The process industry is in a time of change. Valmet is advancing process automation and introducing the next generation of distributed control system, Valmet DNAe. The fully networked process control includes a new cybersecurity system architecture, control software and hardware, as well as design and analytics tools that help customers improve the efficiency, productivity, sustainability and safety of their operations.
“The world around us is changing rapidly. Industrial systems such as distributed control systems must also function in today’s digitally networked world,” says Jukka Ylijoki, Vice President of R&D, Automation Systems, Valmet.
“Building a truly open and secure distributed control system that will last for decades required a complete overhaul. We had to ensure that the system was as reliable, efficient, flexible and secure as our customers needed. Valmet DNAe addresses all of these aspects.”
Foundation for digitalization and autonomous operations
Although the requirements for a distributed control system have changed fundamentally in the past decade or so, according to Valmet, a distributed control system must still primarily connect field devices to process control.
“The common factor is better utilization of data. To achieve greater autonomy, a distributed control system must collect, manage, analyze and share high-quality data across the plant’s production technology systems and underlying IT systems,” says Harri Mustonen, Director of Control Systems, Valmet.
“Valmet DNAe makes this possible as a single, unified system. In addition to real-time process control, Valmet DNAe brings structured and high-quality data management tools for advanced analytics and reporting to the core of the distributed control system. This allows customers to improve their digital intelligence at all levels, achieve higher goals, and reduce production costs at the same time.”
Cybersecurity meets open connectivity
Valmet states that the key to developing DNAe was to ensure that the digital transformation is smooth for customers. Customers must be able to open up a distributed control system in an easily manageable way so that they can connect systems and data sources. Valmet's more ambitious goal was how to secure a system that is designed to be open and adaptable.
“We focused uncompromisingly on cybersecurity, and this was perhaps our biggest insight when we started developing Valmet DNAe,” says Jukka Ylijoki.
“Valmet DNAe ensures cybersecurity measures from the operational field level to IT-level communications. The system's different network layers and technical features have been developed based on certified Security Development Lifecycle Assurance (SDLA) methods, ensuring security from the first line of code.”
Every user matters more than ever
Valmet sees future work environments as challenging due to high retirement and employee turnover, so systems must be much easier to learn and use than they are today.
“Valmet DNAe enables teams to collaborate seamlessly across process areas, sites, departments and organizations, while implementing a usability-focused design philosophy. Users get an intuitive, holistic view of processes, sites and installation bases. This ensures the best situational awareness and collaboration between teams. Valmet DNAe is as much about bringing people together and new ways of working as it is about connecting systems,” believes Harri Mustonen.
"We want the best experts to be available to our customers and to work seamlessly together in analyzing data, solving problems, and optimizing process performance. All users can now easily access and utilize process data, which improves and speeds up data-driven decision-making," adds Jukka Ylijoki.
The future begins now
Valmet promises that Valmet DNA customers can also benefit from the latest technology and innovations in Valmet DNAe. Valmet DNA customers have pre-designed upgrade paths that allow them to migrate to Valmet DNAe at a time that best fits their production and investment plans. Customers can quickly start optimizing and improving performance with the industry-specific Valmet DNAe application library.
What? The Valmet DNAe control system is a web-based process control that includes a new cybersecurity system architecture, control software and hardware, as well as planning and analytics tools that help customers improve the efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and safety of their operations.
Why? The process industry is changing, and industrial systems like distributed control systems must also function in today's digitally connected world. Valmet DNAe is as much about bringing people together and new ways of working as it is about connecting systems.
