• Free Software - Isotech, UK's leading supplier of temperature calibration systems has jointly released with TDI a free software utility for use with platinum resistance thermometers. The software is available for download from the company's web site at http://www.isotech.co.uk.
• Chemical storage tanks' reliability - Ductile iron have been added to the list of materials for the vacuum and pressure relief valves and flame arrestors to optimize performance in chemical applications by Whessoe Varec. This is ideal for use on storage tanks with aggressive materials.

Readout is at ISA Houston all this week

• Back by popular demand - The Peek Measurement density team has recognised the importance of the Sarasota brand name to its customers and has just announced the return to this old brand name for its complete range of density meters.
• Wafer mounted mass flowmeter - Sierra Instruments Model 240 Innova-Mass multi-paramater vortex mass flowmeter is now available with a flangeless or wafer process connection.

• MCSP for Coggins - The SCADA systems supplier, Coggins Systeam, today announced that it had been named a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider (MCSP). It is the first tank gauging systems specialist to be so named.
• New industrial computer - PEP Modular Computers has introduced a powerful, highly integrated Pentium-based, single height CPU board for its CompactPCI family. The board (CP312), with versions up to 300MHz, is targeted specifically for use in highly integrated platforms, providing solid mechanical interfacing for a wide range of industrial control applications, including those in harsh environments.

• Live webcast at ISA/98 - PC Soft break new ground at the Houston Exhibition of ISA, the international society of measurement and control later this month (19 to 22nd). Visitors will be able to see a live webcast on the floor of the show with presentations, and the monitoring and control of applications running on their stand.

• Whether the fax? - "As more individuals open their own businesses and work from home, the SOHO and telecommuting markets for fax machines should show significent growth, particularly in the multifunctional fax machines" says Telecommunications expert Alison Symons. This contradicts the commonly held belief that someday the fax will be outmoded with the advent of e-mail and all the other facilities provided through the internet. Read about it in Frost & Sullivan's fascination "US Facsimile Machne Markets."

• IEC EC 61158-6 Ed.1 rejected - The 30th September vote for this IEC Fieldbus standard was rejected as a sufficient number of voters were not found in favour. The final result was 68% for and 32% against.
  More details on our Fieldbus Page
• IS I/O - MTL has launched an Intrinsically Safe version of its MTL8000 Series Remote Process I/O system.

The Instrumentation Signpost has interesting pointers for the I&C Professional.