ABB has a methodology to objectively evaluate the productivity status of a process control system. This productivity status – the LifeCycle Index -- refers to the technological condition of a control system, its availability, its usage and its risk status: in other words, everything necessary for the safe and reliable operation of the system.
To arrive at the LifeCycle Index, ABB service representatives directly communicate with plant management and operators and ask a series of pre-defined questions regarding technology and personnel to identify customer issues and assess:
- Safety, environment and sustainability dynamics
- Capital and operational expenditure availability
- Plant life cycle and Return on Assets (ROA)
- Plant infrastructure and logistics
- Maintenance tools and methods
- System technological profile
- Plant support and training
- Life cycle strategy
- Business strategy
- Market demands
As a result, the LifeCycle Index of the existing process control assets is defined and a target index generated to show prioritized areas of improvement. To implement improvements, a list of recommendations is included for customer consideration
The Life Cycle Index serves as a basis for decisions regarding further strategies on maintaining and increasing plant productivity. It is the foundation for cost forecasting and migration planning.