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| Featured Articles |
IT investments shift to the plant
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, June 2011
By Tom Fiske and Janice Abel, ARC Advisory Group
Collaborative production management (CPM) is one of the hottest automation investment spaces in today’s process industries. After a couple of tumultuous years, companies once again are ramping up spending in CPM solutions. There are many reasons for this upsurge.
The Business Case For PAS 55
Maintenance Technology, June 2011
By John Benders, Mincom
Time to get ready. A standard's coming for asset management. Here's some insight into this framework for maximizing the return on your assets and improving safety. You'll need to think 'best practices.'
Improving decision-making for equipment assets
InTech, June 2011
By John Renick
Efficiency, uptime and profits can be increased with data driven predictive maintenance. But it is only when you are able to put data into motion—aggregate, analyze and act on it—that value can be demonstrated.
Industrial Intelligence: Winning in the New World of Manufacturing
Automation.com, May 2011
By Brian McDonald, Cisco Systems
In the new global business environment, manufacturers are facing some of the toughest operational and strategic challenges in recent memory. Any new investment must pay for itself either through operational savings or revenue growth.
Mass Analytics Improve Process Control Performance
Automation.com, May 2011
By Bill Lydon, Editor
The PlantTriage "true believers" gathered at the ExperTune User Conference from around the world to improve their skills and share their project successes. The conference focused on ways to improve process control performance with training, access to industry experts, and case studies.
Browse more articles on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| Product Sponsor: Canary Labs |
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| Product Announcements |
_thumb.jpg) Red Lion Controls adds SQL Sync to Crimson 3.0 software
SQL Sync service allows customers to synchronize logged data from their G3 HMIs directly with Microsoft’s SQL Server, eliminating the need for third-party software or a custom script.
 National Instruments enhances DIAdem software
Enhancements in DIAdem 2011 include a data-loading method for access to large data sets, a DataPlugin Wizard for Microsoft Excel, and improvmeents in the REPORT panel.
 Honeywell announces Asset Manager R400 software
Asset Manager R400 enables seamless integration with both Honeywell and leading third-party applications, such as IBM Maximo, in order to enable easier decision making, maintain asset integrity and support operations reliability.
Other Product Announcements
Browse more Product Announcements on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. |
| Resources |
Alarm Management: A Comprehensive Guide, 2nd Edition - $89.00
In this second edition, various problems of alarm systems are covered with precise guidance on how they come about and how to effectively correct them. It is written by individuals with vast experience in the different plants, processes, and environments requiring effective alarm management.
ABB launches Process Automation Insights Blog
ABB started a new blog focused on Process Automation. The blog hosts discussions on timely topics including Collaboration, Control Systems, Evolution, IEC61850, Integration, Migration and Safety.
Browse more resources on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| Application Stories |
Cardinal Ethanol - Plant Sustainability With a Plant-Wide Optimization Control System
Control, June 2011
By Jeremey Herlyn, Cardinal Ethanol
Rockwell Automation suggested that Cardinal Ethanol consider implementing a plant-wide model predictive control (MPC) optimization technology. The solution improved plant stability and reduced variability on all key process variables, especially the batch fermentation operations.
Crown Paints collects plant data to help boost productivity
Control Engineering Europe, May 2011
Crown Paints in the UK, a manufacturer of paints and wood stains, is making efficiency improvements through the installation of AssetManager, InfoServe365's touch screen, intuitive out-of-the-box production reporting system.
From SCADA to business intelligence with Adroit
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, June 2011
Johannesburg Water uses an Adroit SCADA Intelligent Reporting System aimed at aligning its process control with its business processes in order to achieve strategic goals.
Logic PD brings the power of IT to the manufacturing floor
Automation.com, May 2011
By Jay Mellen, Savigent Software
Logic PD implemented a system to fully automate Logic tracking and control of its box-build processes. The new system empowers Logic PD to scale faster, bring products to market more rapidly, increase customer visibility, and improve overall manufacturing efficiencies.
The Art Of Slashing Lead Times
IMPO, May 2011
By Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO
Pointe Precision. in Plover, WI, does contract precision CNC machining. To reduce the unnecessary wait to fulfill an order, the company’s managers had to undertake a drastic shift in philosophy. The solution was quick response manufacturing (QRM). In the most advanced QRM-enabled area, lead times have dropped by 75 percent.
Browse more application stories on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| White Papers |
Models for MES In an Enterprise Architecture
Automation.com, July 2011
By Don Fraser, Jacobs
This paper describes the modeling techniques applied for the integration of a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) into enterprise architecture. The MES complements the ERP system by providing essential production information in a fully integrated environment that reduces the dependence on manual data entry.
Aspect Object Technology
Automation.com, June 2011
By ABB
A central problem in plant operations as well as asset lifecycle management is that you need a way to keep together, manage, and have access to information about all different aspects of a great number of plant and process entities. White paper describes how the System 800xA handles it.
