Tuesday, August 30, 2005

They are throwing a tremendous amount of information at us at the Yokogawa User Conference. Sandy Vasser of Exxon Mobile discussed a supplier partnership program that company has implemented that is showing great success so far. Many people had other things on their minds keeping them from attending--Katrina. Several people, including one presenter, stayed home to protect family and property. However, a stand in presenter told about a Shell Norco instrumentation project featuring Foundation Fieldbus networking. The just-finished project is showing some benefits already. This afternoon, many Yokogawa product managers gave us the Yokogawa product and technology roadmap. There was more information than I could write. I'll wait for the presentation copies and press kits to make sure I get the facts correct. Suffice it to say, this is not a company standing still. One presentation this morning that I, for one, found interesting was by Charlie Cutler, Ph. D., proclaimed by moderator and GM of Systems Marketing and Sales Support Con Lau as the "godfather of process control." Cutler took us on a trip of the future of process control. Simulation programs that can now operate at very fast speeds will be able to provide valuable assistance to operators wondering if certain loop changes will be helpful or not. Adaptive Multivariable Control will be the most valuable tool of the near future. Things to look for. 3:31:39 PM    comment []

Today I'm in the nation's capital at the Yokogawa North America User Conference. Thanks to wireless Ethernet access to the Internet, I'm blogging live from the opening keynotes at the Capital Hilton. Dave Johnson, North American president and chief operating officer, kicked off the sessions by reinforcing CEO Uchida-san's commitment that Yokogawa will be the leading process automation and control supplier within 5 years. Johnson reported that sales are growing--a good thing given the growth objective. He cited the April 2005 launch of Yokogawa Electric International, a Singapore-based company dedicated to international growth. This company circumvents any inertia or drawbacks of corporate thinking in Japan. Johnson says the gist of the objective is that North American sales must double in five years. "Failure is not an option in Mr. Uchida's eyes." The company will do that by focusing on key verticals--oil & gas, chemicals, liquified natural gas. My take on this latter thought is that it fits with current trends among process automation suppliers--that is, they seem to have carved up the general market with each focusing on specific areas in which they are strong. Then, each touts increased sales and market share (usually not noting that these statistics are based on their penetration of the specific target markets). So, can a company become the industry's largest by emphasizing just some of the verticals encompassed in process automation? I suppose if those verticals are the largest, then it may be possible. Stay tuned to Yokogawa and see. 8:22:06 AM    comment []