IPS Global Consulting Group Gains Traction

Published 26th September 2008

400-plus Consultants Apply Industry Knowledge, Technical Expertise to Improve Client Performance...

SEPTEMBER 26 New Delhi – The Global Consulting organization of Invensys Process Systems (IPS) celebrated a year of successful operation at the company’s North American Client Conference, which kicked off here today.

“During the past year, process industries have moved ever closer to the heart of the global economy and are now under extreme pressure to deliver higher-quality products at lower prices, even while meeting ever-tightening safety, security and environmental goals and guidelines,” said Larry O’Brien, Director of Research for Boston-based ARC Advisory Group. “IPS formed its global consulting group to help clients deal with these pressures by extracting maximum value from their automation investments.”
The IPS consulting group was formed in September 2007. The organization integrates consulting talent from world-renowned IPS brands to help clients make improvements in the following areas: enterprise performance, including identification of strategic business metrics and implementation of operational intelligence solutions; operations performance, including operator and engineering effectiveness; and asset performance, including maintenance effectiveness and critical equipment and instrument management.
“A growing number of client successes and new client relationships indicate the progress our Global Consulting group has made over the last several months,” said Paulett Eberhart, IPS President and Chief Executive Officer. “By uniting and delivering thought leadership, cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, our global consultants are helping clients discover hidden potential in their production assets. Working with our clients, we have helped them reduce energy and supply chain costs, manage safety and regulatory constraints, and realize improvements in operational efficiency — all to the benefit of their customers, shareholders and employees.”

IPS consultants are either driving or participating in many significant global engagements. Some of the projects currently underway include:
 A real-time finance and business intelligence solution that is already helping Sasol achieve significant savings in energy costs at its synthetic fuels plant near Johannesburg, South Africa;
 A consulting site assessment for a wireless process alarm and plant condition monitoring system, which will enhance plant safety, improve utilization of manpower and increase productivity for the Arkema Group’s facility in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
 Implementation of advanced process control that is improving throughput, product quality and consistency, as well as minimizing process variability, for Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, based in Santiago, Chile;
 Implementation of an operator training simulator, including a solution for distributed control systems and safety system simulation, that will improve operational efficiency for the BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP olefins plant in Port Arthur, Texas;
 Implementation of a real-time cyber security management solution that will prevent, monitor or mitigate potential cyber threats to Husky Energy's upgrader plant in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.

“Our consulting services are a powerful extension of our world-class capabilities, enabling our clients to improve the effectiveness and performance of their business operations in a safe and environmentally responsible manner,” said Nathalie Marcotte, Vice President, Global Consulting. “We apply our experience, technical skills and domain knowledge, as well as our portfolio of IPS technology and third-party products, to truly help clients address their unique business needs. Our integrated solutions enable key decision makers to track the performance of their plants in real time. Armed with that intelligence, they can make on-the-fly adjustments to increase their supply chain responsiveness, forecast production capability and, ultimately, achieve operational excellence.”