CONTROL SYSTEM PLANNING
Regardless of your reasons to change, planning ensures that you define where you are going, what is required to get there and the cost to get it done. Planning also helps you anticipate how system changes will impact operations so you can stage a project appropriately.
At Westin, we see planning as much more than a technology issue. Because we understand how technology supports business strategies, we are positioned to help you reach your organization’s goals – whether you aim for straightforward process automation or strive for high-level optimization strategies.
We start each project by learning your business vision,
needs and requirements. Through site visits, documentation reviews,
interviews and workshops, we tap the knowledge of plant operators, maintenance
staff, programmers and management. We work with you to identify and
prioritize needs and develop comprehensive requirements. 
Planning services include:
- Requirements analysis
- Comparison to best practices
- Process automation and telecommunications feasibility studies
- Business systems interface definition
- SCADA system and I&C master plans
- Instrument & Control System standards
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SCADA LifeCycle Planning
A SCADA system, like all technology, goes through a predictable life
cycle.
Once a system is in operation, utilities seek to maximize the system’s life span, sustain performance and adapt to changing needs. By proactively planning system upgrades, maintenance and incremental replacement, utilities can achieve useful system life of 15 years or greater.
Despite the best planning and replacement strategies,
control systems become obsolete. Vendors eventually stop supporting
components and the cost of replacement parts rises. Newer systems and
components offer increased operational functionality. Timely and structured
planning helps establish a system upgrade or replacement process which
minimizes risks of catastrophic failures and meets budgetary and operational
constraints.