This document summarizes an operational excellence program session on industrial wireless standards that took place on February 11, 2010. The session focused on wireless field devices for process sensing and discussed the major process automation suppliers' current practice of using competing wireless standards as a competitive differentiator, which forces end users to choose both a technology and supplier. The document outlines initial questions for an end user panel on their experience with ISA 100.11a and WirelessHART standards and how the standards-based competition has impacted their purchasing decisions for wireless field devices.

1. O ti l E ll PO ti l E ll POperational Excellence Program
Industrial Wireless Standards Session
11 February 2010 8:30AM
Operational Excellence Program
Industrial Wireless Standards Session
11 February 2010 8:30AM11 February 2010, 8:30AM11 February 2010, 8:30AM
Harry Forbes
Senior Analyst
ARC Advisory Groupy p
HForbes@ARCweb.com

2. Focus: Industrial Wireless SensingFocus: Industrial Wireless Sensing
This discussion concerns ONLY wireless field
devices:
• Field transmitters (press, temp, flow, level, etc.)
• Valves (control, other automated, or manual)
Wireless process sensing is a major competitivep g j p
focus of process automation suppliers
Presently suppliers are employing standards as
competitive differentiator
• Competition based on different standards,
rather than based on implementations of common
standards
This is an nfo t nate sit ation fo end se s• This is an unfortunate situation for end users
• Forces them to choose a technology AND a supplier
• This situation will persist for some time
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• The standards development process is long

3. Major Suppliers Differentiate on StandardsMajor Suppliers Differentiate on Standards
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4. Role of End Users Differs In OrganizationsRole of End Users Differs In Organizations
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5. Initial Questions for this End User Panel:Initial Questions for this End User Panel:
What are your company’s experience and plans
regarding specification and use of field devices withg g p
ISA 100.11a or WirelessHART? What do your
company’s present and future RFQs require? Why?
How has the present state of vendor competition
(based on competing standards) impacted your
company’s purchasing decisions for wireless fieldcompany s purchasing decisions for wireless field
devices?
What does your company see as the most favorableWhat does your company see as the most favorable
resolution of this standards-based competitive
situation?
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6. Thank You.Thank You.
For more information, contact the author at
HForbes@ARCweb.com or visit
www arcweb com
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www.arcweb.com