IEN: How can/will the sector answer industry demand for increased automation and flexibility?

Squires: We see a trend for companies toward single source solutions that include robotics. Also, more and more suppliers need to help anticipate future, and possibly unknown needs. This requires greater cooperation between suppliers and customers.

IEN: What innovations are in store for users of equipment, systems, and peripherals? What enhancements can be expected in the software that drives this technology?

Squires: Connectivity with "front office/back office" is increasingly more important. Easier communications and reporting from all types of equipment is essential. Also, increased ease of use/troubleshooting is becoming ever more critical. Software and hardware platforms that combine traditionally separate functions (logic, motion, communications) make this task much easier to accomplish.

IEN: What advances do you see in plant floor connectivity? Web services?

Squires: Ethernet is quickly gaining popularity. Advances in the technology are allowing this to be utilized across the plant right down to the component level. Networks are no longer only for the large, technologically advanced plants.

IEN: Will remote material handling operations take hold? Where are other R & D hot spots? Will wireless become more prevalent?

Squires: Recent advances in wireless technologies are increasing their effectiveness on the plant floor. I anticipate a much greater use of this within the next 1 to 2 years.

IEN: How can downtime issues be resolved? Through RCM, web-based monitoring, embedded maintenance?

Squires: Equipment on the plant floor will increasingly become more and more intelligent. Individual components are now able to report their status. As equipment suppliers understand the importance of short MTTR, the successful ones will incorporate more useful and maintenance friendly diagnostics within the equipment or production line. Automation suppliers are beginning to offer solutions specifically designed for remote monitoring of critical issues.

IEN: Safety and security remain leading concerns. What progress is being made in these areas?

Squires: Safety networks will greatly enhance the safety of plant floor equipment. Currently this is a very fragmented area. Safety suppliers need to work better together to avoid another "bus war," so that this technology may be easily deployed.

IEN: How much progress do you see toward tying together material handling with the overall enterprise (front office, back offices, and all aspects of logistics)? What major hurdles remain?

Squires: Many plants are already doing this. Increased knowledge and use of current technology from equipment suppliers is all that is needed in this area. The biggest hurdle to this is the changing role of supplier from just fulfilling the contract to truly partnering with customers.

IEN: Given the increasing sophistication of technology, how can companies maintain legacy equipment as part of state-of-the-art material handling systems, in the spirit of the lean enterprise?

Squires: It is critical to select products and companies with a proven track record of supporting their technologies for the long term. Much of the legacy equipment can be integrated into a sophisticated plant if it is well supported.