Why Industrial Automation Techies need to learn IT skills
- RamVordhi
- Aug 5, 2020
- 1 min read
Updated: Dec 19, 2020
Once installed and commissioned, automation systems ( mainly Distributed Control Systems) used to run smoothly with the same hardware and software for at least 10 to 15 years. With minor upgrade, they used to last few more decades. Primary focus was plant production. The proprietary automation systems fulfilled that requirement very well.
Interoperability between systems offered by different vendors was a challenge but not impossible. Communication protocols such as Modbus were used to interface with third-party systems. There was no need for Antivirus software, software updates and cybersecurity technologies. All was well for industrial Automation.
Enter, open systems architecture for automation systems, many of the vendors chose to completely phase out the proprietary systems and continued only support and spare parts supply of the phased-out systems. Stopped offering proprietary systems. Instead started offering open automation systems.
The new open systems are based on MS Windows and Ethernet technology. It is possible to keep these systems closed or standalone. However, most of the end users chose to keep it connected to the business network.
With the open connectivity, following issues have to be mitigated:
• Cyber security
• Installing Antivirus Software and keeping the definitions to up to date.
• Operating system patch updates.
• Upgrading operator workstation hardware every 5 years.
Maintaining these systems required IT help or the frequent help from the vendors.
Automation engineers require following skills in addition to process control, logic, etc.,
• IT networking
• Cyber security
• Installing OS system patches periodically
• Antivirus software definitions updates
and much more.
Currently, IT engineers are in a better position to acquire whatever knowledge automation engineers have compared to the Automation Engineers acquiring IT skills. Agree?
Very relevant article, it is essential for an Automation Professional to learn and embrace IT Skills. Design a safe, secure and reliable system requires combination of Automation and IT skills.
Developing automation in process plant process starts with domain knowledge, and then IT skills makes it possible to improvise it on a continuous basis. Initially model development followed by ML techniques. Hence, todays automation engineering perspective is undergoing sea change in design, and operational efficiency, where conventional Automation knowledge can not meet the need of the hour.
We are in a state of transition, it's true now IT engineers are in a better position to contribute more effectively by acquire necessary knowledge from the automation engineers. Old school automation engineers need to collaborate till the new generation automation engineers step in with necessary Automation domain knowledge. It's matter of time when IT engineers with specialization in Automation techniques, will rule.