ISA NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Infantino
(919) 990-9287
jinfantino@isa.org
ISA SP-100 Performs Use Case Studies to Provide Framework for Wireless Standard
Use Case Seminar Planned in Bay Area
Research Triangle Park, NC (14 July 2006) - At a recent meeting held at Sensors Expo in Chicago, ISA's Wireless Systems for Automation standards committee (ISA-SP100) announced the completion of several Use Case studies and plans for continued efforts.
The Use Case study allows end users to describe their specific industrial wireless application requirements in their own words, and will provide structure to ensure adequate detail for the committee's working groups. The use case project, a task under the Marketing Working Group of the committee, is well underway with nearly a dozen studies completed from a variety of industries.
"Use case solicitation is an important activity for this committee.
After all, what we strive to develop is a wireless standard that fits the end user's needs, and this is a crucial step in determining what those needs are," said marketing work group chair Paul Sereiko, former CEO and Founder of Sensicast Systems, Inc.
The use case studies include data about site locations, objectives, and tasks required for the wireless application. The users provide thorough site descriptions, which describe specific variables about the location of deployment for a wireless system. Examples of locations studied might be an oil refinery, oil drilling platform, food processing plant, or a paper mill.
The studies also look at application, or what a wireless solution would accomplish. Some tasks that wireless might accomplish include tank level monitoring, perimeter security monitoring, temperature or pressure sensing, etc.
Finally, the use cases study how individual tasks are accomplished and what type and Quality of Service (QoS) is required for each user. For example, a user might require periodic reporting of monitoring valves, alerting and alarming services, or device diagnostics and maintenance.
A typical use case interview takes about an hour to complete, and subsequent interviews take less time. Each component of the process can be submitted by a different contact within the end user company. End users are encouraged to volunteer to complete a study by contacting Lois Ferson, ISA Standards Manager, at lferson@isa.org.
ISA and Chevron will be hosting a free seminar in San Ramon, California on 26 July 2006 for end users who might be interested in participating in the studies. The event will feature a comprehensive overview and update on ISA's wireless standardization effort, along with an interactive forum for discussing specific requirements and opportunities. Future seminars are being planned in locations around the country.
"As a committee dedicated to serving the end user, we're excited to move forward with this initiative and get the best data we can to help us create a useable, beneficial standard for the industry," said ISA-SP100 co-chair Wayne Manges of Oak Ridge National Labs.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
About WBF
WBF provides an open forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes. Created in 1994, members of the non-profit, professional organization include end-users, vendors, consultants and academics. WBF provides organization, management, and structure to facilitate networking among its members and sharing of knowledge and information related to manufacturing processes. WBF documents best practices and guidelines for implementation of standards that apply to batch control and the exchange of batch data, as well as conducting technical conferences and technical training programs. WBF is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org). More information about WBF is available at www.wbf.org.
About OMAC
OMAC–The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users’ Group (www.omac.org) is an affiliate organization of ISA- The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society- and works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
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