This study provides an in-depth analysis of the programmable logic controller (PLC)

and PLC-based programmable automation controller (PAC) business in India. This

study also identifies growth segments and market trends, as well as challenges that
PLC and PLC-based PAC suppliers face in India. In recent years, many PLCs have
evolved into programmable automation controllers (PACs), which integrate logic,
motion, and safety control with cyber security and even energy management
functionality within a common platform. Today, the majority of PLC revenues come
from PLC-based PACs and these revenues are growing at a faster rate than for
traditional PLCs. Thanks to the success of PLC based PACs, PLC technology has
further penetrated the process industries, where they now often replace large
distributed control systems (DCS).
This trend is stronger in emerging markets where engineers and other highly skilled
personnel are scarce, as PLCs tend to be easier to configure and maintain than
some other automation platforms. Orders for PLC and PLC-based PACs in 2013
declined compared to 2012. The negative growth in this market is directly related to
the slowdown of the economy and the investments in industrial automation in the
country. In addition, exchange rate fluctuations affected the market shares
measured in US dollars. However, the India market for PLC and PLC-based PACs is
expected to rebound with good growth rates in forecast period (2013-2018).
In the PLC market, different issues apply to technology suppliers, OEMs, and end
users. Machine builders have different priorities than users. PLC suppliers must
closely collaborate with their clients to generate value and thereby defend their
market position. This study addresses key questions, such as:
How can suppliers increase their value proposition?
Are different strategies required for new installations vs. retrofit?
How critical is initial cost in relation to lifecycle cost?
Where are the new market opportunities?
What are the major trends driving the PLC business in India?

Increased Activity in Multiple End-use Industries Rejuvenates Global

PLC Market
Competition spurs innovation in technology and pricing
LONDON 22 January, 2015 The global programmable logic controllers (PLC) market witnessed a strong decline in growth
in 2012 due to the uncertain economic scenario in the developed world, most notably in the mature markets of North
America and Europe. Since 2013, however, the market has witnessed positive growth across all regions. In particular,
emerging regions such as Asia-Pacific are displaying uptrends due to increased activity in the construction, water and

wastewater, and power industries.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Global Programmable Logic Controllers Market, finds that the market earned
revenues of $10.37 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $14.58 billion in 2018. The study covers services, software,
modular input/output modules, programmable automation controller as well as large, medium, small and nano PLC. In the
coming years, the small and medium PLC segments will be instrumental for market development.
In Europe, the need to enhance efficiency, comply with regulations as well as improve safety and control capabilities are
driving the uptake of PLC. Market progress in the rest of the world is primarily fuelled by the desire to optimise assets,
engage in reliable process planning, and achieve operational agility.
With increasing customer demand and intense competition among tier-one companies, the global PLC market is poised to
witness a surge in technology and pricing innovation, said Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation & Process Control Industry
Analyst Karthik Sundaram. Market participants have been developing products with new design and control functions that
surpass traditional definitions.
For the innovative wave to have a definite impact, boosting the security features in PLC hardware, software, and the network
infrastructure should be a key focus area. As cyber security influences end-user perception of PLC, addressing threats will
be equally important for continued market expansion.
PLC manufacturers must offer robust support services, roll out cost-effective products, and communicate winning value
propositions to customers, advised Sundaram. They should also strive to expand their geographical presence and refine
their domain expertise to taste success.

The Evolving Trends Of The Humble PLC

The PLC has been in the market for over 40 years. Through its continued evolution the device has
expanded and improved on its performance and functions. Recent trends in this technology will be
discussed here. By Lau Wee Pheng, Modular PLC Product Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Asia
The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) has been in the market for more than 40 years. From the humble
beginning of replacing relays logics circuit boards, PLC technology has evolved with the customers evolving needs.
1.Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO)
With globalisation, the markets have become much more competitive for the customers. Customers have spent more on investment
to automate their process in order to reduce costs & increase quality.
However, separate components pricing is no longer the only factor of consideration. Customers are demanding automation systems
to help them reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
To achieve that, increasing productivity and reducing maintenance costs becomes key considerations.
a.Increasing Productivity
Productivity can be achieved through advanced performance and higher connectivity in both the hardware as well as the total
system.
An advanced CPU now can process up to 419 instructions per s (419 Million instructions per second), much higher than the few
hundred instructions per ms in the past. This will help the customers achieve high speed processing for more complex applications.

The advanced performance is not limited to the CPU module only, and also extended to inter-modules bus speed, and inter-process
network speed.

