AutomationDirect has introduced Productivity Suite PLC software version 2.4. AutomationDirect’s Productivity Suite PLC programming software version 2.4 provides two software communications enhancements for the Productivity series controllers.

Custom Protocol over Ethernet (CPE) is a feature that allows programmers to create their own Hex-based communications protocol between the Productivity series CPU and third party Ethernet devices; Ethernet-based ASCII is one possibility with this new feature. Another option is Productivity Network (ProNET) which allows data sharing between two or more networked Productivity series CPUs. With this feature, simply broadcast and/or receive data messages “behind the scenes” without the need for any communications instructions in the ladder program.

Productivity series CPUs can support up to 32 unique Global IDs for the networked PLCs in any combination of publishers and subscribers.

About AutomationDirect

In business since 1994, AutomationDirect is a distributor offering thousands of industrial automation products for electrical control systems, including PLCs, operator interfaces, AC drives, motors, stepper systems, sensors, motor controls, enclosures and more.