CENTUM History | Yokogawa Electric Corporation

1st Generation1975

First CENTUM

Announced by Yokogawa Electric in 1975 as the world's first DCS

CENTUM was developed as a control system with an eye on the upcoming digital age, and it was one of the first to incorporate microprocessor technology, which was then beginning to show promise. The basic distributed architecture, established at that time, divides the system into a human interface station (HIS - a screen for operators to monitor and control) and a control station (a controller module that exchanges control signals with field devices), connecting them via a control bus. This system introduced the concept of operating and monitoring processes using CRTs and keyboards into the world of process control.
Features of CENTUM

Until then, centralized control systems were used worldwide. These systems had the issue that any failure or shutdown could affect the entire plant operation.
In distributed control systems, the concept of functional distribution disperses risks, so even in the event of a failure, it does not spread to the entire system, localizing the impact on plant operations. This significantly enhances operational safety. This very concept of DCS is the greatest feature of CENTUM.
In 1975, pneumatic and analog electronic single-loop controllers were mainstream in process control. Numerous controllers with indicators, recorders, and alarm lamps were integrated into large control panels, and so-called board operations were conducted. With CENTUM, Yokogawa broke away from the concept of instrumentation systems centered on analog panel instruments and created a sensation by pioneering the era of full-scale CRT operations.
The Origin of the CENTUM Name

In previous Yokogawa Electric systems, names were often coined by taking the initials of long words. A company-wide naming contest was held, and the name "CENTUM" was derived from the Latin phrase "per centum," which is the origin of the word "percent."
The Homecoming of the First CENTUM

The first-generation CENTUM had a significant impact on process control in the steel industry. For example, a CENTUM system installed at a steel plant in Japan in 1982 continued to operate for 33 years, supporting the stable production of high-quality products. Upon its retirement, which coincided with a system upgrade, this system was handed over by the customers to our Mitaka showroom, as a token of their appreciation.

Screen images of the first CENTUM picture

1,000 Systems Shipment Commemoration picture

2nd Generation1981

CENTUM V(Successor to the first generation: CENTUM-B in 1981, CENTUM V in 1984)

Expansion of the CENTUM Lineup

As the applications of CENTUM expanded, the DCS lineup was enhanced to meet the needs of various processes.
Released in 1981, CENTUM-B established a highly distributed DCS architecture based on CENTUM's high-reliability technology, contributing to the realization of panel-less, full CRT operation in large-scale oil refineries. The CENTUM-B DCS was also increasingly used in batch processes. With the spread of CRT operations, the functionality of operator stations was enhanced, and COPSV was released in 1984 as its core. The acceleration of full-scale CRT operations by COPSV led to the CENTUM of that time being called "CENTUM V." The "V" stands for "Victory."
Features of CENTUM Successors

With the spread of CRT operations, there was a growing demand for higher reliability in control stations and for highly distributed systems (where the number of control loops handled by each control station CPU is minimized) to localize the impact of failures. CENTUM-B was developed to meet these needs, establishing a highly reliable, highly distributed DCS architecture. The control station (CFCU) featured redundancy not only in the CPU but also in the power supply, I/O cards, and internal interfaces, and employed an n+1 backup configuration with one backup unit for every n units of CFCUs.
The widespread adoption of CRT operations through COPSV contributed to the advancement of plant operations. COPSV enhanced alarm processing functions and provided comprehensive operator guide functions necessary for plant operations, including event-driven one-touch operations, thereby improving operational efficiency and safety through CRT operations.

