Siemens team at the Africa Tech Automation fair: (L to R)Jayia Chetty, Barend Kruger, Rowan Dickason, and Gunther Pellizari.

German technology company Siemens yesterday launched the latest version of SiMATIC PCS neo control system for plant processing at the Africa Automation tech fair 2023.

The SiMATIC PCS neo control system is a next-generation distributed control system built on a web-based collaboration platform that unites global engineering and operations teams within a single workbench.

Siemens says the system’s version 4.0 launched in South Africa yesterday will accelerate digital transformation and optimise plant processing efficiencies.

“The system is designed to prepare plants for the future, helping to alleviate shared industry challenges, like collaboration, modular automation, scalability, interoperability, integration, and lifecycle management,” says the company.

Detailing the functionalities of the new system, Siemens’ VP, process automation business unit, Rowan Dickason, says: “The new SiMATIC S7-4100 automation system defines a new generation of controllers for the process industry, with the first release available exclusively for the SiMATIC PCS neo.

“The new controller is 30% smaller, with extended communication capabilities. It also reduces energy consumption by up to 50%. Importantly in the South African context, it’s robust, maintenance-free, and no batteries are required to buffer system data in the event of a power failure.”

Dickason adds, “The controller is the brain of the process plant. Our Simatic S7-4100 controller takes this to a whole new level of performance.”

In addition to the SIMATIC PCS neo v4.0, he says, Siemens is releasing its fully integrated SIMATIC CN 4100 communication gateway.

Dickason says this facilitates a simple and secure data exchange with SIMATIC PCS neo, acting as a convenient data switch. “That means data from the plant can simultaneously be fed from the plant to the controller and process control system. Supported protocols include the Modbus TCP and OPC UA, with more planned.”

Further, Dickason adds: “The new control system embraces the way to re-think process automation technology, and embrace digitalisation, interoperability, collaboration, and agility.

“It integrates seamlessly with existing systems and allows multiple processes to happen simultaneously. It’s the future of process automation and we believe it will be a game-changer going forward.”