A supplement to PLANT

ControlENGINEERING
Engineering
PLANT ENGINEERING
and Control magazines
Engineering magazines
 Keep your system insight
with affordable, cloud-based remote access and data logging

Linx

StrideLinx Remote Access

StrideLinx
Whether the job is down the street or across the country, VPN Router
with the StrideLinx cloud-based remote access solution
you’re always on site. Simply install and connect the starting at
StrideLinx VPN router to your machine/system, set up
an account and begin using the 5GB of FREE monthly
bandwidth to securely monitor, program and/or
$450.00
(SE-SL3011)
troubleshoot your remote systems from anywhere, any
time.
Optional subscriptions are available to maximize your
remote access capabilities:
• Cloud-based Data Logging - Unlimited cloud data storage for up Research, price, buy at:
to 7 years with active subscription
www.automationdirect.com/stridelinx
• Data Top Up - Increase monthly data traffic by 5, 15 or 50GB
• Service Level Agreement - Guarantees 99.6% availability, 4-hour
max consecutive downtime per router
• Premium Branding - allows StrideLinx platform to be rebranded
with custom company domain and contact/support information
• NEW! Cloud Notify/Alarming - provides customized “alarm”
emails and push notifications when control limits are exceeded
on HMI / PLC devices connected to the StrideLinx VPN router

Order Today, Ships Today!

* See our Web site for details and restrictions. © Copyright 2019 AutomationDirect, Cumming, GA USA. All rights reserved. 1-800-633-0405 the #1 value in automation
 Comment

Data visualization, monitoring remotely

T
here is a direct correlation between
improving data visualization and imple-
menting cloud-based remote access,
which is also the first step to implement-
ing the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and
Industrie 4.0 applications for said data visualiza-
tion. The author of the cover story in this issue
of AppliedAutomation discusses best practices
Jack Smith for logging data to the cloud using suitable proto-
Editor cols, and covers functions such as math manipu-
lations and notifications. He also describes a
specific application about a Colorado-based sys-
tem integrator that works on brewing, wastewater
and other projects as an example to show how
to get started with cloud-based remote access.
The author writes, “Data storage in the cloud and
access to it allows users to gain insight through
data visualization. Configurable dashboards
using widgets for remote viewing allow visualiza-
tion of cloud-based data from any device con-
nected to the Internet such as a laptop, a PC, a
smartphone or a tablet. This data easily can be
shared with other users, and it can be download-
ed for analysis as needed.”
The authors of the second article in this
issue make a case for offsite remote manage-
ment and monitoring service support. They
write, “Remote monitoring technology is not
new. However, due to technological advances
(e.g., open systems, wireless technology, smart
manufacturing devices, high-speed network
connections, etc.) over the past several years,
the ability to remotely manage and monitor criti-
cal automation and control systems in real time
has come to the forefront as a secure and cost-
effective means for manufacturers to improve
operational efficiency and tap offsite resources
for additional production support.”
According to the authors, offsite remote ser-
vice support can handle a variety of tasks and
services including incident management, system
backup and recovery, data analysis and retriev-
al, software updates and patches, and real-time
software monitoring.

Plant Engineering’s webcasts cover the latest

engineering topics that affect your industry
webcasts and operations. Join the expert panelists and
attend our webcasts at your desktop or mobile
device of your choice.

Discover the latest on topics like:

• Arc flash • Compressed air

• Electrical safety • Power distribution
• Plant safety • Energy management
• Maintenance • Asset management
• IIoT • Safety management

www.plantengineering.com/webcasts

pe201902_webcasts_HLFpg.indd 1 1/31/2019 6:39:06 PM

 Honey, I’m home!
Tired of being gone nights and
weekends troubleshooting projects?
It’s time to contact an automation
specialist at SEW-EURODRIVE to
help solve your design challenges.

We provide a complete package

including project planning, software,
components, commissioning, and
service from start to finish. We know
exactly how our products work
together because we designed them.

Relax … we got this!

seweurodrive.com | 864-439-7537
Contents
A8 Working with the cloud
Using the cloud for data logging and remote
access can improve operations, cut costs and
simplify interactions.