3rd Generation1988

CENTUM-XL

The next-generation CENTUM-XL integrated control system was introduced as a new product in the core CENTUM lineup

CENTUM-XL was developed using the most advanced process control technology, electronic circuit technology, communication technology, and human-machine interface technology of the time to meet the user needs for high-mix low-volume production, labor-saving, and total factory automation (FA).
Compared to CENTUM, it was ambitiously described as having "double the functionality," "half the space," "half the engineering man-hours," and "double the total investment efficiency," attracting significant attention as a new era control system.
Features of CENTUM-XL

Based on the first-generation CENTUM, CENTUM-XL was developed with a thorough pursuit of high performance, user-friendliness, and system integration, featuring functional distribution.
The first-generation CENTUM was primarily composed of operator stations and control stations. In CENTUM-XL, new engineering stations, computer stations, and AI stations were added, allowing for flexible responses to diverse user needs. Particularly, the engineering station became a fundamental concept in subsequent CENTUM series versions, significantly improving engineering efficiency by separating and enhancing engineering functions, such as function generation and station maintenance, from the operator station.
The Origin of the CENTUM-XL Name

CENTUM-XL is pronounced "centum excel." The name "XL" was derived from "excellent."
μXL - System for Small to Medium-Sized Applications

In the latter half of 1988, following CENTUM-XL, the μXL (pronounced 'Micro Excel') was introduced. The μXL was developed under the concept of "friendly automation," incorporating the features of traditional control systems while emerging as the definitive system for small to medium-sized processes, with excellent cost performance.
It covered systems ranging from small-scale to medium-scale systems with up to 256 loops, offering the flexibility to easily expand the system in line with the growth of customers' plants.

4th Generation1993

CENTUM CS

As Yokogawa's new proposal for the 21st century, CENTUM CS was introduced

Until then, the needs of the industry focused on efficiency improvement by means such as labor-saving, energy-saving, and manpower reduction. Subsequently, user challenges began to emerge such as how to simultaneously achieve global environmental protection and production efficiency, leading to the emergence of the concept of comprehensive solutions rather than individual solutions, marking the beginning of an era where such solutions were in demand. To meet these expectations, the basic concept of "Concentral Solutions," which aims to provide optimal solutions by pooling accumulated know-how together with users, was proposed, and CENTUM CS was born as Yokogawa's integrated production support system.
Features of CENTUM CS

As the concept suggests, "integrated solutions" is a key phrase for CENTUM CS. CENTUM CS serves as the core that integrates all functions and information related to production, from operation management and equipment management to safety and environmental management, while promoting openness and enabling control of plant operations across a wide range of industries.
One of its features is the introduction of the unit-based operation concept. This system treats equipment units as objects in operation monitoring and advanced control, allowing operators to manage and monitor equipment units such as boilers and distillation columns on a unit-by-unit basis, significantly reducing their burden. CENTUM CS was the first in the CENTUM series to adopt remote I/O, allowing the processor unit to be centralized and the I/O to be placed on-site, contributing to lower local wiring costs. Additionally, by incorporating analog signal conversion functions in the I/O, implementation efficiency was improved compared to CENTUM-XL.
The Origin of the CENTUM CS Name

The "CS" in CENTUM CS stands not only for the basic concept of Concentral Solutions, but also for "customer satisfaction" and "customer smile."

5th Generation1997

CENTUM CS 1000

CENTUM CS 1000 was launched as a DCS for small to medium-sized plants

In 1997, CENTUM CS 1000 was launched as a DCS for small to medium-sized plants.
CENTUM CS 1000 emerged as a new generation DCS, marking a new starting point for Yokogawa's system business. Developed as the successor to the globally best-selling μXL distributed control system, it targeted small to medium-sized plants. It was positioned as a core system for realizing the concept of Enterprise Technology Solutions, which Yokogawa was promoting at the time. With superior functionality, openness, and scalability, it was the first system product from the company to be released simultaneously worldwide.
Features of CENTUM CS 1000

CENTUM CS 1000 consisted of HIS and field control stations (FCS), with general-purpose PCs being used for the HIS. A major innovation was the adoption of Windows (Windows NT at the time) as the operating system for the human interface.
At that time, the manufacturing industry was experiencing significant changes in the economic environment, and control systems were increasingly required to be closely linked with management information systems and production management information systems, rather than just operating plants. Windows NT, the de facto standard in the IT field at the time, was adopted as the operating system for the CENTUM CS 1000 human interface, and this system was released as an open-oriented DCS.

