The Value of Asset Management in New Systems

My team and I support our customers’ business development processes through system consultation. In collaboration with the customers, I review their current systems and needs, providing best practices and making suggestions for system-level solutions (hardware and/or software). Though we handle a wide variety of processes (assessments, migrations, modernizations, etc.), there are very few times in our industry that we get to consult on a new greenfield project where we can recommend and design solutions with the latest and greatest technology. Most discussions start with the question: “What do you have installed?”

Whether we are performing a “simple” modernization project, a full system upgrade or a network and cybersecurity assessment, we always need to first consider the current assets. When we start with a complete understanding of the existing installed assets, we can make recommendations that take into account the lifecycle status of the industrial control devices, their ability to be upgraded or maintained and any industrial security concerns that need to be addressed.

For example, generally, modernizing hardware or software from older to newer solutions takes the form of a drop-in (direct) replacement. To perform this, my team needs to understand the customer’s future needs and current circumstances. We review the customer install base and verify their possible migration and/or modernization paths.

Before starting on any project, I recommend that the customer uses Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk® AssetCentre to manage their industrial automation assets. My team delivers an overview of AssetCentre’s software and benefits. This overview typically includes a software demonstration and a review of the system architecture in terms of the customer’s unique needs.

During these overviews, the following key features always stand out:

• Automated Backup and Comparison – Ensures critical controllers, drives and devices always have a recent, validated backup. With this feature, customers can perform any recoveries quickly and accurately.
• Automated Version Control and Change Detection – Monitors and tracks changes made to the inventory, making it easy to spot unauthorized modifications and troubleshoot issues.
• Asset Inventory Management – With a detailed inventory of all industrial devices, customers can quickly identify obsolete hardware, align with lifecycle strategies and plan spares.

When our customers choose to use FactoryTalk AssetCentre, my team provides setup and installation support services as needed. Once the software is in place, it automatically backs up the configuration files for assets. With this Asset Inventory list, my team can provide detailed guidance on spares, needs or concerns. The software’s capabilities make it easy to identify obsolete hardware, manage cybersecurity risks and plan for spare inventory.

When it comes to your critical assets, you don’t want to mess around with “what ifs.” Asset management is an important first step in business development. Whether you are looking to maintain existing installs or manage new systems, you need to know what you are working with. FactoryTalk AssetCentre is a system-agnostic solution that provides this information and acts as a change management solution, helping to reduce the overall risk of unplanned downtime.