Industrial Automation Redefined: Insights From ARC Industry Leadership Forum

The inaugural Annual ARC Industry Leadership Forum in Singapore showcased the transformative power of Open Process Automation (OPA) and AI in revolutionizing industrial operations. 

The 1st Annual ARC Industry Leadership Forum in Singapore brought together a diverse group of industry leaders to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of industrial automation. Industry leaders and experts explored the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, emphasizing the critical role of collaboration and innovation for industrial automation.

Under the theme of “Accelerating Transformation in the Age of AI, Open Automation, and Sustainability,” the forum provided a comprehensive look at the cutting-edge developments in Open Process Automation (OPA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their impact on industrial operations.

The Rise of Open Process Automation

The Open Process Automation Forum session was chaired by Bob Gill of ARC Advisory Group, who provided a brief historical overview of the OPA initiative and OPAF organization. From its inception in 2016, the OPA Forum has grown into a global initiative with over 100 member companies.

He referenced the ARC Forum in Orlando in 2016, where Don Bartusiak of ExxonMobil spoke about the need for a new type of DCS and one that should be embraced by the industry as a whole.

“We do not want to create a system that is only used by ExxonMobil.”

Gill highlighted the forum’s commitment to developing open, interoperable systems that serve a wide range of industries. This sentiment set the tone for the day’s discussions, which focused on the importance of collaboration and openness in driving industrial innovation.

Petronas: Pioneering OPA in the Petrochemical Industry

Sharul Rashid of PETRONAS provided an in-depth look at how the company has integrated OPA into its operations. Rashid’s presentation emphasized the importance of certification and standards in ensuring the reliability and functionality of OPA systems. Reflecting on the meticulous approach needed to implement OPA in complex industrial environments, he said:

“Certification is very important… it is continuing to gain the competence of all parties so that the system is actually working when you deploy information.”

Rashid also discussed the practical benefits of OPA, such as increased operational flexibility and reduced downtime. By adopting open systems, PETRONAS has been able to accelerate the deployment of new technologies, a critical advantage in an industry where efficiency is paramount.

Challenges in OPA Adoption: The Asia Pacific Perspective

John Kirkman of Enterprise Transformation Partners addressed the challenges of adopting OPA in the Asia Pacific region. Drawing from his extensive experience in process automation standards, Kirkman highlighted the initial excitement among industry players, tempered by the practical difficulties of implementation.

“One of the key things we got back from industry… was the excitement about the Process Automation standards, but there was often hesitation due to a lack of trained engineers,” he explained.

Kirkman’s insights underscored the need for robust educational programs to build a skilled workforce capable of leveraging OPA technologies. He called for greater collaboration between industry and academia to address this gap, a theme that resonated throughout the forum.

ExxonMobil’s Systematic Approach to OPA

Murli Balsubramanian of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific brought a pragmatic perspective to the discussions, detailing the company’s systematic approach to implementing OPA. He described ExxonMobil’s journey from proof-of-concept to full-scale deployment, emphasizing the importance of reducing the total cost of ownership and enhancing operational efficiency through open systems.

“We’ve been very systematic, diligent in our approach… to how we solve the problem of proprietary systems,” he noted.

He also highlighted the significant benefits of OPA, such as decoupling IO from control and leveraging data for more effective decision-making. These capabilities, he argued, are essential for unlocking the full potential of modern industrial processes.

The Role of AI in Industrial Automation

A recurring theme throughout the forum was the integration of AI into automation systems. The discussion on mechanistic AI, led by experts from Emerson and the OPC Foundation, explored how AI can be used to predict equipment failures and optimize operations without the intensive computational demands of traditional AI models.

This approach, known as mechanistic AI, relies on cause-and-effect relationships rather than data-driven algorithms, offering a more sustainable solution for industrial applications. The OPC Foundation’s AI initiative, driven by major industry players like Microsoft and Siemens, was also highlighted. This initiative aims to automate the creation of OPC components and enable assets to interact in natural language, streamlining the integration of AI into existing systems.

Practical Implementations And The Future Of OPA

Bejoy Jose of Yokogawa Engineering Asia provided a comprehensive overview of how data from diagnostics and calibrations can be used to optimize maintenance schedules and improve the stability of industrial systems. His insights into the use of AI for predictive maintenance demonstrated the tangible benefits of these technologies in reducing downtime and enhancing system reliability.

The forum also addressed the challenges of implementing these technologies at scale. Participants noted the importance of standardization and interoperability in ensuring that different systems and devices can communicate effectively. The OPC UA protocol, for example, was highlighted as a critical enabler of this interoperability, allowing data to be transmitted securely and efficiently across various platforms.

Sustainability And The Urgency Of Digitalization

The forum did not shy away from the pressing issue of sustainability in industrial operations. Arne Modersohn of Evonik emphasized the importance of adopting Ethernet-based technologies to advance digitalization in the field. He argued that failing to embrace these technologies could result in missed opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The role of AI in promoting sustainability was also discussed, with experts highlighting how AI can be used to monitor energy consumption and reduce carbon footprints. These discussions underscored the critical need for the industrial sector to balance technological advancement with environmental responsibility.

Innovations in Industrial Connectivity

Stefan Hoppe of the OPC Foundation provided a compelling look at the future of industrial connectivity, focusing on the OPC UA protocol. He discussed the importance of maintaining data integrity and context as information moves from field devices to the cloud.

“We believe that OPC UA is the solution for the industrial process industry because only OPC DA is able to describe the data as near as possible in the data source and then move it up by keeping the context of the information through all the layers in the automation pyramid up to the cloud,” Hoppe explained.

Hoppe reiterated the importance of standardization in ensuring that different systems can communicate effectively, regardless of the platform or device. This emphasis on interoperability and flexibility is critical as industries continue to adopt more complex automation and AI systems.

A Call to Action: The Future Of Industrial Automation

As the forum drew to a close, it became evident that OPA and AI are not just technological advancements but strategic imperatives for the future of industrial automation. The forum’s discussions highlighted the significant progress made in developing open, interoperable systems, while also acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.

The key takeaway from the forum was the importance of collaboration across the industry to overcome these challenges. By working together, industry leaders, technology providers, and educational institutions can ensure that the benefits of OPA and AI are realized across the sector.

The 1st Annual ARC Industry Leadership Forum provided valuable insights into the future of industrial automation. As industries continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the lessons learned from this forum will be instrumental in guiding the next steps in this journey. The integration of OPA and AI into industrial processes represents not just a technological advancement, but a strategic imperative for the industry’s future.

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