Digital Transformation in the Process Industries: 5 Stages

Digital transformation in the process industries is part of a larger Digital Transformation occuring across the globe – everyone and everything is a part of it in some way. In the 20th century, breakthroughs in technology allowed for the ever-evolving computing machines that we now depend upon so totally, we rarely give them a second thought.

Even before the advent of microprocessors and supercomputers, there were certain notable scientists and inventors who helped lay the groundwork for the technology that has since drastically reshaped every facet of modern life.

For many of us, It started with the very first personal computers like the Commodore 64, as well as e-mail, then our first mobile phones, and has worked up to Amazon’s Alexa and IPhone’s Siri. We use our smartphones, which are essentially our own portable mini-computers, to navigate so many areas of our lives. The digital transformation has undoubtedly also affected operations in our work lives as well as how data and communications are managed and how issues are resolved within processes.

In the past few years, our customers in the process industries have become more aware of digital technology and we are hearing about their digital journeys more now than ever. In this awareness, there has been confusion with terms like Industry 4.0 and IIoT. These two concepts in particular can create confusion.

The first is a perception that these technologies are new, when in fact many of the technologies have been around for decades and the fundamental problem of data accessibility is not new. There are new enablers or catalysts, like reduced cost and wireless technology, but the fundamental concept of collecting data to make better decisions has been around for decades. The second issue is the association of technology (i.e. products) to a broad theme like IIOT or Industry 4.0. This broad theme to the classic trap of solutions looking for problems to solve and process manufacturers starting with technology instead of starting with their challenges and problems.

The reality is that there are huge opportunities and we are all trying to figure out the right solutions. Engaging terminology is one way to convey messages in a way people will notice and remember. IIOT and Industry 4.0 are examples of this terminology.

One term we hear often is Digital Transformation. Digital Transformation is a term that resonates. The term implies that the journey of becoming digital is not binary. There are not digital or non-digital companies; we are all on a digital spectrum.

Stages of Digital Transformation in the Process Industries

At dataPARC, we like to take this one-step further and identify 5 stages of digital transformation in the process industries. Every organization falls into one of these categories. Assigning transformation categories provides a framework to define the broad challenges for each manufacturer and present the best path forward in their digital transformation journey. Perhaps you can see yourself and your plant in one of the stages.

Stage 1: No Time, No Data

Stage one is an early stage. If you are in stage one you likely utilize manual operations and have a limited or no PLC or DCS.

In stage one of manufacturing digital tranformation, facilities are still looking to modernize their control systems from analog to digital. There are opportunities at this end, but the primary focus should be identifying the right solutions (PLC upgrades, additional sensors/instruments, etc.) and topics like AR (Augmented Reality) and ML (Machine Learning) should be a longer-term vision.

Key Considerations

• What small changes can you make to digitize operations? Can you easily add sensors? Talk with your team about how that can be done.
• How can you convert manual to digital data? What sources of data do you have? Create a plan, internally and or using vendor help, to digitize your data.
• What is your budget for purchasing or upgrading equipment? Has your budget changed since COVID? Decide what resources are available.

Stage 2: Some Data, Little Time

If you are in stage two, your digital efforts are just getting off the ground. Your plant has a PLC or DCS, but does not have a historian. You also likely still have many functions that require manual data.

One of the best ways to optimize your operations at stage 2 of your digital transformation is to add a historian.

Key Considerations

• What are your company’s internal resources and how can you leverage them? What are the financial and personnel resources you can use to advance your operations forward?
• Are there areas of the plant that can be automated quickly? What parts of the plant will be easily automated and what areas will pose more challenges? Decide and come up with a plan.
• How will new systems integrate in the future? Consider new systems you may implement later. How will these systems integrate will current solutions? Will they be completely replaced or complement current systems?

Stage 3: Reflective Decision-Making

In stage 3, things are really starting to transform digitally. Stage 3 is where the IT/OT convergence begins to take place.

At this stage, your plant may be ready from a cultural standpoint but lacks the software tools. You may have a small historian that is not heavily used or other homegrown tools, but you are able to see the vision of what is needed to go forward

Key Considerations

• Where does your plant aspire to be from an IT perspective? Think about where you ultimately want to be digitally and create a plan.
• Will you take on this work internally or engage vendors? Can your team handle the tasks internally or will you need to research and engage vendors?
• Will legacy systems be replaced or leveraged? Will the systems you currently use still be relevant or need to be completely replaced?
• Will the selected solutions bridge existing systems or require a rip and replace approach? Are your current solutions complementary to new ones or will they become obsolete?

Stage 4: Data-Driven Culture

Beginning to digitize harmoniously describes stage four. At stage four, your plant is mature in its use of data. You have a historian with most of the data coming in. You likely have a variety of systems for LIMS, manual data, etc. The culture is there to embrace data for decision-making, but the site lacks the right software to bring the data together.

If you are in stage 4, the core digital systems are in place. Combining data sources within the plant and across the enterprise is key. Culture change is also very important. Standardization and collaboration across the enterprise ensures consistent and accurate data sharing.

Key Considerations

• How will your company handle multiple system standards? As you start to incorporate multiple sites, one must decide how to handle situations where there are multiple systems standards used. For example, half of the plants have the OSI PI Historian, and the other half have the Aspen IP.21 data Historian. Your company can migrate everything to a common Historian vendor, which could be a lot of work and has significant risk.
• How will you integrate data from multiple sites? A company could choose to implement centralized data systems, like a single enterprise-wide historian. The advantage of Enterprise-wide data is that the data is more easily accessible. The tradeoff could be application performance when accessing data across the Intranet or Internet, depending on the chosen technology. Another option is to select data analysis applications that can easily connect to the existing infrastructure. This option has the advantage of leveraging existing investments, having the least effort to get started, and delivers the best performance to the local plant site. One downside is that data integrity issues between sites could exist, and a lot of work may be required to process the data before performing analysis. There is also a 3rd option that provides a hybrid approach and looks to achieve the best of the previous two.

Stage 5: Data Is In Your DNA

If you are in stage 5, you are in a very sophisticated plant that has a well-developed strategy for data and decision support. You have settled on one major historian and have spent a lot of time and effort to transfer all data from other sources (LIMS, MES, ERP, etc.) into the historian and have a number of business systems pulling from the historian.

Organizations at Stage 5 are ready, from both an infrastructure and cultural perspective, for advanced topics like AR & ML. In stage 5 there should be continued use of Advanced data modeling and analytics and there may be opportunities for application consolidation.

Key Considerations

• Are there key sources of data still missing from the Historian? Check all your sources of data and make sure they are connected to the historian. Is there a source you are overlooking?
• Have your business requirements changed or evolved and how does your data platform fit into this? What has changed in your business? Make sure that the solution you chose to digitize and manage your data is accomplishing your goals.
• Are all the key user groups getting what they need? People needing data within a plant can range from operator to engineer to plant manager. Are all roles getting the data they need in the way they need it?

Looking Forward

Digital transformation in any form can make a large impact on your business. Whether it is a small change such as inexpensive sensors or a large enterprise-wide application, digital transformation in the process industries enables organizations to operate more consistently and efficiently resulting in less downtime and greater profitability.