CC-01-154 Remote Application Hosting: A New Paradigm in Plant Operations

Description:

The rapid development of Internet technologies and exponential growth in Internet use has created numerous opportunities and challenges for process manufacturers. The Internet is providing the ability to transfer content-rich information in an easy-to-access and secure manner. These capabilities are now fostering completely new business models for how manufacturers can remotely monitor and manage their plant operations. One of the rapidly rising business models that facilitate such remote management is Web Hosted Solutions (WHS) deployed internally or delivered by ‘pure play’ Application Service Providers (ASP), Independent Software Vendors (ISV), and automation suppliers. Although adoption of WHS for manufacturing is lagging adoption of WHS for business applications, ARC believes that they will become pervasive. This optimistic growth reflects the macro-business need and trend for companies to focus on their core competencies and outsource nonessential functions that do not add to their competitive advantage. This paper discusses the recent trends in remote application hosting for plant operations. It examines the rapidly evolving market space and solutions along with various WHS options for adoption.