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Issue Date: 7/15/2007
Effective Date: 7/15/2007
Control Number: PMB-V1.40

Issued By: Sloan Zupan

Product Category: Enterprise Connectivity

QJ71MES96 MESIF Enterprise Connectivity Product Announcement

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. is pleased to announce soft launch of the QJ71MES96
MES Interface Module (abbr. MESIF). The MES Interface is a new type of Q Series
communication module that is unique in our industry. It is one element in Mitsubishis Global
e-F@ctory collaboration initiative to help our customers implement high-quality solutions
that span the FA and IT domains.

Mitsubishi Electric FA Collaboration Domains

< SOLUTION >
Integrators

ER P

< IT & MES >

Software Partners

M ES

MES Int erf ac e

C ontrol

Middleware Pac kage

M E LS E C N E T

Industrial Control
Primary Business
Domain

Field Devices
(CLPA)
F ield D evices

F42-06Z-SLSMKTG-001-*

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WHAT IS THE MESIF?

The MESIF executes read and write data transactions with enterprise quality databases such
as Microsoft MSSQL and Oracle that operate on MS Windows-based computers. These
databases often form the foundation for widely used MES (Manufacturing Execution System)
software solutions, hence the name MES Interface (our module connects the controls
directly and reliably to the MES). There are a variety of other IT applications beyond MES
that can benefit from the direct, high reliability, 2-layer connectivity that MESIF provides.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The MESIF acts as a data collection unit operating within the control system. It snapshots
and time stamps data in the local system or in remote systems (including A, QnA & Q)
connected by network (Net/10/H, CC Link or Ethernet). The data collection occurs on preprogrammed trigger conditions that the module monitors for occurrence in the control
system(s), such as value change, timer, clock or handshake. The collected data is moved
directly to database tables based on user-defined mapping. This sequence is called a
transaction.

Transactions can also move data from the database to the control system, supporting
movement of recipe or instruction data from a PDM (Product Data Management) system
database to the controller.
Various other support features enhance the basic functionality. For example, Store-andForward prevents data loss by buffering transactions in the module when the control
system and database become temporarily disconnected by a network failure or other reason.
Another support feature capability for MESIF to automatically update its internal clock and
the controller CPU clock with data collected from an SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol)
server installed somewhere on the enterprise Ethernet network.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, MESIF is designed so that programming of transactions can be
handled by normal factory engineers given nominal training and by IT people with very little
training. The user programming interface operates menu driven and it minimizes complexity,
so one need not know how to form SQL statements or XML messages. MESIF can ease the
tension that exists between manufacturing and IT people in many companies, fostering
improved cooperation and solutions.

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WHY MESIF?
Customers face challenges in areas such as rapid response to order volume change, improving equipment
operation rates, reducing lead time, improving quality and reducing costs to name but a few. These
challenges require solutions that bridge the boundary between factory and IT departments. Via
eF@ctory, Mitsubishi Electric provides ideal solutions for customers to tackle these problems easily and
effectively.
MESIF enabled Solutions also address operational concerns such as reliability issues common to
traditional data collection methods. Using the MESIF appliance based approach, customers can realize
significant performance improvement and cost savings compared to traditional solutions involving data
collection computers on the plant floor.
Any plant with PCs in the factory must dedicate resource to replacing or repairing failed equipment,
updating the Windows OS, and managing virus protection and other connectivity software needed to pass
plant floor data to the enterprise level. The diagram below (left) shows a traditional method of
connecting manufacturing to the enterprise. In comparison to the MESIF System (right), the traditional
system has more potential failure points, response delays and configuration layers that increase initial
and lifecycle costs and increase the difficulty to identify and resolve problems.
Traditional Infrastructure vs. MESIF

The system on the right directly

connects the Q Automation
Platform to enterprise application
and database servers.
This direct connection enables
customers to achieve highly
reliable connections move date
securely between automation
assets and IT systems.

IMPROVING RESPONSE, SIMPLICITY AND MAINTAINABILITY

The MESIF two-layer approach eliminates various potential issues of traditional PC-based data collection.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Limited response when decisions are made at the IT level (degraded production capacity)
Cost and unreliability caused by Windows/PC maintenance, security, abuse, etc.
Custom driver development & lifecycle maintenance (affects cost, agility)
Multi-layer configuration that is complex to develop, maintain and change
Challenges to factory maintenance personnel (knowledge base), reduced control performance
and the need for machine revalidation after changes (operating effectiveness).