Browse more white papers on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| Company & Organizational News |
Manufacturing confidence in U.S. drops sharply
Only 40% believe the U.S. economy will improve in the next six months, down from 60% three months earlier. At the same time, 26% believe the U.S. economy will get worse, up from 3%.
CIMdata acquires CPDA
Collaborative Product Development Associates CPDA) is a provider of critical analyses of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) activities.
Apax Partners acquires Epicor Software and Activant Solutions
Apax Partners intends to combine Activant with Epicor to create one of the largest global providers of enterprise applications software.
Software spending to grow in key industrial sectors
Research into technical software application spending from Cambashi indicates that, in 2011, worldwide recovery is likely to be fastest in the Aerospace, Process and Utility industries.
Harvard Business Review says PLM helps R&D
Successful product development efforts will increasingly be shaped—and driven—by advanced IT tools like product lifecycle management (PLM) and collaborative software
Browse more company and organizational news on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| Project News |
Aegis to supply Manufacturing Software to Kitron
Aegis’ xLink software will gather real-time data from production/test equipment, and bridge the entire solution to the existing ERP system.
Metso to supply energy management system to Pori Energia
The energy management system will be used to collect data from the power plants’ information systems, steam consumers and service providers.
ABB to update automation systems at paper mill in Scotland
System 800xA and cpmPlus software will increase product quality and overall efficiency at Arjowiggins Creative Papers Stoneywood Mill.
PAS to supply alarm software to Southeast region power utility
Integrity and PlantState Suite software will manage process alarms and automation configurations at fifteen sites for Southeast region power utility.
GE to supply SmartSignal diagnostics to Constellation Energy
Constellation will deploy the SmartSignal Shield predictive-diagnostic solution, along with SmartSignal Cycle Watch software for combustion turbine start-ups.
Browse more project news on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| Featured Training |
OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA)
August 15, 2011 - August 16, 2011
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Students learn the fundamental concepts and vision of OPC UA. Students compare traditional connectivity methods to OPC and discuss the strength each method offers. The class also compares Classic (DCOM-based) OPC and OPC UA. Hands-on examples help build the framework by which students learn how to apply each technology appropriately.
Using the ANSI/ISA99 to Secure Your Control System (IC32)
August 17, 2011 - August 18, 2011
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
The move to using open standards such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, and web technologies in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and process control networks has begun to expose these systems to the same cyber attacks that have wrecked so much havoc on corporate information systems.
Advanced OPC Projects
August 17, 2011 - August 18, 2011
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
The class regularly covers OPC Best Practices that ensure vendors, integrators, and end-users avoid common pitfalls. These are the unpleasant problems that consistently cause emergency activities such as late-night calls, international travel, and conference calls with C-level personnel.
OPC Rescue Webinar
September 14, 2011
- (GMT -5:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), Bogota, Lima Time Zone
This webinar will provide insight into the functionality and benefits of OPC Rescue®. OPC Rescue® is a groundbreaking tool for anyone in automation. The easy to use interface walks users through a wizard that quickly and effortlessly diagnoses and repairs communication, configuration and security.
Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) Online Exam Review Course (EC00E)
September 19, 2011 - November 18, 2011
This online course provides an intense review for the Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) certification program. The course includes a copy of the CAP Learning System—a comprehensive and effective CAP exam preparation and professional development tool—and the added benefit of access to an expert instructor and many valuable exam preparation tools.
Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal. |
| Featured Events |
Automation for Oil & Gas Australia
July 26, 2011 - July 27, 2011
Location: Perth, Australia
Improving communication infrastructure and automation systems to increase success and levels of productivity, covering some of the major Oil & Gas projects in Australia.
2011 Material Handling and Logistics Conference
September 18, 2011 - September 21, 2011
Location: Park City, UT, USA
The Conference offers over 60 sessions featuring interactive technical roundtables to deliver tactical results; keynote speakers to present their vision and wisdom to help set strategies; seasoned technology users to share priceless project lessons; and plenty of tutorials and workshops to expand your knowledge of emerging technologies and practices.
AUTOMATION 2011
September 20, 2011 - September 23, 2011
Location: Mumbai, India
Automation 2011 will highlight products trends, services and solutions in the field of Factory Automation, Process Automation & Control System, Field Instrumentation, Robotics, Drives & Various Bus Technology, Building Automation, Hydraulics & Pneumatics
A Automation Week 2011
October 17, 2011 - October 20, 2011
Location: Mobile, AL, USA
This world-class conference will cover seven technical tracks in depth and will be designed with information critical to several identified automation and control career paths. ISA Automation Week provides you with the opportunity to get the best unbiased knowledge available to help you in your jobs and your future.
SCM Logistics World 2011
October 18, 2011 - October 21, 2011
Location: Singapore, Singapore
SCM Logistics World 2011 is where manufacturers, retailers, logistics and supply chain leaders gather for cross-industry learning in Asia.
Browse more industry events on the Manufacturing Intelligence portal.
Add an event to our calendar. |
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