Honeywell launches project workflow tool

The Lean Execution of Automation Projects (LEAP) tool is designed to help manufacturers in the processing industries decrease the amount of time it takes to get their plants up and running effectively.

The LEAP system specifically combines three proprietary hardware and software, virtualisation and cloud engineering technologies available in Honeywell’s Experion PKS Orion.

Automation projects are increasingly difficult to manage — especially as implementations become larger and more complex

HPS president Vimal Kapur

Firstly, LEAP incorporates ‘Universal Channel Technology’ – Honeywell’s proprietary solution allowing remote configuration of channel types, standardised cabinets, reduction of marshalling cabinets and reduction in equipment needed.

Secondly, it incorporates ‘Virtualisation’ which is a use of virtual machines in the control system that can remove many dependencies between the functional and physical design.

Thirdly, LEAP integrates ‘Cloud Engineering’ technology which is designed to allow project execution and testing from almost any locatio in the world.

The advantage of incorporating LEAP, HPS says, is that it relies on separating physical from functional design, “breaking down task dependencies, using standardised designs, and enabling engineering to be done from anywhere in the world”.

“Automation projects are increasingly difficult to manage — especially as implementations become larger and more complex while still needing to be completed quickly and efficiently,” said HPS president Vimal Kapur.

“LEAP turns project execution workflow on its head, simplifying what has traditionally been a long and expensive process and enabling measurable time and cost savings so plants can focus on the end goal of getting up and running quickly,” Kapur added.

LEAP is designed so that parallel workflows can be utilised to keep automation systems off critical implementation paths, creating individual streams of workflow for the physical and functional aspects of project design, HPS says.

The project workflow tool was launched at the 2014 Honeywell Users Group Americas Symposium alongside the company’s latest Experion Orion Console which was unveiled today.