ABB TeamNet improves project collaboration for control systems

Houston, Texas, May 18, 2010 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology company, has developed a new solution called ABB TeamNet, enabling project teams to greatly improve collaboration on multiple projects, which is the key to efficient control system engineering and design.

ABB TeamNet is a new system-based concept that enables ABB and its plant customers to access ongoing control system engineering and design projects via a dedicated and secure website.

ABB TeamNet improves the project execution process by utilizing the advanced capabilities of the System 800xA platform along with Remote Desktop to collaborate more effectively during control system engineering and design. Currently ABB has 20 projects using ABBTeamNet for remote access for various project teams, along with four demo systems and two development systems on the network.

Results to date show that the concept greatly improves communication between project participants and avoids costly errors caused by late, inconsistent or misinterpreted data. Previously these errors did not surface until the factory acceptance test, and were usually caused by the design data of third-party equipment vendors arriving after the configuration engineering had begun. ABB Teamwork resolves these issues by enabling project participants to access and review their System 800xA solution as it progresses via a dedicated and secure web portal.

Historically, project reviews consist of printouts of system logics diagrams and graphics. These were often hard to digest and review. By directly accessing project hardware and configurations to review macro, graphic and logic information, ABB TeamNet shortens project schedules. Periodic reviews are performed with tie-back simulation on live graphics and configurations. This view into what the delivered system’s response will be, leads to better understanding of the functionality of the system.

Access to the ABB TeamNet’s remote access network, known as ABB TeamWork, is made via a secure, clientless, SSL-based virtual private network (VPN), which utilizes the best available encryption with two factor authentication to ensure high level security.

Improved dialog, reduced design missteps and less need for costly travel are among the benefits reported by customers. Improved collaboration between ABB, EPC’s and plant project teams result in a win-win for everyone on the project.

This announcement was made at the ABB Automation & Power World 2010 conference, ABB’s annual premier customer event held this year in Houston.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 117,000 people. The company's North American operations, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, employ about 12,000 people in 20 manufacturing and other major facilities.