6th Generation1998

CENTUM CS 3000

The CENTUM CS 3000 was launched as a DCS for large-scale plants

Following CENTUM CS 1000, CENTUM CS 3000 was released as a core system to realize the business concept of Enterprise Technology Solutions. It targeted the large-scale system market that CENTUM CS had been serving, incorporating the latest open network technology and featuring the same reliability and control functions of the CENTUM CS.
Features of CENTUM CS 3000

Like the CS 1000, the CENTUM CS 3000 adopted Windows (Windows NT at the time) as the platform for operation monitoring and system construction, aiming for an open DCS. It was touted as the world's first fully Windows NT-based DCS, and for the first time in the history of Yokogawa DCSs it shared a single architecture with the CS 1000. As a system incorporating the latest information and network technology, it featured an open interface capable of data exchange with enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution system (MES), and other supervisory information systems, making integration with other systems easy. While the CS 1000 was intended for use in small to medium-sized plants, the CS 3000 was targeted at large-scale facilities. These systems were widely adopted in various industrial fields, greatly contributing to the efficiency and reliability of process control.
CENTUM CS 1000/CS 3000: Inherited Name

Both CENTUM CS 1000 and CENTUM CS 3000 bear the CENTUM CS name. The "CS" stands for Concentral Solutions, "customer satisfaction," and "customer smile," and both of these systems inherit the high reliability of CENTUM CS. In addition, they feature an open architecture. To signify this, four-digit numbers have been added to the CENTUM CS name.
CS 3000 Small

In the latter half of 2003, the CENTUM CS 3000 series was expanded with the introduction of "CENTUM CS 3000 Small." This system for small to medium-sized applications had a more compact field control station (FCS) than the CS 1000. In addition, it supported I/O redundancy and Foundation Fieldbus, neither of which was supported by CS 1000, making it a system that could flexibly meet the market needs of the time.

CENTUM CS 1000/CS 3000 - Advertisement picture

7th Generation2008

CENTUM VP R4

The CENTUM series was updated with the release of CENTUM VP

CENTUM VP R4, a new production control system series, was launched ten years after the release of CENTUM CS 3000 with the aim of achieving ideal operations at our customers' plants. It succeeded CS 1000/CS 3000. With advancements in information technology, a diverse mixture of control and information systems were in use to control and manage operations at production sites. Each of these systems was provided as a unique product, and it was not uncommon for them to be from different manufacturers. There was a demand for systems that could efficiently integrate such patchwork-like system configurations.
Features of CENTUM VP R4

CENTUM VP was developed based on the concepts of system integration, high reliability, and compatibility, and was launched with the aim of realizing the ideal plant for our customers. The first release, VP R4, featured a significant overhaul of the HIS. While inheriting the operability of preceding CENTUM systems, it incorporated new design features based on our know-how in this field that made its operation more intuitive. To enhance the visibility and operability of information, the operation and monitoring displays incorporated a universal design with the latest ergonomic features.
The Origin of the CENTUM VP Name

The "VP" in CENTUM VP stands for VigilantPlant. It originates from the business concepts of Vigilance and VigilantPlant that Yokogawa was advocating at the time. VigilantPlant signifies the "ideal state of the factory" aimed at by Yokogawa's IA business.
Integration with Safety Instrumented Systems

In this era, plants began to require safety instrumented systems based on the functional safety concept, with such systems operating separately from control systems to reduce risks in processes. Yokogawa announced the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system in 2005. With CENTUM VP, it became possible to broadly integrate and monitor both the CENTUM production control system and the ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system.
VP Small

Simultaneously with the introduction of the CENTUM VP system for large-scale plants, "CENTUM VP Small" (a system for small to medium-sized applications) was introduced as a successor to "CENTUM CS 3000 Small," with the same functionality.
With "VP Small," the FCS components were identical to those of CENTUM VP in all respects other than the maximum number of monitoring tags.

