What needs measuring?
Identify the physical process and the information needed to understand it.
03 / DIGITAL SYSTEMSPhysical assets.
Physical assets.
Clearer decisions.
Connect field instrumentation, control and operational information with the people who use it.
Explore the connections- 01FIELDPhysical process
Pressure · Flow · Level
- 02CONTROLLocal logic
Inputs · Control · Equipment
- 03OPERATIONSOperator context
Views · Alarms · Trends
A simplified view of the information connection.
THE OPERATING QUESTIONStart with the process.
Start with the process.
Then connect the information.
Digital infrastructure is useful when it addresses a clear operating need.
What must connect?
Understand the existing controls, equipment interfaces and integration boundaries.
Who needs the information?
Begin with the operators, their decisions and the way information will be used.
01 / THE CONNECTED SYSTEMField. Control.
Field. Control.
Operations.
APICAL’s published capabilities include control systems, process automation, software applications and technical training.
01 / FIELD INSTRUMENTATION
Start with the physical process.
Pressure, flow and level measurements provide information about the asset. Define what needs measuring and how those instruments connect to the control system.
- Measurement requirements
- Instrument interfaces
- Inspection & calibration
All system connections
Start with the physical process.
Pressure, flow and level measurements provide information about the asset. Define what needs measuring and how those instruments connect to the control system.
- Measurement requirements
- Instrument interfaces
- Inspection & calibration
Connect measurements with local logic.
Control systems use process inputs and configured logic to monitor or act on equipment. Define the interfaces, operating requirements and functional checks together.
- Control-system interfaces
- Process automation
- Functional testing
Make the information usable.
Operator views, alarms and trends give the operating team context for the process. Begin with the decisions people need to make and the information they need to see.
- Operator information needs
- System integration
- Technical training
Technical background
NIST’s operational technology guide ↗ explains systems that monitor or control physical processes. This is background for the conceptual explanation, not a claim of certification or a project architecture.
02 / INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTSUseful information.
Useful information.
Defined boundaries.
Consider the operating environment, system interfaces and the people responsible for the facility.
Work with the facility.
Understand the instruments, controls and systems already in place before defining new connections.
Define who can do what.
Bring user access, system boundaries and operating constraints into the integration requirements.
Make the connections understandable.
Include functional checks, documentation and technical training in the agreed delivery scope.
03 / APICAL’S ROLEFrom operating question
From operating question
to connected system.
Define, engineer, deliver and support the interfaces between physical assets and operational information.
OPERATING QUESTION → REQUIREMENTS
Start with the operating decision.
Understand the process, existing controls and information needs before selecting a digital solution.
- Operating requirements
- Existing-system review
- Integration scope
All project stages
Start with the operating decision.
Understand the process, existing controls and information needs before selecting a digital solution.
- Operating requirements
- Existing-system review
- Integration scope
Define the system boundaries.
Coordinate instrumentation, control interfaces and the information presented to operators, with access and operating constraints in view.
- Control-system design
- Instrumentation interfaces
- Integration requirements
Test the connections together.
Bring installation and functional checks into a coordinated commissioning approach for the agreed system.
- Installation support
- Functional & integrated checks
- Commissioning support
Help operators use the system.
Support technical training, instrument calibration and continuing assistance around the operating needs of the facility.
- Technical training
- Inspection & calibration
- Operations support
LET’S UNDERSTAND THE OPERATING NEED
What do you
need to see?
Bring us an operating question,
an integration challenge
or an automation requirement.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania+255 793 642453