A12 Managing remote monitoring

Remote management and monitoring applications
help keep operations up and running. External
remote management and monitoring teams provide
specialized operational knowledge to help with
automation and control system issues. A8
On The COver: This AutomationDirect C-more
human-machine interface (HMI) touch panel provides local
data logging to an SD-card or a USB drive. Courtesy:
AutomationDirect

PUBLICATION SERvICES PUBLICATION SALES

3010 Highland Parkway, Suite 325, Downers Grove, IL 60515
NORThEAsT
Phone: 630-571-4070 Fax: 630-214-4504 Email: customerservice@cfemedia.com
Richard A. Groth Jr.
774-277-7266
n Jim Langhenry n Patrick Lynch Fax: 508-590-0432
Co-Founder and Publisher, CFE Media VP of CFE Technology rgroth@cfemedia.com
jlanghenry@cfemedia.com plynch@cfetechnology.com
sOuThEAsT
n Steve Rourke n Paul Brouch
Karen Cira
Co-Founder, CFE Media Director of Operations
704-523-5466
srourke@cfemedia.com pbrouch@cfemedia.com
Fax: 630-214-4504
n Kristen Nimmo n Rick Ellis
Marketing Manager Audience Management Director MiDwEsT/EAsT COAsT
knimmo@cfemedia.com rellis@cfemedia.com Jennifer Wafalosky
216-409-8314
n Elena Moeller-Younger n Michael Rotz
jwafalosky@cfemedia.com
Marketing Manager Print Production Manager
emyounger@cfemedia.com mike.rotz@frycomm.com
wEsT COAsT, TX, OK
Tom Corcoran
215-275-6420
Fax: 484-631-0598
CONTENT SPECIALISTS/EDITORIAL tcorcoran@cfemedia.com

n Jack Smith n Michael Smith sPECiAl ACCOuNTs

Editor Creative Director Jerry Preston
630-907-1622 msmith@cfemedia.com 480-396-9585
jsmith@cfemedia.com jpreston@cfemedia.com
n Amanda Pelliccione
n Mark Hoske Director of Research
Content Manager 631-320-0655 iNsiDE sAlEs
Mobile: 847-830-3215 apelliccione@cfemedia.com Diane Houghton
mhoske@cfemedia.com 508-298-9021
dhoughton@cfemedia.com
n Bob Vavra AppliedAutomation is published bimonthly by CFE
Content Manager Media and is mailed as a supplement with Control iNTERNATiONAl
630-571-4070 x2212 Engineering and Plant Engineering magazines. Stuart Smith
bvavra@cfemedia.com
Copyright 2019 by CFE Media llC. All rights ssM Global Media ltd.
n Emily Guenther reserved. Editorial offices are located at 3010 +44 208 464 5577
Associate Content Manager highland Parkway, suite 325, Downers Grove, il Fax: +44 208 464 5588
630-571-4070 x2220 60515. Phone 630-571-4070. stuart.smith@ssm.co.uk
eguenther@cfemedia.com

Applied Automation April 2019 • A5

 Engineering is personal.
So is the way you use information.
CFE Media delivers a world of knowledge to you.
CFE Media is home to some of the Personally.
most trusted names in the business.

www.controleng.com www.csemag.com www.plantengineering.com

MAY 2017
Inside:
 Technologies and
technicians p8
 The signal processing
perspective p12

Supplement to Periodicals Publication

IFE1705_MAG_Cover_V2msFINAL.indd 1 4/26/17 4:35 PM

You probably already use PROVEN

40
Tadiran batteries,
but just don’t know it!

YEAR
OPERATING

LIFE *

If you have a smart automatic water, gas,

electricity, or heat meter in your home.
If you have an electronic toll collection
transponder, tire inflation sensor, or
emergency E-CALL system in your car.
If you have a GPS tracking device on
your trailer, container, or cargo.
If you have wireless sensors, controls, or
monitors in your factories and plants.
If you use electronics with real-time clock or memory back-up in your office.

If you have never heard of Tadiran Batteries, it is only because you

have never had a problem with our products powering your products. Tadiran Batteries
2001 Marcus Ave.
Take no chances. Take Tadiran batteries that last a lifetime.
Suite 125E
Lake Success,
NY 11042
1-800-537-1368
516-621-4980
* Tadiran LiSOCL2 batteries feature the lowest annual self-discharge rate of any competitive battery, less than 1% per year, enabling these
batteries to operate over 40 years depending on device operating usage. However, this is not an expressed or implied warranty, as each
application differs in terms of annual energy consumption and/or operating environment. www.tadiranbat.com
 D ata v i s u a l i z at i o n

Working with the cloud

using the cloud for data logging and remote access can improve operations,
cut costs and simplify interactions.

