Industrial automation is slow to change. The last major growth spurts came in the 1970's - Honeywell's distributed control systems (DCS), and Dick Morley's invention of the programmable logic controller (PLC). Both of these are now multi-billion industry segments.

Now, 30 years later, there are vibes regarding major growth in a new arena - wireless. Already widely deployed in commercial and business applications, industrial wireless adoption is being delayed because process control users are paranoid about security.

While they are limbering up on their strategies, the majors are using buy-out products from innovative smaller companies like Accutech and Elpro. But, as Hesh Kagan of Invensys comments, "Cobbled together solutions won't work".

Says Andrew Bond in his Industrial Automation Insiders' newsletter: "The future of wireless in process automation could well turn out to be a battle between those who use it 'incrementally' - in effect to replace copper in conventional applications - and those who use it imaginatively to reshape the applications themselves."

Jack Bolick, President of Honeywell Process Solutions says wireless is "at the tipping point" and his group has ambitious plans in this new arena. Their advantage stems from the ability to utilize developments from ACS Technology Labs; a lot of low-cost wireless stuff is coming on line in building automation, where Honeywell is a leader. Industrial customers have different requirements, but the products have applicability across multiple markets.

Meanwhile, something special is brewing at Emerson. On October 2-6, 2006 in Nashville, TN, their "Smart Wireless Introduction" will include briefings, demos and exhibits of new wireless products and plans for the future. John Berra, President of Emerson Process insists that they will show "real products with real benefits for real customers!" John continues, "Emerson has had the benefit of some of the best minds in the world on this subject, most of whom are outside the company and many outside the Process Automation business." Emerson is clearly thinking "outside the box" of incrementalism.

I'm willing to bet that advanced and innovative wireless products, if introduced rapidly at a breakthrough price, would sweep industrial automation markets; end-users would gobble them up. It could spark a new phase of growth that will re-energize industrial automation.

ISA - Wireless meshes with industrial automation

Wireless Communications in Industrial Automation: Directions

Widespread Industrial Applications for New Wireless Technologies