The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (OMAC, omac.org) held member-led workgroups to update PackML(ISA-TR88.00.02), and to develop standards and tools for calculating Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI). Collaboration with partners also increased, as OMAC partnered with the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) and nears release of documentation for the new PackML/OPC UA Companion Specification.

The group also added four new end-user members to its Operational Technology Advisory Forum and seven new full members this year: Colgate Palmolive, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, DPT Labs and Mars Inc.

New OMAC member companies include: Acquire Automation, AMK Automation, ASCO Numatics, Automation Plus, Qimarox, Real Time Automation Inc. and Tronrud Engineering.

This year, OMAC began work on updating PackML and developing new tools and standards to simplify OEE calculation and HMI navigation. The organization is targeting May 2019 for release of the new OEE calculation tools. A PackML Stack Light standard based on PackML States is also targeted for release in May 2019. 

OMAC will be sharing information on its new initiatives and PackML successes at at Pack Expo International, October 14-17-30, Booth N-6002.