Software Upgrade Helps Reduce Downtime

Maintaining equipment without much downtime is critical for efficient plant operations. The Siemens Industry Automation Division is addressing this requirement by upgrading its Simatic Maintenance Station software, focusing on diagnostic functionality and plant asset management.Version 2009 offers functions for the efficient planning and monitoring of maintenance operations. It also allows devices in the field to access the Simatic Maintenance Station via a web client for remote maintenance. For example, Panel PCs can be used to carry out diagnostic tasks either at the machine level or remotely over the Internet.The software option for the Simatic WinCC SCADA system supports preventive, condition-based, and reactive maintenance activities for a central system. It visualizes diagnostic and maintenance information from a PC to network components. The software also handles maintenance connectivity and monitoring  to controllers, switchgears, circuit protection modules, drives and several other devices.A uniform and clear status display lets operators clearly identify faulted components, systems, and equipment sections so they can assess them individually and respond quickly to special situations. Taking appropriate maintenance action at the right time can reduce downtime, limit maintenance costs and boost productivity. Simatic Maintenance Station sends maintenance requests to a variety of target systems within the plant information network. All operations are message-based so they are easy to archive and understand. This results in an extensive database that can be analyzed within WinCC. Configuring Maintenance Station is easy, leveraging Step 7 project data that is already available from any Simatic controller. Systems from other manufacturers are also easily incorporated using standards-based procedures.For more information on Simatic Maintenance Station, please click here.