Posted to News on 23rd Apr 2007, 16:31
FDT and ECT to work on common field device integration
The FDT Group and ECT (EDDL Co-operation Team) are to work together on a common model for Field Device Integration (FDI), as current technologies are said to provide valuable, complementary solutions to customers.
As in all standards developments, FDT and ECT include technology advances in their evolution programs. Concepts included in the FDI model are part of both organisations' current development and future plans. Working together will result in an improved, unified solution for end users. The novelty of the co-operation is that this future FDI will be common, encompass both technologies, and be backwards-compatible with the existing DTM- and EDD-based products. This is what end users expect.
It is being emphasised that the existing technology development programs in the FDT group are not affected. FDT Group and ECT have set up joint technical and marketing teams to manage this common project. However, all ECT member organisations - namely FDT Group, FF, HCF, OPCF, and PNO - remain separate, each with their own missions, objectives, membership, and organisation structures.
Flavio Tolfo, managing director of the FDT Group, comments: "This new co-operation follows our targets of openness and freedom of choice for the benefit of end users and is strongly supported by our members. After much discussion, we reached a commitment to work together and protect the investment of each technology for the benefit of end users. The FDT Group is looking forward to bringing to bear its broad experience of integrating software applications in conjunction with device descriptions by joining the EDDL Co-operation Team to solve end user needs."
Hans-Georg Kumpfmueller, chairman of the ECT, adds: "This agreement, once brought into reality, is a major step forward for device integration in several areas. It eliminates double efforts for customers and vendors, and preserves backward-compatibility and operating system independence. It is based on the upcoming OPC UA technology, providing EDDL-based integration with the possibility for integrating software applications for highly complex requirements. Our agreement is the natural technical evolution based on the most up to date, open, and flexible technologies. The ECT welcomes the FDT Group as a new member to shape the future."
