Honeywell's New Migration Tool Facilitates Easy Upgrades of Obsolete PLCs

Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) has announced the launch of ControlEdge Transition, a tool that makes it easy to migrate obsolete, risk-prone Programmeable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to Honeywell ControlEdge PLCs. This transforms them from liabilities into productive assets that can enhance process uptime and strengthen the security of an industrial site.

If not addressed, outdated PLCs can lead to increased cyber-security risk or even trigger unplanned site shutdowns. Through a fast, automated conversion process, ControlEdge Transition supports upgrades to Honeywell ControlEdge PLCs, which can then be integrated into a SCADA or DCS system. Additionally, the speed and efficiency of the conversion procedure saves systems integrators and project engineers significant time, cost and risk compared to a manual migration effort.

“Industrial sites around the world are challenged by aging infrastructure and equipment that are not being maintained properly, or which are simply no longer supported, with outdated PLCs proving particularly troublesome,” said Mr. Andrew D’Amelio, General Manager and Vice President of HPS’ Process Measurement and Control business. “ControlEdge Transition makes migrating to up-to-date, cyber-secure PLCs easy and fast.”

ControlEdge Transition can be deployed over mobile devices to survey and document the number of obsolete PLCs at a site while capturing relevant data that can be used for accurate upgrade planning. The tool’s bidding and engineering reporting capabilities can simplify the development of proposals and reduce engineering effort by 50 per cent. In addition, pre- and post-migration reports provide extensive support for design, installation and commissioning of new PLCs.

Mike Banach appointed as Regional General Manager of Honeywell UOP India

In another development, Honeywell announced the appointment of Mr. Mike Banach as Regional General Manager – Honeywell UOP India. Honeywell UOP is the leader in the supply of process technology to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries.

In his new role, he will be responsible for spearheading Honey-well UOP business in India to sustain the growth in the region and continue to build upon UOP’s work in developing and licensing process technologies used in refining, petrochemicals and renewable fuels.

“I am looking forward to my new role to drive the business forward in India and achieve sustainable growth, as we continue to invest in new technologies,” Mr. Banach said. “India is among our top high-growth regions globally and we see opportunities in the refining and petrochemical sectors due to the opportunities laid by the Indian government in BS-VI fuel transformation.”

Mr. Banach earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA degree from the University of Chicago. He succeeds Mr. Steve Gimre, who served as Regional General Manager – Honeywell UOP India from 2014 until this month.