Responding to a common request from operators, engineers and maintenance personnel for monitoring the process on the factory floor and analyzing throughout performance, Advantech introduces Industrial Panel PC series (i.e. IPPC series) with WinCE technology as HMI (human machine interface) solution. By offering these bundles to customers with one point of contact for sales, support, and service, our WinCE HMI family simplifies the task of integrating open automation.

Since Windows CE shares the Win32 API with Windows NT, the same programming tools that developers now use for Windows NT-based systems will also be employed to create Windows CE systems. End users should also be able to leverage that benefit as well to create modular control applications that can run on Windows NT, or subsets of the control engine for embedded Windows CE installations. Windows CE will play a role in the low end, dedicated controller market as well as embedded control where limited HMI functionality suffices. Windows CE also will gain acceptance in the automation market after Microsoft establishes its real-time capabilities in their version 3.0 released due in early 2000.

In addition to Windows CE operating software, Advantech WinCE HMI products are equipped with flash drives. Windows CE and WinCE HMI software applications are specially developed for use with non-rotating flash drives to provide ruggedness and stability against plant-floor vibration, moisture, and shock hazards - protection not available with rotating hard drives.

Advantech Industrial Panel PC series (i.e. IPPC series) serves as the base for the WinCE HMI. The WinCE HMI product series is available with a 5.7" to 15" color display and is available with a touch screen, equipped with Intel processors up to Pentium MMX 233 MHz, one Ethernet port and up to two PC/104 expansion modules. Enclosure options include IP 65/NEMA 4 front panel and power supply get the approvals of UL/CSA/TUV.