Digitalization, localization help develop China’s process industries

Digitalization has many applications, especially in the consumer goods market. But for industrial applications, digitalization reforms existing production models. Very careful industrial digital transformation is still in process, and the value of big data and data analysis technologies cannot be ignored.  

Dr. Markus Lade, the leader of Siemens China’s digital industry group process automation department, said the value of data release is only the tip of the iceberg at present, and the greater value hidden beneath needs to be fully realized and developed. 

Process industry digitalization: Unlock data value two ways 

Lade said technologies can help unlock the value of data in two ways. One is to establish a model and compare current production with results generated by the model to understand and optimize the current operation. The other way is to apply cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to make relevant predictions and analyses based on mathematical statistics. 

“We can provide world-leading products and solutions for both of these technologies to help customers accelerate digital transformation,” Lade said.  

Using PSE gProms technology acquired in the past two years, Siemens can model a series of production processes, helping to further improve production efficiency, improve quality, reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in production processes.  

For the second type, Siemens China is cooperating with headquarters to develop AI products (such as SiePA) to help users analyze the operation status of the plant to support plant operation and maintenance, improve the reliability of operations and maintenance, predict and warn about risks and help the plant avoid serious losses. Combining the two can help factories further release digital value. 

Factory engineering design software 

For the digital transformation of process industry, it is also important to ensure the consistency and effectiveness of data assets in the whole life cycle of the factory. The engineering design software Comos from Siemens can be used for digital collaborative design and delivery of the factory lifecycle. Through digital delivery, the software helps users realize a series of needs in the operation and maintenance phases, including operator training, scene simulation and others, enabling data to improve the return on assets and the availability of assets. 

Digital tools, including the Siemens neo version 4.0 process control system, can help process industries derive greater value from existing data. Courtesy: Siemens, Control Engineering China

Localization adds value for Chinese customers 

The industrial automation and digitalization market in China is arguably one of the most competitive markets in the world. In addition to the digitalization strategy, localization strategy is an important second focus for Lade.  

“In a country as big as China, it is very important to be close to customers through the sales organization, to listen to them and be the best partner for them.” 

In addition to establishing a local digital R&D center in China, Lade said, a significant portion of Siemens’ range of traditional control products have been locally manufactured. Local products have been developed specifically for the Chinese market to meet local needs and better suit the development of local process industries. 

Products covering OT to IT create end-to-end industry solutions 

Digital transformation is the key to a more efficient, green and sustainable global process industry. But customers need is an end-to-end comprehensive solution covering automation and digitalization. Using more than 100 years of development, the company has one of the few complete portfolios in the industry, covering operational technology (OT) to information technology (IT), from traditional automation control to the latest digital technologies, Lade said. 

“Our portfolio comprehensively covers all aspects of on-site process automation, enabling on-site control and accurate, fast data collection and uploading from the field level to the IT level for data analysis and value mining.” Lade said the company also provides targeted end-to-end solutions for each vertical among process industries, using long-accumulated industry knowledge more closely meet the specific needs of each industry. 

Digitalization is a comprehensive and complex issue. Even with a complete product portfolio to provide end-to-end solutions for each vertical industry, digital transformation is not a problem that can be solved by one company alone, Lade said. “We also look forward to creating digital value with our users and partners to better realize digital transformation and ecological solutions.” 

Stone Shi is executive editor-in-chief, Control Engineering China; Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, mhoske@cfemedia.com. 

KEYWORDS 

Process industrial, China, digital transformation, sustainability 

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What digital tools can help your processes better use existing data to enable better decisions more quickly?  

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