportunities remain for emerging display technologies
Airlines assess carbon costs
Only around 40 per cent of the 20 carriers surveyed currently monitor and report emissions data, Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Wireless benefits are plant-wide and enterprise-wide

Invensys Process Systems is introducing seven new wireless-enabled systems as well as expanded global network implementation and support capabilities. These wireless-enabled systems can be deployed at both the plant and enterprise levels to help improve overall industrial asset performance management.

Hesh Kagan, strategic technology director at Invensys Process Systems, comments: “We have been careful to consider not just the initial cost-savings and long-term benefits that wireless-enabled solutions can deliver, but also the potentially higher support costs of wireless versus wired networks.”

Invensys’ portfolio of fully engineered and supported wireless-enabled asset performance management systems is both vendor-independent and standards-agnostic. The following systems can operate in conjunction with most vendors' products, systems, or software applications, using the most appropriate wireless standards available:

1. Mobile Workforce – provides employees in the field with secure roaming access to real-time control systems, enterprise applications, documents, and other information via wireless handheld devices and hardened Mil Spec and NEMA 4-rated tablet personal computers

2. Field Data Logging – enables personnel to quickly and accurately upload device and equipment status and diagnostic data to maintenance systems from the field

3. Condition Monitoring – wireless connection to remote sensors provides incremental measurements (tank levels, temperatures, pH, vibration, etc) to provide a richer real-time data base to support highly effective model-based predictive maintenance strategies. It integrates with Invensys’ Infusion Condition Manager, Avantis EAM, and third-party computerised maintenance management programs

4. Asset Tracking – uses RFID technology to provide accurate identification and location of fixed and rolling assets with optional visualisation on a handheld device. Supports E-pedigree asset tracking for Life Sciences

5. Physical Security – provides flexibility to implement any combination of mobile video, fixed surveillance cameras (with or without access controls), intrusion detectors, and proximity sensors as required to cost-effectively extend the reach of physical security throughout a single building, a plant, an entire complex, or even a series of complexes.

6. Personnel Safety – provides practical and cost-effective means to accurately identify physical location of personnel in real time, notify first responders of safety shower activation, provide ‘man-down’ notification for emergency services, and remote evacuation alarming. Helps safeguard employees and visitors and ease compliance with regulatory requirements

7. Communications – provides secure integration of multiple wireless technologies (including both VoIP and high-speed backhaul communications) to cost-effectively connect people, facilities, and systems. Standards-compliant, integrates with existing IT infrastructure and systems.

For more information, visit http://ips.invensys.com/wireless