8th Generation2011

CENTUM VP R5

CENTUM VP R5 was released in 2011

During this period, field devices such as flow meters and differential pressure/pressure transmitters became more advanced and intelligent, and "field digital" communications between devices and control systems were employed. The CENTUM VP R5 DCS was developed to fully capitalize on these trends. To achieve the overall optimization of plant operations using field digital technology, the basic performance of the FCS and the control bus for high-speed communication between stations was enhanced, allowing for the smooth processing of exponentially greater amounts of information.
Features of CENTUM VP R5

To support the field digital technology, the following functions were enhanced in CENTUM VP R5.
The basic performance of the FCS was improved to smoothly process exponentially greater amounts of information. Additionally, the speed of the control bus connecting the FCS and the HIS was increased to ensure the real-time transmission and reception of the increased volume of data from field digital devices and other systems. Furthermore, a gateway function with interfaces to various control systems enabled the integration and monitoring of separate systems.

9th Generation2014

CENTUM VP R6

CENTUM VP R6 was released in 2014

Currently, due to intensified global competition and changes in market conditions, the manufacturing industry requires the ability to quickly start up production and respond flexibly and swiftly to changes in production items and materials.
The new CENTUM VP R6 control system was developed to provide an optimal operation and engineering environment for customers throughout the entire plant lifecycle, from plant design and engineering to system and equipment installation, production startup, and even post-operation modifications and changes.
Features of CENTUM VP R6

To support every phase of the plant lifecycle, the CENTUM VP R6 design has been guided by the value propositions of Smart Engineering, Advanced Operation, System Agility, and Sustainable Plant. Notable features include the N-IO field IO device, which can handle various input/output signals with a single module, loop check and configuration software that allows for the setup and operation verification of field devices simply by connecting to the IO device, and the integrated engineering environment AD Suite, which enhances engineering efficiency.

Since 1975.06.19 CENTUM History

First CENTUM

CENTUM V(Successor to the first generation: CENTUM-B in 1981, CENTUM V in 1984)

CENTUM-XL

CENTUM CS

CENTUM CS 1000

CENTUM CS 3000

CENTUM VP R4

CENTUM VP R5

CENTUM VP R6

First CENTUM

Announced by Yokogawa Electric in 1975 as the world's first DCS

Features of CENTUM

The Origin of the CENTUM Name

The Homecoming of the First CENTUM

CENTUM V(Successor to the first generation: CENTUM-B in 1981, CENTUM V in 1984)

Expansion of the CENTUM Lineup

Features of CENTUM Successors

CENTUM-XL

The next-generation CENTUM-XL integrated control system was introduced as a new product in the core CENTUM lineup

Features of CENTUM-XL

The Origin of the CENTUM-XL Name

μXL - System for Small to Medium-Sized Applications

CENTUM CS

As Yokogawa's new proposal for the 21st century, CENTUM CS was introduced

Features of CENTUM CS

The Origin of the CENTUM CS Name

CENTUM CS 1000

CENTUM CS 1000 was launched as a DCS for small to medium-sized plants

Features of CENTUM CS 1000

CENTUM CS 3000

The CENTUM CS 3000 was launched as a DCS for large-scale plants

Features of CENTUM CS 3000

CENTUM CS 1000/CS 3000: Inherited Name

CS 3000 Small

CENTUM VP R4

The CENTUM series was updated with the release of CENTUM VP

Features of CENTUM VP R4

The Origin of the CENTUM VP Name

Integration with Safety Instrumented Systems

VP Small

CENTUM VP R5

CENTUM VP R5 was released in 2011

Features of CENTUM VP R5

CENTUM VP R6

CENTUM VP R6 was released in 2014

Features of CENTUM VP R6