New standard developing for intelligent process field devices

ISA108 aims at developing guidelines and work processes for effective use of smart devices and the information they generate in process applications. Video: Herman Storey and Larry O’Brien discuss the underlying user cases for the new standard.

Peter Welander

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One of the technological gaps that has developed in many process manufacturing environments is the availability of vast amounts of information from intelligent field devices contrasted against the inability for users to put this information to work in the context of effective asset management. While smart devices are popping up everywhere, the information they generate does not get into the hands of individuals that can use it. Moreover, those individuals may not even know what to do with it.

Some of this is due to technical constraints, but the larger issue relates to users simply not knowing how to put it to work to improve process performance. A group of users and vendors has come together to tackle this problem with the formation of the ISA108 Intelligent Device Management standard committee. This group is aiming to develop a standard to help companies deploy devices and gather information in a way that can support larger asset management efforts. The attached video with Herman Storey and Larry O’Brien gives two of the committee members a chance to explain the underlying concepts and objectives in greater detail.

This effort is still in its early stages, and there is opportunity for others to participate. If you are interested and want to make a contribution, or if you simply want to follow the progress, you can contact the committee members via the ISA website.

Peter Welander, pwelander(at)cfemedia.com