• Return to Dusseldorf (2012)
• Reving up in Stuttgart (2014)
• All change at Brussells Centraal (2016)
• Connecting, communicating and creating in Netherlands. (2018)
This is a "User Group" meeting rather than a hard selling event. If there was any selling done it was concepts rather than products. The theme "Explore, Engage and Evolve", was to be explored to see how Boundless Automation™ could help "realise success and remarkable business outcomes through compelling success stories and connecting with experts over the next few days."
The first session was opened by Emerson's President in Europe, John Nita and he introduced the speakers, Steve Miller, ICE Disciplne Lead, BP, Paolo Argenta Executive Vice President , Upstream Business Unit, Tenova. Emerson President Lal Karsanbhai addressed the challenges facing every industry, from the drive to balance sustainability and profitability to the constantly evolving economic landscape. Here is Emerson Blogger Jim Cahill's account.
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| Gerd Leonhard's Keynote |
Gerd Leonhard, CEO with The Futures Agency GmbH, delved into into AI and how we can leverage convergence to unleash boundless opportunities and shape our future. Challenges of climate change, artificial intelligence & synthetic biotechnology appear insurmountable but our capacity to solve them are larger than we think. Things are not as bad as they seem and he had an optimistic message. "The future is better than you think ... Embrace technology but don't become it!"
After the opening session the conference divided into the smaller groups examining various industries, applications and technologies. In all there were over three hundred different sessions. These sessions were by and large presentations of real user stories. Delagates learned from their peers. In many cases they were guided through the whole process from problem definition over solution comparison/selection to implementation.
Paperless
This conference was different from previous in that there was no paper catalogue. A special phone app was provided and using this a delegate could select the most interesting sessions and set up an individual programme. This proved invaluable and helped in organising in a way that would be probably be impossible leafing through a thick programme booklet.
In previous reports we've made on these types of events we have mentioned that twitter would come alive and those not able to attend could at least get a flavour from the tweets of participants. There has been a marked decrease in this aspect. While there have been tweets they are mostly by the Emerson Exchange 365 Community account rather than from individual participants. Included here are links to Emerson Blogger par Excellance, Jim Cahill.
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| Peter Zornio |
 • Intelligent Field: An intelligent field will simplify access to more data from more sources and a greater diversity of applications. With smarter devices and new connection technologies like 5G and APL, customers can streamline both connectivity from anywhere in the world, and integration across the new architecture. • Edge: The new OT edge creates a modern, secure, low-latency computing environment, putting new software tools and actionable data closest to its user. This enhanced edge environment establishes a platform for IT and OT colleagues to innovate and collaborate more than ever before. • Cloud: The cloud will power complex operations and engineering capabilities on-premise and across the enterprise by providing infinite analytical computing power, enterprise collaboration, attractive lifecycle costs and on-demand support and service. |
Security is very important factor in the future of OT/IT co-operation. There is a certain nervousness in utilising the cloud for sensitive processes though it is inevitable that this will happen. (The recent AGM of Cyber Ireland in November is one example of movement in this co-operation).
Another aspect worth examining was the fact that the area of automation, long considered a capital investment is fast becoming a running expense as software and architecture improves and necessitates regular updates.
Sustainability.
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| From Blue to Green! |
There was a large Exhibition which featured not only Emerson products but also products form other complimentary manufacturers. This was thronged by delegates during the free times.
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| Some of the Irish delegates at EMRex 2024 in Dusseldorf. |
One of the great benefits of a conference such as this is the social interaction. There were lots of opportunities for discussions, comparing notes ets during the breaks between sessions. In the evening use was made of various groups to have dinner. On the Wednesday there was a group social event in the Congress Centre itself.
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| Your Read-out Correspondent with Emerson's Jim Cahill |
In one instance this social interaction was so interesting that two delegates boarded the wrong bus and all the while chatting away. The bus stopped and everybody went into a hotel and were given a glass of wine and hung up their clothes in the cloak room and after about fifteen minutes one of the said to the other. "I don't think this is an Emerson event!" Sure enough nobody was wearing the distintive Emerson lanyard. Nobody had noticed the interlopers. Luckily and they managed to locate the correct party some kilometers away though it is said that they managed to finish their glasses of wine at the gate-crashed party. As the saying goes no names no pack drill!
In all this was a welcome return to normality in the calendar and a useful learning experience exploring, engaging and evolving automation.
Associated press releases:
• LyondellBasell Selects Emerson to Modernize Automation Technology at Olefins Production Plants.
• Breaking down data silos, liberating data and unleashing the power of software.
• Democratising operational data for faster digital transformation.
• Digital valve controller is a first.
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