Plant & Works Engineering April 2022

News 10 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April 2022 Debate highlights how digital transformation cannot be delivered by single organisation A recent panel briefing highlighted how to develop an ecosystem of world-class vendors and support to illustrate that digital transformation cannot be delivered by any single organisation. The briefing, which centred around developing an ecosystem of world- class vendors and support, brought together thought leaders from AVEVA, Schneider Electric, SolutionsPT and Stratus Technologies to showcase their individual and combined strength in delivering successful digital transformation programmes. The panel considered how different vendors can work together, as well as how to assemble and access the experience and expertise to deliver success. The event was hosted at the AVEVA UOC (Unified Operations Centre) Customer Experience Centre in London. Each member of the panel brought to the table their own piece of the digital transformation puzzle, contributing to ecosystems which combine individual expertise to offer transformational improvements for industrial facilities. Martin Levionnois, Vice President Northern Europe, AVEVA explained how the event presented an opportunity to show what his company could bring to a Digital Transformation ecosystem in a constant evolution: “Our portfolio of powerful software, developed to contextualise and transform real-time data into actionable information, enables and fuels an extensive range of analytics, including artificial intelligence (AI). The potential of AVEVA software reaches out to end users, and also to an extended ecosystem of vendors, suppliers and experts, throughout the life cycle of the industry. AVEVA’s technology becomes foundational to Digital Transformation across the Enterprise, enabling a virtuous circle of continuous improvement, from ideation to operations.” Mark Yeeles, VP Industrial Automation UK&I, Schneider Electric, added: “This event couldn’t have come at a better time for Schneider Electric as, internally, our business has gone through its own transformation. Following recent recognition from Gartner and the World Economic Forum on our lighthouse factories around the world, we have transformed how we go to market and, more importantly, how we interact with customers. Consulting around business needs, specific to their process and digital maturity level is an important way of breaking down the barriers to successful digital transformation and opening up the opportunity for combined ecosystem solutions.” While Paul Herron, Edge Computing Specialist, UK & Ireland, Stratus Technologies, explained the company’s products in the context of a joined-up approach to Digital Transformation: “Stratus brings simple, autonomous, and protected Edge Compute IT platforms that are ideally suited to the AVEVA Edge-to-Enterprise strategy. Similarly, and for the Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Micro Data Centre with Stratus ftServer, which can be purchased prevalidated and ready for the factory floor, is a great example of how we work closely with our partners to simplify acquisition and implementation of DX-ready Edge Compute platforms for the OT environment. The panel was a great opportunity for us to talk about our products in the context of a joined-up approach to Digital Transformation. In addition, Sue Roche, General Manager, SolutionsPT, the AVEVA Select partner for UK & Ireland concluded with an overview of its involvement: “Our role in the ecosystem is to be the digital transformation partners who are capable of helping our customers to create and leverage a bespoke ecosystem that makes the most of the unrivalled AVEVA software portfolio. We aim to remove the roadblocks to digital transformation, which are usually found internally, by bringing every level of the company all the way up to senior leadership into the journey. Successful Digital Transformation should always complement the skills and improve the lives of every member of staff, and it all starts with the company culture. We believe in the potential of Digital Transformation for every enterprise, so reaching the broad professional readerships of so many leading titles in a single session like this is of huge value to us.” The facilitated panel discussion was punctuated by a live demonstration of AVEVA Unified Operations Control software and a case study illustrating how SolutionsPT, Stratus, Schneider Electric and AVEVA are working closely together on a major UK infrastructure project set to be announced soon. The rapid growth in the global and UK space sectors will see the the High Value Manufacturing Catapult’s Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Satellite Applications Catapult join forces to exploit the opportunities. The Coventry-based MTC and the SAC, headquartered on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, will work together to develop the next generation of space technology, underpinned by advanced manufacturing technologies both on earth and in space. The global space industry is booming and is forecast to be worth almost a trillion pounds by 2030. The link-up between these two cutting edge organisations aims to help UK businesses take advantage of that growth. The two organisations will work collaboratively on exploring innovative technologies, advanced manufacturing processes, including in-space assembly, and supply chain readiness, leveraging the specialist expertise and extensive capabilities of both centres. The partnership will also organise the two-day “Made for Space – New Frontiers” industry and supply chain conference being held at the MTC in July. This will feature leading international experts who will explain the opportunities in the space sector for UK manufacturers. MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman commented: “Advanced manufacturing technologies and processes are critical enablers for new spacecraft, complex space operations and enhanced space systems. “This collaboration marks a step forward in recognising the massive growth in the space sector. We will work together to drive collaborative projects which can create greater growth and benefits for UK business.” Stuart Martin, chief executive of the Satellite Applications Catapult added: “Collaboration drives innovation in our sector, and together with the MTC, we will ensure that all space companies can access the expertise and facilities they need to grow and succeed in this dynamic industry, which is a major driver of economic growth for the UK.” MTC and Satellite Applications Catapult join forces to exploit space opportunities Stuart Martin, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult (left) and Dr Clive Hickman OBE, CEO of the Manufacturing Technology Centre