By Jonathan Griffith Data storage in the cloud and

AutomationDirect access to it allows users to gain

I
insight through data visualization.
Configurable dashboards using
mplementing cloud-based widgets for remote viewing allow
remote access is often the first visualization of cloud-based data
step to implementing Industrial from any device connected to the
Internet of Things (IIoT) and Internet such as a laptop, a PC, a
Industrie 4.0 applications for smartphone or a tablet (see Figure
improved data visualization. This 1). This data easily can be shared
article discusses best practices with other users, and it can be
for logging data to the cloud using downloaded for analysis as needed.
suitable protocols, and covers func-
tions such as math manipulations Data logging
and notifications. A specific appli- Data logging can be local,
cation to show how to get started cloud-based or a combination of
with cloud-based remote access is both. Many programmable logic
discussed. controllers (PLCs) and human
machine interfaces (HMIs) include
Cloud advantages onboard memory for local data
There are several advantages storage on an SD-card or a USB
of cloud-based data storage and Figure 1: Cloud-based applications allow users to drive (see Figure 2). An industrial
access systems as compared with access and visualize data from anywhere to gain
plant or facility also may have
on-premises systems. Worldwide network-based database servers
insight to a machine or process. All images cour-
cloud connectivity only requires maintained by the IT department.
tesy: AutomationDirect
access to the Internet via a wired, However, with data logging to the
Wi-Fi or cellular link. On-premises cloud, the possibilities are much
connectivity is considerably more complex, particularly for greater. It’s possible to create and maintain a cloud-
users located offsite. based data system, or to use an end-to-end solution
Cloud-based data systems can be set up in a matter of offered by a service provider. Creating a cloud-based
hours with little or no upfront capital expenses and can data system requires some level of IT expertise, albeit
be scaled up in minutes with relatively simple interac- less than doing so on-premises. For example, Amazon
tions with cloud service providers. By contrast, setting up Web Services (AWS) is a popular cloud services provider,
on-premises data systems always requires substantial offering many of the features needed for those wanting to
upfront capital expenses and information technology (IT) host their own cloud-based data systems.
expertise, and scaling up can be very difficult, expensive Another alternative is to subscribe to an end-to-end
and time-consuming. service offering data logging with a hosted virtual private
Given these and other advantages, cloud-based data network (VPN) (see Figure 3). These types of services
systems and other services are growing rapidly across typically are offered on a monthly subscription basis with
a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. costs based on the number of data points recorded. This
This rapid growth is causing prices to drop as provid- type of solution provides a quick road to logging data
ers take advantage of economies of scale. Simply put, to the cloud and accessing it worldwide for visualization
it’s much less expensive on a per user basis for a cloud and other purposes. Although every data logging solu-
service company to provide IT infrastructure to thousands tion does not have a VPN router, using one provides the
of users than it is for each user to design, install and a required security along with remote access and program-
maintain his or her own infrastructure. ming functionality (see Figure 4).

