Invensys introduces groundbreaking asset performance management solutions

Invensys introduces groundbreaking asset performance management solutions

New breed of predictive solutions enable process manufacturers to effectively manage both asset availability and utilization to improve business performance

CONTACT: Paul Miller, 508/549-6240 (paul.miller@ips.invensys.com)

HOUSTON, TX USA (Invensys Process Systems Customer Conference) - October 5, 2005 - Invensys Process Systems today announced a series of unique asset performance management solutions that - for the first time - enable users to monitor, predict, and effectively manage both the availability and utilization of their industrial assets to help maximize overall asset value and improve business performance. These applied solutions draw upon technology and expertise from across Invensys Process Systems (Avantis, Foxboro, SimSci-Esscor, Triconex, Wonderware) and its technology partners.

"In the past, asset availability was the domain of maintenance departments and asset utilization was the domain of operations. As a result, vendor solutions were typically aimed at one or the other, depending on the vendor's particular area of expertise," said Mike Caliel, president of Invensys Process Systems. "However, maximum asset value is derived by balancing asset availability and utilization in a manner that best meets current business objectives. This requires a holistic approach that, unfortunately for users, is beyond the 'comfort zone' of most automation vendors. With our broad portfolio of capabilities - ranging from process measurements and control [Foxboro]; through safety systems [Triconex]; simulation and optimization [SimSci-Esscor]; plant intelligence [Wonderware]; plus real-time equipment condition monitoring and enterprise asset management [Avantis] - Invensys is arguably the only automation vendor that can deliver comprehensive asset performance management solutions that address both availability and utilization."

Initially, Invensys Process Systems is introducing a family of nine component- and system-level asset performance management solutions, or "monitors." These build upon new and existing capabilities and will soon be expanded to encompass performance management solutions for entire industry-specific asset sets.

The initial component-level solutions monitor and/or help manage the performance of field devices, process control loops, and plant equipment. These include:

• Instrument monitor - in addition to providing comprehensive device configuration functionality for any vendor's field devices, this advanced solution is the first to enable field devices to be managed from the host system by installing the device vendor's Device Descriptors, their FDT-compliant Device Type Manager plug-ins, or both. These system-resident DTM plug-ins, which are being developed by almost all field device vendors, provide the device vendors' most advanced diagnostic tools. The solution integrates into enterprise wide predictive maintenance management, activating predefined workflow action based on advanced analysis capability
• Valve monitor - exploits the advanced design features and diagnostics of intelligent positioners to help deliver maximum availability and performance from control valves - the most critical, yet also the most maintenance-prone element in many control loops. Powerful tools are provided for both predictive maintenance and valve management. Self-surveillance and diagnosis follow the Namur Recommendation NE107
• Loop monitor - based upon the Loop Management Services introduced last year, the loop monitor utilizes advanced diagnostic methods (performed either locally or remotely) for determining control loop performance. The qualitative metrics derived provide an indication of both control loop tuning and field device performance. Examples include the detection of hysteresis and stiction and plugged impulse lines in control valves - both intelligent and conventional
• Pump monitor - a unique solution providing a variety of on-line diagnostic and analysis tools that include an advanced method for measuring friction, shock, and dynamic load transfer between moving parts. High frequency acoustic sensing technology filters out background levels of vibration and audible noise and provides a graphic representation of pump health. Works like a "computerized stethoscope" for critical pumps to determine corrective workflow activity that can virtually eliminate unplanned pump-related downtime and minimize pump-related production slowdowns
• Equipment monitor - combines appropriate elements of traditional vibration monitoring capabilities, sonic signature profiling technology, empirical and first principles modeling, and advanced Condition Monitoring technologies with sophisticated analysis tools and workflow guidance to drive preventive and predictive maintenance, operations, and engineering activities for all critical plant equipment - both rotating and non-rotating. With this advanced applied solution, unplanned equipment breakdowns can be largely replaced by scheduled maintenance events and users can move from preventive to predictive maintenance, resulting in fewer production interruptions, shorter outage times, reduced maintenance cost, lower capital expenditures and improved asset availability and utilization
  

The initial system-level solutions monitor and/or help manage plant alarms, process control network security, safety system integrity, and control system performance:

• Alarm management monitor - based upon the Alarm Management Services introduced last year, the new alarm management monitor significantly enhances the performance and safety of process control operators and other human assets by providing an applied toolset for rationalizing process, system, and equipment alarms to dramatically reduce irrelevant nuisance alarms and virtually eliminate the possibility of alarm storms. Includes intelligent alarming capabilities that direct operators to the root cause of an alarm, so they can respond quickly and effectively and thus prevent or minimize the impact of events
• Security management monitor - Reflecting current security standards and guidelines such as ISASP99, NERC CIP002-CIP009, and 21CFR11, the security management monitor works within a strong security program to help users identify site-specific network security vulnerabilities, plus provides ongoing services (monitoring, detecting, alarming and documenting) to help protect the process control network against potentially catastrophic external intrusions or malicious internal tampering via corporate intranets or plant networks. This solution is based on the Network Security Services introduced last year
• Safety integrity monitor - a powerful maintenance decision-support tool based on the actual probability-of-failure-on-demand (PFD) for Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF) throughout a plant. Utilizing a continuous on-line Safety Integrity Level (SIL) management methodology, it reconciles testing events against PFD statistics, and allows predictive "what-if" scenarios to be conducted to optimize testing cycles and help ensure that the plant's operating SIL remains within design specification. Comprehensive audit trail documentation is delivered as part of safety system lifecycle management. Thus, this monitor facilitates compliance with IEC-61508/61511, while helping to maximize plant uptime and safety.
• Automation platform monitor - an extension of Invensys' well-proven "FoxWatch" remote system support capabilities, the automation platform monitor utilizes new remote diagnostic tools to help ensure that plant automation systems are operating at peak performance at all times. Highly secure connection to the Invensys remote services center can be made via router (modem or ISDN) or Virtual Private Network (VPN) internet access. A state-of-the-art security appliance, combined with advanced virus detection and removal software, help protect mission-critical process control systems from external intrusions. The automation platform monitor is available for current versions of I/A Series systems, with plans in place to extend this powerful remote support capability to other Invensys and third-party automation platforms

Invensys will be demonstrating these new asset performance management solutions - plus exciting new enabling technologies -- at ISA Booth # 354 in Chicago, October 25-27, 2005. For more information, readers can visit http://ips.invensys.com, call 1 866-746-6477 (508/549-2424 outside the US or Canada), or send an e-mail message to apm@ips.invensys.com.

Additional component-level, system-level, and unit-level asset performance solutions will be introduced in the near future.

About Invensys Process Systems
Invensys Process Systems, a business unit of Invensys plc, provides products, services and solutions that enable today's industrial process plants to monitor, manage, and improve the performance of their manufacturing assets. In addition to its rapidly expanding Global Solutions group, Invensys Process Systems includes industry-leading brands such as Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor, Wonderware, and Avantis, whose products are installed in more than 100,000 plants across the world. These range from small hybrid and batch plants to the world's largest upstream projects, refineries, gas plants, petrochemicals plants, power plants, and pulp and paper mills.

The Invensys Group (www.invensys.com) is made up of five businesses: Process Systems, APV, Eurotherm, Rail Systems and Controls. The Group is headquartered in London and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with over 30,000 employees working in 60 countries.

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Invensys, Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor, Wonderware, Avantis, FoxWatch, and I/A Series Remote Plus are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries, or affiliates. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.