Based on recent analysis of the global edge controls and analytics market segment, Frost & Sullivan recognized GE Power’s Automation & Controls business unit with the 2018 Global Company of the Year Award. The Automation & Controls business is advancing the traditional control system through its work in edge controls and analytics with the introduction of the world’s first outcome-optimizing controller with the Industrial Internet Control System (IICS), specifically through the release of the PACSystems RX3i CPx400 controller series and the Field Agent.
IICS leverages rich data and analytics to help uncover actionable insights and provide customers with flexibility in operational efficiency and higher asset performance. The next-generation outcome optimizing controllers are designed to ensure maximum uptime while running applications reliably across a spectrum of industries, such as water/wastewater, metro, industrial steam, automotive, oil and gas, discrete manufacturing and other modular designs operating in the complex industrial environment.
"The Industrial Internet Control System brings powerful analytics tools much closer to the physical asset to greatly enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and unlock new revenue opportunities," said Ram Ramasamy, Industry Director at Frost & Sullivan. "For customers, its design flexibility unlocks the full potential of a highly connected control system solution enabling remote monitoring and diagnostics, asset optimization, and predictive analytics designed to turn data into actionable insights. By enabling IICS, customers are well-positioned to adjust to rapidly evolving business environments more nimbly that signals higher levels of flexibility and adaptability."
The link to the Industrial Internet of Things chain for cloud-enabled analytics is GE’s Field Agent technology, a pre-configured software stack designed for edge computing that securely exchanges the data between the GE Predix platform and the physical asset. GE offers a Mini Field Agent as a rugged stand-alone gateway for connecting the physical asset to cloud-based applications, such as the Equipment Insight 2018 solution. Customer benefits include less unplanned downtime, lower maintenance costs, optimum asset utilization and increased network and asset management. Automation & Controls created the industry’s first outcome-optimizing controller PACSystems Rx3i CPEx400 with dual redundancy capabilities. Utilizing edge technology, the controller augments real-time deterministic control and provides near-real-time advice through strategic computation.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies resulting in customer value and market penetration.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
