Electricity + Control July 2019

INDUSTRY 4.0 + INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT)

Rockwell Automation

Take Note!

1. South Africa needs to adopt the new technol- ogies now, in order to stay relevant and competitive globally. 2. Industry 4.0 and the IIoT have the potential to stimulate the South African economy and boost growth. 2

Henry Craukamp, Managing Director, South and Sub Saharan Africa, and Christo Buys, Business Manager Control Systems, Sub Saharan Africa

C raukamp made the same point that it is critical for South Africa to adopt the new technologies now, in order to stay relevant and competitive globally. He also emphasises that, as we all know, it is essential to grow the South African economy and, in his view, Industry 4.0 and the IIoT have the potential to do that. “We need to start today to build the future,” he says. Industry recognises this imperative – the big question usually is –What do we do next? Craukamp says it’s important to recognise the transition to Industry 4.0/IIoT as a journey. Different solutions apply in different industry operations and related business models. “It represents an evolution of technology and we need to move with it,” he says. “In many cases, the data exists. Digitalisation enables us to bring it together in a meaningful way to drive greater productivity, improved efficiencies and better products. Industry can reduce production costs and advance competitive quality. “We have seen technology impacting on industry operations over the past 30 years,” he says. “Now the pace of technological change is accelerating. It’s like comparing the original Nokia 2110, a breakthrough when it was launched in 1994, and the latest iPhone 10, which offers far greater capabilities and is much faster and smarter. The same applies with the technologies emerging in Industry 4.0 and the IIoT. Another point is that while technology is changing fast and its life expectancy is relatively short, its potential for adaptability is relatively high. “In the context of Industry 4.0, no single technology is going to suit all industrial operations. Each company has its own processes, its own culture and it’s important to respect that and work with it,” he says. Rockwell Automation operates as a business partner working with its customers to provide technology and industry expertise. It has the advantage of owning the technologies it brings to the market and it has the in-house expertise to

support customers through the implementation process and beyond. As a consulting partner it guides customers to maximise current investments and build technology infrastructure. It supports them on their journey through progressive phases, connecting data and insights to enable optimisation. The company also provides further services including training, skills development and customer support. Rockwell’s expertise is focused in certain industry sectors, specifically: mining, metals, oil & gas and food & beverages, as well as discrete industries like the automotive industry and tyre manufacturing. Craukamp highlights that the international corporation’s Global Centre of Excellence in mining is in South Africa. He also emphasises that the company develops and produces systems and equipment internally, at its premises in Randburg, Johannesburg, and executes at end-user sites. “As a manufacturer itself, Rockwell Automation in SA is using its own systems and technologies to drive internal performance. We are on the journey, part of the evolutionary process. This supports the credibility of our systems in the market and means we can demonstrate proof of concept and key performance outcomes to our customers.” Christo Buys points out that it’s important to see this as an ongoing journey. “There is no end goal. On reaching the first goals of productivity improvements, we can circle back with our customers to re-optimise the plant and/ or processes from information and data gathered, as we do in our own operations. It is not a straight- line journey,” says Buys. Rockwell Automation works with a range of recognised international partners to access proven expertise in respective specialised fields of technology. Technology partners include, for example, Cisco, Endress + Hauser, Microsoft, Stratus Technologies and many others. Each

6 Electricity + Control

JULY 2019