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Discrete Programmed

ControlDesign.com
02/27/2009

Automation systems for discrete industries experienced healthy growth and reached nearly $19 billion in 2007. However, a tumultuous 2008 has badly shaken confidence in the environment for capital investments, and as a result the worldwide market for discrete automation systems is expected to grow only to around $22 billion by 2012, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.

“One reason the automation business did so well during the past few years and will continue to do well after settling of recent economic turmoil is the huge list of challenges and changing conditions in the global business environment that manufacturers must respond to,” says Himanshu Shah, ARC senior analyst and author of the study’s report.

The report identifies numerous industry trends impacting automation equipment, including industrial Ethernet, benefits of wireless automation and machine safeguarding.

The report discusses other crucial factors such as increasing demand for automobiles in Asia, growing demand for more data in industrial plants and expanding automation applications.