ABB enhances connectivity and interoperability for industrial field instruments by releasing its Ability Field Information Manager 3.0, optimizing oversight of operations for improved productivity. ABB announced the release of the latest iteration of its Ability Field Information Manager (FIM) 3.0. This digital solution provides industrial system engineers and facility maintenance crews with enhanced device connectivity and interoperability to boost productivity for process control instruments in the field. FIM 3.0 is designed to accommodate both existing and future smart factory devices to enable adaptability and digital transformation.
Managing a fleet of field instruments in industrial settings is important for monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing industrial process control systems. Device configuration and interoperability play crucial roles in gathering real-time data to allow for insight generation and effective management to maintain the productivity of industrial systems.
The newly updated FIM 3.0 features a client/server architecture, facilitating simultaneous device management by multiple users, resulting in increased efficiency for configuring, commissioning, and maintaining field devices. The FIM server can be deployed on a server operating system, and FIM clients are installable on 800xA/S+/Freelance Engineering Workplaces, optimizing workflow processes. An additional installer is introduced to accommodate diverse server/client installation scenarios.
ASi-5, short for “Actuator Sensor Interface 5th generation,” represents a networking technology utilized in industrial automation for linking sensors and actuators within a field-level network. The ASi-5, the most recent iteration, brings advancements in data transfer rates, efficiency, and compatibility with diverse devices in industrial environments. It aims to simplify wiring and improve communication between automated system devices. FIM serves as a tool to manage ASi-5 devices, accessed through an ASi-5 gateway connected via existing FIM connectivity like FIM Bridge PROFINET. This proves especially beneficial for industrial engineers by optimizing the management of ASi-5 devices.
