FDT Group To Integrate AutomationML Data Exchange Standard Into FDT Technology

The FDT Group, an independent, international, not-for-profit industry association and originator of the well-established FDT® Technology, today announced it will integrate the open AutomationML data exchange standard into open, non-proprietary FDT® Technology. Together, the two standards will help advance global adoption of Industrie 4.0 solutions.

The announcement of the FDT/AutomationML integration was made during a press conference at the SPS IPC Drives exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany. SPS IPC Drives is Europe’s leading event for electric automation.

First developed in 2006, AutomationML is intended to standardize data exchange in the engineering phase of production systems. AutomationML e.V., the industry consortium responsible for the standard, develops and maintains an open, neutral, XML-based data representation, which enables secure transfer of engineering data between domains and companies. Instead of developing a new data format, users can extend, adapt and merge existing formats in appropriate ways.

AutomationML follows the roadmap of Industrie 4.0 and the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in supporting the integration of engineering activities and tools for production systems, as well as the application of engineering data within the use phase of production systems.

FDT Technology provides secure and reliable interoperability across automation systems, network and devices. It supports an IIoT-connected enterprise, creating a single system infrastructure that standardizes the connection of disparate plant and automation assets.

FDT Group Managing Director Glenn Schulz said, “AutomationML has captured mindshare with many of IIoT architects around the world by providing a high-quality, open standard for the exchange of plant engineering data. Integration of AutomationML into FDT expands the solution set to include engineering and purchasing metadata within the FDT/FRAME™ and more advanced wizards within an FDT/DTM™.”

Schulz added, “The FDT Group’s strategic plan calls for the establishment of an eco-system of vendors to demonstrate Industrie 4.0 / IIoT solutions based on the FDT standard. The FDT Group looks forward to an aggressive prototyping exercise and a platform demonstration in close cooperation with AutomationML.”

AutomationML was developed to meet the diverse needs of production system engineering. The standard is able to represent the engineering results of the production system structure definition; mechanical, electrical, piping, and control engineering; virtual commissioning; and, lastly, installation and final commissioning. Thus, it is applicable to engineering tool integration in heterogeneous tool landscapes as specified by Industrie 4.0.

For more information, please visit the FDT Group website.

About FDT Group AISBL

The FDT Group AISBL is an international non-profit corporation consisting of leading worldwide member companies active in industrial automation and manufacturing. The major purpose of the FDT Group is to provide an open standard for enterprise-wide network and asset integration, innovating the way automation architectures connect and communicate sensor to cloud for the process, hybrid and factory automation markets. FDT Technology benefits both manufacturers and end users, with advancements such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industrie 4.0 delivered out-of-the-box – enabling modernized asset integration and access to performance data for visualizing crucial operational problems. Around the world, end users, manufacturers, universities, and research organizations are working together to develop the technology; provide development tools, support, and training; coordinate field trials and demonstrations; and enable product interoperability.

FDT® is a registered trademark, and DTM™ and FRAME™ are trademarks of the FDT Group AISBL. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Maggie Carlson

Marketing Support

FDT Group AISBL

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