Keynote speakers at an international industrial technology conference which began in Cape Town today have emphasised the possibilities of data collection through device coordination for optimisation of value added services.
The International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT) is being hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) at the Pavilion Conference Centre in Waterfront for the next three days.
“From a logical point of view, data should be available and transparent,” Anders Johansson, Chief Executive at ProcessIT Innovations, said in his presentation called the ProcessIT European Roadmap and Industrial Automation.
His presentation focused on the development of sustainable systems to gather resources, increase information transparency between field devices and enterprise wide systems, as well as real time censoring and networking in a challenging environment.
Fellow keynote speakers Stamatis Karnouskos, Research Expert at SAP Research, and Ganesh Kumar Venayagamoorthy, Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, both engaged with the same main theme in the discussion of systems that will make data available to enable the development of value added services.
“Shouldn’t we work more like we live?” Karnouskos asked the audience.
An SAP consumer survey revealed 90 percent of respondents would like to have real-time access to data showing the energy efficiency of their home appliances used. Almost 90 percent regard the gathered data as analysable, although 50 percent believed third party control over devices is possible.
Karnouskos presented on Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) in modern enterprises. He said CPS will drive the fourth global industrial revolution.
Venayagamoorthy explained the development of data sensors which could lead to more accurate prediction and prevention of natural disasters.
Attendees questioned the reliability of cloud computing as a secure platform to operate these information-based designs on.
Statistics of foundational importance mentioned included the predictions by Ericsson of the wide use of monitoring and analytical devices saying 50 billion could be available by 2020.
According to Gerard-Andre Capolino, Professor at University of Picardie Jules Verne, France, the IEEC is As “one of most most versatile societies” with 57 countries, 6,000 members and 4,000 international organisations tapping into their movements.
Cupolino, who opened the conference with an introductory address, considers it a “duty” to support conferences of this kind.
Prof Bogdan Wilamowski, former President of the IEEE, said “you may count on IEEE as your learning experience,” encouraging attendees to join the organisation.
The 14th IEEE ICIT takes place from February 25-27.
