Avid Solutions Opens Atlanta Office
Avid Solutions is proud to announce the opening of our newest office in Atlanta, Georgia. The office will be led by Scott Childress, who comes to Avid with broad experience at both General Electric and Honeywell and an extensive background in operations and sales management.
PC Romano, President of Avid Solutions said, "The Atlanta office will expand Avid's ability to attract top talent and serve the process industries in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. We're excited about the reception we're receiving from strategic clients and partners, and are projecting rapid growth."
With more than 50 employees and three offices in the southeast, Avid Solutions has provided industrial automation and information solutions across the U.S. and globally for more than 20 years.
Avid Solutions Acquires Ingress – Expands Position in Power Industry
Avid Solutions has acquired Ingress, a North Carolina-based engineering firm with strong experience and capability providing system integration and the design of instrumentation and controls for the power generation industry. Ingress Principals Don Scruggs and Alan Lyon bring strong relationships with Progress Energy, having consulted with Progress on numerous PLC, HMI, and DCS projects.
PC Romano, President of Avid Solutions said, "We've partnered with Ingress on multiple projects in the past. Not only do they bring impressive capability and a strong track record, they fit well with the culture at Avid. Together we plan to build a strong presence in the power generation industry."
With more than 50 employees and two offices in North Carolina, Avid Solutions has provided industrial automation and information solutions across the U.S. and globally for more than 20 years.
Introducing our Newest Blog: Automate-ZEN
We are pleased to announce the launch of Automate-ZEN, a blog created for the automation professional with aspirations to simplify their career and live a happier, less stressful life.
Automate-ZEN is derived from the concept of ZEN (based upon the simple / holistic state of living) and industrial automation (typically complex, disparate and stressful to all involved). The goal is to find "ZEN" in our complex world.
We reach out to the subject matter experts in our industry and share their stories that add value and simplicity to our chaotic world. Click for blog
David Goodman Presents at WBF
David Goodman presented at WBF this year on a recent, successful MES implementation.
For those who didn’t get to go, there is a short recap of several WBF
presentations on our Level 3 blog.
For those interested in reading David’s
paper & presentation, please visit the following links.
David’s Paper
David’s Presentation
Avid Solutions Launches Level3 Blog
We're excited to announce Level3, a blog for all areas of Level 3 according to the ISA-95 Model (MES, Historians, LIMS, WMS, CMM Systems) as well as Advanced SCADA and IT topics related to Factory Automation: Click for blog
We're sharing our experiences and look forward to engaging in lively discussions, to advance the knowledgebase of the community as a whole. We hope you visit and participate, and let us know if you have any recommendations for improvements.
For those ArchestrA users out there, check out The ArchestrAnaut 1500 visits per month and growing!
Avid Presents at ISPE/ISA Automation Forum
Avid Solutions demonstrated its market leadership once again by presenting two papers at the annual ISPE/ISA automation forum in Raleigh NC. David Goodman opened the conference with a presentation summarizing the installation of an advanced MES and production control application in a greenfield Parenteral filling facility. Alongside the customer, David described numerous unique applications of Wonderware ArchestrA technology to solve special challenges presented by an automated facility with extensive electronic batch records. To close the conference Andy Robinson presented a real world case study on implementing virtualization in a manufacturing facility. Andy covered numerous aspects of the process, explaining in detail how and why particular design elements were decided upon. Dennis Brandl of BR&L consulting (http://www.brlconsulting.com) remarked “It was great! This is what clients really want and need in their facilities.” Mr. Brandl also commented on the delivered applications by noting that “These are both solutions that are right on track to solve today’s problems.”
Both presentations with whitepapers can be found at the links below.
MES Presentation
MES Whitepaper
Virtualization Presentation
Virtualization Whitepaper
If you would like more information please contact
Eric Mayer
919.468.4334, EXT 202
emayer@avidsolutionsinc.com
Avid in Control Magazine
Control magazine will be publishing a series of articles on the challenges and requirements for successful DCS retrofit projects. As the primary source, they have selected our very own Hunter Vegas.
The first of these articles is Successful Retrofit and Automation Projects Summary: Discussing Control System Design and Implementation for Retrofit and Automation Projects. What Are the Challenges in Meeting Plant and Corporate Requirements? Click here for full article
Avid Installs DeltaV at Another Cytec Plant
Avid Solutions recently completed a 10-month project at Cytec’s Fortier, LA facility. Cytec decided to upgrade their existing D/3 control system in the Melamine section of the Fortier plant and called upon the expertise of Avid to take them to the next level. DeltaV version 9.3 was selected to replace the existing D/3 system. The original hardware included 4 PCMs, 2,000+ I/O, Serial interfaces to remote I/O, and SIS PLCs, with six Operator Stations. Avid designed the new DeltaV system to include redundant controllers, Foundation Fieldbus, and Flex Connect Technology from Emerson to keep existing field wiring.
Avid was also responsible for the conversion of the D/3 code and graphics to DeltaV. Avid’s engineers began with an evaluation to determine the number of similar AI chains. Module Templates were then developed to replace similar chains. Devices were also converted to Module Templates for standard items like pumps, motors, and valves. TTL logic was developed to replace custom Master Devices. To ease operator transition, a graphical dynamo set was developed to resemble the original D/3 graphics. Lastly, SABL code was translated into Equipment and Control Modules in DeltaV.
During installation, Avid was responsible for the demolition of the D/3 system, installation of the new DeltaV system, and supervision of electricians to wire in the Flex Connect modules. In less than a week, Avid had the new system installed with communication to the field devices and the serial devices. The system started up without issue and was making quality product in less than three days.
