A plant is as good as software. Hence, by upgrading batching software, customers could actually improve upon the performance of the plant than before

 The Indian construction industry was suffering from policy paralyses for quite some time. Now, with a stable government in centre, infrastructure projects are expected to move.

However, the construction companies in India would still face severe difficulty in kick starting projects due to lack of liquidity. Huge fund is required for purchasing new equipment. In such a situation, many companies could consider refurbishing of existing equipment for minimising capital investment.

If you are restarting an old project or else, preparing for starting a new one, here is good news. You can modernise your old batching plants at minimal expenses and save significant sum on capital investments.

IDS Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. specialises in concrete or precast batching plant modernisation. The company has so far modernised nearly 200 old plants across the country and abroad. Sharadh Mukkannavar, Marketing Director of IDS states, “It’s advisable to modernise a batching plant and try to avoid capital investments until fund flow scenario becomes healthy. Any plant of any size, type or make can be upgraded by doing mechanical repairs and upgrading software.”

What is upgradation of batching software?
If you have a old batching plant, then it’s quite likely that you have to upgrade the software because of following reasons:
• Over a period of time, your requirements would have changed
• Improved and consistent quality
• Receive reports at your office
• Generate reports at will
• Improved safety
• Make use of latest technologies
• Receive instant SMS or email alerts
• Adhere to changing government requirements
• Avoid frequent rejections or breakdowns
• Instant support over systems.

Then you desire to change batching software to suit your new requirements. For example at many government projects it is mandatory to have a SCADA and computer-based software. The officials require observing certain parameters. Under such circumstances, one can choose to upgrade software instead of an entire control panel.

What is the upgradation process?
The upgradation process is simple and economic. Components are to be replaced which are not useful and retain useful components. Typically, during up-gradation one can retain the cabinet, electrical components and electrical wiring. The PLC and other related instrumentation may require to be changed.

The solution provider would replace old PLC and components with that of new one on which the new technologically advanced software is built. Within 4-5 days, the plant would work more efficiently than before.

By replacing the software the plant owner is assured of better quality and improved performance.
When asked to elaborate the benefits of upgrading to new software, Mr Sharadh added, “Any plant can be upgraded to incorporate SCADA and thus honour policy guidelines both central and state governments. He continued, “By upgrading to new software one can increase productivity, improve quality and reduce frequent breakdowns.” Mr Sharadh added that every few years, customer requirements evolve and new software surely satisfies emerging requirements.

Many customers could feel that modernising plants is not a great idea from a long term perspective. However, Mr Sharadh opines that spending on upgradation is not a wasteful expense.

The upgradation would typically costs around 15 per cent of plant cost. After minor mechanical repairs, the plant life can be extended by few years. Thus, a plant owner can avoid the expenses of buying a new plant.
Mr Umesh, Managing Director of IDS said, “Customers don’t have to hesitate investing on very old plants which they may intend to scrap in 2 to 4 years. The same PLC, instrumentation and software license can be used for some other plant with bare minimum expenditure.”

Mr Satish, Operations Director of IDS opined, “Any old plant can be upgraded by adding new software including plants with microcontroller based panels”.

IDS Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. has been upgrading plants by installing latest software since a decade. The company offers many software options to suit customer requirements.

Mr Umesh suggests, “A plant is as good as software. Hence, by upgrading batching software, customers could actually improve upon the performance of the plant than before.”