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ABB launches the latest version of its distributed control system, ABB Ability System 800xA 6.1.1, offering increased I/O capabilities, the agility of commissioning and enhanced security as a foundation for digital transformation.

ABB Ability System 800xA 6.1.1 represents an evolution for automated control and plant operations of tomorrow, consolidating the technology pioneer’s number one leadership position in the DCS market, per its maker. By increasing industry collaboration, the latest version of ABB’s flagship DCS enables decision makers to future-proof their plants.

The System 800xA 6.1.1 enhances collaboration via  a number of new features including simplified, faster commissioning of greenfield projects and brownfield expansions with a new and improved Ethernet I/O Field Kit, now with xStream Commissioning. This allows users to configure and test I/O in the field without the need for the control-application software or process-controller hardware, all from a single laptop. This means Field I&C technicians can simultaneously perform automated loop checks of multiple smart devices, documenting all final results.

System 800xA 6.1.1 also promises to ease implementation of digital solutions. Thanks to the 800xA Publisher system extension, users can securely choose which data to stream to ABB Ability Genix Industrial Analytics and AI Suite, both on the edge or in the cloud.

“ABB Ability System 800xA 6.1.1 makes a powerful and world-leading DCS even better. Besides being a process-control system, an electrical-control system and a safety system, it is a collaboration enabler, allowing further improvement of engineering efficiency, operator performance and asset utilization,” said Bernhard Eschermann, chief technology officer, ABB Process Automation. “For example, the xStream-commissioning capabilities take risk and delays out of large projects and enable ABB’s Adaptive Execution approach for project execution. In addition, standard interfaces support customers to make better use of operational data in their digitalization journey, keeping cyber security in check.”

Faster and more cost-efficient project execution is made possible thanks to the inclusion of Select I/O enhancements in the new version. I/O-cabinet standardization reduces the effects of late changes and keeps the footprint to a minimum, notes ABB. To lessen the amount of ancillary hardware that needs to be added to I/O cabinetry, the Select I/O now includes Ethernet adapters with native single-mode fiber-optic connectivity and individual signal conditioning modules with built-in intrinsically safe barriers.