Eliminating issues associated to these challenges can be huge business drivers for many customers.

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e-F@ctory is comprised of
several products all of which
connect Mitsubishi PLC and
GOT hardware to IT systems.
The QJ71MES96 connects the
Q Automation Platform to the
enterprise system. There will
also be a GOT MES Interface
that can be connected to
MELSEC PLCs. But more
importantly the GOT has
drivers to connect to third
party PLC suppliers like Allen
Bradley.
FLEXIBLE CONFIGURATION
Multiple MESIF modules can be connected to a single database allowing multiple production
lines to use one database. Each MESIF can support multiple databases and tables
simultaneously.
PREVENTING LOST DATA
When disconnected from the host system, unfinished messages are stored to the compact flash
card via a store and forward function. These messages will transmit automatically when the
connection is re-established with the host system. Time synchronization ensures proper data
coordination with the information system upon final delivery.

Buffering of high speed data transmissions can be accomplished as well. When transmission
requests exceed the networks bandwidth, the MES interface automatically buffers the messages
to internal memory. Once again time synchronization ensures proper data coordination with the
information system upon final delivery.

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The wizard based configuration software reduces expensive engineering time. No SQL or XML
program language knowledge is required to configure the system. The software automatically
creates all of the SQL and XML statements needed when the user completes the fields in the
software interface.

The QJ71MES96 has all of the important functions one would need to connect plant floor data
with IT systems. Below is a list of functions supported by the QJ71MES96 Q MES Interface
module.

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Also the QJ71MES96 hardware specifications supports both 10/100 base Ethernet and time
synchronization. Below are the product specifications of the QJ71MES96 Q MES Interface
module.

Below are the software specifications of the MX MES Interface software.

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Below are the software specifications of the MX MES Interface software. (Continued)

The MX MES Interface software can run on Unicode operating systems including Windows 2000
and Windows XP. Below are the operating environment specifications for the MX MES Interface
software.

Below is a product list for the Q Automation Platform MES Interface module.
Product Description
Q Automation Platform MES Interface Module
Q Automation Platform MES Interface Software
CompactFlash card 128 MB *2
CompactFlash card 256 MB *2 GT05-MEM-256MC

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Part Number
QJ71MES96
MX-MESIF-STD-C1
GT05-MEM-128MC
GT05-MEM-256MC

Price
$3,495.00
$495.00
$405.00
$590.00

Below are the operating environment specifications for the MX MES Interface software.
(Continued)

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is an applied technology that needs to follow a particular sales process. Distributor
personnel need to involve the Mitsubishi sales representatives and automation specialists in the
beginning of the sales process. It is important to work closely with manufacturing engineering
and IT people on every sales opportunity.
This is the QJ71MES96 soft launch. This means that product is available for prequalified opportunities. These opportunities become qualified when a Mitsubishi
Sales Representative and/or Automation Specialist communicates the opportunity to
the Strategic Sales Manager of Enterprise Connectivity (e-F@ctory). Field Sales
Demos, Getting Started Guide and Training are in development. Once these
supporting materials become available we will announce the QJ71MES96 full launch.
Moving forward it is important for each of you to become more familiar with the QJ71MES96
product offering and the e-F@ctory strategy. Our distributor partners will need to pick a
technical resource that will be the support lead for e-F@ctory solutions. This person should
attend training and understand how to identify and qualify opportunities to use this technology.
Support requirements for this sort of product are different from tradition automation product
support. The assigned resource will need to acquire an understanding of the Windows
operating systems, Ethernet networking, relational database structures, and a strong proficiency
of Mitsubishi core networks, and Q, QnA, and A series programming.
e-F@ctory is one of the competitive advantages Mitsubishi Electric has over our competition. It
solves higher level business problems that all of our customers are faced with and it compares
favorably to competitor strategies. Lets work together in solving complex customer problems
with a simple new technology. Your efforts will be rewarded with a strong customer relationship
and greater account control.

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