Disruptive technology is coming to the process control industry

In the past we have seen a variety of innovations that have become disruptive technologies. What’s changed is that we have a new name for it, and it occurs at a much faster pace today.

I remember the early days of my career, when a step controller came onto the market to replace relay control systems. The step controller was then replaced by the programmable controller, and then by the programmable logic controller — the PLC. The DCS systems also went through a similar evolution. Later came the personal computer, which then was advanced with the Windows operating system, followed by laptop computers — and today we have smartphones with more power than the original PCs.

There was a time when safety was achieved through hardwired systems and today even they utilise wireless technology. These are all examples of disruptive technologies.

Disruptive innovation is affecting our lives today — for example, Uber taking on the taxi market and Airbnb taking on the hotel market. It’s about innovation disrupting or replacing past technology. You can now purchase LED lighting systems that are controlled and powered via a communications cable.

Industry and business is changing rapidly and the digital economy is playing a key role, which is opening up some new opportunities for our industry. While Australia can’t compete in large-scale production, we have a great opportunity to use our unique creativity to be a leading player in this new market.

Australia has a very innovative past and great experience in creating flexible manufacturing plants, for low-volume production and for process control systems that lead the world. There is some fantastic and exciting new research being undertaken in Australia by industry and our universities into areas like nanotechnology, digital printing, solar energy being used to create hydrogen fuel cells and the new generation robots, such as Baxter.

These innovations are assisting Australian companies to diversify and are also creating some exciting new companies. The government is also actively supporting this with a variety of programs to assist manufacturing companies. So now is the time to make sure you are not left behind.

We know that in today’s world, the jobs university students are taking up at the end of their study were not around when they started their courses.

For many years our industry has seen a slow decline in exhibitions, conferences and seminars, but we are now seeing a renewed interest with record attendances at the IICA events around Australia in 2015. Where else will you be able to enhance your professional career, with so many presentations and an expo to see the latest technology available and enhance the profile of the instrumentation, control and automation industry and keep up to date with the latest technology?

As for tomorrow, we Australians have a blank sheet of paper, and it’s up to our industry to step up and take a lead role in creating the next disruptive technology.

Greg Garrihy is the CEO of the Institute of Instrumentation, Control & Automation (IICA). He has a solid business and industry background, with his most recent role being a partner at nem Australasia, assisting business leaders achieve their potential by enhancing their performance, vision and aspirations. Greg has been involved in the automation and process control industry since 1997 and has held key roles in several market-leading automation and instrumentation companies.