Networks Product Research (July 2006)

Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of Control Engineering subscribers’ applications and needs regarding networks.

By Control Engineering Staff June 30, 2006

Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of Control Engineering subscribers’ applications and needs regarding networks.

Executive Summary

  • 73% of respondents indicate they are involved in specifying, recommending, and/or buying industrial network products.

  • Among respondents who formed and use industrial network cross-function teams, 94% include the Engineering Department. About half (54%) include of Information Technology. Roughly 40% include Maintenance, both plant engineering (39%) and plant management (36%).

  • When respondents were asked for their primary applications for industrial networks, 59% indicated supervisory control and data acquisition. 45% cite diagnostics, testing, maintenance, while another 42% indicated both continuous and batch processing.

  • When asked about the importance of attributes when purchasing industrial network products, reliability (2.85), product quality (2.70), and communication capabilities (2.69) received the highest mean scores. Only two attributes received a mean score of less than 2.00 on a 3-point scale.

  • When asked which considerations are important when selecting an industrial network products manufacturer, technical assistance (2.74), responsiveness to problems (2.67), and customer service (2.50) received the highest mean scores. Three of the considerations studied received a mean score of less than 2.00 on a 3-point scale.

  • 40% of respondents expect an ROI of 30% or less for their annual expenditures on industrial network products. Of these, 14% expect an ROI of 10% or less. Almost half of respondents (43%) indicate the company does not track or expect industrial networks to have an ROI.

  • 20% of respondents felt a one to two year time frame was needed to generate savings from the industrial network product. Three to six months and 10 to 12 months were both chosen by 11% of respondents. All other time frames were chosen by less than 10% of respondents.

  • 20% of respondents felt a one to two year time frame was needed to generate anticipated savings from the use of industrial network products. Three to six months and 10 to 12 months were both chosen by 11% of respondents. All other time frames were chosen by less than 10% of respondents.

  • Roughly half (53%) of respondents use third-party integrators or consultants for industrial network applications.

Networks 2006