The integrated production control system for large-scale process industries such as the CENTUM CS 3000 is developed as the core system for realising Yokogawa's innovative business concept, 'Enterprise Technology Solutions.'

As well as inheriting the same high reliability and superior control functions and engineering environment featured in traditional distributed control systems, CENTUM also has the most advanced operating environment and open architecture offered in general-purpose computers.
The rapid advancement in network and information technology makes it possible to integrate the various, independent information systems scattered throughout a company.
As a result, the specifications requested by users of plant operation systems have also changed. Plant operators are no longer solely concerned with the purchase of a production control system and its associated engineering services but also concerned with comprehensive systems that enable them to operate plants and facilities optimally from an enterprise management perspective.
To meet client requirements, Yokogawa supplies the latest field instrumentation and control systems, but also complete solutions to user needs. This involves the development of state-of-the-art process control technology, such as advanced controls, operation support systems, and simulations. In addition, a broad range of systems are integrated across manufacturing execution and enterprise resource planning (ERP).
This 'Enterprise Technology Solutions' concept (ETS) represents Yokogawa's approach to the systems business.  Another key component for this approach, the CENTUM CS 1000 production control system for small to medium-scale processes. For larger scale applications, the CENTUM CS 3000 provides an integrated production control system with leading-edge technology.

Features of CENTUM CS 3000 Integrated Production Control System
Reliability and versatile control functions are considered paramount when it comes to distributed control systems as well as high reliability and superior control functions.
In addition, the CENTUM CS 3000 achieves the latest information and network technologies by using a Windows NT-based personal computer as the platform for operation, monitoring, and system configuration.
The system scale, and redundant architecture of the CENTUM CS are inherited and open architecture and engineering functions such as the virtual test function are added.
These advancements enable the CENTUM CS 3000 to meet the requirements of large-scale systems, and offer enhanced functions including integration of a manufacturing execution system; concurrent engineering over a network; a container function; and compatibility with existing systems for ease of addition or replacement of existing systems.

System configuration
The CENTUM CS 3000 integrated production control system consists of a human interface station (HIS), which is used for operation, monitoring, and engineering; and a field control station (FCS) connected to field sensors and control elements and performance control.
A general PC/AT-compatible computer can be used for an HIS. The HIS runs under the Windows NT operating system, under which both the operation and monitoring software and engineering software developed by Yokogawa is designed to run. To cater for differing needs, a UNIX-based HIS is also provided, as UNIX is the operating system of the previous CENTUM CS.
These stations are connected on the Vnet system bus, whose high reliability is field-proven in CENTUM CS systems.
Although Windows NT-based distributed control systems are nothing new, the major difference between other vendors' systems and Yokogawa's is that the Yokogawa-original operation and monitoring software is optimum for distributed control systems.

Main features
Open System Architecture for Engineering and Operating Environments
A user can simultaneously operate a control window and another application window such as Excel, exchange data, and use the container function to paste commercially-available graphics (e g, valve and meter symbols) onto an operation and monitoring window.
The user can make use of the most advanced, open network environment to carry out system configuration, engineering, and operations.
Integration of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
An application server can be connected in parallel to HISs as the platform for plant operation and management-level systems, such as an MES and plant information management system (PIMS).
This allows the plant operation and management-level systems to be integrated into the CENTUM CS 3000 system configuration.

Complete functions for efficient engineering
The system has a virtual test function, which allows the user to configure virtual field control stations (FCSs) on an HIS and perform testing and debugging of application software without actual FCS hardware.
Since the user need not wait until an actual FCS is prepared, the engineering lead time is greatly shortened.
Furthermore, by installing this function on a notebook computer, the user can perform engineering and testing anywhere. This virtual test function is original to Yokogawa.
CENTUM CS 3000 systems can be used with existing instrumentation. Operation and monitoring can also be integrated and the existing systems replaced gradually with the most up-to-date systems.