Integration is the way forward

New thinking is always welcome in industries, such as process, that encompass such a wide range of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, not least in the area of control and automation.

In that sense, it is interesting to note how major exhibitors have chosen the theme of ‘Integrated industry’ as the motto for this year’s Hannover Messe - arguably the world’s most important industrial technology fair.

The choice reflects the importance of IT-led integration, which some believe is creating a fourth industrial revolution, following on from the steam engine, mass production and automation.

The basic idea is that the increasing availability of real-time data will drive new levels of integration, both within organisations, and between companies operating in completely different markets. It will be interesting to see examples of this concept in action at the event and in developments unveiled elsewhere over the next 12 months and beyond.

In the latest issue of Process Engineering magazine, Ramachandra Karamongikar, electrical systems manager, oil, gas and petrochemical UK at ABB Ltd, highlights many significant gains from the integration of power and process control systems.

As with many other aspects of process technology, these systems have been traditionally kept separate, due to a lack of common communication and architectural standards as well as organisational differences between departments.

Encouragingly, the integration options described by Karamongikar suggests that the days of treating control and power as two separate entities are numbered. As he concluded: “Progressive companies seeking to cut costs and gain better visibility will increasingly come to see them as inextricably linked and part of a greater whole.