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BEAVERTON, Oregon, February 3, 2005 - InFact Data Corporation, a technology leader in real-time industrial data acquisition, today unveiled the FastFact Real-time Performance Monitoring System.  FastFact is a complete stand-alone hardware & software solution for real-time/full-time production and process monitoring. It measures performance, productivity, quality, compliance, and capability of from one to 48 machines or processes.

FastFact is an advanced acquisition and reporting system specifically designed to meet the needs of producers striving for excellence and world class performance. FastFact precisely monitors and analyzes all vital process parameters and alarms on limit violations in real-time. Standard system features include high-speed analog and digital acquisition, counting, timing, rate determination, production reporting, SPC, job scheduling, downtime detection, scrap identification, operator time tracking, powerful limit testing, and the initiation of multiple actions. The FastFact hardware platform includes 48 Universal Smart Channels, a 1 GHz 32-bit processor, 512 MB of memory, 80GB hard drive, 10/100 Ethernet, USB and serial ports.  Software elements are comprised of FastFact applications, SQL database and Windows XP Embedded operating system.

FastFact pushes the limits on new technology by incorporating state-of-the-art instrumentation techniques, the latest gate array technology and the use of Microsoft .NET framework. This provides unprecedented levels of data collection, analysis, testing, storage, and information visualization.  FastFact is a small, powerful, flexible, yet affordable system that monitors up to 48 machines, or processes, non-stop 24X7. Each channel is independently configurable to monitor inputs from popular sensors found on the factory floor, including voltage, current, resistance, dry contacts, thermocouples, load cells and many others.  FastFact can be used as a stand-alone system, a server, or a web server.  Scores of real-time reports are immediately available directly from FastFact, or by using client PCs attached to FastFact via a LAN, or by using the web to access FastFact. 

FastFact can sample and test all channels simultaneously at 4,000 samples per second. Sampling of up to 32,000 samples per second is supported.  Waveform data can be viewed using the Profile Analyzer and user-defined measurements automatically extracted. Triggering and sample rates are programmable for each channel.  FastFact performs up to 8 tests per sample and can initiate multiple actions or alarms, all within 0.00025 second.  Hundreds of individual measurements may be defined, and billions of measurements and samples stored. 

Measurements may be stored as continuously updated values for each shift and each job, or as an additional member of a data series.  Updated measurements store the most recent value along with values for average, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation. Values stored in a series are analyzed and viewed using SPC tools.  FastFact also automatically detects, classifies and stores measurements of downtime, inputs, outputs, scrap, rework, tool use, machine use, employee time, OEE and a variety of other built-in efficiency measures and key performance indicators.

All key production and processing operations can now be cost-effectively tracked to a degree never before possible. Problems are identified before quality is affected or downtime incurred. Manufacturers avoid problems rather that react to them. Employees are more involved and managers better informed.  Benefits include increased equipment availability, better machine utilization, greater output, less product variability, improved quality.

FastFact will be publicly displayed March 7-10, 2005 at National Manufacturing Week, Booth 5440, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. For show details see www.manufacturingweek.com