“We’ve been talking about digital transformation for about five years,” began Gary Freburger, president, Process Automation, Schneider Electric, in his opening comments at the company’s recent Innovation Days: Foxboro & Triconex User Groups conference.
At first, it was about connectivitygetting data. “When we talked about cloud computing, customers were not interested. Now, the cloud is everywhere, along with fog and everything that goes with it,” Freburger said. “But how do we go about doing it? What’s the value?
“Schneider Electric has experience and understands the value we can create with you. Many other companies—good companies—haven’t been successful. We bring domain expertise, not just in automation, but with the rest of our portfolio. The technology continues to change, hardware and software. We can bring these things together, into your environment, to do what you want to do today.”
Our EcoStruxure architecture is a good example of success, Freburger said. “The digital team takes that technology across the board with a Schneider Electric approach.” Standards such as for cybersecurity are key, Freburger added. “We’re a founding member of ISA’s cybersecurity standardization initiative, which is key to how this technology is going to work.”
Nathalie Marcotte, senior vice president, Industrial Automation Services and Cybersecurity, at Schneider Electric, said, “We look at our existing lifecycle services and see how we can improve them, and also help clients accelerate transformation with technology and cybersecurity.”
Schneider Electric has set up a digitalization consulting organization to help clients to quantify opportunities. “For example, we find $20 million in value,” Marcotte said. “Then we help them decide which you do first, how, and with cybersecurity.”
The company has digitalized its own factories. “We show clients and share our process and our experience with transforming people, as well as technology,” said Marcotte.
“We bring value built on foundations such as Process Safety Advisor that includes SIF Manager to tell you in real time how safely your plant is running,” Marcotte said. “Our cybersecurity team is doing assessments on OT with all the installed systems, not just ours.
“We give clients a roadmap, and they can work with us and our partners. We started with oil & gas, and now we’re rolling it out to all industries.”
Freburger then announced that he is retiring at the end of the year, and Marcotte will be taking over. “Gary is leaving the process automation business in quite good shape,” Marcotte said. “We’ll continue investing and developing, maintaining our customer commitments, investing in automation and safety technology, and accelerating your digitalization.”
In conclusion, Michael Martinez, manager, Digital Transformation Consulting for Schneider, encouraged attendees to “engage, engage, engage. Take advantage of our resources, wherever you are on your journey. Where do you see your company in five years? Will you be doing more of the same or something completely different? Choose to take the next step on your digital journey.”