Dematic Subdriver wins Innovation Award

Prominent jury convinced by new direct connection between PLC and SAP

"An innovative product for delivering cost savings, increasing the productivity and rationalising the logistical operations of a company." This is what the jury said about the winner of the "Best Product" competition in the "Software, Communication, IT" category. The Dematic Subdriver surpassed all other developments submitted by other exhibitors at the 2007 LogiMAT competition to win First Prize. The jury, comprised of leading specialists and renowned journalists in the logistics field, highlighted the great benefits this innovation provides users. The Dematic Subdriver is the first product to enable a direct connection between PLC and SAP without any so-called middleware.

Prior to the advent of the Subdriver, the available solutions were not satisfactory to most companies: automated material handling technologies controlled by PLC, such as conveyors and automatic storage and retrieval cranes could not communicate directly with the companies' SAP systems. The results were high operating costs, inefficiencies, and complicated error correction processes using warehouse control and material flow software. Implementing the Dematic Subdriver eliminates the costs and inefficient processes of the the middleware because the SAP system communicates directly with the PLC. As a result the Dematic Subdriver was recognised as the best product that fulfilled the criteria for the award.

Direct connection from PLC to SAP lowers operating costs and increases productivity.

The hardware we've developed represents an innovative approach to removing basic problems and gives standard PLC the ability to connect directly with an SAP application via RFC.

We create a direct connection between the conveyor technology to the SAP application by integrating a module in the PLC that can process both PLC messages and SAP calls. A module in the control box is used that has no mechanical components or software that would require attention – therefore enabling maintenance-free operation. Two LAN ports ensure secure operation in separate network segments for PLC and SAP. On the SAP application side, all functions in the existing ABAP landscape are provided. Realization of additional strategies can be completed by Dematic or your developers in your normal environment.

The Dematic Subdriver solution is not only suitable for use with TRM or EWM but also for automation in a pure WM / LES environment or in production. The most recent SAP release is not necessary.

Your company gains the following advantages:

Project expense is reduced because the costs for planning, implementation, testing and operation start-up of one complete process fall away.
Investments for hardware and middleware application software are unnecessary; no extra costs for monitoring, maintenance and upgrades for the entire duration of the system's life accrue.
Licensing costs for operating systems and databases must no longer be calculated.
When SAP applications are directly connected to the PLC, no additional SAP components or new versions must be introduced.
Simple procedures can be more efficiently operated and managed.

The Dematic Subdriver module can be installed and connected to the existing network within minutes. It makes middleware as well as the introduction of additional SAP components unnecessary. Your IT operating costs for logistics and production will sink noticeably.

Further Information

Visit the Dematic Subdriver Webpage