Our automation projects normally follow the step-wise procedure below:

 

Review of the existing level of automation and the current process control system. Which are the internal and external requirements? Standards, ISO 9000, Customer requirements, Statistical Process Control, etc.

 

Identification and handling of possible obstacles to the automation/upgrade (insufficient staff, information or communication, inadequate hardware or software, etc)

 

Clarification of what automation/control tools to use, the implementation and integration strategy. Integration with other higher and lower level of (control) systems, such as ERP systems etc. on the higher level and the process and machinery on the lower level.

 

Modularization of the process and sub-processes, to find the system details and specify the content of the "project". Consideration of how to automate each module and integrate the whole system. Which are the input parameters? Which are the output parameters? Which are the interfacing parameters?