At Schneider Electric, we are now moving a step further by actively moving the needle from basic RPA to intelligent RPA so that we can automate non-routine tasks to drive higher operational efficiencies and business growth. By enhancing RPAs with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, we can see them stepping up the maturity curve to attain the status of IPA states Rajat Kishore, VP, Process Automation, Schneider Electric India while in an interview with TimesTech. The veteran also talks about their expertise in the alarm management segment and their move towards intelligent RPAs.
TimesTech: Specifically in heavy processes with advancements of technologies efforts to rationalize alarms, reduce the number of alarms presented to the operator, and implement a continuous improvement process around alarm management has been outlined by many industry standards bodies. How do you look into the key advancements in the alarm management space?
Rajat: Alarms have always been, and always will be a vital weapon in an operator’s arsenal to manage the ever-changing operational risks and keep the plant process operating within a safe operating window. Alarms are not new – the job to be done is still the same, however, there are now better ways to achieve a better alarm system to improve operator effectiveness.
The first step towards achieving an efficient alarm management system is alarm rationalisation. It helps in determining the number of alarms required for ensuring safety and normal operating range. A high performing alarm management system contributes in reducing the operator alarm load, eliminating nuisance alarms, and prioritising alarms so that operators respond to the most pressing issues thereby avoiding any hits and misses.
The next key advancement in alarm management is to find an effective and efficient way of displaying the operator alarm. Software-based methods of displaying critical alarms undergo increased scrutiny to ensure that the alarm will work when needed and won’t introduce any adverse effects. This is reflected in the safety standards that mandate that the software used should incorporate measurements to control random failures, data communication failures to the PLC, and ensure no common cause failures.
Increasing focus on alarm certifications has marked a shift from traditional methods of using hardwired annunciator panels or using the DCS (Distributed Control System). Businesses have begun to realise that adopting new technology would propel them towards achieving tangible goals like improving safety performance, reducing unplanned downtime, mitigating cybersecurity threats, reducing operational risk exposure, driving efficiency, mitigating attrition of expertise, complying with company directives, etc.
TimesTech: However, adherence to standards and best practices is one of the vital issues for end-users with alarm management. Any comments on it.
Rajat: Alarms do fall under the purview of the safety standards as they impact the levels of risk reduction and are considered as safety-related,. For example, the international safety standard IEC61511-1 specifically addresses Operator Interface Requirements, Maintenance/engineering requirements, and Communication Interface Requirements.
While choosing software applications for critical alarms it’s recommended to ensure that it is TÜV-certified to Systematic Capability SC3 according to IEC61508, for specific use in safety-related applications.
Regrettably, it is a fact of life that cyber-attacks are getting more frequent, more sophisticated, and no system is entirely immune from attack, so whatever systems one relies on for alarms, it’s imperative not to leave them vulnerable. Therefore the software needs to have cyber-security built into the design, and then implemented in accordance with the latest cybersecurity standards, such as IEC 62443.
TimesTech: Key sectors and applications, SE plans to target with its leading alarm management software?
Rajat: Application and integration of alarm management software is advisable and inevitable for any sector where safety, profitability and sustainability are critical business success factors and where alarms are applied to give an early indication of a potentially unsafe condition.
Hence, the primary sectors are typically the “big bang” high hazard industries where getting safety wrong is not an option and the consequence of an incident are significant, such as oil and gas, LNG, refining, petrochemical and chemical.
It is equally applicable to other manufacturing segments where there are high pressures, temperatures, flows, and hazardous chemicals that present a risk to people, production, or the environment. For example, manufacturing of explosive dust powder in the Food & Beverage industry or chemicals in Water Treatment plants. Our alarm management software can effectively manage Emergency Shutdown System (ESD), Burner Management Systems (BMS), Fire and Gas Systems (F&G), High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS), and Critical control/protection of rotating equipment (Compressors and turbines).
TimesTech: Schneider Electric is actively moving the needle from basic RPA to intelligent RPAs (or intelligent process automation, IPA). Kindly elaborate on this statement.
Rajat: RPA has brought a paradigm shift in the digital transformation journey of industries across the spectrum. By facilitating interaction between the digital system and the software, RPA makes it easy to build, deploy, and manage software robots for automating repetitive tasks.
Traditionally RPA bots rely on rules-based data and repetitive steps to learn, mimic, and execute business processes, thereby best deployable to perform routine mundane tasks.
Interestingly, at Schneider Electric, we are now moving a step further by actively moving the needle from basic RPA to intelligent RPA so that we can automate non-routine tasks to drive higher operational efficiencies and business growth. By enhancing RPAs with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, we can see them stepping up the maturity curve to attain the status of IPA.
