IT and Automation Systems in the
Petrochemical Industry
Data management within the petrochemical industry
occurs on different levels at different stages of the
production process. Each data layer provides
information that is used in the layer above to make
decisions within that domain. Industry IT and automation
systems can be broadly categorized into three areas:
• Real time control and monitoring systems, e.g.
SCADA, are used to provide basic control,
monitoring and plant safety functions. They provide
a continuous flow of data, but have limited
reporting and analytics capability.
• Plant automation management systems sit on top of
the control systems and usually provide additional
functions such as data history, mass balance
calculations, production accounting, performance
management, optimization, HSE (health, safety and
environmental) management and laboratory
information management systems (LIMS). These
systems enhance the plant operations by delivering
information to plant management to get more from
their plant and assets (e.g. enhance revenue,
reduce losses, support in decision making
and more).
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems cover
functions such as financial management, human
resources, supply chain distribution, stock control
and material management. Their objective is to
provide information that helps manage enterprise
and executive business issues, thereby allowing
companies to stay competitive and progressive
(e.g. decision support, performance
management, growth).