Newsdesk - November 2001

Taking asset management beyond field equipment monitoring

ABB says the Optimize Asset Optimisation Suite is the first true asset management system offering a completely integrated software suite to enable full on-line and off-line optimisation of enterprise assets. It enables predictive maintenance activities to be scheduled around production, whilst cutting both downtime and the need for expensive corrective or preventive maintenance.

Optimize extends asset management well beyond the current state of the art, says ABB, in which software has merely monitored field equipment and its embedded diagnostics, by being the first to deliver full integration with co-operative systems. It integrates both with condition monitoring and similar systems, provides maintenance workflow management and, most importantly, presents information to personnel through a straightforward, common interface. Optimize will embrace all types of assets across the enterprise, from existing field devices and control systems to plant infrastructure and the supply chain.

By providing visibility of manufacturing assets to business management, it enables real optimisation of manufacturing capability based on business needs and asset life demands. Costly plant and production interruptions are minimised by automated predictive maintenance. The collection, comparison and monitoring of field device data in real time allows accurate assessment of equipment health for early, pre-breakdown indicators of failing performance.

Optimize is part of ABB's integrated fieldbus solution.

• ABB
  e156@industrialnetworking.co.uk