operational technology (OT) Automation and SCADA
It's the core of what we do. From energy to mining to food and beverage to manufacturing, True North Solutions has nearly two decades of experience providing operational technology (OT) automation solutions to industries.
In that time, we've earned a reputation as experts that solve complex business and technical problems in the OT domain. We provide solutions that reduce your total cost of ownership, increase reliability, reduce waste, and mitigate risk.
From small additions or updates to existing control systems to full greenfield design and build, we have the expertise, technology and team to drive your project's success.
OT expertise from instrumentation to systems integration
Our OT services encompass supporting engineering disciplines from instrumentation through to enterprise-level systems integration. Our services include:
- Unbiased design, configuration, and commissioning of PLC, HMI, SCADA, RTU, and DCS systems
- Development of control narratives, cause-and-effect tables, and responsible, accountable, consulted, informed (RACI) charts
- Control system architecture design
- Asset management system integration, including online/offline migration and upgrades
- Coordination of configuration and testing schedules, such as site integrated functional testing (SIFT), factory acceptance testing (FAT), customer acceptance testing (CAT), and site acceptance (SAT)
- Interface with construction and instrumentation and electrical commissioning teams
The True North OT Automation advantage
True North’s business is focused on engineering, managing, deploying, and maintaining the OT stack for our clients. Our collaborative, lean approach maximizes workflow to accelerate project schedules; minimizes commercial, technical, and process safety risks, produces high-quality, highly available control systems.
Partnership
True North is vendor neutral. We focus on the right suppliers for our clients' objectives, not on selling products.
Risk mitigation
True North provides a single source of complementary engineering solutions. Our services integrate seamlessly to provide cost effectiveness and mitigate risks.
Collaboration
We tailor our services to meet our clients’ unique needs. Whether we supply an individual resource, or an entire team, we integrate with our client’s teams to deliver tailored solutions.
Stability
True North has a deep foundation as an automation services provider, illustrating a level of stability that minimizes client’s business risk.
SCADA migrations
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are crucial for industrial organizations since they help to maintain efficiency, process data for smarter decisions, and communicate system issues to help mitigate downtime. That's why maintaining these systems and migrating to a new system after the manufacturer’s obsolescence date is critical. At True North, we have developed a proven migration methodology for a seamless transition to an optimized and fit-for-purpose SCADA system.
Obsolescence risks
- Cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity standards
- Enhanced data integrity
- Optimized software licensing
- Modernized software environment
- Leveraged software capabilities
- Regulatory compliance
- Available support mechanisms
The True North SCADA migration advantage
- 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
Control System Modernization & Transformations
Managing the lifecycle of an industrial control system is crucial for ensuring operational efficiency, productivity, cybersecurity and safety in industrial processes. Migrating existing, out of date control systems can mitigate expensive and extensive downtime, but getting the migration right is critical. That's where we come in.
True North's migration team has developed proven migration strategies that allow for quick and easy migrations to integrated, modern control systems; where feasible, we leverage existing field wiring and existing footprints in your control cabinets. This results in shorter conversion time, less production downtime, and reduced costs for engineering construction.
BPCS/DCS services
True North’s dedicated team provides unmatched bench strength for system, project and migration support. Our extensive in-house distributed control system/ business planning and control system (DCS/BPCS) expertise results in higher overall execution efficiencies.
Our team is built on a history of successes in system support, project execution and system migrations. Our consistently efficient, high-quality solutions empowers clients with on-demand local availability, unparalleled DCS/BPCS knowledge, migration expertise and maintenance and post project support.
Team expertise
- 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 and programs
- Emerson DeltaV
- ABB 800xA
- Rockwell PlantPAX
- Honeywell (Experion, TDC, Safety Manager)
- Yokogawa (Centum, Startum, and ProSafe)
- Series A hardware
- Series C hardware
- Safety Manager
- OPC
- VMware
- Network infrastructure
- Networked storage
The True North DCS service advantage
- 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
True focus on safety and quality
Whether on a client site or at our headquarters in the US or Canada, we conduct ourselves with the utmost attention to safety, quality, and workflow-based execution best practices.
- True North complies with our clients' requirements for Certificate of Recognition (COR) status in the regions where it is required.
- Across all our operating regions, True North's health, safety, wellness, and environmental programs are structured to support the wellbeing of our employees, contractors, clients, and visitors.
- Our safety and environmental target is zero incidents. This is more than just a target to be achieve – this is a fundamental value. Regardless of geographic location, we pride ourselves on consistently exceeding industry standards.
- Client satisfaction is our priority; this is the first item on our list of True Values, and it’s something we strive for in everything we do.
- Our quality program is designed to ensure the delivery of reliable, efficient, and secure solutions for clients across various industries.
- At the beginning of every client engagement, we work with our clients to establish expectations and key performance indicators to ensure alignment before the work begins. Quality is then driven by our Leadership and project execution teams, and measured, reported on, and continuously improved.
- By prioritizing quality, we help you optimize your operational technology infrastructure, mitigate risks, and achieve long-term operational success.