1. AssetCentre
Maximize Your Automation and Process Investment
Advantages
• Secure access to the control system
• Prevent unauthorized or unwanted
changes from occurring in running
processes or files
• Have a documented audit trail for
Rockwell Automation devices of
who made what changes and when
those changes were made to device
programs
• Have an unequivocal record of who
made changes to a specific device or
file
• Can maintain version control for all
system files
• Always know where to find the most
current version of your program Overview
• Can confirm that the correct
and validated configuration or
FactoryTalk® AssetCentre provides you with a centralized tool for
programming is currently in a device securing, managing, versioning, tracking and reporting automation-
related asset information across your entire enterprise. And perhaps
• Time to complete process activities
(i.e., calibration) can be reduced by
more importantly, it can do this automatically, with limited additional
over 50% management oversight or work from employees.
• Manage multiple instrument types FactoryTalk AssetCentre can impact uptime, productivity, quality,
across multiple vendors employee safety or regulatory compliance. Whatever your area of
• View and edit the configuration for a concern, FactoryTalk AssetCentre and its flexible, scalable solution can
process device help you and your organization meet your asset uptime goals.
With FactoryTalk AssetCentre, you can:
• Secure access to the system
• Track detailed users’ actions
• Manage historical versioning of any electronic file
• Provide automatic backup and compare operations on supported
devices
• Configure process instrumentation
• Manage instrumentation calibration schedules and certificates
The scalable design of FactoryTalk AssetCentre allows for easy expansion
of assets and extensible (add-on) capabilities — it’s adaptable from small
line applications to plant-wide installations. It is built on a server that
provides common base functions and extendable add-on capabilities
that help you leverage certain functions for specific automation asset
types. It is this integrated and modular design that lets the system grow
as your business goals and production needs change.
2. Base Functions Audits
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Server provides you and your The Audit feature gathers information centrally that is
production facility the tools to centrally track and manage generated by user interactions with Rockwell Automation
not only the configuration changes that occur in your FactoryTalk-enabled applications, including FactoryTalk
facility, but also the people who are able to perform AssetCentre. Audits are captured while connected or even
these functions. The entire breadth of the base server disconnected from the network!
functions can assist with diagnostics and troubleshooting
The audit trail consists of Logged Time, Occurred Time,
and reduce the time needed to maintain your production
Source, Location, Resource, Username and Message.
assets. The base server functions include:
Capture audit messages such as:
Centralized Database
• Data value changes (timers, tags, instructors, etc.)
FactoryTalk AssetCentre is built upon a centralized • Create, delete or changing of rungs
Microsoft® SQL Server database. This database is the
primary repository for all file versioning, audit logs, event • Create, delete or changing of tags
logs, reporting configuration, schedules, and more. • User log-in/out
• and more . . .
Source Control
The image below is an example of audits for a
Source control leverages the centralized database and ControlLogix® processor named Filler_CLX:
provides automatic version control. This provides proper
file management and single master relationships.
Any electronic file can be put under source control —
RSLogix 5000 (.acd), Microsoft files (.doc, .xls, .ppt, etc.)
Computer Aided Design (CAD) files (.dwg), and others.
Supported source control functions include:
• Check-out: Writes the selected file or folder to a local
working folder with read-write access and locks the
selection to prevent multiple-user editing.
• Check-In: Reads the local working folder and updates
the source control repository, creating new versions as
needed.
• Get: Writes the selected file or folder to the local
working folder with read-only access. Note: A Get can
retrieve the latest or any historical version that is in the
archive. Examples of Rockwell Automation applications that
• Undo Check Out: Returns the selection to an unchecked produce audit messages are:
out state and unlocks the selections. • RSLogix™ 5, RSLogix™ 500 and RSLogix™ 5000
• PanelView™ Plus
• FactoryTalk® View Site Edition
• FactoryTalk® Security
• FactoryTalk AssetCentre
• and more . . .
RSLogix 5000 itself produces over 150 different audit
messages!
Events
The Events feature gathers system-generated information
centrally from FactoryTalk-enabled applications, including
FactoryTalk AssetCentre. The Event logs consist of Logged
Time, Occurred Time, Source, Location, Severity and
Message.
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3. Examples of Event log messages are: Security
• RSLinx® Enterprise service started FactoryTalk AssetCentre internally leverages the powerful
• FactoryTalk® Activation checkout features already found in FactoryTalk® Security. This
standardized security model minimizes efforts to
• FactoryTalk® Network Directory now active administer users and passwords on operator interfaces,
• and more . . . . historians, engineering and maintenance workstations.
It even enforces security rights when machines are
Reporting disconnected from the LAN.
The reporting capabilities allow scheduled and on- Using FactoryTalk Security, by user or by group, you can:
demand searches and can include traceability information
from Audit, Events or Source Control. Scheduled reports • Secure user actions (i.e., check-in, check-out, undo
can be e-mailed to a specific e-mail distribution list, or checkout, etc.)
if run on demand (manually), can be printed or saved as • Control what a user is able to view: full or read only
an electronic file format of Microsoft® Excel®, Microsoft® items in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre tree view
Word, Crystal Reports®, Adobe® Acrobat®, or Rich Text
Format.
