Penn College receives contribution of industrial automation software from Kepware Technologies.
RELEASE: Williamsport, PA, June 13, 2007 - Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Penn College's Electronic and Computer Engineering Program has received a contribution of OPC server and PLC driver software from Kepware Technologies of Portland, Maine.
Last summer the Engineering Program began to investigate the possibility of creating a new, hands-on lab dedicated to factory automation applications. Randall L. Moser, an instructor in Penn College's Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology department, researched the industry and focused on OPC.
OPC is a client / server technology which has become a widely accepted industrial communication standard. OPC enables the exchange of data between multi-vendor applications without any proprietary restrictions. One of the most common uses of OPC is where an OPC server acquires data from factory floor PLCs and serves it to OPC client-enabled control systems, operator interfaces, manufacturing executions systems and historians.
The single, consistent interface of Kepware's core OPC server product KEPServerEX, allows you to truly maximize the promise of OPC. You can add multiple driver "plug-ins" all within a single OPC server without worrying about learning new communication protocols or spending time understanding new applications. The list of drivers includes PLC and device drivers, database and application specific drivers, and a user-configurable driver for serial and Ethernet data acquisition.
Mr. Moser said "The OPC server and device drivers will be a great addition to the our technology labs. This software will provide valuable hands on exposure to automation standards, and will allow us to explore real world networking, data handling and database applications used in the industrial plant environment."
Kepware's Technical Support Manager, Fred Loveless, commented, "Kepware is pleased to be affiliated with a well respected institution like Penn College and we look forward to their students becoming familiar and fluent with OPC."
ABOUT KEPWARE: Kepware is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers a unique experience in both OPC and communication protocols. Since 1995, Kepware has focused on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices. Applications include M2M (Machine to Machine) and M2E (Machine to Enterprise) communications. Operating system support includes; Microsoft Windows Desktop, Windows Server and Windows Embedded (Windows CE and Windows Embedded NT/XP). Today, with over 140 communication protocols, and through the efforts of our direct sales, distribution and embedded partners, Kepware is the leading provider of communications with annual shipments exceeding 100,000 units. Kepware's responsiveness to customer needs and strong partnerships with other leading automation suppliers ensures that your next application will be a success. Ask around and you'll hear why automation professionals everywhere consider Kepware Technologies "Automation's Best Friend". www.kepware.com
ABOUT PENN COLLEGE: Pennsylvania College of Technology is a special mission affiliate of Penn State, committed to applied technology education. With more than 6,500 students enrolled, Penn College has the second highest enrollment in the Penn State system. Penn College is the state's premier technical college. No other institution in the state offers such a wide range of applied technology offerings. Business and industry connections are key ingredients in Penn College's success as a leader in Pennsylvania higher education and workforce development. The College's main campus is located in Williamsport, PA.
