Software provides machine malfunction alerts

A new software programme informs plant managers of poorly performing machines and predicts unexpected failures, its developer claims.

With pressures on managers to increase output, alerts of inefficient machine performance and malfunctions leading to downtime, provide valuable information and time to support decision making. Emerson Process Management claims its AMS Suite Asset Portal 2.5 software consolidates information from a wide range of internal sources, including mechanical equipment, instruments and values. Monitoring performance enables plant managers to operate machines at full capacity and switch production when downtime is anticipated, claims the company. Users can quickly access current and historical details to expedite decision making, the company claims. The software is part of Emerson's PlantWeb web-based software, which consolidates field generated data viewable on a single summary screen. Information gathered from multiple sources can be accessed by authorised users to examine trends in machine performance and faults. Snapshots of current the current status of part or the whole of an operation can be provided in reports or represented graphically. Asset information can be exported into Microsoft Excel, to allow further analysis or manipulation for presentation, which can then be distributed to interested parties. The AMS Asset Portal also supports information from non-Emerson management systems, allowing an even greater scope for analysis. Emerson Process Management produces software and devices for automating production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, power, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries. The company is part of the Emerson group, which has over 600 operations across 85 countries.