A8 • April 2019 Applied Automation

Figure 2: This AutomationDirect C-more human-machine interface (HMI) touch panel provides local data logging to an SD-card or a USB drive.
Protocols and router configuration
With the IIoT, there has been a great increase in the
amount of available data, with corresponding demands to
meet reliability and security requirements, possibly slow-
ing data transfer rates and presenting other problems.
While industrial Ethernet protocols have been advancing,
some newer protocols such as message queuing telemetry
transport (MQTT) are often a better solution. Many VPN
routers work with the newer protocols as well as multiple
common industrial Ethernet protocols often used on the
plant floor while providing the required security.
MQTT has become one of the most common proto-
cols for data logging to the cloud due to its low resource
requirements and excellent reliability, even over low-
bandwidth networks. Instead of using a request-response
system where clients constantly poll for new data from a
server, MQTT uses a publish-subscribe methodology. With
publish-subscribe, remote systems can publish data to a
broker, and remote clients can subscribe to this data.
MQTT uses a single broker through which all published
and subscribed data flows. Multiple servers do not need
to respond to multiple devices, reducing network traffic.
MQTT provides superior security, using outbound com-
munications only upon request. For users running their
own servers or visualization platforms, a PLC or an HMI
with MQTT support is needed to publish data to the bro-
ker, while end-to-end solutions typically have this type of
functionality built-in to the data logger or VPN router.
One popular end-to-end solution uses a VPN router
with support for multiple industrial protocols including
Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, Siemens S7, OPC-UA, BACnet
and others—allowing data gathering from any compo-
nents supporting these protocols, such as PLCs and
HMIs. Relatively few industrial PLC and HMI components
support MQTT, but most all support one or more of these
protocols.
VPN routers with data logging often use MQTT technol-
ogy behind the scenes so users can work with the most
common industrial protocols, rather than converting them
to MQTT first. Data logging is configured in the router by
identifying the tags to be monitored from each component,
with the router then logging the data to the cloud with no
PLC or HMI programming required.
Data manipulation and notification
Data often needs to be cleansed and manipulated
before visualization or notification takes place. At the
source, data often is cleansed to eliminate blips, and
then sent to the cloud only upon exception; that is when
it changes, greatly reducing the data traffic from a site to
Applied Automation April 2019 • A9
 Data visualization
Figure 3: AutomationDirect’s StrideLinx secure hosted VPN routers
serve as a key component of an end-to-end remote access and
data logging solution.
the cloud. If an alarm or event occurs, data transmission
can be switched to send every reading to the cloud for a
predetermined period of time to aid with analysis. Other
methods of data cleansing or manipulation at the source
often are employed depending on the application.
Once the data is logged to the cloud, users need a
way to visualize it. Many end-to-end solutions allow live
monitoring and creation of widgets for data visualization.
Dashboards often are used to add, remove, edit and view
both live and historical data reports over a preconfigured
time period. Live monitoring displays real-time data in the
cloud, providing insight into how the machine or process is
operating in near real time.
A10 • April 2019 Applied Automation
Figure 4: These StrideLinx
Remote Access VPN routers from
AutomationDirect offer secure remote
access with a subscription-based data
logger and notification included.
Widgets can be used to display
live and historical data as a num-
ber value, or as a Boolean status
such as true or false. Typical
graphics available to help visual-
ize data include a gauge to display
the value within a configurable
range and a graph to plot the data
over time. Templates also are
available to help quickly display
cloud data. Tables with data tags
and logged values and bar charts
over fixed intervals are other com-
monly used widgets for displaying
data. Data reports can be manipu-
lated through use of formulas to
customize the data view over a
selected time period. Typical for-
mulas include average, minimum,
maximum, median, mode, range, sum, first and last.
Alerts and notifications can be configured to inform
users when parameters fall outside of a predefined range.
For example, alarms can be configured to notify specific
personnel when a machine breaks down, needs mainte-
nance or when a temperature runs too high.
Through simple configuration, users can enable a
cloud notify function to alert workers based on predefined
machine or process conditions. These notifications can
be categorized as low, medium or high priority—allowing
users to choose which notifications they’d like to receive.
The cloud for all
The cloud works well for small, medium and large com-
panies logging, accessing and visualizing data. The cost of
entry is very affordable hardware and a data subscription
(free or a monthly fee based on data usage and the ser-
vice provider), and configuration is quick.
Figure 5: Fermentation vessel temperature data logged to the cloud is visualized as live graph data using
AutomationDirect’s hosted VPN solution.
For example, consider Woodwest Controls, a Colorado-
based system integrator. Led by owner and founder Chris
Kregoski, the company works on brewing, wastewater
and other projects. Kregoski started the company in his
basement in 2014 and has quickly expanded the scope of
the business to service Fortune 1,000 companies, while
maintaining a commitment to excellence and customer
satisfaction. Kregoski also owns a brewery and designs
control systems from start to finish for himself and his
customers’ breweries. In addition, his company supports
malting companies that prepare the grain before it goes
to a brewery.
Microbrewing is a semiautomated process where the
brewer is constantly checking temperatures on tanks and
