Do you think mobile devices (such as iPhone, iPad, Android) may become or are already important in the industrial automation sector? Can you imagine scenarios in which you would like to use such a device for e. g. configuration of a field device? Which kind of applications should be available on the mobile devices?

This has been done in the past with some of the personal organizer devices, but it was done with custom software in that device. The use is exactly what you have identified - configuration or calibration of a field device. The big improvement which will make a difference soon, is that mobile devices now have browsers built in. The field device can be set up as a web server, and connected to the mobile device via USB or Bluetooth, etc. Now the user provides their own mobile device, opens their favorite browser, and connects to the field device. The manufacturer no longer has to maintain different executables for different OS's or devices (although, as I discovered in my first effort at this, there are considerations for different browsers that must be taken into account in the HTML pages in the field device).

Hello Christian,

InstantHMI software has been able to run on mobile devices for about 10 years now.

Our development tool allow you to design the HMI system for any platform, desktop, touch panel or hand held. Only a minor changes are needed when changing platforms from desktops to accommodate the mobile screen format.

We also supply a range of hand held devices, ranging from HP iPAQs to rugged industrial hand helds rated for Class 1 Div 1 or Div 2 environments.

Demos of InstantHMI are available at our web site www.instanthmi.com

I would also be glad to do a Virtual Demo over Skype for you, where I can show a desktop, touch screen and hand held all running the same HMI and accessing a remote connected PLC.

Please call or Skype me if I can be of any help.

Yours truly,

Seth Frielich
Software Horizons

Skype sh-seth.frielich

For those who sell industrial automation, Rubber Tree Systems provides mobile technology to keep your salesforce in the loop real time. Their product, Insight OnDemand, uses "push" technology to tie in with your distribution software to give your sales people and management direct access to orders, quotes, and other mission critical data on their Blackberry or smart phone.

Check it out at www.rubbertreesystems.net

WEBER Schraubautomaten GmbH has developed the C-50 Station Control which is capable of operating an automatic feed screw, nut or pin insertion system including all station I/O being run through the C-50. This controller is offered with a virtual PC so that any web enabled device, can be used to audit production data, set or change program parameters and even manually function the machine remotely. This feature allows production managers to interrogate the productivity and accuracy of the equipment at any time, while giving service technicians the ability to diagnose issues from anywhere in the world. To see more information regarding the C-50 please visit the website www.weber-online.com/EN/produkte/process-control/network-c50s.html . The C-50 and all other equipment is available in North and South America and Canada, through our US based headquarters, Weber Screwdiving Systems Inc. www.weberusa.com .

We are using Panasonic and Palm PDA for Construction and commissioning of new plants including equipments installation check,Inspection,loop check and commissioning of instruments.Emerson has a Service called QC3.

Our company Futura Electronics have developed and tested and deployed

GSM based digital on/off control system with DUAL SIM technology.

We have successfully implemented for remote on/off of sprinkler systems to arrest suspended particulate matter pollution in coal yards. Water sprinklers are switched on automatically when ever coal dust level sensed is more than acceptable value.

We are using such systems with SCADA for Centralized Control and Monitoring of Street Lights for energy conservation