Siemens 2005 Annual Report Download - page 59

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Rapid response when maintenance is required
Although the process control technology found in pow-
er plants today is highly reliable, errors can always
occur – and they can be expensive. When production is
affected or downtimes ensue, losses of up to €100,000
per day can quickly be incurred.
Service based on need
When the process control system in a power plant
malfunctions, time is of the essence. That’s why our
Remote Expert Center (REC) in Karlsruhe boasts more
than 40 specialists who are available 24/7, just a click
away, ready to serve customers around the world. Via a
data line, our professionals can – after obtaining the
customer’s permission – view a plant’s entire instru-
mentation and control system, discuss problems with
on-site technicians and, if necessary, remotely install
new software. All of our diagnostic centers transmit
data over standard telephone networks (modem) as
well as via the Internet (virtual private networks) –
ensuring accessibility at any time, from any location.
Data security is always our top priority. Firewalls and
encryption systems are standard. Plant operators can
cut the connection themselves after a diagnosis has
been made and the problem solved.
The support offered by Siemens Remote Services is not
limited to diagnosing and eliminating malfunctions,
however. For instance, we are also a market leader in
instrumentation and control system upgrades.
Remote upgrades
The Majuba power plant near Amersfoort, South Africa,
just a few kilometers from Johannesburg, provides a
prime example of this type of cooperation. Operated by
Eskom, the country’s sole energy supplier, the Majuba
facility is a coal-fired plant with six blocks and a capac-
ity of 4,110 megawatts. Under a service contract with
our Karlsruhe REC, technicians at the Majuba plant can
call on our specialists for immediate support whenever
a problem arises. At the end of 2004, the center was
awarded a contract to standardize and upgrade the
plant’s instrumentation and control system to state-of-
the-art standards. The upgrade was implemented by a
single on-site specialist who had around-the-clock
access to the requisite expertise, thanks to support
from Karlsruhe.
Our professionals at the REC and their on-site counter-
parts form a virtual team, with all the advantages that
this type of cooperation offers. The work load is shared;
team members support each other and benefit from
one another’s complementary areas of expertise; REC
specialists are called in only when necessary; and
costly business trips are a thing of the past. This kind
of teamwork enables upgrades like the one in Majuba
to be carried out quickly and cost-effectively.
Group Presidents Megatrends
Remote Services
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