A new DA server is designed to replace Siemens Simatic Net middleware to connect to PLCs in the Siemens S7 family and offer enhanced communication diagnostics and performance.
A new DA Server called SI Direct has been introduced by Wonderware, a business unit of Invensys, and is designed to replace Siemens Simatic Net middleware to connect to PLCs in the Siemens S7 family. In addition to the DAServer, archestra Device Integration (DI) Objects have been created to represent the device and network hierarchy when connecting Siemens S7 PLCs to the Industrial Application Server. Wonderware's DA Servers are built using the ArchestrA DAS toolkit and offer enhanced communication diagnostics and performance.

DA Servers are Wonderware's next-generation I/O servers and a significant part of Wonderware's FactorySuite A2 ('A-squared') product line.

The 'A2' signifies the presence of ArchestrA technology.

'Leveraging the power of ArchestrA technology and the DI Object functionality, it is now possible to model a Siemens PLC as part of a FactorySuite A2 application,' said Tom Muth, Wonderware's FactorySuite A2 product marketing manager.

'This new DA Server builds upon Wonderware's ability to provide tighter integration with controllers, reducing the amount of configuration necessary for device communications.' Wonderware's SI Direct DA Server provides access to data within the Siemens S7 200/300/400 family of PLCs through an off-the-shelf standard Ethernet network interface card.

The DI Objects represent the network as well as the PLCs, providing the user with a hierarchical view of their connectivity.

When used in conjunction with Wonderware's Industrial Application Server, the DI Objects allow users or systems integrators to configure, deploy and monitor servers from one centralised location known as the Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Because the IDE centralises all systems and applications, users simply have to install the software on the Industrial Application Server once, rather than installing the software on multiple separate computers.

It also allows for online configuration and diagnostic capabilities.

When operated as a stand-alone server, the SI Direct DA Server enables the user to start, stop, configure and monitor communications between the client and device using a single utility.

Each server built with the toolkit provides the ability to access a rich set of diagnostics during runtime.

In addition, the framework offers sorting capabilities optimises communications and supports the OPC 2.05 standard.

With a single development effort, every DA Server provides connectivity between client applications based on Wonderware's SuiteLink protocol and OPC and DDE protocols running on the Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft XP operating systems, as well as data devices supported by the specific translated protocol.

Wonderware's SI Direct DA Servers work with all FactorySuite A2 products, such as the Industrial Application Server, InTouch visualisation software, InTrack resource tracking software and InBatch production management software.

About Pantek - Pantek is a leading supplier of industrial automation solutions to major manufacturers throughout the UK and Ireland.

Using world class industry expertise, quality training and support facilities allied with a proven range of software and hardware products, Pantek specialises in building, supplying and supporting manufacturing management solutions that can increase productivity, and supply corporate management with the information they need to make sound business decisions.

About Invensys' Wonderware and ArchestrA Business Units - Wonderware and ArchestrA are business units of Invensys Systems Wonderware is the world's leading supplier of industrial automation and information software.

Wonderware software powers intelligent plant decisions in real time.

ArchestrA technology provides a unified set of software services that enables every system in your plant, working in concert.

Wonderware provides industrial enterprises with the capability to rapidly deploy applications and realise the largest and fastest return on their investment by providing an integrated suite of automation software products that minimises life cycle creation, deployment and maintenance costs.

Wonderware has regional sales and development offices worldwide to provide support to its network of more than 160 distributor offices.

Wonderware has approximately 300,000 software licenses in 100,000 plants worldwide -- about 30% of the world's 335,000 plants with 20 or more employees.

About Invensys - a global leader in production technology and solutions, the Invensys group helps customers improve productivity, performance and profitability using innovative services and technologies and a deep understanding of their industries and applications.

Invensys business units work closely with customers to increase performance of production assets, maximise return on investment in production and data management technologies and remove cost and cash from the supply chain.

Leading Invensys brands focused on production management include APV, Avantis, Eurotherm, Foxboro, IMServ, SimSci-Esscor, Triconex and Wonderware.

These businesses address process and batch industries -- including oil and gas, chemicals, power and utilities, food and beverage, and personal health care -- and the discrete and hybrid manufacturing sectors.