Overview

An update on Open Process Automation (OPA), including experience of first installations. Open Process Automation is an initiative to create a new generation of automation systems with a distinctly different architecture than the Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) that are used today for process automation. Because automation applications require ultra-high availability and real-time performance, process automation systems have always been highly proprietary. This is especially true at the controller and process I/O level and this makes the systems very difficult to update or replace for a number of reasons. The speaker will also focus on the 2023 automation supplier trend toward virtualisation of the current versions of industrial controllers, which also may be considered as a precursor to more open automation systems.

Speaker

Harry Forbes, Research Director, Automation, ARC Advisory Group

Harry is ARC's lead analyst for the Distributed Control System (DCS) market. He contributes to ARC coverage of process automation, Open Process Automation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Harry is also an expert in the electric power vertical industry. He has over 30 years' experience in process automation, electric power generation, energy management, modelling and simulation, advanced control and optimisation. He has written for many industry and trade magazines, as well as for many technical and industry conferences.

Prior to joining ARC Advisory Group, Harry served in a variety of marketing, sales and engineering posts for Simsci-Esscor, Invensys and Foxboro. He also worked as a performance and automation engineer in fossil and nuclear power generation at the Detroit Edison Company.

Harry is a graduate of Tufts University with a BS in electrical engineering and has an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Process Management and Control Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Webinar recording