PECM Issue 14 2015 | Page 40

Opto 22 announced groov 2.3, adding Modbus/TCP communication to groov web-based mobile interface software. w ith Modbus/TCP support, thousands of industrial devices can now be monitored and managed using effective, scalable operator interfaces on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. Modbus/ TCP is a widely adopted, TCP/IP-based communications protocol used in level sensors, rotary encoders, drives, meters, and industrial controllers and I/O, plus thousands of other devices deployed in diverse industries. Industrial automation end-users, system integrators, machine OEMs, or any authorized person can quickly and securely monitor and control these devices, as well as automation, building, and other control systems, all from a mobile device. groov is a zero-programming, web-based way to build, deploy, and view effective, scalable operator interfaces to monitor and control systems and equipment using mobile devices and other computer-based systems. These operator interfaces can be viewed on almost any mobile device or computer regardless of its ma. Acting as a Modbus/TCP master, groov communicates directly with Modbus/ TCP slave devices over standard, non-proprietary Ethernet networks. No intermediary servers, protocol converters, or communications interfaces are required. This simplifies hardware planning, reduces initial hardware cost and ongoing maintenance, and streamlines device setup and configuration. More information about groov’s new Modbus/ TCP support is available at op22.co/ modbusgroov. groov can augment existing humanmachine interfaces (HMIs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems by making important information available to authorized users at any time and in any location. groov is available as either the standalone groov Box hardware appliance or the PC-based groov Server for Windows software. A fully functional version of groov Server for Windows is available to download at groov.com/see-groov-now For mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android-based smartphones and tablets, a groov View app for iOS and Android is available free of charge on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The groov View app provides a native mobile experience for operator interfaces built with groov. These interfaces can also be viewed in the mobile device’s built-in web browser. In addition to Modbus/TCP networking, groov supports OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) to communicate For mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and Androidbased smartphones and tablets, a groov View app for iOS and Android is available free of charge on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. with a variety of devices on the plant floor, including PLCs, DCSs, PACs, databases, and OPC-DA servers. groov also communicates directly with Opto 22 SNAP PAC System controllers. A fully functional version of groov Server for Windows is available to download at groov.com/see-groovnow. .The groov free trial operates for two hours without a license and can be restarted as needed. Availability: groov 2.3 is available immediately. Choose either the groov Box ha rdware appliance (GROOV-AR1), or groov Server for Windows software (GROOV-SVR-WIN). Customers who already have groov version 2.0 or later and a groov maintenance contract can upgrade to groov 2.3 free of charge. www.groov.com