Resilient Digital Transformation

Opening the conference on Innovation Day Resilient Digital Transformation, Pankaj Sharma, EVP, Secure Power Division, Schneider Electric, said the IT and OT convergence is happening all around us. Data centres are enabling the all-digital world through a centralised, regional edge, and local edge hybrid architecture.

Our goal in this era of digitalisation is to make the datacentres as sustainable and carbon friendly as possible. We need a broad portfolio of connected offers. We can integrate solutions, as well as integrated software and digital services. These three ingredients would help in the long run.

In the context of datacenrtes, there are three factors — building, power and IT. The future is in automating power. We are having the Schneider EcoStruxure datacentre that connects the end point to the cloud to maximise the value of data for greater efficiency. We are one of the few companies that take a lifecycle approach.

Dr. Omar Hatamleh, Technology Integration Manager, NASA, talked about the future of innovation and strategic transformation. According to him, the expected robotics market will be worth about $70 billion by 2025. The key challenge is artificial intelligence. It is applicable for manual labour and intellectual jobs. We now have algorithms, computing and big data. We also combine technologies. Real world examples include AI, VR, IoT, 5G and robotics. We can create an avatar for the people. You can, perhaps, imagine the capabilities in collective learning.

Having a team and joint resources can help in solving the complex data challenges. We need to establish collaborations that consist of various industries, academia, etc. We can solve anything by working together.

Delivering a strategy talk on reimagining intuitive industries, Peter Herweck, EVP, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric, noted that there are examples in metals and mining. The challenge is to go underground and supply the power. Another example is the copper mine in Panama. This is in a remote location with poor infrastructure, a strict timeline, and challenging environmental conditions. How do we connect from the end point to the cloud? The operator can use the Schneider EcoStruxure. They can use augmented reality to run the machine. The points of interest are located strategically.

A digital twin begins with the EPC 4.0 strategy. Seventy assets are digitised and maintained in E3D -- one of the world’s largest national energy companies. You can design and build. You can also operate and maintain. There is an end-to-end digital thread. You get real time data to use and improve operations. You can also run predictive maintenance.

Digital enablers are much easier to achieve today. You can optimise the data during all the stages. For design and build, there can be analysis of processes and equipment through multiple simulations for optimal safety, reliability and profitability. The Schneider EcoStruxureAsset Advisor has over 100 variables that get measured and computed.

Schneider is working with Adnoc, one of the world’s leading energy producer and a primary catalyst for Abu Dhabi’s growth and diversification. It is the world’s 12th largest oil producer. We are also working with India’s first greenfield smart city. Cybersecurity is very important. Cybersecurity sophistication continues to grow, with ICS and OT emerging as targets. Schneider is the founding members of the ISA Global Alliance, and Tech Accord partner.

Conservation of energy and automation provides full resiliency and efficiency. Connection is key to digital transparency and remote operations. Integration from design to build, operate and maintain is more than digitalization. It is about improving safety, optimising processes and increasing the productivity. The future of supply chain depends on resiliency through an integrated digitization. We also need to extend the cybersecurity to the last mile with IT/OT integration.

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