Software enables faster adoption in expanding enterprise deployments.

R15 is the newest version of Seeq, the application for engineers and operations analysts in process manufacturing to rapidly achieve insights from asset and operations data. R15 accelerates all aspects of the user and organisation experience with Seeq, enabling broader adoption of current deployments in the oil & gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, and food and beverage industries.

Seeq R15 delivers features and capabilities addressing the span of requirements for larger and broader deployments for existing users, as well as making Seeq easier to deploy for new users. These features include: Easier for new users: As deployments expand, Seeq R15 delivers easier to use search, customized trending views, date manipulations, and asset comparisons. New Functions and Arithmetic Operators: Seeq R15 end-user improvements include data cleansing and regression functions for modeling multi-variate analysis, as well as improved variable and operator functionality for process calculations. Enterprise Data Support: Seeq R15 expands process historian support to include Honeywell PHD, Wonderware Historian, Yokogawa Exaquantum Historian, and GE Proficy Historian. This adds to existing support for the OSIsoft PI System, Emerson Automation Solutions DeltaV Continuous Historian, and Inductive Automation’s Ignition SCADA system. Relational Database Integration: Seeq R15 simplifies integration with relational database offerings such as Microsoft SQL Server and its open-source alternative MySQL, as well as CSV file formats, to create batch and state context from manufacturing applications. Data Wrangling: Seeq replaces the hours of manual effort required to aggregate, cleanse, and contextualize data in spreadsheets. R15 adds improved support for data export via an OData interface for reporting and dashboards. Enterprise Scalability: Seeq R15 now supports multi-node deployments for high availability deployments in distributed enterprise environments.

At the OSIsoft European User Conference recently in The Hague (NL), Abbott Nutrition showed their use of R15 in the “Productivity and Quality Improvements Through Continuous Contextualisation of PI” presentation. In this use case, Seeq enabled insights into production and asset optimization, eliminating hours of tedious and manual work to create production reports. For Abbott engineers, Seeq is the first offering in a new generation of application software available to engineers in the process industry. Using Seeq resulted in improved asset availability and optimised yield metrics on product measurement metrics.

R15 is the 4th release of Seeq software in 2016, and is available to subscribers immediately.

“Our software subscription and delivery model means we are delivering new features and value very quickly,” says Steve Sliwa, CEO and co-founder of Seeq Corporation. “R15 delivers on our efforts to rapidly address user feedback to enable new levels of insight and efficiency for our customers."

To accelerate awareness and familiarity of Seeq features and functionality, Seeq has also created a new playlist on its YouTube channel. Called “Seeq University,” this set of videos demonstrates the capabilities of Seeq features across all aspects of the product including search, trending, data-search, formulas, and more.

In addition to OSIsoft’s European User Conference, Seeq plan also to participate at multiple OSIsoft regional events across the United States, as well as the Yokogawa User’s Conference in Orlando, Florida (US); the Emerson Exchange (EMREX) user conference in Austin, Texas (US); and the Honeywell User Conference (HUG) in The Hague, (NL).

@SeeqCorporation #PAuto 

Recognition of partners!

Channel Partner Conference sees 2nd consecutive year of strong attendance

Honeywell celebrated the success of its key distributors at the annual Channel Partner Conference for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). An awards ceremony, part of the conference, held during the 2013 Honeywell Users Group Symposium in Nice (F), recognises customer service, innovation and excellence among companies supplying and integrating Honeywell solutions in the EMEA region.

“We’ve built out our partner network in EMEA and are now seeing the benefits of a solid distribution channel,” said Don Maness, vice president, Honeywell Process Solutions. “With an extended network of channel partners who work hand in hand with our sales force, we can now deliver high-quality Honeywell products, services, expertise, support, and training to customers that we were unable to reach in the past.”

Channel Partners on stage at the
Honeywell Users Group EMEA 2013

The top honour
The top honour, the Field Products 2013 Channel Partner of the Year Award, was given to Iberfluid Instruments, S.A., headquartered in L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona (ES). Iberfluid sells multiple Honeywell product lines, from SmartLine Pressure transmitters to Modular  Systems and has grown their Honeywell business more than 40 percent from the previous year by focusing on one thing, delivering outstanding customer service.

For example, an Iberfluild customer wanted to make their facility safer and asked Iberfluid for a customized program to meet the challenge. Iberfluild’s solution leveraged Honeywell Gas detection technology from Honeywell Analytics and HC900 Process and Safety System to monitor harmful gasses and keep the customer’s employees safe while also maintaining a SIL2 classification. The team at Iberfluid services their customers from four strategically located offices that are near their customer base in Spain and Portugal. They also provide highly educated sales and service staff along with local Honeywell stock.

Additional awards were given to other regional channel partners including: 

• Field Products Systems Integrator of the Year:  MSJ Engineering, United Arab Emirates, for developing a working partnership  with Honeywell Building Solutions to successfully target non-traditional Honeywell customers. 
• East Europe Channel Partner of the Year: Oksan A.S., Turkey, for exceeding its original revenue target by 25 percent.
• West Europe Channel Partner of the Year: Iberfluid Instruments, S.A.  
• Middle East Channel Partner of the Year:  Purshottam Kanji Trading Company L.L.C., Oman, for 130 percent revenue growth over the prior years target.

25th HUG-in scheduled for Nice!

Honeywell's 25th EMEA user group meeting is scheduled for Nice (F) 4 - 7 November 2013.

‘Knowledge’ is the theme of the 2013 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2013 Honeywell Users Group Conference, the 25th year the event has been held. Knowledge and understanding make “it” happen – whether "it" is reducing cost, evolving a plant’s system, or improving a specific aspect of plant operations. Honeywell Users Group global conferences feature many ways to share and exchange knowledge, including information-packed user presentations, industry-specific breakout sessions, topical panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations and networking opportunities to interact with users and Honeywell experts.

