02 April 2008
‘Since we began the global introduction of Smart Wireless field networks a year ago, we’ve been exited at the high customer interest and their quickly realised business results,’ said John Berra, president of Emerson.He continued: ‘We are pleased to be working with Cisco to extend our offering to include wireless plant network solutions with the security and reliability required in the process environment.’Berra said the combined field and plant communications platform supports current and future applications.He also claimed Cisco’s commitment to open standards made in ‘an ideal partner’.Maciej Kranz, vice president of product marketing for Cisco’s wireless business unit, said the company’s customers had transformed their in-plant processes with networks and mobility.‘By delivering a combined wireless architecture from Emerson and Cisco, we are enabling our manufacturing process customers to deploy flexible, scaleable and safe wireless solutions and mobility applications in rugged plant environments,’ he said.Emerson will project-manage and deliver the wireless solution to customers by working with Cisco and taking advantage of their joint expertise. Emerson and Cisco have developed a services plan to design, specify, install and support wireless solutions for customers world wide. Wireless plant networks use Cisco Unified Architecture, including industrial-class wireless access points, controllers and network management software, and plant applications such as communication, tracking and worker mobility tools.Emerson will use Wireless Architecture to provide secure wireless LAN coverage and integration within the plant’s existing IT infrastructure, this integration eliminates the need for a complex wireless overlay network. Cisco’s Wireless Control System will centralise the configuration and management of the plant’s wi-fi network, reducing overall cost of ownership.‘We envision that the open-standard wireless infrastructure and applications jointly architected with Cisco will simplify the implementation of value-added wireless automation projects and reduce risk,’ Berra said. ‘The age of wireless will be advanced as process and IT improvements are smoothly integrated, and the canyons of steel and limits of wiring are removed as obstacles to the imagination of customers.’
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