vessels throughout the day. Monitoring live data, receiv-
ing process completion alerts and creating historical data
records of each batch can improve productivity, yields and
quality control.
Woodwest Controls uses AutomationDirect’s StrideLinx
solution to monitor automation systems installed at their
customers’ sites. The main components of these systems
are typically an AutomationDirect HMI and PLC. The PLC
controls temperatures in the fermentation tanks, and in the
brite tanks when clarifying beer. These tanks need to be
held at specific temperatures, which must be monitored
closely by the brewer (see Figure 5).
The StrideLinx is configured to log the temperature of
the tanks and the support systems, such as glycol storage.
Tank temperatures for the next day’s brewing uses the live
monitor function on the StrideLinx platform, providing near
real-time displays of temperatures. The temperatures of
14 fermentation vessels and six brite tanks are monitored
using one dashboard with two panels, one for fermentation
tanks and one for brite tanks.
With simple configuration, alarms were added to notify
employees that a given step is near completion. These
process completion alerts, when added to this semiauto-
mated process, improved productivity and yields. Glycol
alarms also were configured for high temperature or
low pressure to ensure proper chilling of the tanks and
improve quality.
Everyone’s IIoT
When it comes to the cloud, think big—there is much
that can be done with data logged to the cloud and
accessed from it. This data can be used to improve effi-
ciencies in machines and processes. Users can take
advantage of these connections to stay informed about
production volumes, process status, system alarms, raw
material usage, energy consumption, maintenance needs
and more.
With the right technology, it’s easy to start small and
experiment with remote access and data logging at one
site, and then scale up and deploy to other production
lines and sites.
Jonathan Griffith is the product manager for Industrial
Communications & Power Supplies at AutomationDirect.
He has three degrees, all from the Georgia Institute of
Technology: MBA, MSEE and BSEE.
Applied Automation April 2019 • A11
 R e m o t e m o n i t oR i n g
Managing remote monitoring
Remote management and monitoring applications help keep operations up and running.
external remote management and monitoring teams provide specialized operational knowl-
edge to help with automation and control system issues.
By Dawn Lewis and Evan Pederson
Maverick
R
emote monitoring technology is not new.
However, due to technological advances (e.g.,
open systems, wireless technology, smart
manufacturing devices, high-speed network
connections, etc.) over the past several years,
the ability to remotely manage and monitor
critical automation and control systems in real time has
come to the forefront as a secure and cost-effective
means for manufacturers to improve operational effi-
ciency and tap offsite resources for additional produc-
tion support.
Offsite remote service support can handle a variety of
tasks and services including incident management, system
backup and recovery, data analysis and retrieval, software
updates and patches, real-time monitoring of software and
systems, and online automation and system programming.
Key advantages manufacturers should consider when
engaging a remote offsite team include:
• Provides 24/7/365 support
• Offers a broad platform-agnostic knowledge base
to support a mix of systems
• Reduces costs by helping prevent downtime
• Eliminates the need to find and retain additional
in-house automation expertise
• Delivers positive return on investment (ROI) as
benefits exceed costs for process improvements
• Often results in lower cost than onsite alternatives
• Supports flexible, customized services for specific
facility requirements
• Performs upfront assessments on new projects
• Offers system scalability, flexibility and customization
A12 • April 2019 Applied Automation
• Builds a working relationship with automation experts
who deliver continuous improvement and sustaining
services support.
Workforce woes
In today’s competitive world, manufacturers are hav-
ing to transition from their traditional systems to more
modern tools and strategies. Often, however, they find it
increasingly difficult to justify, recruit and train automa-
tion personnel on new system upgrades or infrastructure.
They also face workforce attrition and retirement, which
places additional tasks on personnel who already have
heavy workloads. They simply do not have the bandwidth
or, in some instances, the level of experience to effective-
ly diagnose system failures or deal with the daily process
issues that arise, leading to the potential for equipment
failure and downtime.
To help ease the load, external remote management
and monitoring teams provide specialized operational
knowledge to help with automation and control system
issues. Typically, legacy and new systems alike require
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) expertise and
support. However, due to equipment obsolescence, few
OEMs are supporting the spare parts manufacturers’
source for their legacy systems.
A platform-independent third-party automation solu-
tions provider can provide operational expertise on a mix
of hardware and software platforms, working with OEMs
directly, based on your manufacturing facility require-
ments. They can deliver application support services
and production optimization solutions, while helping to
remotely maintain, continuously improve and prevent
automation and control issues from happening.
Managing the unexpected
Despite system or procedural warnings, situations can
and do arise when manufacturers least expect it, especial-
ly during the weekend, evening, holiday or vacation hours.
Often, a manufacturer’s in-house team can handle many
of the day-to-day automation and control issues that come
up if given enough time. However, who do you call when
the unexpected happens and staff resources are stretched
thin or unavailable?
At any time, automation hardware and software issues
(e.g., malfunctioning control valves, faulty wiring, poor
 Case study: Loop performance optimization
sweetens product quality

