Automation

Your Automation Partner

Our clients trust us as partners in automation to drive efficiency, modernize processes and improve quality. Over the past 11 years, True North Solutions has developed a global reputation for providing cutting-edge, vendor-neutral industrial automation solutions that help streamline production and avoid downtime.

From small additions or changes to existing control systems to full greenfield design and build, we have the team to meet your needs. Our automation and control portfolio extends across a broad range of sectors including oil and gas, food and beverage and mining.

With True North you will find supporting and complimentary services to Automation including:

Control system design
Electrical and control panel design
Field instrumentation, engineering and support
Turn-key telecommunication system design
Measurement audits and compliance services
Cyber Security
Commissioning and Start-up Services
On-going system support

Explore more about our automation capabilities to help modernize processes and improve your company’s efficiency.

SCADA

PLC-5

DCS

Electrical Engineering

ICCS

Industrial Telecom Networking

Enterprise Asset Management

Field Services

Locations

SCADA Migration

Strategize, Optimize & Deploy

Supervisory control and data acquisition or SCADA, is a system of software and hardware elements that enables organizations to gather measurement and process information, control processes and manage assets at geographically disperse locations, often involving communications over public or private cellular or radio communications.

Did you know that using SCADA systems after the manufacturer’s obsolescence date increases operational risks significantly? Recent studies show that 88% of SCADA systems are obsolete and have no lifecycle plan.

To decrease capital costs and increase time to value, True North has developed FAST SCADA to bring unmatched value to clients SCADA requirements. True North Solutions Functional Adaptable Scalable Technology (FAST) utilizes over 10,000 hours of pre-engineering to deliver a SCADA system that does not require typical large capital funding. Customizable to your specific application needs, it can be deployed anywhere to any size of operation.

FAST SCADA is True North’s ready to deploy oil and gas production SCADA host solution is customizable and adaptable. Scalable from a single field to an enterprise level solution, it dramatically lowers your initial capital investment and on-going costs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FAST SCADA »

True North Solutions Migration Strategy

We have developed a proven migration methodology that allows for a seamless and risk-free transition to an optimized and fit-for-purpose SCADA system. This approach provides you with:

Lowered cost of ownership
Planned strategic cut-over
Optimized system performance
Rapid deployment

Obsolescence Risks

Cyber security vulnerabilities
Unsupported operating systems
System outages/failures
Loss of data
Escalating support costs
Software limitations
Lack of regulation compliance
Limited engineering/ maintenance support

Migration Rewards

High availability
Implemented cyber security standards
Enhanced data integrity
Optimized software licensing
Modernized software environment
Leveraged software capabilities
Regulatory compliance
Available support mechanisms

True North SCADA Migration Difference

In-house system verification/testing
Proven data optimization methods
Vendor-neutral consultative services
Experienced staff on current and legacy systems
Technologically savvy
Regulatory compliance audits
Approved and factory trained staff
Cyber-security consultation

True North SCADA Migration Strategy

Analysis & Design Options

DBM development
Telecommunications compliancy audit
Stakeholder consultation
SCADA system evaluation and selection
Regulatory compliance audit
Cybersecurity consultation

SCADA Engineering

HMI and DB migration
Historical data migration
KPI and measurement reporting
Data modelling / mapping / cleansing
ASM standards for HMI development
Alarm rationalization
Compliance to AER directives

Commissioning & Decommissioning

Cut-over planning
Field installation
Commissioning of parallel SCADA systems
Operations training
Legacy SCADA decommissioning
Optimization
Cybersecurity deployment

SCADA Migration Support

Remote and field support
Ongoing optimization
Enterprise layer integration
License management
Operational tuning and additions

Learn more about our approach to FAST SCADA here »

PLC-5 Migration Services

Eliminate risk associated with obsolete PLC systems

Managing the lifecycle of your control system can be a daunting risk. Migrating your existing control systems mitigates expensive and extensive downtime. Discover how True North’s PLC-5 Migration Services can solve these lifecycle challenges.

