When I started working in the process industry as an automation project manager in 1986 the process industry’s main drivers were concerned with power and volume – anything was possible and big bespoke DCS systems were everywhere – it was a very exciting industry. It seems like yesterday, but to put it in historical context, the cold war was still raging and the latest Bond film was “A View to a Kill,” with a 58 year old Roger Moore in the title part helping save Silicon Valley from Christopher Walken’s KGB character of Zorin. Speaking of Silicon Valley – Steve Jobs had just quit Apple and bought Pixar, and the Internet, let alone the iPod or iPhone, were beyond the wildest dreams of all but a very few visionaries.
Since then the process industry has changed in line with consumer, economic, globalisation, information, safety and energy demands. This environment has driven monumental technology developments that even the most forward looking and imaginative young engineer couldn’t have possibly envisaged. Even Q’s futuristic fantasy gadgets from 1985 are now charmingly yesteryear technologies of satellite enabled robot dogs and a ring that could take photos.
To even be competitive in today’s global process industry, whether a large continuous processing plant or a hybrid batch plant, our customers are looking for fast vertical start-ups, building multiple plants at the same time and reducing the time to market from design to production. To keep that competitive advantage, the process control system needs to be integrated into the plant wide information system. Running a production facility that needs to adapt quickly to the always changing consumer requirements requires a real time information system with Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports adapted to the individual information user.
Investment in process automation technology is certainly important, but it doesn’t need to break the bank and will usually be repaid quickly in reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). To continue the Bond analogy, compare 1985’s “A View To a Kill” with the latest Bond film featuring a (younger) grittier Daniel Craig – “Skyfall”. Those wonderful old Moore films are starting to look very dated next to the leaner, high-tech, information-enabled Craig era of cyber warfare. The same is true of the modern production line or process facility. While Moore and his 80s tech would be no match for Craig in the information era, the 80s processing plant built around a DCS is also no match for a modern, hybrid, flexible, scalable, skid-based and information-enabled equivalent.
Over the years, Bond’s R&D department, led by Q, has given him that all important competitive edge – from magnetised watches and ejector seats in cars to jet packs, lethal stationery and exploding cigarettes. And the best thing about Q is that he always seems to provide just the technology that James needs, just in time. That’s the magic of the movies, of course, but also the benefit of a well-established R&D department constantly pushing the boundaries and trying to stay a step ahead of customer needs.
So, Mr. Bond, what would a meeting with Rockwell Automation’s Q department offer you right now? Where will you find the last bit of competitive edge that will help you stay on top in the global market, drive down those production costs and reduce CapEx and OpEx investments to reduce TCO? And what if a dastardly villain throws you into shark/piranha infested waters?
Okay, we probably can’t help much on the infested waters, thing. Sorry about that – best to just steer clear of megalomaniacal types with gold teeth, odd hats and white cats.
What we can do is talk you through some of the solutions we’re helping our customers to develop based on the highly flexible, scalable and information enabled PlantPAx® platform. If you want to discover more, visit us at www.PlantPAx.eu or feel free to contact me so we can discuss how we can also help you gain a competitive advantage and prepare your plant for the future.