R
emote management and to each loop. The score of each
monitoring of automation loop was updated automatically.
and control systems helps Threshold limits were defined,
manufacturing facilities react and triggers were set once a loop
quicker to situations to prevent started trending toward an unopti-
unexpected events from happen- mized state.
ing. The following is an example Control room operators now
of such an event. are notified of critical loop trends.
The customer needed an auto- A daily report is compiled for the
mated method to detect poor pro- facility operations team that indi-
cess loop performance in a legacy cates unoptimized loops. On a
control system. Loops optimized weekly basis, the operations team
during commissioning and startup receives a top 10 list.
quickly experienced performance Figure 1: The PlantFloor24 global operations Many of the loop problems were
degradation. The goal was to cor- center at Maverick Technologies uses best symptoms or indicators of more
rect poor loop tuning before signifi- practices to work with manufacturers to important process issues. For
cant process losses were incurred remotely resolve issues and provide solutions automated wmonitoring systems
and to monitor and to communi- to keep operations up and running 24/7/365. to be effective, the systems must
cate loops trending in the wrong Courtesy: Maverick Technologies be more robust than the systems
direction. they are monitoring. Several com-
mercial software solutions exist. However, they are not
Engineers in the Maverick Technologies well-suited for legacy automation systems and cannot
PlantFloor24 global operations center teamed with accurately identify process issues.
our operation consulting group to mine the customer’s Simple repeatable solutions were the core of this
extensive historical controls database to analyze effort. In one case, a loop allowed periodic product loss
trends and data patterns (see Figure 1). The team due to poor tank level control. While the product loss
tested algorithms to create actionable reports, which was important, the volume was not sufficient to make
were then verified to prove the underlying effectiveness the correction of the loss an actionable priority. Further
of the proposed solution. The team also analyzed the investigation helped the team determine the product
total time valves were in auto/manual mode, total valve loss was an indicator of a poorly coordinated process
travel, the flow coefficient (CV) percentage of the valve that was ultimately affecting product quality and signifi-
and other relevant variables and assigned a final score cantly reducing the value of the finished product.

