With its GEA Omni™ control panel, GEA Refrigeration Technologies introduces a new, user-friendly, and highly versatile control system that features a high-definition, multi-touch screen. GEA is synonymous with precision-engineered solutions, and the GEA Omni control panel extends its history of leadership and innovation. GEA’s latest market-driven innovation offers operators maximum efficiency and reliable operation of their systems. GEA Omni, a next-generation control panel, integrates and optimally coordinates all required system components, and enables demand-driven and highly energy-efficient facility operation.
GEA Omni control panel – the intuitive touch for refrigeration and gas-compression control technology.

With its true high-definition (1366 x 768 pixels) color display, the GEA Omni human-machine interface provides simple and well-organized visualization. In addition, GEA Omni incorporates single- and multiple-finger gestures. Since GEA Omni has been designed as an open system, it can monitor and control not only the relevant components of a refrigeration or gas-compression system made by GEA, but also those from other companies. In addition, quick on-screen access to documentation can prove highly valuable during system commissioning and troubleshooting. Also included in the outstanding GEA Omni features are GEA OmniLink™and GEA OmniHistorian™. GEA OmniLink is a stand-alone Microsoft Windows© operating system application which accesses GEA Omni panels on the same Ethernet network, reads panel status, and shows the present panel screen. This application enables convenient transfer of configurations, programs, historical data, and parameters via Ethernet. GEA OmniHistorian is an application for Microsoft Windows PCs that allows viewing and analyzing historical data.

Key features of the GEA Omni control panel include the following:

High-definition, easy-to-use HMI
Owing to its true high-definition (1366 x 768 pixels) color display, the GEA Omni human-machine interface (HMI) enables clear visualization of drawings, images, and text. GEA Omni furthermore incorporates the single- and multiple-finger gestures used in many modern consumer electronics, which adds an instinctive aspect to paging through selections and to zooming documents or historical graphs. An intuitive menu system, in which the needed information is just a touch or two away, ensures that routine functions are easy to perform by non-technical personnel. On-screen buttons and commands required for daily operations have been clearly and logically grouped. The GEA Omni HMI makes membrane keypads and tedious navigation obsolete.

One solution
GEA Omni has been designed as an open system. As a result, it can monitor and control not only the relevant components from GEA, but also those from other companies. Configuration of the control system and the operation modes takes place initially at the GEA factory and may then be adjusted during commissioning on-site, directly at the GEA Omni. System openness makes it an all-inclusive command center, which eliminates the need for auxiliary control systems. GEA Omni shows operating states not only for main components, but also for ancillary equipment. For monitoring and managing the position of a valve or the operation of a pump, the entire refrigeration or gas-compression system can be controlled from one panel.

Integration
In addition to its visually impressive and intuitive HMI, the GEA Omni control panel appeals not only to operators but to system integrators. As it comes from the factory, GEA Omni satisfies typical industrial communication standards (e.g., Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU, and Allen-Bradley DF1) for data exchange with both auxiliary and supervisory control system components.

Moreover, a standard Ethernet interface is included that enables the use of wireless technology and smart phone or tablet viewing capability. Authorized service staff and service companies can access the control system remotely. GEA Omni can also send e-mail and text message notifications, which eliminates the need for hardwired annunciation signals that are otherwise necessary for integration of control systems.

Drawings, manuals, and videos
Fast access to documentation for on-screen viewing can prove invaluable during system commissioning and troubleshooting. Every GEA Omni includes supporting documentation from the factory. In addition, up to 1 GB of data can be easily stored and retrieved by the user via the USB port in the panel door. These documents include operating manuals, process safety management documents (PSM), electrical wiring diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, mechanical drawings, component specifications, standard operating procedures (SOPs), logic diagrams, documents in PDF format, as well as videos in AVI, MP4, or WMV format.

GEA OmniLink
Every GEA Omni control panel includes GEA OmniLink – a stand-alone Microsoft Windows operating system application designed to automatically find GEA Omni panels on the same Ethernet network, to read panel status, and to view the present panel screen remotely as if viewing the panel on-site. This application provides a convenient means of transferring configurations, programs, historical data, and parameters over an Ethernet network without the need to insert a USB memory device into the panel.

GEA OmniHistorian
GEA OmniHistorian is a Microsoft Windows operating system application used to view and analyze historical data. GEA Omni stores years of operating information at a user-defined sampling rate. This information consists of input/output (I/O) data, event logs, parameters, revisions, and annunciations, which can be easily transferred over Ethernet using GEA OmniLink. GEA OmniHistorian can likewise create customized reports, and viewable data can be printed or exported to an XLS formatted file(s).

Reliable hardware
The GEA Omni is a modular design that features a robust I/O system of standard industrial components. The compact space utilization of this I/O system allows for more devices to be controlled in a single panel. In addition, the Ethernet-based design allows for flexibility of remote I/O in separate enclosures, all of which are interconnected using standard Ethernet cabling.

Well-organized layout and wiring
The interior of the GEA Omni exhibits well-organized separation of high- and low-voltage sections, which assures safe and simple wiring. Uniform connection design, clear labeling, and color coding contribute to easy installation. All control wiring to field devices is terminated in a dedicated panel section. The flexible method of interconnecting I/O system components keeps wiring to a minimum. These features allow fast inspection and commissioning.

Field configurability
GEA Omni offers authorized personnel the flexibility to modify the configuration and reassign the I/O system to suit the needs of the application.

Security
Up to 25 unique users can be created, each with a customizable view of operating data, control parameters, and panel screens. Each unique user’s login history and actions are recorded in the panel for auditing purposes. Control parameters may be adjusted only within allowable limits, and all changes are logged in the panel’s history for security and administrative review. As a result, GEA Omni helps to minimize operator mistakes and system failure. GEA Omni provides three levels of security – Operator, Service, and Administrator.

Global support
Manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia, GEA Omni consists of a uniform design engineered to meet the needs of a global customer base. Preconfigured in more than 25 languages, GEA Omni carries the benefit of global sales and support. GEA Omni is developed, manufactured, and backed by GEA Refrigeration Technologies.

 
Press Relations and Public Affairs:
GEA Refrigeration Technologies GmbH
Anna Moczko
Dorstener Str. 484 – 44809 Bochum
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)234-980-2862
Anna.Moczko@gea.com
www.gea.com

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