Page 10 - EngineerIT September 2021

ICT SOLUTIONS

ABB opens Digital Solutions Centre

in Johannesburg

BB has unveiled its new South that is being enabled by digital technologies. The South African Digital Solutions
African Digital Solutions Centre, Centre strengthens our capacity to serve and support customers with technologies and
Awhich aims to help companies capabilities that are key to the digital transformation of their operations.”
across industries to overcome their most It will help customers to take major leaps in productivity and efficiency, driving
pressing technology and digitalisation competitiveness, quality and security through smart grid technology, electrification of all
challenges. points of energy consumption and advanced automation solutions. It offers customers the
The centre, at ABB’s Longmeadow ability to experience ABB’s digital solutions, advanced automation and 24/7 control room
facility in Johannesburg, gives customers solutions in a fully equipped environment, encountering and solving challenging, real-life
in the energy, mining and minerals scenarios. Once customers understand their business priorities and challenges, the centre
resources, manufacturing, process allows them to experience how ABB Ability™ solutions can unlock value across their entire
industries, transportation and utilities value chain.
sectors the opportunity to co-develop Remote support is going to be a major feature, with ABB AbilityRemote Insights for
solutions that take advantage of the service allowing customers to remotely connect with ABB’s global experts using a laptop,
opportunities offered by digitalisation to tablet or mobile. This will help businesses save on maintenance costs, reduce downtime
unlock lasting business value. and increase safety in their operations. Remote access platform services allow experts
“The new centre is the only one to access plant data remotely to analyse equipment and plant behaviour and recommend
of its kind in Africa and represents a corrective actions.
significant commitment to South Africa Another focus is what ABB calls ‘the control room of the future’. Here, clients can
and the wider region as growth markets actively participate in designing their control room and experience how the space will be
and an important customer base,” said utilised in virtual reality before it is even constructed or delivered on site. “Studies indicate
John Manuell, local division manager that up to 40 percent of unplanned downtime can be associated with operator error. This is
for process industries, ABB South why it is crucial to create an optimal environment that provides the necessary information
Africa. “Most industries and sectors are and tools, putting the operator in focus,” said Manuell.
going through a rapid transformation The centre’s ‘mine of the future’ will be of particular interest to the country’s mining

Curating production data on the ABB Digital Solutions Centre Extended Operator Workplace

EngineerIT | September 2021 | 8