Busy Beavers, these Yokogawa folks...

For what seemed like an eternity this afternoon, Yokogawa made announcement after announcement of new products, new features, and new capabilities that would seem to position them with the ability to take on any size project, anywhere in the world. From a new InTools data exchange engine, so that you no longer need more than one database, to a TDC migration station, current or soon to come features in Yokogawa hardware and software are everywhere. One of the most interesting things is Yokogawa's insistence on continuing to support FDT/DTM, even though they are one of the most heavily invested automation companies in Foundation Fieldbus and Hart. Several Yokogawa people said that they believed that in the competitive position Yokogawa is in, with the goals they have set, it is important to be perceived to be more open than anybody else, and if Europe is going to go FDT, Yokogawa will be there to offer it to them. They also announced that "eventually" they would support Profibus DP, as well as DeviceNet. They didn't say whether they'd support Profinet, but if Profinet ever becomes more than vaporware, I am sure Yokogawa will support that too. Finally, they got around to talking about MES. Yokogawa has put together a quite decent offering for Enterprise Integration, and I was also told so by the SAP guy who was here. Yokogawa will be integrating support for SAP Netweaver XI into the new capabilities for the Centum 3000 by the end of the year or early in 2006. Walt