GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms Launches Latest Version of Proficy® Process Systems For Fully Integrated Process Control

New version adds support for PAC8000 process controllers and PACSystems Redundant RX3i

Charlottesville, VA.- GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, today announced that it has released the latest version of its process control system: Proficy® Process Systems – Version 1.6. Proficy Process Systems is a fully-integrated process control system that, based on its flexible configuration, architecture and choice of controller platforms, can provide customers in different industries with an advanced DCS or hybrid process control system to meet their specific needs. These systems will improve operational performance and productivity and provide customers with a sustainable advantage for their business.

Proficy Process Systems 1.6 continues to enhance the overall system architecture by adding the support of the PAC8000 process controllers and the PACSystems redundant Rx3i controllers. Customers in industries such as Oil & Gas will benefit from GE Fanuc’s DCS system – Proficy Process Systems with the PAC8000 family of controllers.

PAC8000 Controllers can go where other controllers often cannot. They can incorporate optional intrinsic safety for hazardous area applications, and they can be field mounted and subjected to extreme temperatures and corrosive atmospheres when required. Features of the PAC8000 include the following:

* –40°C to +70°C operating range
* ISA Level G3 corrosion
* 30G shock and 5G vibration
* Operation in Class I, Division 2 and Zone 2 hazardous areas with field wiring extending into Division 1 and Zone 1/0 areas

PAC8000 controllers can pass HART information from smart field devices to a computer running device asset management software, allowing for remote maintenance and calibration. HART data and diagnostics can also be used directly in control applications, reducing commissioning time, process downtime and loop maintenance costs.

With the support of PACSystems Redundant Rx3i controllers, Proficy Process Systems provides a High Availability architecture for our customers in industries such as Food & Beverage who will benefit from the discrete, batch, and process capabilities that the PACSystems controllers provide.

“GE Fanuc continues to provide advanced technology platforms that give our customers the freedom and flexibility to choose their visualization technology – iFIX or CIMPLICITY, and their controller platform – PAC8000 or PACSystems,” said Kam Yuen, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms’ Product Manager for Proficy Process Systems. “ This flexibility is very attractive to companies in Oil & Gas, Water / Wastewater, Power & Utilities, Mining, Ethanol, Food & Beverage, Boilers, Data Centers and Chemicals.

“Together with the three new levels of Proficy Process Systems (Premier, Standard, Process Edition) available with this release, this platform offers the ultimate flexibility in terms of architectures, capabilities, and purchasing options that will allow customers to truly design a system to meet their needs,” he continued.

Included with Proficy Process Systems 1.6 is the new Proficy Alarm Viewer that provides advanced alarm line formatting, filtering, and sorting capabilities. It also has an audible alarms capability that annunciates alarms based on the users configured rules. Proficy Process Systems 1.6 also includes new process control function blocks, enhanced visualization faceplates with new look and feel, and new ease-of-use features that enhance the overall usability of the system.