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Software & Integration Resource Center

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The modern process plant can’t run without a successful program of software utilization and integration. As machines become more automated and sophisticated, their smooth integration becomes even more important. Programs need to speak to each other. Field instruments must communicate with the control room. Appropriate alarm notifications have to happen. Information must pass back and forth between all manner of programs and be accessible on all manner of devices. Software has to be secure. The Software and Integration Resource Center provides articles, white papers, news reports and product information about the latest technology to keep your industrial network humming—either wired or wirelessly.

Directory of Lost Companies
Identified in this new Appendix are more than 200 companies whose name, ownership, or product line has changed significantly over the period from 1990 to 2005. Find the company you're looking for here.

Chips Are Up, Part 2
Find Out How More Powerful CPUs Have Improved Process Controllers

Lipták Talks About Latest Developments in Optimization and Safety
ConntrolGlobal.com
In his keynote speech, Lipták talks about the latest developments in optimization and safety, referencing nuclear accidents around the world and gives examples of optimization results in terms of production rate, safety, and efficiency improvements, showing that just process control alone can in some cases reduce energy costs.

An Update on Liptak and Shinskey
Greg Shinskey Continues to Do Consulting and Bela Liptak Talks on Optimization and Safety

Farewell to Standardization: Wireless and FDI
Will There Be One Standard for Wireless and One Standard for Field Device Integration?

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White Papers: In Depth Research

Cloud-Based SCADA Systems: The Benefits and Risks
Author: Inductive Automation
Posted: 12/01/2011
Is Moving Your SCADA System to the Cloud Right For Your Company?

Cloud computing is a hot topic. As people become increasingly reliant on accessing important information through the Internet, the idea of storing or displaying vital real-time data in the cloud has become more commonplace. With tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google pushing forward the cloud computing concept, it seems to be more than just a passing trend.

Recently the focus of cloud computing has started to shift from consumer-based applications to enterprise management systems. With the promise of less overhead, lower prices, quick installation, and easy scalability, cloud computing appears to be a very attractive option for many companies.

Common questions surround this new technology: What is the "cloud"? What kind of information should be stored there? What are the benefits and risks involved? Is is moving toward cloud computing right for your company?

Cloud computing is not a "fix-all" solution. It has strengths and weaknesses, and understanding them is key to making a decision about whether it’s right for your company. We'll explore the major benefits and risks involved, and give you a set of factors to consider when choosing what information to put on the cloud.

Specifying FDT Technology - Putting Your Assets to Work!
Author: FDT Technology
Posted: 07/19/2011
Preventing unplanned shutdowns, reducing downtime, and lowering maintenance costs have been shown to provide significant financial benefits. One way to achieve these results is to make certain that all installed assets are used to the best of their ability.

FDT Technology can be easily used in existing or new plants and can bring significant operational and financial benefits throughout the plant life cycle.

This paper provides an overview of FDT Technology and suggests text to use as part of your proposal or ordering specifications to make sure you are putting your assets to work.

The Advantages of an Integrated Factory Acceptance Test in an ICS Environment
Author: Jerome Farquharson, Critical Infrastructure and Compliance Practice Manager, and Alexandra Wiesehan, Cyber Security Analyst, Burns & McDonnell
Posted: 07/05/2011
When adding, modifying or upgrading a system, many critical infrastructures conduct a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). A FAT includes a customized testing procedure for systems and is executed before the final installation at the critical facility. Because it is difficult to predict the correct operation of the safety instrumented system or consequences due to failures in some parts of the safety instrumented system, a FAT provides a valuable check of these safety issues. Similarly, since cyber security can also impact safety of critical systems if a system is compromised, it naturally makes sense to integrate cyber security with the FAT, a concept that brings extreme value and savings to an implementation process.

An Integrated Factory Acceptance Test (IFAT) is a testing activity that brings together selected components of major control system vendors and Industrial Control System (ICS) plant personnel in a single space for validation and testing of a subset of the control system network and security application environment in an ICS environment. Conducting an IFAT provides important advantages and benefits including: time savings, cost savings, improved ability to meet compliance requirements, and increased comfort level with integrated security solutions.

With the current trend of more intelligent ICSs and increased regulatory compliance, the best practice to achieving ICS and IT integration is by conducting an IFAT. A common problem that occurs in the industry is the unanticipated work associated with implementing security controls which can result in production issues. Performing an IFAT avoids costly redesign and troubleshooting during outage operations saving time and money that leads to an enhanced, sound security solution.

Touch-Screen LCD Monitor Buying Cheat Sheet
Author: Herb Ruterschmidt
Posted: 06/02/2011
What You Need to Know to Select the Best One for You.

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