The increased use of plant floor automation to achieve production goals has created a dependency on PLCs, PC-based control systems, SCADA systems, robotic controllers and HMIs. It is therefore vital that companies ensure that proper safeguards are in place to protect and manage any changes made to control logic across the plant, says Andy Thorogood,product manager at MAC Solutions.

Schneider Electric, has released Wonderware SmartGlance 2014 R2 mobile reporting software. The updated version includes a host of new features that make monitoring, visualising and analysing real-time plant and industrial process data via mobile devices easier than ever. These features include support for wearable technologies, a modern user interface for any browser, self-serve registration, support for multiple time zones for a global user base and full import and export capabilities for even faster use.

Schneider Electric, has released Wonderware SmartGlance 2014 R2 mobile reporting software. The updated version includes a host of new features that make monitoring, visualising and analysing real-time plant and industrial process data via mobile devices easier than ever. These features include support for wearable technologies, a modern user interface for any browser, self-serve registration, support for multiple time zones for a global user base and full import and export capabilities for even faster use.

Schneider Electric, has released Wonderware SmartGlance 2014 R2 mobile reporting software. The updated version includes a host of new features that make monitoring, visualising and analysing real-time plant and industrial process data via mobile devices easier than ever. These features include support for wearable technologies, a modern user interface for any browser, self-serve registration, support for multiple time zones for a global user base and full import and export capabilities for even faster use.

At one time, the maintenance department in many organisations was regarded simply as an overhead cost, one which was unfairly placed first in line when it came to budget cuts. These days, it is generally accepted that the maintenance function can – and indeed must – play a pivotal role in improving operational efficiency, supporting regulatory compliance and reducing costs. Andy Neilson, marketing & communications manager, Spidex Software Ltd reports.

Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) are now widely used throughout industry and especially in the process sector. Their adoption demonstrates a great advance over the old daily, weekly, monthly routines, which used to form the basis of a plant maintenance strategy. PWE reports.

Karen Conneely, group commercial manager, Real Asset Management, outlines the way ISO 55000 is set to change corporate attitudes to asset maintenance and explains the fundamental importance of a good Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) in delivering critical asset information and enabling process change.

Babcock and Scottish Water are the first two companies to be independently assessed by BSI and achieve certification to the new Asset Management Systems standard, ISO 55001. The standard is based on the popular PAS 55 Asset Management specifications sponsored by the Institute of Asset Management. PWE reports.

An electrical contractor needed a way of managing emergency call outs alongside routine activities. PWE reports.

From a manufacturing perspective, PWE looks at how much every aspect has changed over the past twenty-five years. Simple processes have now been replaced by complex automated machinery and the pen and paper method of transactional reporting and inventory control has been replaced by expensive applications.