Ops-topbanner
Ops-topbanner
Ops-topbanner
Ops-topbanner
Ops-topbanner

Invensys Updates World-Leading HMI Platform

Nov. 9, 2011
Wonderware InTouch 2012 Adds Support for Microsoft Virtualization, Remote Access Tools, and is More Tightly Integrated with Other ArchestrA Apps
About the Author
Walt has more than 30 years of experience in sales, sales management, marketing, and product development in the automation industry both for sensors, devices and control systems for industrial and environmental controls, including Executive Committee and Board experience in several companies. Walt currently is serving as Editor-in-Chief of CONTROL and www.controlglobal.com. Because of his broad subject matter expertise and business experience, he is uniquely qualified as a global automation industry analyst. Learn more.
By Walt Boyes, Editor-in-Chief

Built on the ArchestrA System Platform and designed to work with ArchestrA Workflow 2012, Wonderware InTouch 2012 is the latest offering in the long line of the world's best-selling HMI software package. In fact, in a recent study ARC Advisory Group gave Wonderware InTouch the number one market-share position globally in human-machine interface software and services.

"It should be noted," said Rashesh Mody, Invensys' senior vice president of software and advanced applications, "that unlike other vendors, this is all organic growth, as Invensys has not acquired any other HMI companies in recent history." Wonderware's active installed base for InTouch is rapidly approaching 700,000 licenses, Mody said.

Rob McGreevy, Invensys' vice president, platform and applications, noted that, like all of the applications of the InFusion Enterprise Control System, Wonderware InTouch 2012 is completely open and extensible. "And because of our deep collaboration with Microsoft," McGreevy said, "we are able to offer advanced support for RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), allowing safe and secure accessibility remotely from anywhere and on a variety of smart devices."

"Because cybersecurity is a growing concern," product manager Gary Nelson added, "we are committed to offering the most secure HMI on the market." Besides support for RDP, Nelson noted, Invensys is offering support for the latest Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization services that are part of Windows Server 2008 R2.

With updated InTouch HMI software from Invensys, plant personnel can easily create performance dashboards and highly graphical, animated screens help them control vital manufacturing processes.
"Using ArchestrA System Platform 2012, Wonderware InTouch 2012 is seamlessly integrated with ArchestrA Workflow 2012," said Maryanne Steidinger, director of product marketing, operations and information software. "All our applications are being designed to work together."

InTouch 2012 enables users to create standardized, reusable HMI and real-time decision support applications quickly and easily with Wonderware Development Studios. "These applications can help users maximize their return on engineering effort, shorten project times and reduce maintenance costs," McGreevy said.

"Our goal," said Sudipta Bhattacharya, Invensys Operations Management CEO, "is to empower the edge—give the operator the tools he needs to make decisions that benefit the enterprise—real business control. Wonderware InTouch 2012 is one of the central tools we have to do that."

Wonderware InTouch 2012 is built on the industry standards-based ArchestrA architecture, the newest version of which, ArchestrA System Platform 2012, is also being released this week at OpsManage11. "Using System Platform 2012," McGreevy said, "provides very tight integration between Wonderware InTouch and ArchestrA Workflow 2012. The System Platform architecture makes high availability, virtualization, disaster recovery and security simple for users of our integrated development environment."

"InTouch 2012 has capabilities that extend well beyond that of any traditional HMI,” says Maryanne Steidinger. “With only a standalone InTouch implementation, for example, a user can now utilize advanced ArchestrA graphics and can build powerful workflow applications."