Modernisation Programme improves plant performance

Dave Gaertner, the global consulting director at Invensys Operations Management, states: "Today's manufacturers are facing new, more complicated challenges, even as their equipment and workforce continue to age. In order to comply with increasingly complex regulatory guidelines, minimise downtime and maintain safe, environmentally-friendly operations, many companies are seeking to modernise their plants with a holistic view of their business requirements instead of making like-for-like equipment replacements. Taking advantage of their existing assets, modernisation allows companies to link their business and production processes, remove traditional barriers to collaboration, and empower their most valuable resource - their people."

According to Invensys Operations Management, a holistic approach to modernisation can provide the clearest, most cost-effective pathway to improving plant efficiencies, increasing production rates and sustaining profitability. Under the Programme, Invensys will deliver full-scope consulting, project management, engineering, installation and maintenance services,, and products and systems that minimise the risk of operating obsolete technologies. The company's hardware and software offerings address all operational areas of the plant, including instrumentation, I/O and HMI, safety and critical control systems, turbo machinery assets, process safety lifecycle components, cyber-security systems and other cross-enterprise assets.

Gaertner continues: "Modernizing existing assets to meet today's new business challenges has many, many benefits. A full-scope modernisation programme can help reduce total cost of ownership, increase production rates, meet regulatory guidelines and manage risks, extend the life and performance of their systems, and improve response to changing business demand."

Where to start?

For companies that know they need to modernise existing assets, but do not know where to begin, Invensys starts with an assessment to understand the company's business initiatives and issues. The input received is then used to develop a long-range strategic plan that meets the plant's business and technology needs. As part of the assessment, Invensys also helps clients establish return-on-investment targets.

Mike Hull is a computer controls supervisor at Arizona-based Salt River Project, the third-largest public power utility in the United States. He comments: "Invensys consultants carefully reviewed our issues and the results we wanted to achieve, then they quantified them based on information such as replacement power costs and other forms of ROI. Furthermore, Invensys evaluated which of their products and services could address these issues and achieve our desired results. Invensys Operations Management's modernisation programme is a game-changer in the industry."

For companies that have already developed a modernisation plan but need help executing it, Invensys provides highly-qualified resources, including PMP-certified project managers and engineers who have performed hundreds of modernisation projects across the globe.

Follow the link for more information about Invensys Operations Management's Modernisation Programme.