Collaboration spearheads the future of automation

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Aug 18, 2008

Schneider Electric has unveiled a new, even closer partnership with its network of systems integrators in the UK

This enables greater information sharing, technical input, training resources, energy and automation audits and services and maintenance offers.

With significant de-skilling in so many walks of UK industry, the role of the systems integrators has risen dramatically in importance.

It was therefore fitting that the Schneider Electric System Integrator Alliance conference, held over two days in Coventry, attracted a full house of delegates from their established SI Alliance network.

The overarching theme of the event was the provision of more customer-focussed solutions from Schneider Electric, delivered through the SI Alliance expertise.

This will be achieved through greater levels of collaboration and a better understanding of the customer applications.

Since every business in the SI Alliance has had to fulfil stringent criteria for membership, the network represents some of the best integrators in the UK.

One Schneider Electric initiative to aid this partnership has been to take today's integrated architecture and develop it towards a collaborative control system, combining common data structures from visualisation (SCADA reporting) through to complete machine and plant control.

Several new products were also demonstrated to the audience, focusing on creating opportunities and added value for customers.

New software for PLC, machine control, SCADA and EMS solutions attracted great interest, but variable speed drives, safety and sensing devices and even radio frequency identification (RFID) systems also caused a stir.

Stephen Coop, managing director of Schneider Electric UK, emphasised the commitment the company has to system integrators and the service they provide to UK industry.

Steve Davenport of Boulting Intergrated Systems commented that the event had been "Particularly pleasing as the relationship with the SI network is seen as critical to their business process - a well balanced event".