PNE Industries has released the Multenet PocketPAD range of serial device servers (serial to Ethernet converters). They are suitable for supply chain management systems, where the tracking of finished goods from production to the warehouse is critical.
The system allows cost-effective integration of serial devices such as bar code scanners, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), bar code printers, production scales, and manufacturing execution systems (MESs) to be connected with existing production and warehouse Ethernet LANs.
Using ARM processes for low latency (wait) states, and supporting data rates up to 250kbps, the devices can be easily configured by users unfamiliar with networking and network device administration. Using the browser-style EtherPAD Explorer auto-discover software, users can find any Multenet serial converter on an Ethernet network, configure its port characteristics (serial data speed and type) and manage other functions remotely.
As many as 25 users can simultaneously read data from the same serial device connected to a PocketPAD, making it suitable for applications where production, warehouse and maintenance personnel can improve efficiency by remotely accessing data from the same devices.
PocketPADs come in one, two and four serial (DB9) port models and offer low cost per-port connectivity, with a number of different configuration options. All PocketPADs can be powered either via an external power pack or a DIN rail mounting option.