Operating Online: A Real-Time System Integration Update
Industry leaders seem to agree that automation and information technology (IT) are converging. As a result, many different players, not just "name brand" control companies, may introduce new advances in automation. Therefore, it is important to consider each industry participant in examining the state of the automation business.
The primary industry participants are control manufacturers that develop products, which have evolved from simple mechanical and electrical devices to sophisticated electronic networked systems. It is easy to identify important milestones in the migration of DDC from process control to HVAC systems. The movement from standalone controllers to distributed DDC was spurred by user demand for energy management, along with cost reduction and comfort.