Schneider Electric To Host CONNECT 2016

Annual Automation Conference to be held in New Orleans. Event will focus on connecting people and technology for sustainable success.

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, recently announced it will host its annual Automation Conference at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel beginning Monday, May 23. The four-day conference will include more than 75 user-driven industry sessions, technical application workshops and accredited training courses. Each session has been designed specifically for customers, partners and OEMs to share their expertise across the company’s broad set of control solutions, including its Foxboro, Modicon and PlantStruxure PES process automation systems, plus its telemetry and remote SCADA offerings and Triconex safety systems.

“As the divisions between information technology and operating technology dissolve and the Industrial Internet of Things takes prominence, our customers are connecting more and more with one another and with the technology that drives their processes,” said Lynda Newell, vice president of marketing for the company’s Process Automation business. “That’s why the theme of this year’s conference is ‘connect.’ By attending, not only will plant personnel across many industries learn to think differently about how to connect and apply their existing process automation systems, solutions and devices, they’ll learn how to apply the power of real-time control to industrial variables, such as profitability, safety, environment, reliability and security, to drive higher levels of business performance. We are already helping our customers around the globe take advantage of this fundamental shift, and CONNECT 2016 continues this effort.”

Highlighting the conference are numerous customer presentations, including a keynote address by Sandy Vasser, Senior Advisor for Instrumentation and Electrical for ExxonMobil Production Company, who will discuss challenges within the automation industry and the need to create better business efficiencies through innovative technologies.

Customer-driven technology tracks will be central to the event, with presentations, hands-on demonstrations, workshops and training classes ranging from control and automation solutions to technology trends, including control and safety upgrade strategies, taking advantage of virtualization, improving operator performance, implementing projects within budget and schedule, cybersecurity essentials and complying with safety and security standards. Safety systems customers will receive updates on safety, security and turbomachinery standards, as well as in-depth information about how these updates impact the way safety and security work hand-in-hand.

“This annual conference is a great opportunity for customers, partners and OEMs to increase their technical expertise, acquire firsthand knowledge about the entire Schneider Electric automation portfolio and gainaccess to the technology and industry experts who can help them plan their future success,” said Rod Wetsch, E&I Supervisor at the Dakota Gasification Company and Chair of Schneider Electric’s customer-driven Foxboro Steering Committee. “Schneider Electric always works very closely with us to ensure the content and material shared and presented is by customers, for customers. That’s why, year in and year out, we find so much value in participating.”

A critical industry issue will be at the center of each session, with discussions on possible solutions and the value they create, as well as actual customer case studies, lessons learned and guidance on how to apply best practices. Dedicated industry focus groups will zero in on issues impacting customers in the oil and gas, chemicals, power, mining/metals/minerals, water and wastewater, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and other markets.

Within the event’s 17,000-square-foot Expo Hall, attendees will see hands-on demonstrations of Schneider Electric’s comprehensive portfolio of control and safety solutions, remote SCADA offerings and expanded services, including advanced software and field device offerings and other solutions for energy and resource management. Additionally, more than 30 partners will be readily available to showcase a wide range of enhanced capabilities.

For more details and information about how to register, please visit the Connect 2016 webpage. Then join the conversation using #SECONNECT2016.