Opto Africa Holdings - SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide (IBG)

Section - Computers & Software
–+ Computers & peripherals
-Industrial computers
- Board level
-PC function cards, modules
- I/O (analog/digital)
- Relay
–+ I/O sensor/computer interfacing
-Communication medium
- Copper
- Optical fibre
- Radio
-Communication standard
- Ethernet/IP
- Fieldbus
- Modbus
- Other
- RS232/485/422
-Distributed I/O systems
- PC-centric
- PLC-centric
-I/O blocks/modules
-Mounting methods
- DIN rail
- Panel/rack mount modules
-Operating features
- Diagnostic capability
- Sealed units
-Signal modules
- Analog
- Digital
- Mixed
–+ Industrial software for PCs
-Applications
- Asset management
- Batch production
- Data acquisition, analysis
- Direct control
- Dynamic link to libraries (DLL)
- Link to Windows databases
- MRP, tracking, business
- Operator interface
- Programming languages
- System simulation/PID tuning
-Datasharing
- DDE
- OLE
-Language
- C, Pascal, etc
- MS Visual Basic
- PLC languages
-Network communications
- IPX/SPX
- TCP/IP
-Operating systems
- Windows 3.1
- Windows 95/98
- Windows NT
Section - Data Acquisition & Remote Control
–+ Data acquisition & logging systems
-Barcode systems
- Automated
- Handheld
- Printers
-Ethernet-based systems
-In-transit temperature/event
-Machine health monitoring
-PC based data acquisition
- automatic data acquisition
- data acquisition cards
- distributed data acquisition
- intranet system
- presentation/analysis software
-Portable data collection terminal
-Radio frequency tags
-Recorders
- paperless
-Standalone data loggers
–+ Manufacture/management systems
-Emissions management
-ISO 9000 management systems
-Maintenence management
-MES - Manufacturing Execution Systems
-MIS - Management Information Systems
-MRP - Manufacturing Resource Planning 
-Product data interchange
-Production management systems
-Quality management
-Utility optimisation
-Warehouse management systems
–+ Monitoring & sampling systems
-Meteorological instrumentation
-Monitors
- air quality
- chlorine
- moisture
–+ Scada - Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition
-Alarms
-Integration into MES and ERP systems
-Number of I/O points
- 0-1024
- 0-32
- 0-512
- Unlimited
-Number of PLC or I/O drivers
- 0-16
- 16-64
-Operating system
- .Net
- Linux
- Windows 2000
- Windows NT
-Reports
-Standalone version available
–+ Telemetry & remote control systems
-Cable telemetry
- copper wire
- Ethernet LAN
- fibre-optic
-Radio telemetry
-Remote sensing & control
- cable link
- cellular
- infrared (IR)
- radio link
Section - Maintenance, Reliability & Asset Optimisation
–+ Plant optimisation software
-Asset related
- Enterprise asset management software (EAM)
-Calibration, configuration & adjustment
- Networkable proprietary device calibration/configuration
-Education & training
- Competency-based learning
- Simulation for training
-IoT driver & OPC software
-Maintenance
- Computerised maintenance management (CMM)
- Planning & scheduling
- Predictive maintenance
- Preventive maintenance
-Optimisation & efficiency
- Asset optimisation
- Energy optimisation
Section - Networks for Communication & Control
–+ Industrial networking/communication systems
-Arcnet
-DeviceNet
-Ethernet
-Interbus-S
-LONWorks
-Modbus
-PLC Data Highway
-Profibus
-RS232/422/485
Section - Process Control & Manufacturing Technologies
–+ Controllers (standalone)
-Communications
- Fieldbus
- Proprietary
- RS232
- RS422/RS485
-Functionality
- Logic
- Maths/calculations
- PID/PD
- Scaling of I/O
-Inputs
- 0/4-20mA
- mV/V
- RTD
- Strain gauge
- Thermocouple
-Number of loops
- >16
-Outputs
- 0/4-20 mA
- 0-5V
- mA/mV
- Pulse
- Relay contact
-Panel size (mm)
- 150x150
-Visual display
–+ DCS - Distributed Control Systems
-Entry level DCS
-Networked controllers
-PACs - Programmable Automation Controllers
–+ Flow measurement
-Monitors/indicators
–+ Hazardous areas equipment
-Intrinsic safety
- Batch controllers
–+ Industry 4.0/IIoT (incl. cybersecurity)
-Analytics & reporting
-Artificial intelligence
-Asset/calibration management
-Big data & cloud technologies
-Cybersecurity
-Industrial IT & networking
-Interoperability HW/SW
-M2M communication
-Smart sensors
-Specialist consulting services
-Wireless network/service providers
–+ Level measurement
-Loadcell
–+ Mass measurement
-Automatic dispensing systems
-Batching
-Belt scales
-Check weighers
-Density
-Drum filling
-In-motion
-Loadcell
-Weigh bridges
–+ Operator interfaces & annunciators
-Digital process indicators
-Displays
- Bar graphs
- Display wall (control room)
- LCD, flat-panel
- Programmable message 
- Touchscreens
-HMI
–+ PLCs - Programmable Logic Controllers
-Analog I/O
-    1-16
-   17-64
- more than 512
-Digital I/O
-    1-16
-    17-64
-  more than 512
-Multiprocessor
-Networking organisation
- Host-to-PLC link
- PLC-to-PLC
- Remote I/O
-Networking
- 20 mA loop
- Ethernet
- PLC-to-PLC
- Remote I/O
- RS232, RS422, RS485
-Operator interface panel
-Programming
- Diagnostic software
- Documenting software
- Function block diagram
- High level (C, Basic, etc.)
- IEC 1131
- Ladder diagram (relay logic)
- Logic diagram
- Sequential function chart
-Scan rate less than 1ms per step
–+ Position/motion control
-Programmable motion control systems
- Servo systems
- Stepper systems
–+ Sensors
-Loadcell
-Mass
-Strain gauges
–+ Temperature measurement
-Panel-mount indicators
–+ Timers and counters
-Counters
- Batch 
Section - Services & Systems
–+ Services (industrial)
-Contractors
- Process control
-Programmers
- DCS
- Other
- PLC
- scada
-Project Management
-System integration/consulting
- Factory automation
- Information systems
- Materials handling
- Process control
- Production management
- Quality control
- Scada/DCS/PLC
- Telemetry
Section - Test, Measurement & Calibration
–+ Calibration equipment & services
-Calibration services (SANAS accredited, etc.)
-Strain gauge simulators/calibrators