Easily create reports for:
• Weekly programming change reports for any Allen-
Bradley controller
• Daily operator inputs from PanelView Plus (Ethernet)
terminals
• Change history report for any electronic file
• and more . . .
• items in the FactoryTalk AssetCentre tree view.
Gain Further Value with Add-on Capabilities
FactoryTalk AssetCentre has an evolving set of add-on
capabilities that allow you to optimize and leverage your
factory automation and process device investments.
These optional capabilities expand upon the robust
central features already found in the FactoryTalk
Scheduler AssetCentre server and allow you the ability to extend
the value of the system as needs change within your
The Scheduler is used to run periodic tasks or reports. manufacturing environment.
These are assigned to FactoryTalk AssetCentre-designated
computers, or agents, to leverage unused or under-
utilized computing power within your facility and are
load-balanced automatically across all agents.
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4. FactoryTalk® AssetCentre optional
capabilities extend the value of
your system and allow you to
optimize your investments.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device Configuration
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Disaster Recovery
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management
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5. Disaster Recovery Rockwell Automation Assets
FactoryTalk AssetCentre provides control system backup The table that follows lists the Rockwell Automation
that is integrated with source control to provide reliable devices supported by the Disaster Recovery capability.
and easy access to the latest control system configuration Network connectivity exceptions are noted where
files. The backup system can be configured to provide a appropriate.
comparison of the configuration file retrieved from the
plant floor with the master file stored in source control Device Type Description
so users can determine any changes that have been
made on the plant floor. These operations are executed Logix5000™ Supports all processors firmware v11.0
Processors and later.
on a repeating date or time basis as scheduled to fit your
Requires matching RSLogix 5000
operational needs. release for each firmware version in use
within the facility.
Disaster Recovery Assets Supported
PLC-5® Supports all processors.
FactoryTalk AssetCentre supports both Rockwell
Automation and third-party assets. The FactoryTalk SLC-500™ Supports all processors.
AssetCentre Archive can be used to manage the project Allen-Bradley® Any drive on Ethernet, ControlNet® or
files for these assets, as well as any other files that you Drives DeviceNet® that uses RSLinx Classic.
might normally store on a computer hard drive or
network share. MicroLogix™ Supports MicroLogix 1000 (detailed
compare) if connected to a network.
Supports MicroLogix 1100, 1200, 1400
Backup and Compare Schedules and 1500 (binary compare).
Easily create Backup or Backup and Compare for any
PanelView™ PanelView devices are supported on all
supported asset type. Schedules can be created for one Standard networks.
or more devices, create as many schedules as you require!
PanelView™ Commonly referred to as PanelView “E,”
Set the Start time and frequency of schedule by Hourly, Enhanced these devices are only supported on
Daily, Weekly or Monthly. Specify by schedule and asset Remote I/O (RIO) connections.
type backup or compare properties, i.e. Compare Options,
PanelView™ Plus PanelView Plus devices are supported
email notifications, etc.
on all networks.
Additional Assets
FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 3.00.00 supports the
ability to back up and compare files and/or folders on
remote computers.
Device Type Description
Remote computer Treats back-ups as single version
(requires UNC control entity in archive. A share is
connection) required on remote computer, user
credentials is also specified.
Generic FTP Treats back-ups as single version
Devices control entity in archive. IP address
Notification required, user credential is also
specified.
The Notification feature proactively notifies designated
users when predefined system events occur. E-mail
notifications could include:
• Upload and compare event statuses
• Completed, aborted or failed schedules
• Rogue candidate detection
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6. Third-party Assets procedures involving complex algorithms and obtain
FactoryTalk AssetCentre version 2.21.01 supports automatic Pass/Fail results.
Motoman, Fanuc and ABB robot controllers.
Calibration Points
Device Type Description Calibration Points specifies the calibration information for
Motoman robot controller Motoman NX-100,
the instrument, such as the number of calibration points,
(requires FTP connection) XRC Robot Controller stated accuracy, resolution, and more. This information is
then used to calculate the high and low spec and control
Fanuc robot controller Fanuc RJ3, RJ3i, R-30iA limits for the instrument’s calibration.
(must support FTP connection) Robot Controller
ABB robot controller ABB IRC5, S4C+ Robot
(must support FTP connection) Controller
Siemens S7 processors 400 and 300 Family
(requires TCP/IP connection) Master Instrument Record (MIR)
Siemens S5 processors 100 Family The Master Instrument Record (MIR) is used to enter all of
(requires TCP/IP connection) the instrument’s information that will remain constant,
such as model number and serial number. The MIR that is
entered will be the basis for creating calibration records
Calibration Management for those instruments.
The FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management
capability allows for a paperless calibration solution: Calibration Records
managing calibration requirements, specifications, This is used to add, display, modify and, if necessary,
schedules, calibration results and reporting. When it delete the results of an instrument, loop, and test
comes to the managing of instrument calibration and instrument or system calibration. This record is used to
system qualifications, FactoryTalk AssetCentre offers capture all information related to the calibration of an
unique advantages. Whether for a single department item, including inputs, readings, standards used, SOP
or an entire organization, your workflow and oversight used, man hours, who calibrated the item, and possibly,
practices can be automated, systematized and improved electronic approval signatures.
— particularly in a regulated environment such as 21 CFR
Part 11 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
How It Works
The FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management
capability leverages industry-leader Prime Technologies
by integrating their ProCalV5 (PCV5) software into
FactoryTalk AssetCentre. This Calibration Management
functionality is completely contained within PCV5, but Event History
accessed solely through FactoryTalk AssetCentre. The event history is a searchable audit trail. It allows
users to find any historical events quickly and easily that
ProCalV5 Integration with FactoryTalk AssetCentre are associated with their items. For example, users can
Instrument data is entered only once and shared use this feature to determine when calibration for an
between FactoryTalk AssetCentre and ProcCalV5 — that instrument occurs, as well as when status changes.
is, the manufacture, model number, serial number,
etc. Calibration summary data can be viewed within Reminders
FactoryTalk AssetCentre; and for detailed calibration The tool is also equipped with a reminder system whereby
information, FactoryTalk AssetCentre provides a context- overdue calibrations, work items and alerts will appear
sensitive quick launch into the ProCalV5 application. on the Reminders screen. There are many different types
of reminders that may be configured by User Group to
Simplify Complex Calibration Procedures appear in this screen. They range from Late Calibrations to
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management lets Un-finalized Maintenance Results. The Reminders screen
you assign multiple input and output engineering may also inform users of their current Review and/or
units, multiple ranges, multiple test points and multiple Approval obligations.
tolerances. It helps users to perform calibration Standard Reports
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7. FactoryTalk AssetCentre Calibration Management
includes a comprehensive selection of over 70 standard
reports. Our standard reports include audit trails, alerts,
calibration, loop, equipment reports and more. Reports
can be modified or created using Crystal Reports® from
SAP BusinessObjects.
Hand-held Transmitters
With the use of the optional Field Calibrator Utility,
users are able to download calibration assignments
and specifications directly to a documenting process
calibrator. With the calibrator, the user may then go into
the field and complete the calibration assignment in
accordance with the predefined and approved procedure.
The completed calibration is then easily and seamlessly DTM Network
uploaded as electronic calibration records to the ProCal The physical communications path to the device is
system database. managed via the intuitive, easy-to-use DTM Network
editor. Adding new devices is easy with the Scan Network
function. Devices found via the scan will automatically
Process Device Configuration be added, capturing the device(s) model number, serial
FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device Configuration number, manufacture, etc.
(PDC) is an optional capability. Using Field Device Tool
(FDT) technology, FactoryTalk AssetCentre PDC allows you DTM View
to access instrument parameters, aids in configuration
Depending on the device (for example, Endress+Hauser
and commissioning process devices and helps with
Cerabar pressure transmitter, the DTM View presents a
diagnostics. Acting as a host system, or frame application,
rich set of graphical user features and functions that are
FactoryTalk AssetCentre gives you the ability to work with
unmatched to other technologies. From the DTM View,
multiple vendors’ instruments in one common platform,
you can edit online/offline parameters; upload/download
reducing overall maintenance and field time. This means
configuration; print; view online help manuals, trending
you now have the freedom to choose best-in-breed
for diagnostic purposes, etc.
instruments and maintenance tools available from any of
the more than fifty vendors supporting FDT technology.
Connectivity Options
For more information on FDT technology, visit FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device Configuration
www.fdtgroup.org. comes standard with a number of communications and
With FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process Device device DTMs for use in a variety of Rockwell Automation
Configuration, you can: architectures. The common process device networks
(HART, Fieldbus Foundation and Profibus PA) are
• Manage installed Device Type Manager (DTM) with the supported for use within FactoryTalk AssetCentre Process
DTM Catalog Device Configuration.
• Build the DTM communications path from FactoryTalk
AssetCentre client computers to the physical devices Rockwell Automation-provided Communication DTMs
• View and edit the configuration for a device (online or
• ControlLogix (Ethernet or ControlNet)
offline)
• Upload and download the configuration for a device › 1756-IF8H HART Analog Input
• Print the configuration for a device › 1756-OF8H HART Analog Output
How It Works – The Path • Flex I/O (Ethernet or ControlNet)
The path from the FactoryTalk AssetCentre Client to the › 1794-IE8H/A HART Analog Input
physical device passes through one or more intermediate › 1794-IE8H/B HART Analog Input
gateway or communication DTMs. For example, this
picture shows the physical path from the client through › 1794-OE8H/A HART Analog Output
ControlLogix® to an Endress+Hauser Cerabar pressure › 1794-OE8H/B HART Analog Output
device. › 1794-IF8IH/A HART Analog Input
› 1794-OF8IH/A HART Analog Input
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