Upgraded distributed control system for process industries

Freelance 2019 is an upgraded version of the distributed control system (DCS) solution for process industries originally launched in 1994 by ABB. Freelance combines the advantages of a DCS with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and is characterized by ease of use, scalability, flexibility and reliability, the company says.

The ABB Freelance suite of solutions comprises Freelance Operations for use at operator level, a scalable process level option, and Freelance Engineering which is used to configure and commission the system including the operator interface.

The new version is said to provide significant improvements throughout the complete system, starting with providing a significant increase in efficiency and usability by adding advanced navigation, filter and sort functionality.

A new controller, PM 904F, expands the Freelance AC 900F controller line in the upper range, supporting four communication interfaces.

It also provides more application memory and enables the reservation of specific memory.

Up to four monitors can now be connected to a single operator workplace.

Enhanced security provides an additional alternative to its user management capabilities known as Security Lock by a solution called Extended User Management.

The new option makes use of Windows user accounts, supporting both local and domain accounts.

As a result, typical requests for options such as central password management, rules for password complexity, or password aging can be fulfilled.