Overview

• Introduction
• Levels of Automation
• From the founding to today
• Global and local
• Our goals, our future

The AS-International Association was founded in 1991 as a user group for manufacturers and users of the AS-Interface® system. The task of the User Group is to promote bus-compatible interfaces for binary sensors and actuators. The AS-Interface solution is more an intelligent cabling system than a true fieldbus, allowing simple sensors and actuators to be linked together through a 2-wire bus including the supply voltage at a cost which has no competition. The stated goal is to become the worldwide industry standard on the lower field level.

In a traditional cabling system each individual signal generator and receiver is wired directly to the higher-order control. Mazes of cable trees and space-consuming control cabinets are the result. The AS-Interface reduces the amount of copper and above all the installation and assembly costs. Thanks to the upwardly open structure of the system, it is not competition for the higher-order fieldbuses but rather a technical and economic enhancement.

Since it is not quality of the technology alone which sways the market, the AS-International Association was founded. The task of the User Group is to further develop and promote the system.

With over 280 members today, the AS-i system is in use all over the world. Since the Association was founded the system has undergone continuous development, notably with respect to upward-compatibility. Whereas at the beginning binary data transmission was feasible for only 31 Slaves, today even analog information can be sent from 62 Slaves. The Tüv and BIA approved system concept “AS-i Safety at Work” now safety type applications can be incorporated into the AS-i network as well.

While the focus was on technology during the early stages, marketing aspects have now gained attention as well. Opening up new markets for its members is an essential component of the Association’s activities, providing joined forces to penetrate new markets. Marketing coordination and technical assistance are the main emphasis of the User Group. Whether international, local or virtual, the trade show presence of the AS-International Association offer effective customer visibility at affordable costs.

In the beginnings of the AS-International Association the formation of local associations proved to be effective. This enabled optimum presence both internationally and locally. The old slogan „THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL“ has particular meaning for AS-i members: the international concept combined with local presence offers them optimum representation of international interests while ensuring country-specific assistance and support. Smaller and medium-size companies profit especially from these country organizations, since the local markets can be approached much more easily and without great expense.

A short-term goal is to bring the AS-Interface as an intelligent cabling system right to the switch level, making it an economical alternative to the cable tree on the lower fieldbus level.

For the long term we are striving for complete, worldwide market penetration with AS-i products for the lower automation level.

The market for easy to use AS-i systems will continue to grow in the future as a cost-effective alternative to and supplement for complex fieldbus systems. With the support of a strong international organization and of the leading manufacturers the AS-Interface will continue to be the market leader on the lower field level.