Invensys Operations Management has introduced the next major evolution of its Foxboro I/A Series distributed control system. As the core DCS component of the company’s InFusion enterprise control system, the latest I/A Series system includes an intelligent marshalling solution and high-performance Foxboro control and simulation software, which is claimed to reduce total cost of ownership and expand traditional DCS functionality for superior collaboration, execution and visibility across the enterprise.
With traditional control systems, field wiring must be sorted out in a marshalling cabinet before it is connected to the main I/O module terminal strips of the DCS panel. It’s an inflexible approach that often leads to expensive indirect costs. But because the I/A Series Intelligent Marshalling solution features the Universal Fieldbus Module, a per-channel, configurable I/O module that supports a variety of analog and digital signal types, it is said to eliminate the need for marshalling entirely.
Designed to simplify engineering efforts and improve the user experience, Foxboro Control Software 3.0 embeds the company’s ArchestrA System Platform and Wonderware InTouch HMI within the Foxboro I/A Series system, applying common object technology from process control up to the business system level and out to any third-party system. This allows users to integrate all of their plant devices, systems, databases and software applications. Additionally, enhanced integration with the latest applications from Invensys provide more systems flexibility, adaptability and responsiveness, helping to drive lower total cost of ownership. By enabling real-time access to critical plant and business data, users are better able to balance competing strategic objectives related to controls, assets, environment, safety and people to optimise their overall business and achieve operational excellence.
