This is a subjective issue but – provided that the technical solution is satisfactory for the task – it boils down to cost/benefit comparisons. PROFIBUS provides users with the best possible, future proof bus system that can cope with the broad needs of factory and process automation. Market acceptance and sheer momentum means that PROFIBUS is a de-facto fieldbus standard throughout the world.

Here are some of the facts:

• PROFIBUS has the largest portfolio of products in the fieldbus world. In 2008 it reached 2400 products and services.
• It has the largest installed BASE. At the end of 2008 the total had passed 28 MILLION and by 2012 it is expected to reach 50 million.
• It is supported by the largest user organization in this INDUSTRY. PI had over 1400 members at the end of 2008.
• There are 24 Regional PI Associations worldwide, ensuring local support in all industrialized AREAS.
• There are close to 400 vendors of PROFIBUS products and services, hence there is plenty of choice for users.
• It’s supported by manufacturers of both master and slave devices providing a truly open approach and practical vendor independence.
• Choice drives competition amongst vendors, leading to cost, supply and performance benefits for end users..
• PROFIBUS technology can be used for several LEVELS within the information flow in a company.
• Knowledge of one standard can be utilized on several levels.
• There’s wide application potential across factory, process and building automation.
• It’s a stable protocol with many chip options available today.
• It’s suitable for operation in intrinsically safe areas in process control.
• It is the only fieldbus that can be used in hybrid applications – where process and discrete automation segments co-exist in a plant.
• Platform independence means PC, PLC and DCS based controllers are available.
• 244 byte telegram means that large packets of data can be sent without segmentation.
• > 100km distance is achievable using fiber optics.

This is a subjective issue but – provided that the technical solution is satisfactory for the task – it boils down to cost/benefit comparisons. PROFIBUS provides users with the best possible, future proof bus system that can cope with the broad needs of factory and process automation. Market acceptance and sheer momentum means that PROFIBUS is a de-facto fieldbus standard throughout the world.

Here are some of the facts: