Rockwell sweeps up production management software specialist

Automation giant Rockwell is to acquire privately held production management and business integration software developer Datasweep. The acquisition will significantly expand Rockwell’s existing FactoryTalk plant-wide information software, with which it will be integrated and merged. The acquisition, terms of which have not been disclosed, give it functionality in the pharmaceutical, high-tech electronics, automotive and medical device industries. ArvinMeritor, Johnson & Johnson, Lucent and Qualcomm are among manufacturers already using Datasweep’s software. “Incorporating Datasweep technology with the FactoryTalk production disciplines enables us to help manufacturers convert day-to-day operations data into business knowledge for timely decision-making – and that means lower costs, better quality, higher productivity and improved flexibility,” says Steve Eisenbrown, senior vice president of the company’s Automation Control and Information Group. “This acquisition is a key milestone in developing the FactoryTalk suite into a multi-industry, multi-plant capable enterprise manufacturing software platform,” says Kevin Roach, vice president, Rockwell Software. “Datasweep has a demonstrated track record for helping manufacturers dramatically improve production information tracking, visibility and control across an entire enterprise.” As the dust settles on ERP deployments and consolidations, allowing manufacturers to focus on the basics of production, this kind of suite will rise to more prominence – particularly with growing regulation and compliance and auditing concerns, but also the requirement for plant knowledge-based continuous improvement. “Large automation vendors that have invested heavily in unifying platforms for their manufacturing software offerings are poised to affect a sea change in this market,” says Colin Masson, industry analyst from AMR Research.