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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/718122
August 2016 www.coalage.com 47 control room technology continued programming and maintenance. Gone are the days of plants needing to keep on-site technical staff or waiting days for techni- cal assistance, losing money every minute and potentially bottlenecking the mine that feeds it, compounding that financial loss. "Today's plant electrician needs to be part IT guy, part programmer, and that is why remote access is critical when technical issues arise. We try to encourage new clients to include remote access to their control soft- ware," Evans said. "Again, internet access is the key." That idea of "total access anywhere" has really been a motivating factor for suppliers, including DRA Taggart, moving forward, and many of the trends the company is seeing as the industry powers on. Technology stops for nothing — not even changes in the market — and prep plants remain committed to staying running in the safest and most productive ways possible and protecting every element of the facility's everyday operation. Both exist- ing and potential customers are still looking at upgrades, planning budgets and ordering those things that will keep them running at peak levels — and that push, at least on the control systems end of things, is largely being led by remote capabilities. "Two recent operations, a plant in In- diana and a loading facility in Texas, have benefited from remote access," Evans said of two of its projects where this element was crucial. "We set up the capability and then arrange a retainer agreement for call- outs and revisions. Technicians have 24/7 capability for trouble calls [to] avoid delays related to travel to remote sites. It has been very successful; it saves the client valuable production time." "We try to promote this capability as a hedge against lost production time. We have, on occasion, gone back to past proj- ects to market the capability with limited success. In some cases, especially utility customers, there seems to be a concern for security of the system in regard to mali- cious access, but we know of no issues." He reported that DRA Taggart control supplier partner Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) has seen a significant increase in need for comprehensive programmable con- trol and software products like its Con- troLogix PLC. In fact, it's been what he called a "mainstay system" in the com- pany's travels to some plants that are still migrating from older systems that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) no longer supports. "We have experience with both Eaton and AB that have 'smart' motor control centers that interface directly with the op- erator's HMI and allow supervision, control and troubleshooting of the MCC from the quakerchem.com/minexpo info@quakerchem.com | 1.800.523.7010 DUSTGRIP® KEEPS YOU WORKING HARD BY KEEPING DUST IN ITS PLACE. © 2016 Quaker Chemical Corporation. All Rights Reserved. When you work in harsh conditions, the last thing you need is dust getting in your way. Quaker's dust suppressant product line, DUSTGRIP,® helps support a safer work environment, improve worker health, and optimize operational efficiency by significantly reducing airborne dust. And with over 30 years of industry experience, you won't find a better partner, especially when new regulations come down the line. So team up with Quaker, and when work conditions get rough, we'll make sure the dust settles. Trust a partner who knows the mining Industry from the Inside. Visit us at booth 25313 (South Hall) "Today's plant electrician needs to be part IT guy, part programmer, and that is why remote access is critical when technical issues arise. "