Rockwell Automation announces the advancement of the FactoryTalk Optix portfolio through DataReady smart machines. This update to the FactoryTalk Optix portfolio enables contextualised machine data that's ready to deliver operational value.
"Rockwell is innovating rapidly with the FactoryTalk Optix portfolio, introducing significant enhancements that give customers real benefits," said JP Wright, director of Production Automation Visualisation at Rockwell Automation.
"The FactoryTalk Optix platform value extends beyond HMI to support edge data collection and exchange with enterprise applications such as analytics to optimise production and connectivity with operations management applications such as DataMosaix, the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform and Fiix maintenance software to accelerate digital transformation. The FactoryTalk Optix portfolio is one of the most complete HMI and data platforms in the industry."
DataReady smart machines improve machine-level visualisation, enabling seamless data transfer and providing real-time insights. With FactoryTalk Optix, users not only get HMI functionality but also the ability to collect, organise and contextualise data. This data can then be sent to cloud applications, offering valuable insights for operational efficiency and enterprise analytics.
FactoryTalk Optix offers users modern development practices that are proven to speed time to market, lower total development costs and improve quality through concepts such as continuous integration and continuous deployment, automated test, system simulation, multi-user collaboration, version control system integration and several others. Additionally, users benefit from flexible licensing options, allowing them to pay only for the features they need, based on the specific capabilities of their applications.
"FactoryTalk Optix allows us to deliver solutions on a single platform," said Jim Tolbert, senior controls engineer, Tessy Automation. "Before Optix, we needed to use other data platforms to effectively integrate components and machines together. Optix provides a centralised and accessible platform for data exchange and visualisation."
The FactoryTalk Optix portfolio allows users to choose their own technology mix, where new Rockwell customers can design HMI applications that natively communicate with both Rockwell and third-party systems and run on a wide range of hardware and web interface options. FactoryTalk Optix applications can connect to diverse software, devices and systems - through seamless interoperability and full OPC UA support.
"Today's OEMs are increasingly playing a more significant ongoing role, with proactive involvement to ensure that machines and equipment are successful," said Mark Hobbs, senior software product manager at Rockwell Automation. "This capability from Rockwell is not only built for a single application. It's flexible, meaning these machines are designed to be modular and capable of sharing data in a usable format with a variety of applications."