26 June 2023: ABB has launched its latest Automation Software Maintenance (ASM) lifecycle management program to cover the software related to Paper Machine Drives (PMC800) and Pulp and Paper Process Control Library (PPLib800xA). The new service offering is an extension of ABB’s ASM program, and complements the Quality Control System (QCS) ASM program that was introduced in January 2023.

The basis of all ASM programs is to offer a tiered subscription service that enables system evolution from older versions to the latest and/or provide on-demand access to regular software updates that include incremental improvements, patches and new features. This proactive system management helps pulp, paper, packaging and tissue mills to maximize their system investment and reduce maintenance and support costs.

ASM tiered subscription options open up the features available as mills go through the upgrade process. Maintain Plus provides customers with access to incremental updates for PPLib800xA and PM Drives containing fixes and enhancements, meaning mill operators can benefit from new or improved features, as well as keep pace with important cyber security updates. Maintain & Evolve includes all the benefits of the Maintain Plus level, with the added ability to upgrade from an older legacy system version to the latest and between system generations.

The program also gives both PPLib800xA and PM Drives users access to the myABB business portal for program management and premium system documentation, helping keep process control software up to date.

With PM Drives ASM, mill operators can benefit from free licenses to ABB’s newest drives software applications such as Datalogger and PM Drives Performance – allowing them to historize and leverage data for more predictive maintenance and troubleshooting – as well as machine control safety.

With PPLib800xA ASM, subscription enables an improved human-machine interface (HMI) experience and access to the PPSupport tool, a .Net standalone application that detects unintended changes and aids system engineers in migrating the existing process application libraries to the latest version.

“ABB’s ASM lifecycle management program has been expanded to offer proactive mill operators even better support for their pulp and paper-specific software, allowing them to better manage and predict total cost of ownership,” said Shankar Singh, Global Product Line Manager, Drives and Automation, Pulp and Paper, ABB. “Customers can unlock new features for improved troubleshooting and advanced performance, while at the same time keeping their system software up to date.”

The enhanced ASM lifecycle management program for automation and drives is available to customers from June 30, 2023.