As always, the conference agenda is driven by customer input through the EMEA Users Group Steering Committee. The EMEA HUG Steering Committee includes representatives from major oil, gas and petrochemical organisations including Total, Shell, BP, Repsol, SABIC, Marathon Oil, PDO Oman, Equate and others like British Sugar. This year’s conference will be hosted by Steering Committee Chairman, Dominique Rouille from ExxonMobil.

Throughout the three-day conference, Honeywell customers will share insights and best practices into how greater safety, reliability, efficiency and sustainability can be achieved across vertical process industries including chemicals, oil & gas, refining, metals, mining & minerals and pharmaceutical, through the use of innovative process control solutions.

Parallel conferences organised by Honeywell, and running at the same venue, include the Honeywell Enraf Terminal Operations Conference and the Honeywell Field Products Channel Partner Conference.

The winner of the 2013 Honeywell student challenge to solve a critical plant business issue using Honeywell UniSim® Design Suite will also be announced at EMEA HUG, with the winner showcasing their idea at the conference.

Reports on previous HUGs may be found on the right hand column of our Conference Releasees Pages.

New services and collaboration tools in the spotlight at symposium

The future of manufacturing, in terms of technology and the state of the workforce, will be the primary theme when Honeywell hosts many of the world’s most prominent manufacturers at its annual industrial customer conference June 16-22 in Phoenix (AZ USA).

Around 1,000 attendees – representing major oil and gas, refining, chemical, pulp and paper, and metals and mining companies, among others – will participate in the 2013 Honeywell Users Group (HUG) Americas symposium, hosted by Honeywell Process Solutions. Amid the backdrop of an evolving energy landscape, uncertain global markets, and high-profile safety incidents, attendees will see how the newest technology can help improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of their plants and help them to remain competitive.

In recent years, the conference has helped introduce manufacturers to advancements such as control system virtualization, universal input/output (I/O) technology, and smart instrumentation that have transformed the design and operations of today’s industrial processing facilities. This year’s event will highlight more than the technology that links the corporate boardroom to the plant floor. Attendees will discuss the growing importance of preventative and corrective services that keep plant automation systems running at top performance levels, while easing the burden on their workers.

“The manufacturing plant of the future will be more than just machine-to-machine connections; it will also connect data and people better and faster,” said Darius Adamczyk, President and CEO, Honeywell Process Solutions. “Companies need to get to first production faster than before, they have to do more with less manpower, and they face increased safety and security threats. They need more than just our technology – they also need service consultancy, data visualization and analysis, and collaboration tools.”

Attendees will experience technologies such as Honeywell’s Experion® Collaboration Station, a large interactive display that uses video and telecommunications capabilities to remotely connect global experts. This approach centralizes operations, and helps personnel analyze events and resolve situations faster. Experion Collaboration Station was introduced at Honeywell’s global HUG conferences last year, and will be demonstrated with full capability for the first time in June.

Other technologies such as virtualization, alarm and operations management software, and cyber security will also be highlighted in a series of Honeywell- and customer-led sessions and roundtable discussions featuring topics that impact how manufacturers operate plants. Attendees will also hear details of new services designed to help customers ensure production goals are met by maximizing their automation investments and system performances.

“Turning raw data into knowledge has long been a strength of Honeywell’s process technologies, and adding more comprehensive services brings a whole new layer of understanding to the equation,” said John Rudolph, Lifecycle Solutions and Services, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Process Solutions. “More knowledge and a better understanding of how to use it will improve operations. The goal for HUG Americas 2013 is to give manufacturers tangible ideas for achieving their business objectives.”

• Automation Commentator Gary Mintchel also comments on HUG 2013: Honewell preparing for Conference!

Process control design competition

Honeywell has launched its annual process control design competitions in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to recognise the most talented chemical engineering students across the globe.

2012 winner (left) Davide Bocciardo from
the University of Edinburgh with his
advisor Dr. Maria-Chiara Ferrari
and Orhan Genis of Honeywell

Rewarding innovative projects using Honeywell’s UniSim^® Design simulation software for the process automation industry, winners will receive an expenses-paid trip to their regional Honeywell Users Group Conferences (HUG): HUG Americas, taking place in Phoenix, Arizona; HUG Asia-Pacific, being held in Perth, Australia; and the EMEA event, celebrating its 25^th year in Nice, France.

The events provide winning students with an opportunity to present their project, learn more about the process industries, and network with attendees, including potential employers. The sponsoring tutor will also receive the opportunity to attend a training course on cutting-edge technological innovation at one of Honeywell’s world-class automation colleges. The prize covers all travel, accommodation and registration costs for the event.

“It is always encouraging to see so much global talent through these student competitions,” said Bradd Schneider, vice president of global sales for Honeywell Process Solutions. “I’d really encourage students to participate in their region. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your talents and learn more about the industry.”

Competition details

All entries must use Honeywell UniSim^® Design Suite software, available free to professors teaching at students’ universities. It provides an interactive process model that allows engineers to create steady-state and dynamic models and is used extensively for plant design, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, operational improvement, business planning, and asset management around the world.

Entries must be submitted through professors lecturing at the student’s university by 30 April for the Americas, 31 May for Asia Pacific and 30 September for EMEA. Submissions should include an abstract of approximately 300 words detailing the benefits derived from the design, and a short presentation. Further information, entry requirements for all regions, and details for professors wishing to obtain the UniSim Design software can be found at unisim.studentcompetitions.com.