The Fieldbus Foundation, a not-for-profit grouping of process industry end users and automation suppliers has announced a foundation for remote operations management (ROM), a ‘unified digital infrastructure’ for process automation. ROM targets management of remote assets such as tank farms, terminals, pipelines and offshore platforms. The technology offers connectivity with leading industrial protocols such as Wireless Hart, ISA 100.11a and wired H1. An electronic device description language provides an abstraction layer for developers. ROM also gives access to discrete and analog field I/O from the control room, integrating machinery health monitoring, safety interlocks, fire and gas detection systems, and video surveillance.
Fieldbus global marketing manager Larry O’Brien commented, ‘Foundation for ROM is important because it is the first time these different protocols have been accessible in a single, standard environment. More importantly, it is one that does not sacrifice diagnostic capabilities of the existing wireless devices. Instead, we map these capabilities into our block structure to provide a standard environment for data management and quality. We can now eliminate current solutions which are highly customized and much more costly to maintain.’ Opco partners in ROM include BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco and Shell. Sell-side members include Emerson, Endress+Hauser, GE, Hart, Honeywell, Invensys, Pepperl+Fuchs, Siemens, and Yokogawa. More from Fieldbus Foundation.
This article originally appeared in Oil IT Journal 2011 Issue # 12.
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