Articles and News

Automation.com, November 2011 By Eric Byres, Byres Security Inc. On one hand, industry is becoming increasingly concerned about just how vulnerable control systems have become to outside attacks. At the same time, new tools and applications that improve efficiency, but increase that exposure, are appearing daily. So must we sacrifice these gains in efficiency if we want to be secure?

The distinction between PLCs and distributed control systems is narrowing, but their combined market in Europe will hit €6.45 billion in 2017.

HPS will supply the main and backup power generators, wellhead control panel and chemical injection skid for HLJOC's H-04 wellhead platform in the Te Giac Trang (TGT) Field.

Emerson’s DeltaV process automation system will control the coal gasification process at a new chemical plant in Henan province, China.

Automation.com, November 2011 By Roy Kok In the terms of Automation, a crisis can be characterized as a loss of production (downtime), possibly of a simple piece of equipment, or it can be extensive, affecting major portions of the plant. Are we giving enough focus to the right areas, not focusing on the level of a "worst case scenario" type of crisis?

Automation.com, November 2011 By Rick Kaun, Honeywell Process Solutions Security is thought of as physical protection against intrusion or the detection of hackers when, in fact, little thought is given to the security threats that exist inside the fences of any given facility.

GE is working with Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) to investigate ways to improve wind farm productivity and efficiency.

Guide is a comprehensive listing of NEMA electrical standards as well as an extensive directory of manufacturers and their products.

Festo Energy Saving Services can help to monitor and optimize compressed air consumption.

Emerson will supply 670 Fisher control valves for boiler, turbine gas, multi-stage flash desalination, and selective catalytic reduction applications.

Automation.com, November 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor Discussion of the industry issues and trends with Steve Sonnenberg, Emerson Process Management's Executive Vice President, and Peter Zornio, Chief Strategic Officer. Topics include Emerson's energy initiative, the economy, PLC/DCS debate, disposable automation, and more.

Gray Metter will distribute the Idus IS maintenance management software system in the U.S.

Davis Instruments will distribute RES technologies for testing power system protection relays, transducers, energy meters, and battery installations.

Rockwell will provide engineering and design work necessary to commercialize Vadxx’s proprietary processes for making synthetic crude oil.

Microseismic licensed IFS Business Performance, Service Management, Project Management, Document Management, FS Supply Chain, and Sales & Marketing software.

ABB signed a three-year agreement worth $33 million with BP Norway for maintenance, modification and service of safety and automation systems of oil field operations on the Norwegian continental shelf.

MESA is inviting producers and manufacturers to respond to a industry survey, Pursuit of Performance Excellence: Business Success through Effective Plant Operations Metrics.

HomePlug Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance and ZigBee Alliance signed an agreement formalizing the Consortium for SEP 2 Interoperability.

IBM Maximo asset management software will allow KPRL to better utilize its production equipment, facilities and IT systems to reduce risk and control costs.

Smart Energy Initiative is a global program designed to combine Emerson's industrial energy expertise with energy management technologies to help leverage more renewable fuels, lower energy costs, and reduce emissions.