iQuest Integrates Kepware's KEPServerEX to Deliver Augmented Reality View of Plant Floor

PORTLAND, Maine, Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, announced today that its flagship product has been integrated with iQuest, Inc.'s iQagent to deliver an augmented reality view of any industrial plant floor. The Kepware-supported iQuest, Inc. application turns any plant floor into a data-rich environment by allowing technicians to gather, view, and access all data associated with industrial machinery.

iQuest needed iQagent equipped to instantly connect with any machine regardless of its supported protocol. Engineered to support the OPC standard and over 150 different protocols, KEPServerEX allows iQagent to interact with virtually any piece of machinery to consolidate and display previously disparate resources, including operational data, schematics, technical resources, and URLs associated with the equipment process. The iOS-supported application uses QR codes to identify the equipment or process area in the user's vicinity and then displays all relevant process data, document links, and resources in a highly intuitive user interface on an iPad or iPhone display. iQagent turns any plant floor into a data-rich environment by providing technicians with an augmented reality view of production machinery.

Kepware's KEPServerEX is specifically engineered to connect disparate devices and applications. It easily manages, monitors, and controls diverse automation devices and software applications through a robust platform that supports an array of open standards. Kepware's OPC drivers offer the broadest set of support and remove the burden of learning new communications protocols and applications.

"In the Industrial Automation industry, there is no standard language for communications, like the widely known HTTP standard that you see on the Internet," said Bob Meads, Founder and CEO of iQuest. "So you can imagine how difficult it could be to get one application to connect to and communicate with disparate devices in an environment as diverse and complex as an industrial plant floor. With Kepware, it just worked."

Since partnering with Kepware, iQagent has been implemented by highly reputable customers, including the production facilities of one of the industry's largest automotive companies and one of the world's leading healthcare product developers.

For additional information about the implementation, please read the complete iQuest, Inc. case study here.

About Kepware Technologies

Kepware Technologies is a private software development company headquartered in Portland, Maine. Kepware provides a portfolio of software solutions to help businesses connect diverse automation devices and software applications. From plant floor to wellsite to windfarm, Kepware serves a wide range of customers in a variety of international vertical markets including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Building Automation, Power Distribution, and more. Established in 1995 and now distributed in more than 100 countries, Kepware's software solutions help thousands of businesses improve operations and decision making.

Learn more at www.kepware.com, and take an inside look at the company and its culture through the Kepware Corporate Overview video available here. 

About iQuest, Inc.

iQuest is a complete provider of process automation services and solutions, specializing in automation solutions that employ Panels and automated equipment, Drives, PLCs, HMI, Database, Web, network and custom components. Learn more at iQagent.com .

CONTACT: Ryan Lilly, 978-518-4533,  [email protected]

Video with caption: Kepware employees describe its history, values, and the office culture that inspires their software solutions in this company video filmed at their Portland, Maine headquarters. Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfAGm8Mak-Y

Image with caption: Kepware Technologies. Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130402/NE86794LOGO

SOURCE Kepware Technologies