Opportunities and Challenges for Systems Integrators in Emerging Markets

Подробнее о видео

In the world of systems integration, the conversation often turns to the opportunities and challenges that integrators face, especially in emerging markets. A key point highlighted is the necessity for integrators to be versatile and adaptable. The structure and strategy of the client—be it a startup hiring directly or relying on contractors—play a significant role in determining how integrators can successfully enter and thrive in these contracts.

Startups might bring in a large number of contractors for substantial projects, which means that staying updated with the latest technologies is crucial. This includes not just software best practices but also a deep understanding of industrial automation. For example, integrators are expected to be familiar with the latest features of tools like TI Portal or Studio 5000, as well as the speeds of drives. The need to continuously upskill, both personally and for the team, is a given.

A real-world scenario illustrates this well: integrating data from a mass spectrometer into a manufacturing line. The process involved understanding how the spectrometer records data, typically on a CSV file, and figuring out how to get that data into a SCADA system. This required knowledge of different communication protocols, from RS232 serial connections to more modern Ethernet-based real-time polling.

This example underscores the importance of understanding core automation principles and being able to translate between various industrial protocols. It also highlights the critical need to bridge the gap between different environments—research, industrial automation, and vehicle systems—each with its own set of standards and expectations. For systems integrators, the ability to navigate these complexities and deliver seamless integration solutions is both a challenge and a significant opportunity.