See remote asset management technologies at MAINTEC

Andy Thorogood, Sales Manager at M.A.C Solutions, comments: "We can help customers link to their local and remote assets to help reduce costs, improve support and reduce downtime. We do this by using low-risk, inexpensive, open connectivity technologies such as TCP/IP, Internet VPNs and GSM, GPRS and EDGE. We can provide on-demand asset visibility for customers, remote fault-finding and real-world data and reconfiguration access, with PLCs, meters and instrumentation."

The M.A.C Solutions range of remote asset management tools includes eWON, a multifunction connectivity device for both local and remote industrial serial and Ethernet devices. For remotely installed devices, eWON provides remote access as well as monitoring, logging and reporting intelligence. Connectivity is via PSTN phone lines, GSM/GPRS mobile phone networks and secure VPN Broadband Internet connections. SMS text messages and emails can also be used to report alarms from remote sites.

The eWON devices act as Internet gateways to equipment on remote sites, anywhere in the world. By establishing an Internet link and emailing its Internet IP address, the eWON enables users to establish a direct Internet TCP/IP link to any remote site network, which is useful for diagnosis of a remote PLC program problem or for resetting a remote error. The VPN capability adds security to the Internet connection, ensuring no unauthorised visitors gain access to this equipment.

Change management software

Complementing the eWON range is MDT Software's Autosave, a suite of change management tools that protect, save, restore, discover and track changes for industrial programmable devices and documents. Downtime for plant floor automation is minimised and the software supports all the major PLC brands, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, Telemecanique, Wonderware, Rockwell, GE, Indramat and Modicon.

Also on the stand is the GAM, the company's latest GSM AlarmModem (see photo). This is a standalone device based on GSM (global system for mobile communications) and GPRS (general packet radio service) technologies. This means the device can be used to keep plant managers and maintenance engineers informed at all times of critical activities within their plant. Alarms, disturbances or status messages can be set up to initialise a freely-definable SMS message on a user's mobile phone. Users can even power the respective system up or down using a simple SMS text message. The device is easy to configure and users require no specialist programming skills. Remote equipment and processes, anywhere in the world, can be monitored using GAM.

HMI and industrial PC products

M.A.C Solutions will also demonstrate its range of HMIs and industrial PCs, including the award-winning EXTER technology from Beijer Electronics, for keypads and touch panels from 3.5-15.0 inches. M.A.C Solutions is now UK distributor for the complete range of Beijer HMIs and industrial PCs and monitors, including Lauer's Nautic range of panel-based PCs for the marine industry.

For more information on M.A.C Solutions' range of remote asset management systems, visit MAINTEC or the website at www.mac-solutions.net.