IEN: What are the major challenges facing this sector in the next few years?
Lydon: The growth of a wide range of devices that need to be supported including handheld computers, PDAs, voice recognition, smart cards, and other user interfaces.
IEN: What innovations are in store for users?
Lydon: The options for display, monitoring, and controlling real-time field points from virtually any computer are expanding rapidly. The adoption of standard Ethernet for communications directly with industrial I/O is making the display and visualization of real-time data much simpler. The proliferation of standard Ethernet means that off-the-shelf Web browsers such as Internet Explorer can be used to remotely view real-time data, control machines, and processes. I/O such as the WAGO Ethernet Bus Coupler serves up Web pages and sends email on alarm or other conditions. This is accomplished using standard Windows software services "out of the box" without the purchase of other software.
IEN: How are software and equipment being integrated in today''s HMI/MMI world?
Lydon: Software integration using standard Windows services and open architecture TCP/IP Ethernet is making integration simple and cost effective for many applications that cannot support the cost of a traditional HMI/MMI.
IEN:What roles do HMI/MMI play in the new age of e-manufacturing?
Lydon: HMI/MMI are becoming either a bottleneck between ERP systems and real-time production information or an enabler, depending on the architecture and needs of the system. In many cases the plant floor data needs be transmitted directly from the control and monitoring hardware into the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to insure that make-to-order manufacturing is efficiently accomplished.
IEN: Will some plants be run remotely in the future?
Lydon: Many plants will benefit from the ability to be operated remotely. This is one of the ways to increase productivity of personnel so that plants can maintain competitiveness. Obviously the Internet is a major enabler for remote monitoring and control.
IEN: How is the drive toward lean manufacturing impacting this sector?
Lydon: Communications directly from the I/O insures information is efficiently available to run operations in a synchronized and efficient manner.
IEN: How can companies merge the latest HMI/MMI technologies with legacy systems and components?
Lydon: Legacy systems can be interfaced to newer technologies in virtually all cases but an analysis of the cost of ownership should be done against replacement with newer technology, including the opportunity cost of not taking advantage of new technology. This analysis should be done considering at least the next three years of maintaining the legacy technology.