There is little doubt that the concepts of the Industrial Internet of Things have the potential to change the face of manufacturing, but it may take more than just a cursory ‘nip-and-tuck’ to restore the clean outlines of what has become a somewhat blurred implementation profile.
Last issue we ran an article (www.instrumentation.co.za/54690n) by Paul Miller of the ARC Advisory Group, which highlighted a presentation given by Dr. Don Bartusiak, chief process control engineer at ExxonMobil, at the recent ARC Industry Forum in Orlando. In essence, the message is a call for open control system architectures that enable manufacturers to assemble best-in-class platforms from a bouquet of interoperable third-party solutions, rather than locking themselves into one ‘bundled’ solution from any specific vendor.
The vision is to develop an open automation platform with no compromises in safety, security or availability; and most importantly, it must be a commercially available system, rather than one limited to just ExxonMobil.
So how exactly does an organisation go about doing this?
New approach required
The answer demanded a search outside the constraints of the current universe of automation solutions. Ultimately, ExxonMobil found what it was looking for in the ideals of a revolution currently shaking up the defence avionics industry. Through its determination to evolve from vendor-proprietary ‘stovepipe’ models to interoperable standards-based system architectures, the Open Group Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Consortium developed the FACE Technical Standard – an open avionics model designed to make military computing operations more robust, interoperable, portable and secure.
In what may turn out to be one of the most influential automation related decisions of 2016, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company has awarded Lockheed Martin, a founder member of the FACE Consortium, a contract to serve as the system integrator for early stage development of a next-generation open and secure automation system for the process industry.
ExxonMobil’s vision is to create a new architecture that will control and optimise refining and chemical facilities, while also catering for future equipment and information services expansion. The idea is to base the design and implementation of this new control platform on architecture standards developed to ensure modularity, interoperability, re-use, portability and scalability. This is a BHAG (big hairy audacious goal, from the book “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies") if ever there was one.
According to a Lockheed Martin press release, the evolutionary automation platform will provide several areas of value for industrial manufacturers. Firstly, it will employ an adaptive built-in intrinsic security model, rather than the bolt on – albeit often successful – approach of current systems. Secondly, it will promote innovation in a competitive marketplace. Lastly, interoperability, modularity and conformance to industry standards will lower the cost of integrating new system components or replacing legacy platforms.
Open interoperable control systems with built-in security all based on a common scalable industry standard, this is exactly what the IIoT needs in order to gain traction in the process industry. Wouldn’t it be strange if arguably the greatest upheaval in the history of manufacturing were to come about through the efforts of a company whose name is not often associated with process automation? We will be watching this initiative with interest.
Some things change, some stay the same
On the subject of system integrators, a highlight in this issue is the recent discussion Iritron managing director, Alwyn Rautenbach, had with SA Instrumentation and Control. During an exclusive interview at Sun City, Alwyn agreed to share a lifetime’s worth of hard-earned knowledge and experience with interested readers and aspiring SI start-ups. From the early days in 1987 working on the Million Ton project at Richards Bay Minerals, through the founding of Iritron in 2000, and on to the present day heading up one of the most successful SI companies in South Africa. See this fascinating story at 'Some things change, some stay the same'.
Don’t forget: The Technews Industry Guide: Industrial Internet of Things will post together with the August issue of the magazine – contact Jane, [email protected] or Tina, [email protected] for details.
Steven Meyer
Editor: SA Instrumentation & Control
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