(PRWEB) November 16, 2005 -- New strategy for plant and enterprise applications provides powerful enabling technology for asset performance management.

Following closely on the recent announcement of the company’s comprehensive asset performance management focus two weeks ago, Invensys Process Systems has announced its unique strategy for wireless communications. Utilizing what the company claims to be a unique, comprehensive managed network approach, Invensys’ wireless strategy centers around shared access point technology and common data and security models for all wireless devices – regardless of vendor or application. Unlike the point solutions recently introduced by other automation companies, Invensys’ comprehensive approach provides the foundation to ensure appropriate levels of integration, robustness, and security for all industrial and enterprise wireless applications.

“Wireless communications will provide a powerful new enabling technology for asset performance management,” said Chris Lyden, vice president of marketing at Invensys Process Systems. “Wireless technology makes it possible to incorporate new strategic measurements and other data within our solutions that simply were either not practical or even possible to implement in a wired communications environment. This includes solutions for process optimization, device management, real-time equipment condition monitoring, energy management, personnel tracking, asset tracking, security, and enterprise asset management that can all work in unison to address both industrial asset utilization and availability.”

“The good news in the emerging world of wireless technology is that more and more ingenious wireless devices are being introduced all the time,” commented Hesh Kagan, wireless program manager at Invensys Process Systems and President of the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance. “The bad news is that most of these devices utilize different, vendor-specific wireless protocols, technologies, and access points to communicate with the wired communications infrastructure. This can make it very difficult to effectively utilize the data coming from these devices and virtually impossible to ensure appropriate levels of security.

“That’s why we worked closely with our partners and several large customers to develop a unique managed wireless network approach that uses shared access point technology for all devices and a common data and security model for all wireless frequencies and protocols (WiFi, WiMax, 802.15.4, RFID, ZigBee, VoIP, proprietary protocols, etc.),” Kagan added. “The shared access points provide significant upfront and ongoing cost-savings for our customers. The common data model makes it much easier to incorporate the wireless data into our asset performance management applications. And with a standardized security model, we can now effectively manage the wireless infrastructure to help ensure appropriate levels of security and performance.”

Invensys’ wireless network strategy is designed to overlay existing plant control and information infrastructures (Invensys or third-party). It includes:

- Hardware and software as needed
- Site survey and analysis services
- Engineering and systems integration services
- Implementation services
- Ongoing maintenance, support, and optimization services

Site surveys are already in progress at several large North American chemical manufacturing complexes.

About Invensys

Invensys is a global automation, controls and process solutions Group. Our products, services, expertise and ongoing support enable intelligent systems to monitor and control processes in many different environments. The businesses within Invensys help customers in a variety of industries - including hydrocarbons, chemicals, oil and gas, power and utilities, rail, construction, environmental control, white goods, commercial appliance, telecommunications, paper, food and beverage, dairy, pharmaceuticals and personal care - to perform with greater efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.

Process Systems provides products, services and solutions for the automation and optimization of plant operation in the process industries. APV specializes in process equipment engineered into systems and asset services for food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical and chemical clients. Eurotherm is a leading supplier of control and measurement instrumentation solutions and services to industrial and process customers. Rail Systems is a multinational leader in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of safety-related rail signaling and control systems. Controls is a leading provider of components, systems and services used in residential and commercial building controls, and in many different appliances worldwide.

The Invensys Group is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With over 30,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.

I/A Series, Foxboro, Foxboro I/A Series, APV, Avantis, IMServ, SimSci-Esscor, Triconex, and Wonderware are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries, or affiliates. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Contacts:         
Stephen Ballard, Ballard Communications Management,
tel: +44 (0)1306 882288
Client Contact:    
Angelika John, Invensys Process Systems EMEA
tel: +33 (0) 13443266