ANSWERS
COVER: IIoT AUTOMATION ADVANTAGES Masaru Yamazaki and Wataru Nakagawa, Yokogawa Electric Corp.
How open systems support end users End users have been vocal about wanting open systems, and automation vendors are responding by delivering systems compliant with international standards.
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apan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry recently released a digital transformation (DX) report titled: “Overcoming the IT system ‘2025 Cliff ’ and major development on the DX,” which identified legacy information technology (IT) systems as a major obstacle hindering DX. Legacy system obstacles are not limited to IT systems; legacy automation control and monitoring systems also create obstacles. The report anticipated various problems such as black boxing due to technological obsolescence, the retirement of system designers, and further restrictions with the introduction of new technologies. [Applying a “black box” with proprietary hardware and software inside may temporarily resolve a few issues but can create a tangle of incompatible technologies.] Once automation systems are introduced, they are expected to remain in continuous service for 20 or 30 years, which makes upgrades or replacements difficult.
Figure 1: Distributed control systems (DCSs) have evolved to meet end user needs by becoming ever more open. Graphics courtesy: Yokogawa
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Given these circumstances, the task of an automation system or a distributed control system (DCS) vendor can be thought of as offering the latest technology without disturbing operations, requiring more open systems. In the technological world, open implies the standardization of specifications and design, and the resulting elimination of custom integration, by using standardized open interfaces.
From closed to partially open automation
DCS vendors have often met end user expectations by integrating proprietary products into complete systems. Vendors stressed differentiating characteristics while developing products for consistent and stable performance. All the while, these systems gradually conformed with de facto and international standards, often by using existing commercial off-the-shelf technology to evolve their systems to meet market demands. Up to now, this evolution progressed not only through proprietary development, but also by incorporating general-purpose products available in the market. To gain advantage, vendors participated in standard development and acquired other companies. In the name of emphasizing benefits to end users, a power struggle emerged to strengthen market position and product portfolios. Concurrently, some functions became standardized, making it possible to connect field devices with various systems, which afforded some freedom to end users by reducing dependence on one vendor. OPC Classic (DA, A&E, HDA), Foundation Fieldbus, ISA100 Wireless, and other international standard communication protocols became driving forces for adding value to systems. As a result, many DCS vendors now view their roles as system integrators providing services to end user companies, rather than as manufacturers of proprietary product lines. www.controleng.com
