CONNEXT: MULTI-TASKING
COMMUNICATION
SERVER FOR SMART FACTORIES
roducts4Automation
(P4A) now offers Progea’s
Connext Communication
Server for companies
investing in automation
platform compatibility and data
processing. The innovative product is
much more than an ordinary server: it
offers connectivity for different types
of field devices as well as powerful data
recording tools.
P
Connext is an open, flexible and
modular I/O server solution based on
OPC UA technology. By leveraging
Connext’s ability to obtain real-time
data via machine to machine (M2M)
communications, customers can build
systems that boost efficiency and improve
competitiveness.
A key feature of Connext OPC UA server
is the ability to connect to any field
device, as it supports many standard
communication protocols, plus Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT) communications
via the cloud. The different protocols can
be applied and used simultaneously. In
this way, Connext provides a flexible,
universal tool that enables users to benefit
from a higher level of plant connectivity
and interoperability.
Functionality is enhanced by interfacing
with existing devices and systems. Acting
as a gateway between field information
and other local or remote systems,
Connext can serve a range of industrial
information systems, such as SCADA, HMIs,
MES and ERP platforms.
From a programming point of view, in
addition to its own set of drivers and
function modules .NET developers can
benefit from the software development
kit (SDK) to integrate their own suite of
customized protocols and expand the
existing library of drivers available.
MORE THAN A SERVER
The Connext OPC UA server was designed
to support the Data Access (DA), Alarm
& Conditions (A&C) and Historical Access
(HA) OPC UA specifications. Therefore, in
addition to its server functions, Connext
also offers the possibility to manage
alarm notifications and record the data
transferred in a database, either on-
premise or cloud.
Data is recorded with the Data Logger or
Historian functionalities. While the first
one records data traditionally, assigning
each variable (Tag) to a database column,
the Historian records time-series data,
optimising the database functionality.
Finally, Connext supports the Hot Backup
redundant function, allowing it to handle
data server arrays to ensure maximum
availability of data connections and
archives for each project or application.
These additional functionalities enable
Connext to be more than a passive
communication tool, elevating it to
become a tool for increasing data control
and system responsiveness.
Paul Hurst, Managing Director of
Progea’s UK distributor P4A commented:
“Interoperability and connectivity are key
concepts in Industry 4.0, and are essential
principles in the Connext architecture.
Our solution however was developed by
application engineers and it shows, it goes
beyond the traditional concept of ‘server’
and provides a variety of tools that make it
a comprehensive solution for building and
operating efficient and reliable networked
systems for machine communication, data
transfer and recording.”
Photo Caption: Products4Automation
(P4A) now offers Progea’s Connext
Communication Server for companies
investing in automation platform
compatibility and data processing.
ABOUT PRODUCTS4AUTOMATION
Products4Automation (P4A) is a specialist
supplier of new and innovative software
and hardware solutions to the UK market.
Product ranges available from P4A
include the latest touch-screen HMI’s
and flat panel PCs, SCADA software and
plug-ins, a wide range of SCADA enabled
hardware, Alarm plug-in software for large
automation systems, and a full range of
Production Intelligence software solutions.
Web: www.products4automation.co.uk
Issue 32 PECM
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