Vance VanDoren -- 3/1/1999
Many different companies contribute to a typical system integration project. The
following list divides them into several broad categories and describes the general
functions of each. These are by no means hard and fast job descriptions. Most companies
fit more than one definition, and some switch from category to category as their
clients' needs change. Still others combine their services under a single banner
for clients that require a single point of contact. For more information about 1000
automation integrators of all kinds, log on to www.controleng.com/integrators.
Application engineers - Application engineers that work for vendors or their
distributors generally concentrate on applying the vendor's equipment to a client's
project. Some application engineering departments will offer design and implementation
services as well; others will provide little more than technical advice. A few will
even work with products from competing vendors if the client so desires.
Architect engineers (A&Es) - A&E firms often provide multi-discipline design
services for an automation project, but generally do not become involved with the
actual implementation. A&Es typically concentrate on designing the buildings and
the layout of the automated facility, though some design control systems as well.
Consulting engineers - Consulting companies range in size from single individuals
to huge multi-national corporations. They provide consulting and design services
in specific technical disciplines such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and automation
engineering. Larger consulting firms may also assume ultimate responsibility for
completing the entire project. Individual consultants and smaller consulting firms
generally do not.
Electrical contractors - Electricians and technicians working for electrical
contractors actually run the wires and hook up the electrical equipment specified
in the project's design. They may also design and build the required control panels.
Engineering constructors (E/Cs) - E/C firms are similar to A&Es, but they
provide construction management services as well. Though they may serve as the general
contractor for a complete turnkey automation project, they generally delegate specific
design and implementation tasks to specialized subcontractors.
Independent system integrators, systems houses - To varying degrees, system
integrators work on every aspect of an automation project other than actually manufacturing
the control equipment. They may design and implement the control system required
by an A&E's overall plant design. They may design the panels and electrical systems
that the electrical contractor implements. They may perform all of these functions
themselves or subcontract pieces of a project to specialists such as panel shops
and software houses. A system integrator generally assumes ultimate responsibility
for completing the entire project from initial consultation through final check-out.
Truly independent integrators do so without favoring any particular vendor's products.
Instrumentation contractors - These are the technicians who calibrate and
install the field instrumentation at the foundation of every automation system.
Some work for E/Cs, A&Es, electrical contractors, process engineers, and system
integrators; but many work directly for the end user. They may also provide low
voltage electrical engineering services.
Machine builders, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) - Some automation
projects require specialized machinery or other equipment with built-in control
systems. Specialty machine builders and OEMs generally perform the software and
hardware integration for the custom equipment they fabricate. Some machine builders
may also integrate their custom control systems into the overall plant control system.
Panel shops, panel builders - Panel builders assemble a project's control
equipment into the cabinets or 'panels' that sit next to the automated machinery.
Many system integrators, machine builders, and OEMs maintain their own in-house
panel shops. Other independent panel shops execute designs supplied by system integrator
or A&Es.
Plant/process engineering contractors - These engineering firms can build
material processing facilities or entire processing plants for their clients. They
may construct the required control systems themselves or delegate that job to a
subcontractor such as a system integrator or a vendor's application engineering
department.
Service and repair technicians - Technical service companies such as these
generally work on repairing or maintaining existing equipment, including a plant's
control system. Some may also contract their services to install, commission, and
perhaps even design new control systems. They may work for a system integrator,
a panel shop, a distributor, or an electrical contractor; or they may work directly
for the end user.
Software houses, contract programmers - Automation software houses provide
engineers to program the computers required for an automation project (PLCs and
DCSs for control; PCs for data acquisition, control, and simulation; business systems
for data analysis and archiving; etc.). They may use their own software products
or specialize in configuring commercial software packages. Many software houses
are also value added resellers.
Value added resellers (VARs), value added distributors (VADs) - VARs buy
products from a vendor, add something of value, and resell the complete package
to the end user. The value they add may be other compatible products or services
such as software configuration, troubleshooting, or complete system integration.
VARs generally focus on a particular vendor's products or a particular industry's
applications. VADs also maintain product inventories and provide technical advice.
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