Integrated visualization and control solution provides flexible communications architectures to easily monitor, diagnose and maintain water assets
Echternach, Luxembourg, April 28, 2009 GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, today announced its QuickPanel® Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) applied solution enabling Water/Wastewater companies to monitor, diagnose and maintain water assets and processes through flexible communication architectures. The solution lowers maintenance costs by approximately $50,000 per year and reduces 10-year asset life cycle cost by nearly $1 million over competitive products.
In today's complex world, the pace of change is accelerating, new competition is emerging daily, and regulatory pressure is growing. Access to timely and accurate tracking of water chemistry and chemical inventories with greater efficiency can eliminate critical gaps in water data and the need to deploy service personnel, resulting in higher productivity. Backed by an unparalleled record of industry expertise, the QuickPanel RTU provides a sustainable advantage with a unique combination of advanced software, embedded and automation solutions. QuickPanel RTU an integrated visualization and control solution that provides the tools required for today's remote application needs is an example of that expertise at work. A combination of bright touch-screen displays and award-winning Proficy® Machine Edition software, QuickPanel RTU delivers flexible, scalable performance on a rugged hardware platform.
"GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has been partnering with water operations all over the world to help them seamlessly integrate critical water data," said Alan Hinchman, Global Industry Director, Water/Wastewater for GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. "Leveraging the latest remote monitoring technology, QuickPanel RTU can track and compare distribution flows with sales---offering a proven approach that enables utilities to significantly reduce their non-revenue water."
QuickPanel RTU is a powerful solution that can integrate with existing PLC hardware locally and other RTUs throughout the system---seamlessly delivering connectivity across operations. Its open communications makes it ideal for mixed system architectures, as a QuickPanel RTU can connect directly to existing PLCs to upgrade legacy PLCs and RTUs to Ethernet communications with store and forward capabilities. A visual interface for local operators allows site equipment to be operated manually, mitigating the operational impact of remote communication disruptions. The integrated controller keeps automatic equipment running through an outage. Once communications are restored, store-and-forward capabilities and local time stamping of alarms ensure nothing is missed.
QuickPanel RTU can range from simple, low I/O count applications through complex automation solutions that require the support of large numbers of I/O. It provides an information-rich, graphical interface and has the inherent benefits of providing a smaller footprint, centralized time synchronization, local alarm time stamping, full IEC 61131-3 language support, and remote diagnostics and maintenance via a web hosting client. Features of the QuickPanel RTU include:
Efficient information delivery -- Built on a Microsoft® Windows® CE operating system, QuickPanel RTU offers enhanced data buffering and built-in web publishing capabilities to effectively link remote assets to business systems. Key personnel---from operators to managers--- can access accurate, comprehensive and integrated information when and where they need it.
Infinite scalability -- QuickPanel RTU includes a broad range of display sizes from 6" to 15"; choice of Monochrome or Color-TFT display; expandable memory and communications options; and easy configuration to run the same program on different size models.
Seamless connectivity -- Addressing the need to integrate existing and future applications from different vendors and multiple architectures, QuickPanel RTU enables connection to a wide variety of automation devices. With a large number of built-in drivers, it can be flexibly networked back to a centralized SCADA system using phone line, radio, satellite and cellular topology.
"With an open and connected approach, QuickPanel RTU offers flexible configuration to fit the unique requirements of the Water/Wastewater industry," concluded Hinchman. "It provides access to real-time information across the entire utility."
For more information: http://www.gefanuc.com/industries/water-and-wastewater.
About GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a joint venture between General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) and FANUC LTD of Japan, is an experienced high-performance technology company and a global provider of hardware, software, services, and expertise in automation and embedded computing. We offer a unique foundation of agile, advanced and ultra-reliable technology that provides customers a sustainable advantage in the industries they serve, including energy, water, consumer packaged goods, government & defense, and telecommunications. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is a worldwide company headquartered in Charlottesville, VA and is part of GE Enterprise Solutions. For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com.
About GE Enterprise Solutions
GE Enterprise Solutions elevates customers' productivity and profitability with integrated solutions using sensors and non-destructive testing; security and life safety technologies; power system protection and control; and plant automation and embedded computing systems. Enterprise Solutions' high-tech, high-growth businesses include Sensing & Inspection Technologies, Security, Digital Energy, and GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. The business has 17,000 problem-solving employees in more than 60 countries around the world.