Liaison Agreement for PA-DIM, Function Blocks, and FDI Technology in OPAF standard of standards

Austin, TX US, March 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FieldComm Group earlier announced the endorsement of its process automation device information model specification (PA-DIM), based on NAMUR requirements, by the OPC Foundation (OPCF), PROFIBUS&PROFINET International (PI), and The Open Group Open Process Automation™ Forum (OPAF) organizations. Additionally, a liaison agreement to leverage FieldComm Group specifications within the OPAF ‘standard of standards’ is now complete.  Together these endorsements serve as validation of FieldComm Group’s position at the center of process automation standards development and product conformance testing.

Announced at the 2018 ARC Forum, FieldComm Group and the OPC Foundation presented their joint vision for creating a protocol independent, process automation device information model (PA-DIM) specification to implement the requirement of the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA).

According to Ted Masters, “The goal of PA-DIM, when used alongside registered products that support FieldComm Group and PI’s joint FDI technology (Field Device Integration), is to simplify field device integration to systems and clouds. The goal of OPAF is to create a new paradigm for open automation systems that respects existing standards and technologies -- in other words, a standard of standards.  We look forward to working with OPAF to leverage existing FieldComm Group technologies, and to helping define the PA-DIM.”

Steve Nunn, President and CEO of The Open Group, says, “This is another key milestone for the development of process automation globally. We are delighted to be working with FieldComm Group to grow our collaboration and vision of the many industries vested in automation, which are critical to vital sectors of our economy. This is also a key step in our move towards the development of a framework and a standard for process automation, which aims to deliver tangible benefits to multiple industry sectors. We are looking forward to progressing along this journey with FieldComm Group as a strong collaborative partner.”

“FieldComm Group technologies, such as Function Blocks and FDI, are important enablers of interoperability, interchangeability, and portability in the standards-based open process automation architecture envisioned by OPAF”, said Don Bartusiak Co-Chair, Open Process Automation Forum.

Activities anticipated by the liaison agreement include:

• Nomination of a liaison representative to collaborate on development of the Process Automation Device Information Model (PA-DIM), in a joint collaboration with FieldComm Group, OPC Foundation, and PI currently ongoing within the FieldComm Group Working group structure.
• Nomination of a liaison representative to collaborate on development of FDI and function blocks within the FieldComm Group Working group structure.
• Technical support and best practices guidance of IEC standards for which FieldComm Group has created specifications or otherwise had input into the standards.
• Technical support and best practices guidance on FieldComm Group Function Blocks and related specifications. 
• Leverage FieldComm Group as the conformance authority for IEC standards guided by FieldComm Group, including HART, Foundation Fieldbus, and FDI, as well as for conformance with the FieldComm Group Function Blocks.

About FieldComm Group

The FieldComm Group is a global standards-based organization consisting of leading process end users, manufacturers, universities and research organizations that work together to direct the development, incorporation and implementation of new and overlapping technologies and serves as the source for FDI technology. FieldComm Group’s mission is to develop, manage, and promote global standards for integrating digital devices to on-site, mobile, and cloud based systems; provide services for standards conformance and implementation of process automation devices and systems that enable and improve reliability and multi-vendor interoperability; lead the development of a unified information model of process automation field devices while building upon industry investment in the HART®, FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus and FDI™ standards. Membership is open to anyone interested in the use of the technologies. For more information, please visit www.fieldcommgroup.org.

About The Open Group

The Open Group is a global consortium that enables the achievement of business objectives through technology standards. Our diverse membership of more than 650 organizations includes customers, systems and solutions suppliers, tool vendors, integrators, academics, and consultants across multiple industries. Further information on The Open Group can be found at www.opengroup.org. 

Talon Petty
FieldComm Group Inc
5127922274
tpetty@fieldcommgroup.org

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