AUSTIN, TX    (9/20/2000) -- Fisher-Rosemount announces immediate availability of the 5.0 release of Asset Management Solutions (AMS) software. AMS, a key component of PlantWeb® field-based architecture, changes the way plants manage intelligent devices by supporting plant personnel in device configuration, calibration, and diagnosis of equipment problems.

Customers can now gain access to an increased number of field instruments, which have been fully integrated into the industry-leading online AMS software. In addition, the 5.0 release increases the maximum tag count, adds support for more calibrators and multiplexers, and enhances the client/server functionality. Also included is the ability to create value-added enhancements to AMS by leveraging OLE for Process Control (OPC), a standard which enables information sharing among software applications using Microsoft Windows® technology.

AMS, recognized as the industry standard, now fully integrates field device information for 188 devices from 38 device manufacturers, adding 84 new field devices in the 5.0 release. Seventy-six of the new devices are from manufacturers outside of the Fisher-Rosemount group. Fisher-Rosemount actively supports the efforts of all suppliers with HART® or FOUNDATION™ fieldbus devices who want to be included in AMS. An integrated device can provide AMS users with diagnostics information to better track how the instrument is performing and what, if anything, is causing performance to degrade.

Complete details of the AMS 5.0 release can be found at www.assetweb.com.

This release includes a significant boost in the maximum number of tags possible in an AMS database. The number more than triples to a 5,000 tag level from the previous limit of 1,500 tags. Support for interfaces to the Elcon 2700E, STAHL, and MTL8000 multiplexers have been added with this release, as well as for the Rosemount Validator P330, Druck DPI 615, and Beamex MC5 calibrators.

The 5.0 release adds the power of OPC to the AMS system, opening up a host of additional applications, including more than 200 commercially available OPC clients. For example, OPC gives real-time access to connected devices used to populate a CMMS database, raise work orders, and update reports. Specific OPC applications can be written by anyone familiar with developing OPC clients. Several custom OPC applications and data import/export tools have been developed by Fisher-Rosemount to meet specific project requirements.

AMS delivers the instrument performance data right to a PC in the maintenance shop or and control room, so users can make educated decisions about field instrumentation. Benefits include faster commissioning of instrumentation, lower configuration and ongoing maintenance costs, reduced downtime, and accurate documentation, an important feature in many regulated industries.

Fisher-Rosemount, part of Emerson Electric Co., is a world-leading supplier of control valves, regulators, transmitters, analyzers, process management systems, software, and related services. Its innovative, proven PlantWeb field-based architecture combines intelligent field devices, open standards and automation systems, and modular software to easily and significantly enhance process and business performance. St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Co. is a global leader in providing customers with innovative technologies and solutions in five business segments: process control; industrial automation; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; electronics and telecommunications; and appliances and tools. Sales in fiscal 1999 were $14.3 billion.