Improved efficiency, increased productivity and cost reductions are the main factors driving purchases of industrial networking/communication products in Europe, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan.
"There is a trend in industrial operations to interconnect systems, equipment, machinery and devices via networking, in order to provide real-time data and information for better decision making, control and management and, by extension, improved performance, quality and production," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Katarzyna Owczarczyk. "The emphasis on enhanced plant efficiency has underlined the need for constant tracking of production flows and quality assurance at every stage of production. As industrial networking/communication devices have the ability to retrieve real-time data from multiple, sometimes inaccessible, field devices, they are critical to process control operations where rapid reaction is necessary to prevent any abnormal functioning of the systems."
Real-time capabilities also enable convenient and cost-effective transmission and monitoring of data parameters over long distances.
"End-users acknowledge the importance of measuring the various critical parameters that are available within a factory automation environment, which could be used to improve production. Industrial networking/communication devices can help in monitoring these parameters and provide valuable information, which could boost plant efficiency. However, the conservative attitudes of end-user industries such as pharmaceutical, food & beverage, chemicals and oil & gas towards implementing new technologies, without being assured of their potential benefits, has proved a major restraint for industrial networking penetration," said Owczarczyk.
The application of field devices happens mostly in greenfield projects, as end-users are hesitant about changing existing plant infrastructure, explained Owczarczyk. Many are comfortable with traditional ways of plant operation; hence, they are less willing to invest in industrial networking solutions, "viewing them primarily as an alternative, rather than a first-choice option.”
Concerns over system reliability and security tend to further fuel such conservatism, Owczarczyk said. While real-time technology facilitates the availability of data on the Internet and intranet servers, the security of data in the process of transmission is not assured as the data is relatively accessible. Moreover, end-users are unwilling to risk investing in wireless, as they are still not convinced about the robustness of wireless transmission.
“Manufactures of industrial networking/communication devices have to generate greater awareness and conduct workshops and training to educate end users about the advantages of integrating industrial networking into the manufacturing process,” advises Owczarczyk. “Once end users realize the benefits of these devices, adoption levels are set to soar.”
The European Industrial Networking/Communication Market report covers Ethernet, Fieldbus and wireless device technologies.
