Paul Sereiko, FieldComm Group’s Director of Marketing, described the role of his organization’s technologies in supporting the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 at a meeting of The International Society of Automation (ISA) held June 22 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Around the world, industrial organizations are dealing with the evolution of their businesses and operations, where the virtual world of information technology (IT), the physical world of machines and the Internet have become one. Developments like the IIoT and Industry 4.0 promise to have the greatest impact on industrial automation since the introduction of microprocessor-based distributed control systems.
[sidebar id =1]Communication protocols and standards form the backbone of the Industrial Internet in that they enable the secure integration and interoperability of the many devices and software applications that participate in the “system of systems” that is the IIoT.
Sereiko told the ISA audience, “Digital transformation is fundamental to implementation of the IIoT, enabling data-driven decisions that improve industrial operations. It starts with recognition that in-place analog solutions are sub-optimal, coupled with the belief that networking and software technologies underpinning the Internet have a place in process automation. Finally, there is the act of leveraging global manufacturing technology initiatives by deploying disruptive new technologies to improve safety and performance.”
As part of his presentation, Sereiko described how FieldComm Group technologies support the move to smarter plant operations made possible by the IIoT. Industrial organizations can connect to valuable information in intelligent field devices – regardless of protocol – by using Field Device Integration (FDI) to integrate the information in a control system, asset management application or ERP system; then visualize and evaluate the data; and ultimately take action based on the information to prevent shutdowns, lower operating costs, reduce maintenance expenses, and become more predictive in how plants are run.
[sidebar id =2]In Sereiko’s view, no single automation protocol addresses all industrial use cases – particularly with wireless. Instead, today’s environment requires secure and robust plant floor to executive office data integration. “FieldComm Group technologies provide the means to connect and integrate digital information, and have for over 20 years,” he said. “FDI technology eliminates the pain of device integration. It takes account of the various tasks over the entire lifecycle for both simple and complex devices, including configuration, commissioning, diagnosis and calibration.
He concluded, “We should remember that technology can augment but not replace an invested and capable workforce.”
For more information, please visit the FieldComm Group website.
