Communications
I'm writing and editing several articles about communications in manufacturing. There were several interesting comments and trends coming out of the research.
The normal thing you would think of would be a discussion of the various industrial networks, known as fieldbuses. And we are covering those at Automation World. DeviceNet, Foundation Fieldbus, Hart, and Profibus are analyzed, as well as the device description methods EDDL vs. FDT. Then we cover software to software communications like OPC and S95, not to mention Web Services, XML and the like. I took a look at how emerging technologies like wireless, mesh networks and data use of cellular technology are making inroads.
One of the people whom I interviewed made a very important comment, though. It concerned human-to-human communication. He has implemented an advanced software program to monitor process control loops and determine when they are acting abnormally. The program does what it is supposed to (I suppose that's a story in and of itself, given the way software sometimes performs). But the benefit to the plant only happened when the teams met to discuss information obtained and form action plans to fix the problems. Human communication makes it happen.
Then there was the IT Director for IBM Research who deals with thousands of very bright people. He implemented a new infrastructure and obtained some immediate benefits. He expects more, though, as his clients play with the possibilities and discover many new benefits. Another human interaction that supercedes the automation.
Automation is important, but the human factor is still primary. Today's manufacturing just requires a higher order of human interaction.
6:08:41 PM 
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