Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, today announced the release of KEPServerEX version 5.17. Key enhancements to the flagship communications platform include the new Scheduler Plug-In and updates to the Local Historian Plug-In and EFM Suite. The release strengthens Kepware’s product offering for industries requiring remote communications, including Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, and Power.
The new Scheduler Plug-In enables users to move the scheduling of data requests from the client to the server to optimize device communications for networks with limited bandwidth. Its centralized scheduling functionality allows users to prioritize schedules and define when and what specific data sets to poll—providing control and monitoring of network utilization. It also adds security to the network by preventing “rogue” clients from hijacking available bandwidth from critical applications.
Kepware’s EFM Suite for KEPServerEX is a collection of drivers and Electronic Flow Measurement (EFM) exporters that enable Oil & Gas companies to poll real-time and historical EFM data from pipeline flow computers and RTUs. While the EFM Suite has always supported FLOWCAL CFX files, KEPServerEX version 5.17 allows users to cleanly import gas EFM data into FLOWCAL’s Oracle database via the FLOWCAL Transaction Queue. This simplifies training, configuration, support, and maintenance for customers that use FLOWCAL and Kepware’s EFM Suite.
To improve operational efficiency and reduce network load, Kepware updated the Local Historian Plug-In to support OPC Historical Data Access (HDA) processed read requests. The processed read requests shift the heavy data computation load from the client to the historian server, minimizing the network load from each request.
“While companies generate massive amounts of data, the insight that this data provides is only valuable if it can be accessed quickly and efficiently,” said Tony Paine, CEO, Kepware. “KEPServerEX version 5.17 gives our customers tools to manage data and prioritize bandwidth usage more effectively so they can optimize their communications and ultimately make more informed business decisions.”
KEPServerEX version 5.17 also features updates to 25 drivers, including significant enhancements to the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix Ethernet Driver, Allen-Bradley Ethernet Driver, DNP3 Drivers, and OPC XML-DA Driver.