PLC-5 Migration Methodology

True North’s PLC-5 Migration Team has developed a proven migration strategy that will allow you to quickly and easily migrate from PLC-5 controllers and 1771-Series I/O to an Integrated Modern Control System, while maintaining the existing field wiring and physical footprint in your control cabinet. This approach will provide you with:

Lower conversion time
Minimized production downtime
Reduced construction costs
Reduced risk by preserving existing field wiring connections
Lower engineering costs

System Risks

Critical components of the Allen-Bradley PLC-5 controller and 1771–Series I/O hardware platforms are no longer being manufactured
System or part failure results in increased downtime as replacement takes longer
Low availability of replacement parts, increased maintenance costs and decreased remote support capabilities

Benefits of Migration

Improve reliability
Reduced maintenance costs
Complete system verification and as-built
Innovative process control
Stability
Proactive implementation
Remote support capabilities
Easier procurement of replacement parts

True North Difference

Extensive migration experience and a formalized migration strategy
Coordination of system install with plant turnaround schedule
Phased migration at a rate suitable to your applications and budget
Vendor neutral engineering
Comprehensive project coordination engagement
Multi-departmental support (Electrical Engineering, Communication, Measurement)
On-site coordination of system replacement
Post-project support

True North Solutions Proven Migration Process

Audit & Site Assessment

Review of existing control system architecture
Identification of obsolete/near obsolete hardware/software
Identification of current control system risks
Migration cost estimates for AFE generation purposes
Program Development & Testing
Control narrative review/update
Shutdown key verification
Migration of new PLC programming
Internal integrated system testing
Client acceptance testing (CAT)

Installation

Construction coordination
Site acceptance testing (SAT)
Verification and commissioning
Scheduled turnover coordination
Operating training
Post-installation service and support

The True North Difference

True North Automation is a progressive, vendor-neutral engineering firm with considerable Allen-Bradley control system expertise and resources.

Through our proven PLC-5 migration strategy and experience, True North Automation will provide you with the peace-of-mind of knowing that your hardware risks have been mitigated and that your control system is operating safely and reliably.

Our deliverables include:

A fully verified and tested control system
As-built control documentation, including control narrative and shutdown key
As-built system architecture and electrical drawings
Ongoing system service support

DCS Solutions & Services

Respected, proficient and local DCS systems expertise

True North’s dedicated team provides unmatched bench strength for system, project and migration support. A net advantage, our extensive in-house DCS/BPCS expertise, results in higher overall execution efficiencies.

With a reputation for excellence in the DCS/BPCS industry, our team is built on a history of successes in system support, project execution and system migrations. Our consistently efficient, high-quality solutions empower you with:

On-demand local availability
Unparalleled DCS/BPCS knowledge
Migration expertise
Maintenance and post project support

Team capabilities

Vendor Independent DCS/BPCS Evaluation and System Selection
Migration planning and support
DCS virtualization
DCS support including peripheral systems
Logic configuration and design
Unmatched system knowledge
Expertise involving new technologies and associated DCS/BPCS applications

Skills & programs

Emerson DeltaV
ABB 800xA
Rockwell PlantPAX
Honeywell
- Experion PKS
- TDC 2000/3000
- Series A hardware
- Series C hardware
- Safety Manager
OPC
VMware
Network infrastructure
Networked storage

True North Difference

Coordination of system install with turnaround schedules
Comprehensive project coordination
Multi-departmental support in:
- PLC/SCADA
- Telecom
- Electrical
- Measurement
On-site coordination
Post-project support
Cybersecurity consultation

Our DCS Approach

System support

Emerson DeltaV
ABB 800xA
Rockwell PlantPAX
Honeywell
- Experion PKS RXXX
- TDC 2000/3000
- HPM
Review of existing DCS Architecture
Network upgrades/optimization
Cybersecurity

Project execution

DCS/BPCS upgrades
DCS/BPCS configurations
System commissioning
In-office program development and testing
Commissioning document preparation
Mobilization and site work completion
QA/QC sign off with client

Migration services

Migration planning
Migration coordination and execution
Construction assistance commissioning
SIS/SIL verification/training
Startup assistance
Optimization
Post migration support

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Canadian Headquarters

7180 - 11th Street SE
Calgary, Alberta T2H 2S9

403.984.2000
Fax

403.259.2243

American Headquarters

8822 South Ridgeline Blvd, Suite 240
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

303.740.7555
Fax

303.738.9777