ABB Introduces FIM 3.5 to Simplify Device Management in Industrial Plants

What happened:

ABB has announced the availability of its Field Information Manager (FIM) software to help industrial operators to more efficiently manage and maintain large fleets of field devices that are connected. FIM 3.5 is the new edition of the software, which features an automated firmware update feature that enables multiple devices to be updated at once, further minimizing manual work during maintenance operations. 

The platform will be compatible with a variety of industrial communication protocols to be used in the manufacturing and process industries, and with several different vendor devices.

Why it matters:

With more connecting factories, maintenance teams are tasked with keeping track of thousands of sensors, transmitters and field devices located throughout various networks and systems. Timely updates of a firmwares are vital for reliability and security, however it can be time consuming and resource consuming.

The new software should make much of this work automatic, according to ABB, to allow engineers to focus more on how they can enhance plant performance and reliability rather than on routine maintenance tasks.

The platform also provides operators with a single source of truth for device health, diagnostics and device lifecycle data, so they can keep track of their equipment and schedule maintenance efforts.

Industry context:

Manufacturers are increasingly investing in digitalization, automation, and Industrial IoT technologies that are driving up the number of connected devices in industrial settings. These technologies provide more visibility and insights to run the plant, but they also add to the complexity of managing equipment throughout the plant floor. The launch is part of a wider industry trend. It is inclined towards lowering complexity of maintenance.