With an aging workforce ready to retire, a reduction in budget and manpower resources and the need to evaluate much more information before making critical decisions, it is important that you use all of the information available. Today's measurement and control devices typically are an overlooked or underutilized resource that can dramatically aid in your plant’s decision making process.
Devices today are not only configurable but also very intelligent. They provide device and process information quickly so users can diagnose both devices and communication networks. Using one of the many available industrial field communication protocols (Foundation fieldbus, HART, Profibus, etc.) and an asset management application, you can facilitate intelligent information integration into the work and decision making process. Once integrated, this information can become part of what ARC Advisory Group calls the Industrial Internet of Things, providing real-time access to information that helps increase plant reliability and efficiency.