Shop Floor To Top Floor Connectivity

The C Connector PLC module simplifies making the essential link between automation systems and higher level databases, ERP applications and MES applications like SAP. Production data can thus be easily monitored and recorded, and higher level production decisions more easily implemented, helping to increase plant visibility and to boost productivity.

For the automation engineer the C Connector is intuitively operable, while for enterprise and logistics personnel the information is presented in a manner which is readily usable and understandable.

The C Connector facilitates direct, bidirectional exchange of data between a PLC and the higher level systems, simplifying the collecting, storage and monitoring of field data within the business application, and the sending of instructions directly to the plant floor.

Eliminating the need for intermediate PC hardware and its inherent infrastructure and IT vulnerabilities – for example virus scanner maintenance, OS upgrades and incompatibilities, hardware failures, operator abuse – the industrial proven C Connector runs directly on Mitsubishi Electric’s iQ controller, where it has direct access to live process data and all connected I/O. Here it can also be used to collect data from other automation devices in the field such as RFID sensors, barcode reader, weighing systems or vision systems.

Setting up bidirectional communications is as simple as selecting an integration template for the target system from the extensive library of preconfigured templates.

These cover many different SAP solutions including direct BAPI interfacing, MII connection, web services and even Pco connection is planned.