MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA, January 20, 2000 . . . . . Fisher Controls, the control valve division of Emerson Process Management, announces powerful new in-service valve monitoring capabilities in their Asset Management Solutions (AMS) ValveLink software as part of the innovative PlantWeb^® field-based architecture. The PlantWeb architecture combines intelligent products with open communication standards and software solutions to significantly enhance process and business performance.

The AMS software family provides maximum plant uptime and sustained performance by streamlining instrumentation and valve maintenance activities, and by providing online access to instrumentation and the automatic capture of all associated maintenance information.

Newly released AMS ValveLink VL2000, version 4.0, is Windows 95/98/NT compatible and works with the over 125,000 FIELDVUE^® instruments already in service worldwide.

In-Service Monitoring Sustains Performance

Fisher Controls now offers the industry's first true continuous, in-service valve performance monitoring capability. As part of its service offering, the Performance Diagnostics functionality of AMS ValveLink software allows constant monitoring of valve performance without bumping, stepping or interrupting normal control operations in any way. If problems arise, event notification is automatically dispatched to a diagnostic center or to plant personnel via e-mail, pager, cellular phone, or Wide Area Network. David Dunbar, VP of Marketing for the Fisher Controls division commented, "For the first time, without affecting the process, valve performance can be monitored dynamically and delivered, in a secure manner, anywhere in the world."

Spot problems before they affect the Process

AMS ValveLink software allows on-site diagnostic tests to be overlaid with Signature Series factory tests, letting you compare as-shipped performance to current operating condition, providing immediate validation of proper operation and performance.

Simple, Flexible Communications

Communicate remotely from a single location to both Foundation^® fieldbus and HART^® FIELDVUE instruments using a single, consistent software interface. Valve performance data can be delivered directly to the operator via existing DCS systems from Honeywell, Bailey, Siemens, etc. over existing networks for worldwide viewing using built-in Modbus communications.

Shrink Commissioning and Turnaround Time

Decrease time and personnel requirements during commissioning and turnarounds with the new Batch Runner utility by automating loop checks, calibrations, instrument performance tuning, and dynamic input response verification.

Simplify ISO9000 Compliance

AMS ValveLink's new Trending capability works with the existing Alert and Audit Log functions to greatly simplify ISO9000 compliance and root cause analysis by allowing you to capture, log and filter event data. With the new DataSync tool, valve performance, calibration and maintenance records can be easily synchronized locally or by LAN connection.

For more information: http://www.valvelink.com.

Fisher Controls is a global leader in the design, manufacture and application of final control systems. With manufacturing, sales, and service offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Fisher Controls provides an unmatched response to the needs of the energy and process industries.

Fisher Controls International LLC is a member of the Emerson Process Management group of companies. Emerson Process Management is a part of Emerson.

St. Louis-based Emerson (NYSE: EMR) is a global manufacturer with market and technology leadership in five business segments: industrial automation; process control; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; electronics and telecommunications; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 1999 were $14.3 billion.