High-level HMI gathers data from PLCs

Rockwell Automation has launched a supervisory-level HMI (human-machine interface) system that allows many servers and clients to be integrated rapidly on the same communications network. The RSView Supervisory Edition 2.0 is the latest element in Rockwell`s ViewAnyWare strategy, designed to provide a common approach to visualisation across an enterprise.

Unlike some HMI systems which involve a lengthy process to create tags, RSView SE allows users to browse data in a control device such as a PLC to create a tagless database. As well as obtaining such information directly from Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLCs, the software can collect the data from third-party servers that use the OPC standard.

The new software uses the same development tools as the RSView Machine Edition, which is aimed at PLC-based machine control and small process control applications. Applications can be developed and configured remotely across many servers from a single location, allowing several developers to access the same project at the same time.