process loop performance, control system and software
updates, data recovery and more) can quickly escalate
and cause facility downtime, safety risks and increased
operational costs. How long it takes your in-house team to
respond is critical to personnel safety and the manufactur-
ing facility.
During these times, a third-party remote management
and monitoring application support team can work with in-
house personnel to:
• Ensure 24/7/365 immediate response and
proactive support
• Identify and monitor key parameters that typically
indicate most failures. Examples include hard disk
usage, percentage of used memory, warnings gen-
erated by the automation system, 24/7 network
data and information related to equipment opera-
tion, such as vibration parameters, temperature
readings, etc.
• Diagnose, interpret and communicate current
system code issues
• Monitor faults and processors

• Identify, diagnose and debug automation equipment • Monitor network usage and connectivity
issues (e.g., server failures or malfunctioning control
valves) before they disrupt production • Perform daily routine system checks

Applied Automation April 2019 • A13

 R e m o t e m o n i t oR i n g

• Help get production going again more quickly upfront planning to prevent surprises from happening ulti-
after equipment failure mately keeps costs from escalating later. Engaging a third-
party partner early on in a project is key, as they become
• Help perform routine system backups so operational more familiar with your platforms, as well as intimately
improvements are captured and preserved knowledgeable about your specific product manufactur-
ing process. Ideally, they can help write the process code
• Supervise software updates and patches for needed for any future programming changes.
cybersecurity protection Chain of command. Ensure both teams have the proper
escalation protocols—a point of contact and knowledgeable
• Monitor key alarms. staff available that can escalate issues for resolution. This is
where on-call, 24/7/365, third-party remote operation teams
Now that we’ve looked at some challenges and how are extremely important in off hours.
working with external remote teams can help resolve auto- Project tracking. Find someone who is flexible to your
mation application issues, let’s look at how manufacturers needs and will use some form of ticketing system for
can choose the right partner and move tracking calls and issuing reports. It is
past any uncertainties or fears about important to document every call and
their intellectual property.
Manufacturers should incident for archiving purposes and
historical recall.
Documentation is key have good security Costs. Cost is always a major fac-
As with any contractual agreement tor for any business. If the remote
between parties, it all comes down
policies in place and services deliver a positive ROI, then
to good documentation. Before the the benefits exceed costs for process
team lead signs on the dotted line,
use best practices improvements. A cost savings also
consider the following items when can be realized when you reduce the
looking for and working with a trust-
when working with amount of in-house personnel hav-
ed platform-independent third-party ing to perform or be trained on critical
automation solutions provider or sys-
secure setups across automation tasks, which limits disrup-
tems integrator: tions to their daily operational routines.
the enterprise. Another factor to consider is the poten-
Safety. Before starting any project, tial cost associated with system failure
both the manufacturer and remote partner need to be or downtime, resulting in lost production and product
aware of all safety policies and procedures. Any tasks can quality. Can you really afford to have a full-time employee
be performed in-house or remotely, with manufacturers “on call” solely to field potential problems that arise?
making decisions based on their specific circumstances. Proactive third-party remote management and monitoring
When remote changes are made to a facility’s systems, handles the problems for you and can prevent any safety
both parties should follow precautionary measures to lapses as well as increase efficiency saving costs in the
mitigate safety risks and ensure the working environment long run.
remains safe at all times. The right third-party partner can be a major advantage
Security. Manufacturers should have good security for manufacturers who want to use the latest remote man-
policies in place and use best practices when working agement and monitoring tools and techniques as part of
with secure setups across the enterprise. Depending on their day-to-day routine. A trusted partner will answer any
where the remote monitoring will be performed, a manu- questions to remove any uncertainty and doubt from the
facturer’s highly-qualified information technology (IT) process. A platform-independent automation solutions
personnel need to ensure a secure location to protect provider can provide unbiased remote management and
intellectual property (IP). monitoring experience for a range of products and technol-
They must also ensure safe and secure remote firewall ogies to keep facility operations up and running 24/7/365.
access to systems, giving unique access via usernames
and passwords to the third-party solutions provider. Security Dawn Lewis (dawn.lewis@mavtechglobal.com) is a senior
coverage to prevent hackers is a two-way street in remote project manager in the Automation Solutions Group for at
setups, so high priority should be placed on it from both Maverick Technologies. With 17 years of experience, she
sides of the firewall. leads team efforts to provide high-quality and reliable proj-
Manufacturers also should consider visiting the third-party ects in all realms of the business.
locations to see first-hand what lockdown protections are in
place, including building security. Evan Pederson (evan.pederson@mavtechglobal.com) is
Flexibility/customization. Being able to have the flex- a senior engineer at Maverick Technologies and has more
ibility to customize and make changes on the fly is nice, but than 15 years of experience in industrial automation.

A14 • April 2019 Applied Automation

Always the Right Move

One Choice for All

Controlling a robot arm, a servo axis, a VFD drive or a custom
robotic mechanism is all the same task for an MP3300iec
machine controller. It uses familiar IEC61131-3 and PLCopen
programming to operate them all, and will even allow
you to substitute one motion device for another without
reprogramming.

Looking for motion control that can change and grow as readily
as your machines do? Move to the MP3300iec by contacting
your Yaskawa representative.

Yaskawa America, Inc. Drives & Motion Division 1-800-YASKAWA yaskawa.com For more info: http://go.yaskawa-america.com/yai1266
Less means more!

Focused on the essentials: the new i500

Slim design, scalable functionality, and extremely user-friendly.
The groundbreaking i500 is size-optimized and allows for zero-
clearance mounting, saving valuable cabinet space. And thanks
to the innovative interface options, it’s easy to commission in
minimal time. The best thing of all is that the modular structure
adapts to different production configurations in no time at all.
Less does mean more! Learn more at www.lenze.com
Visit us at PROMAT 2019 – Booth #S2422 | April 8-11 | Chicago, IL As easy as that.