ABB introduces a new model for its process industries customers to increase productivity and profitability by applying new, and faster ways of finding and implementing improvements. While many have benefited from step-changes by automating processes and enterprise resource planning software in recent decades, companies now realize this is no longer enough. To improve performance, they need to use the vast amount of data they are now sitting on more efficiently, deploying new types of software, and working together with other experts to optimize results.
At the heart of the Collaborative Operations concept are the many different people and job functions involved in all aspects of keeping a plant, process or facility operational. Until now the deluge of data that comes from integrating field instrumentation, DCS, intelligent motor control systems, safety systems and telecoms, is often available to the wrong person or shared late to the right individual.
"Nowadays having good quality data is not the real challenge," explains Richard Windischhofer, ABB’s manager of the collaborative operations model. "The issue is we don’t have the right people working with that data. Companies need to move from just collecting data and operating software on their own to having actionable information by letting the best minds work together. Collaborative Operations makes that happen."
This approach will lead to increased availability, improved productivity and operational excellence by turning passive data into action. Working more closely and more easily with suppliers will also further unlock profitability while reducing risk.
In this context ABB offers digital solutions customers can deploy entirely by themselves. However, more transformative benefits will be delivered through collaborative operations centers provided by ABB to connect to directly with its customers’ daily operations. The centers gather data from assets across production sites and translate this into intelligence, together with customers and by using modern digital communication infrastructure, from edge computing on premises to cloud solutions.
