Honeywell launches mobile app

London – Honeywell has unveiled a mobility application that provides secure remote access to it’s Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) through mobile computing devices.

Experion Mobile Access enables field operators to view and respond to live information from Experion PKS while they are on rounds or inspecting the plant.

Operations teams, including field operators, are key stakeholders in operator driven reliability (ODR) programmes undertaken by plants to reduce maintenance costs and increase operating efficiency, notes Honeywell.

ODR programmes, it says, require field operators to become actively involved in basic and proactive maintenance activities that necessitate the use real-time information from control systems such as process values, trends or alarms.

To enable plant and field operators’ need for fast and easy access to plant data, the mobile app is designed to work securely with the Experion PKS architecture and Honeywell’s OneWireless Network.

The software application provides seamless field data access for plants with complex processes and expansive footprints that rely on a large mobile operator staff for proper operations, and to support the availability of process equipment.

Recent ODR cases studies have shown that an average-size refinery or chemical plant can save up to $1 million per year, a 15% improvement in mean time between failure of assets and a 10% reduction in maintenance costs, noted Ray Rogowski, director, wireless marketing, Honeywell Process Solutions.

“Effective ODR programs can bring about operational and cultural transformation,” said Rogowski. “Our new Experion Mobile Access and our existing Field Advisor offering are two complementary tools that will help sites transform the day to day reliability activities as well as accelerate the adaption of their reliability program.”

Experion Mobile Access leverages Honeywell’s robust Experion Distributed System Architecture (DSA), including Experion eServer technology to efficiently and securely deliver data to field operators throughout the facility.

Unlike other wireless mobility tools, its web-based user interface has been optimised for small mobile devices, such as industrial handhelds commonly employed by workers during their field rounds but also other devices such as smart phones and tablets. Configuration is said to take just minutes

According to Honeywell, wireless mobility solutions can raise production uptime, reduce and prevent incidents, adapt to changes in information needs across the plant, and save deployment costs by leveraging the site’s existing IT infrastructure.

With this additional information, field operators can play a greater role in operational excellence and maintenance initiatives, it adds.

“Likewise, Experion Mobile Access improves overall efficiency by significantly reducing the time field personnel spend interacting with console operators, a Honeywell release concluded. “The effort expended during equipment start-up and changeover, loop checks/trip checks and miscellaneous field maintenance tasks is minimised, resulting in additional operator productivity.