Audit trails made easy

November 25, 2015 11:22 am

B&R introduces new mapp component for implementing applications in compliance with 21 CFR Part 11
 Industrial automation major B&R has added an audit trail component to its mapp technology portfolio. For applications subject to the FDA’s Title 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, this means both accelerated development and reduced investment risk. “The ability to retrace actions performed on a machine can also be of great service to its manufacturer in the event of warranty claims,” the company said.
Companies in the food and pharmaceutical industries need the ability to log operations performed by users seamlessly and without risk of tampering. The new mapp audit component is quick and easy way to implement and customise the necessary audit trail.
Automatic data exchangeThere is no need to write a program for the audit trail function; all that is needed is to configure the machine-specific parameters. mapp audit automatically retrieves the information it needs about the operator from the mapp user component using the client-server principle. Audit trail data is stored in memory with a checksum mechanism for tamper resistance. The data can be output in an encrypted file or viewed on the HMI using the integrated mapp audit visualisation.
Warranty claim justified?mapp audit offers benefits for other industries as well. It enables manufacturers of all types of machinery and equipment to review operator activity in order to determine whether a system has been used appropriately. It is equally possible to determine whether equipment has been used outside the specified operating times – an indication that employees are engaging in unauthorised production for their own profit.