How to Select a Supplier
Because most electric power companies are unwilling to act as system or platform integrators for their future plants, they look to their automation supplier to perform this function. The task includes not just providing equipment and support services but also managing the platform over the long term so that rapidly developing new technologies and applications such as wireless can be quickly and inexpensively added.
Plant operators also look to their automation supplier to manage embedded technology, so that process control systems remain up to date and skirt around technological dead ends without causing unnecessary cost and downtime.
When choosing a wireless technology supplier, consider whether the company provides:
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Comprehensive and end-to-end security measures.
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Documented best practices for a secure wireless system configuration.
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A secure wireless network architecture.
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The latest security fixes.
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Qualification of anti-virus software.
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Policies focused on high security.
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Established services to help assess, design, implement, and manage a secure wireless environment.
Your supplier selection checklist should also ask:
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Does the supplier tightly integrate process control with physical and cyber security?
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Does the supplier provide a dedicated security response team to monitor and advise upon emerging security threats?
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Does the supplier offer a security design service providing a detailed design of the security infrastructure connecting your wireless network to the company’s business IT network?
Getting Started with Wireless
Power industry operations can now benefit from a wireless technology that satisfies the multiple conflicting demands of redundancy, distributed communications, flexibility, and reliability. Furthermore, self-configuring, self-healing wireless mesh networks are inherently less expensive to install and maintain as radios and microprocessors become cheaper.
To begin using wireless technology and unlock the possibilities of this innovative technology, it is important to view your wireless implementation as a partnership between the plant operator, the company IT department, and the wireless technology supplier. Each party has a role in determining the outcome of this effort.
In addition, always consider safety first. If you can’t install wireless safely, it’s better not to do it at all. Fortunately, with the right technology and support, you can enjoy all of the advantages of wireless technology while protecting your plant information and ensuring safe operations.
—Jeff Becker (jeffrey.becker@honeywell.com) is the global wireless business director for Honeywell Process Solutions.
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