Inter modules bus speed advancement means that the I/O response can be faster, and process response can react
more real-time. Besides I/O response, the higher system bus speed has been utilised to achieve a multi-CPU
system, not commonly found in most manufacturers. A typical PLC system consists of a single CPU with I/O and
network modules. A multi-CPU system consists of up to four CPUs on a single rack.
An example of a multi-CPU system is a first CPU handling sequence & interlocking control, while a second CPU on the same rack
handling motion control. This distributes the processing and gives a superior performance because of the focused tasks by each
CPU.
A multi-CPU system realises very accurate motion control. By supporting synchronised data communications between the
programmable controller CPU and motion CPU via the high-speed system bus, easily realising super-high motion control accuracy.
An inter process network enables interconnectivity across all levels of automation. Open network, albeit secure, are now a
requirement of customers to ensure interoperability across their plants. Data must flow seamlessly between the sensor level and
management level across multiple industry-standard automation networks. Industrial networks are usually designed with bias
towards more reliability than speed. This is very different from commercial networks where speed takes priority.
However, in recent advancement, industrial networks with 1Gbps have been developed with the speed of commercial networks, and
the reliability of industrial requirements. Based on Seamless Message Protocol (SLMP), such a highly reliable distributed control
network is designed to handle very large data communications (128k Words) over a high speed (1Gbps) dual loop network.
b. Reducing Maintenance Costs
Maintenance cost can be reduced through a series of functions built to help maintenance teams as well as development teams in
their work.
Built-In Database
Traditionally, data loggings, used for trends, alarms & events, are done at the Human Machine Interface (HMI) like SCADA, touch
panels, and so on. The HMIs are connected to the PLC via Ethernet, serial communication. In the event that the communication
breaks, precious data and important information are lost. This lost data may cause the maintenance team to put in additional hours
to bring back the machine or process.
The newer generation PLC includes a database which makes it possible for these functions to be done at PLC level, and data
continues to be logged even in the event of communication loss.
Again, open data format, like Comma Separated Values (CSV) format, are used so that even common Microsoft Excel can display
these data.
Intuitive Engineering Software
The engineering software is sometimes considered a fundamental part of the control system in addition to the hardware
components. The core of the system, it includes various steps of the product life cycle, from the design stage all the way to
commissioning and maintenance of the control system. Today, intuitive, easy-to-use software suites are expected as a standard for
modern process needs.
Software now includes not only intuitive programming, but also graphics based system design, graphics based
debugging/maintenance. Customers have an overview of their system and fast indication of the trouble areas and as such process
downtime can be kept to a minimum.
Usually compliant to IEC61131-2, engineering software utilises a point and click set up and the configuration is automatically
reflected to the hardware. This reduces the learning curve for the developers and production start-up time can be very much
reduced.
All this brings about the reduction of Total Cost of Ownership, which is a better indication of the Return Of Investment (ROI).
Compared to 20 years ago when decision makers are only interested in upfront capital costs.
2. Security

Traditionally, control systems are standalone process independent of one another as well as the IT networks. With the demands for
visibility of the productivity and processes, control systems are now very much interconnected to the Manufacturing Execution
System and the Enterprise Resource Planning System. With the increased connectivity and integration to IT networks, security of the
control systems are becoming a closely looked-into topic. A security breach in a connected control systems may now potentially
affect the enterprise network.
Past history of control system based malware like the Stuxnet virus affecting targeted PLCs, has increased the awareness of security
administrators. Standard one-level protection for read/write restrictions of the PLC using numeric/alphanumeric passwords is no
longer sufficient.
As technology becomes more complex and the distribution of process systems more global, the protection of intellectual property is
even more significant. When shipping a finished product overseas, the last thing an OEM needs to consider is unauthorised copying
or changing of the original project data.
In addition to this, unauthorised access to the control system can have very serious implications to the control system and the end
user, which can compromise the overall safety of the plant.
Advanced PLC now has a number of embedded features that help to maintain these requirements, such as hardware and software
keys to protect intellectual property, and multi-level user access password hierarchy to protect the project at the design stage.
Security Key Authentication Protecting Project Data
The hardware security key authentication prevents programs from being opened on personal computers where the security key has
not been registered. Furthermore, because programs cannot be executed by CPU modules where the hardware security key has not
been registered, the integrity of customer technologies and other intellectual property is not compromised. As the hardware key is
removable, therefore, when replacing the CPU module, there is no need to re-register the security key, making replacement very
simple.
The IP filter can be used to register the IP addresses of devices permitted to access the CPU module. As a result, access from nonregistered devices can be blocked, thereby lowering the risk of program hacking and unauthorised access by a third party.
Of course, the traditional password-based security is here to stay. Enhancement to the authentication levels, as well as passwords of
up to 32 alphanumeric and special characters can be set to prevent unauthorised access to the CPU module via networks such as
Ethernet.

Research and Markets: Global SCADA Market Report

2013-2020: Components (PLC, RTU, HMI, Comms),
Architecture (Hardware, Software, Services), Application
(Oil & Gas, Power, Water & Waste, Transport,
Manufacturing, Chemicals)
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and
Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/xmbrjt/scada_market_by) has announced
the addition of the "SCADA Market by Components, Architecture, Application, and Geography Analysis & Forecast to 2013 - 2020" report to their offering.

SCADA Market by Components, Architecture, Application, and

Geography - Analysis & Forecast to 2013 - 2020
The SCADA market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.24% in the next six years
In the report, the drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the SCADA market are also covered. The
major driving factors for the SCADA market are: huge potential from renewable energy sector, high
investments in infrastructure for sectors such as oil and gas, power (transmission and distribution),
and water and wastewater management.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is an industrial control system that is used to
gather data from sensors and instruments located at remote sites and then transmit and display this
data at a central site for controlling or monitoring purposes. They are also used to collect and
analyze data on real-time basis.
The high potential from renewable energy and high investments in infrastructure are some of the
factors that are driving the SCADA market. T APAC has been estimated to account the highest
CAGR of 8.06% from 2014 to 2020 amongst all the geographic regions due to high investments in
infrastructure development, mainly from countries such as China and India.
The SCADA market report classifies the market on the basis of component, architecture, application,
and geography. Within component, the market report includes programmable logic component
(PLCs), remote terminal units (RTUs), human machine interface (HMI), and communication systems.
A SCADA system is used mainly for industry verticals such as oil and gas, power (T&D), and water
and waste water applications. The report also covers the SCADA market by architecture which
includes hardware, software, and services and divides the overall SCADA market based on the four
major geographical segments- The Americas, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the world (ROW).