Wonderware introduces new consulting services for large-scale industrial automation
Wonderware Consulting Services will provide project definition, deployment planning, and support, as well as technical consulting to Wonderware's North American customer base.
Jay R. Jeffreys has been appointed to manage the business, and brings to his new position more than 20 years experience in analysis, design, manufacturing, construction, and project management with advanced factory integration, automation, and process control systems. His background includes a series of senior consulting and program management positions for companies such as Oracle, Industrial Systems Design, Bechtel, Raytheon Engineers & Constructors, and Texas Instruments.
"Many of today's end users of industrial automation software products, in particular our larger customers and prospects, are looking to work more closely, and in partnership with the technology owner, especially in the areas of product definition and deployment strategies," Jeffreys says.
"The benefit in using our team is to ensure that a project is well-defined before it starts and objectively managed until it ends. However, Wonderware Consulting Services is not about integration services," Jeffreys adds. "If the deployment of an improved production system requires integration support, we'll put our customers in touch with (independent Wonderware integrators) and support their activities where it's appropriate."
According to Jeffreys, the group's mission is to identify the sources of value within a manufacturing operation, and to ensure that Wonderware technology will deliver that value to the bottom line. Areas of expertise include:
- Project definition - Wonderware Consulting Services uses an intense three-day structured process to identify a customer's "business value framework". The process includes a technical architecture overview, business process overview, gap analysis, and action plan. Customers will receive a summary of needs, a prioritized, time-phased deployment plan, and an estimate of costs to accomplish the plan.
- Deployment support services - Wonderware Consulting Services provides qualified consultants with the mission to be accountable to the end-user customer as well as ensure that the automation project is both well-defined and managed from beginning to end. Areas of emphasis include scope definition, project scheduling and management, resource management, risk management, issue management, and change control.
- Technical consulting services - Wonderware Consulting Services maintains a staff of technical experts who can bring specialized skills to any phase of a project including domain consultants who are well-versed and experienced in specific industries. As examples, they are familiar with FDA regulations for pharmaceutical manufacturers, or DOT for pipeline companies, or OSHA for chemical industry customers.
Edited by Jim Lardear
Managing Editor, PlantAutomation.com