[November 21, 2008] Online Development Debuts New Controller-to-Controller Universal Gateway Tweet (Wireless News Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Online Development, a developer of factory automation data appliances, introduced a new controller-to-controller module at this week's Automation Fair that it said enables connecting various brands of PLCs without the need to program message instructions. According to the company, the cATM Universal Gateway data appliance is available as a module that installs in a Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PAC, or as a standalone module for DIN rail mounting. Either configuration delivers over 130 protocols for connectivity to thousands of plant floor devices. The new appliance features a universal driver to connect to a wide range of Ethernet and serial devices such as analyzers, bar code readers, weigh scales, RFID systems, serial printers, label machines and more. Target applications for this appliance include M2M (machine-to-machine) communications to improve equipment interoperability while maximizing investments in installed equipment. Online Development worked in partnership with Kepware Technologies to develop the cATM Universal Gateway appliance. It combines Kepware's suite of protocols with Online Development's embedded appliance experience to make the benefits of M2M more available and easier to deploy. "This new appliance will help manufacturers migrate existing equipment to new levels on interoperability to achieve communications throughout their facilities for better operating performance. Being an appliance, the cATM Universal Gateway is inherently easy-to-use and lower in cost than conventional methods of controller-to-controller connectivity," said Ron Monday, president and CEO of Online Development. Online Development will be demonstrating the cATM Universal Gateway at Automation Fair along with its eATM appliances that provide controller-to-enterprise system connectivity. Automation Fair, sponsored by Rockwell Automation, was held this week in Nashville, Tennessee. ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) ((Distributed on behalf of 10Meters via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com)) ((10Meters - http://www.10meters.com)) Copyright ? 2008 Wireless News [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]