Annual technology conference for SA system integrators

January 2001 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Futuristix-Wonderware's annual SI conference has become a traditional and noteworthy event for professionals serving SA's manufacturing industry. Companies representing approximately a R1bn slice of the professional services, IT and industrial control industries attended this informative forum, which featured a number of international speakers.

Futuristix-Wondwerware's system integrators are involved with virtually every aspect of key manufacturing processes such as process planning, process control and visualisation, logistics, supply chain optimisation, production planning and plant maintenance. To address this broad spectrum of needs, the conference featured a wide variety of topics including thin client computing, terminal services, Internet portals, cross-application data access, manipulation and analysis, a new generation of remote alarm handling technologies, realtime asset management and preventative maintenance as well as significant enhancements to FactorySuite that provide new functionality and compatibility with these evolving technologies.

Presentations were made by US speakers representing Wonderware and its US-based SI network as well as local presenters.

"SA is a world leader in the application of industrial control and information technologies," says Futuristix MD, Mike le Plastrier. "We therefore tend to attract international experts in these fields so that we can learn from one another. The exponential growth in technology is providing us with unprecedented opportunities in those areas of manufacturing that contribute most to wealth creation. Every year, Wonderware releases products that address issues of key importance to manufacturers and everyone involved in their supply chains. The purpose of these annual SI conferences is to be as informative as possible and to make everyone involved in solution implementation aware of the possibilities that exist." Two of the major technologies impacting manufacturers and their supply chains today are terminal servers and web enabling. Terminal servers provide for the convenience of centralised computing with none of the disadvantages by using 'thin' clients that not only drastically reduce the cost of ownership of extensive networks but also feature robust operation in the most adverse of conditions. Web enabling consists of several technologies that work together to provide unified and unprecedented access to plant information in whatever format it happens to be. This access includes realtime links to alarms via cellphone, e-mail or any other communication medium while also providing some degree of control over plant operation.

"By supporting and, most importantly, integrating these technologies, our software opens a new world of possibilities to cope with even the most complex and demanding realtime information and control situations," continues le Plastrier. "The focus is to provide manufacturing end-users with the flexibility and control over their processes that they have come to expect. Presentations at these conferences focus on addressing real needs and showing practical applications of these emerging technologies."

Futuristix

(011) 723 9900

[email protected]

www.futuristix.co.za

Further reading:

Understanding the role of AI in generative engineering design
System Integration & Control Systems Design
When a design engineer sets out to design a new part, component, or assembly, the intent is to meet the design requirements for fit, form and function, and also incorporate a certain degree of innovation and elegance to the overall design. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel by introducing a new design.

Read more...

---

PCS stays up so you don’t have to
PCS Global System Integration & Control Systems Design
Maybe it’s time to look at a solution that stays online 99,99999% of the time so you don’t have to. This the world of Stratus computer platforms, tailor-made for your critical applications.

Read more...

---

Four ways the global parts shortage has led to innovation and openness
System Integration & Control Systems Design
For those who use automation parts, the unpredictable nature of the supply chain is one of the biggest problems faced today. The shortfall has impacted every industry, but automation components have been especially affected.

Read more...

---

Iritron’s year of consolidation
Iritron Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Despite the multiple challenges faced by businesses in South Africa, the buoyancy of the technology sector worldwide has produced some green shoots for automation specialist, Iritron.

Read more...

---

Five edge opportunities for SIs to maximise revenue in 2024
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators continue to face the challenge of doing more with less – supporting complex operations, while meeting production schedules with limited resources, and innovating to increase efficiency, maximise safety and reduce risk.

Read more...

---

Condition monitoring in a forging press retrofit
Beckhoff Automation System Integration & Control Systems Design
Significantly increased vibration on machines can result in many forms of negative impacts such as reduced system performance or damage to the machine and foundation. Using the example of retrofitting a forging press with a maximum press force of 2000 tons, Wölfel Engineering explains how efficiently the process was tailored and implemented with PC-based control and measurement technology from Beckhoff.

Read more...

---

System integration in the digital age
System Integration & Control Systems Design
To meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive marketplace, many manufacturers (end users) must focus on their core competencies and outsource the rest to experts.

Read more...

---

Choosing a system integrator
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Automation is an essential part of manufacturing today. Whatever the size, an upgrade or migration project can be complex, and the risks can be high. This is where system integrators (SIs) can help. They can bring together complex subsystems or components of a larger system and make them operate as a whole.

Read more...

---

Iritron awarded international contract for furnace control
Iritron System Integration & Control Systems Design
Iritron has been awarded two international, multimillion-Rand furnace drying projects. The company has extensive expertise in furnace drying control systems, and provides solutions in the fields of electrical, instrumentation, control systems, and decision support systems.

Read more...

---

Capitalise on risks by turning them into opportunities for growth
Iritron System Integration & Control Systems Design
In spite of the challenges facing the global and local economy, systems integration expert, Iritron remains optimistic for the year ahead, and believes that there are significant opportunities to be found during a challenging economic climate.

Read more...

---