Consequently, they are continuously learning and can ably perform wide-ranging, non-routine functions like processing unstructured data and handling exceptions. A major advantage is that it frees our employees from mundane tasks and refocus on more value-adding innovative solutions. IPA has revolutionized process automation by making it smarter thereby making it one of the key drivers of the industries of the future. The workforce of the future would be a mix of human, digital and systems to ensure that each of the three components is able to deliver at their optimum levels.
TimesTech: What is this new shout around automating business processes and how is SE enabling robotic process automation (RPA) for organizations triggering the areas where automation needs to be implemented?
Rajat: The need of the hour is to build dynamic, resilient, responsive, and interconnected workflows. Intelligent Automation empowers the business with real-time insights and visibility to make the right decision at the right time. The industry must tap on the benefits of this IT-OT convergence to make precise business and operating adjustments to improve financial performance. By combining the physicality of OT and the digital perspective of IT, organisations can create solutions specific to their problems in no time. This can be achieved through universal automation.
Schneider Electric believes that universal automation is a step towards building next-generation industries to unleash a series of unbounded innovations and usher in a new era of a-la-carte automation. Built on IEC 61499 standard, universal automation supports portability and interoperability for delivering customised solutions to industry users by plugging together best-of-breed apps. It is a bold move that has the potential of forever changing the way we automate operations. Universal automation guarantees freedom of choice to the users. Think of it as an app store housing the best software in the market. The interoperability ensures that depending on their needs, the users can choose any software. The collaboration within the industry would create an ecosystem that harbors innovation and growth. This marks a shift from traditional proprietary systems that significantly lowered the pace of innovation while also affecting the overall return on OpEx and CapEx. Features like predictive maintenance, reduced downtime, and cybersecurity directly boost the capability of the system to perform optimally.
In our pursuit to create next-gen industries, Schneider Electric invites all industry players to embrace universal automation and collectively transition to Industry 4.0.
TimesTech: What is the impact of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) in RPA and SE’s role in embedding new technologies in RPA for its customers?
Rajat: AI is a major breakthrough fueling intelligent RPAs. It adds value to the RPA by processing unstructured data into a structured form. Through technologies like AI, machine learning, and deep learning, IPA uses cognitive computing abilities such as reasoning and learning to make complex and mission-critical decisions themselves with minimum human intervention. This expands the sphere of possibilities that can be unleashed through IPAs.
Taking it up a notch, we aspire to empower the industry by embedding cutting edge technologies based on universal automation. Persisting and excelling in the digital world requires proactive innovation and seamless adoption of the latest technologies.
Our EcoStruxure Automation Expert is the world’s first software-centric universal automation system that would drive customers to unlock the potential of Industry 4.0. Leveraging the strengths of the digital world, this solution would enable our customers to achieve step-change improvements using advanced technologies like predictive maintenance, digital twin and others. Through our portfolio of IoT-enabled EcoStruxure, the world’s first software-centric universal automation system we aim to build industry-specific, customisable solutions for our partners and customers across buildings, IT, power, grid, and plant and machines.
TimesTech: Well! AI, ML, edge technologies sound well while discussing but kindly enlighten our readers with the technical ambiguities while integrating these technologies in traditional RPAs?
Rajat: Upgrading the traditional RPAs may sound challenging but is something that we at Schneider Electric have been actively spearheading. This approach has dual objectives – modernisation of the equipment and moving towards a circular economy. Shifting from the ‘take-make-dispose’ approach, we intend to help customers extend the life of aging electrical equipment as well as to upgrade it to the latest technology. Our expert team runs a proper assessment to uncover and prioritise issues that a system might be facing. A maintenance and modernisation audit help in identifying automation-related risks. On top of that upgradation improves operational efficiency, enhances cybersecurity and safety, and increases return on capital investment. Our qualified experts are fully equipped to upgrade and integrate the latest technologies for our customers and partners.
TimesTech: Schneider, a global program to identify and prioritize RPA integration?
Rajat: Schneider Electric strongly urges the industry, our customers and partners to embrace universal automation with open arms and capitalise on Industry 4.0. We believe in adopting the latest innovation and technology for building sustainable, resilient, and efficient businesses. Universal automation is at the forefront of our vision to create the industries of tomorrow. Our IoT-enabled EcoStruxure architecture portfolio will enable customers and partners to unlock the full potential of the fourth industrial revolution. We strive to create a multi-vendor system that endorses the best software in the market. This would empower the industry, customers, vendors along end-users to become the industry champions of tomorrow.
