Industrial Automation Magazine India

True potential of advance technologies can only be achieved with skilled manpower

Published on : Monday 23-12-2019

What are the challenges faced in the area of Instrumentation & Controls?

We are facing mainly three challenges – the first being obsolescence of instrumentation and control systems. The second one is, vendors are coming with newer technologies but user industry sometimes lacks competent workforce to adopt and maintain new systems; and thirdly, correct justification for investment is a challenge.

Are the vendors able to address the issues and in position to offer complete solutions?

Vendors do have good technical products but I think problem is more of understanding the application and actual business pains. I mean sometimes the solution is simple but we start thinking a big infrastructure and make it high investment and non-viable project. In my opinion more joint efforts are needed, relationship between plant owner and vendor should be of partners, more objective focused approach.

Is multiplicity of protocols presenting a problem?

I don’t think so, but again users need to find best suitable option for their units.

Are the new trends in this field addressing the manpower and skills issues effectively?

Yes, definitely nowadays lot of focus is on updating manpower skills. Management is now becoming clear that true potential of advance technologies can only be achieved with skilled manpower.

How do you deal with the issues of cybersecurity?

The first step is to increase awareness about importance of cybersecurity. Every installation and updating should be strictly followed through auditing, and with stringent rules while purchasing of new electronic devices.

Dharmender Singhal is leading the Haldor Topsoe Global Team located at Denmark, Moscow and India of Electrical & Instrumentation engineers to execute the technology projects, equipment supply, inspections, site commissioning, pre commissioning and trouble shooting. He collaborates closely with other engineering departments in Denmark, Delhi, and Moscow, as well as the departments in the business units. Singhal was instrumental in establishing Smart Engineering department in India to promote global digitisation initiatives, team will work for Product Configurator, AI & ML, VR/ AR initiatives, optimising engineering tools and processes.