Keops Isis Industrial Information Systems (Keops Isis), a member of the multibillion-rand JSE-listed Altech Group of companies, was awarded a contract exceeding R5 million for the implementation of Real Time Supervisory (RTS) systems at the Hillside Aluminium Smelter outside Richards Bay. The project has already commenced and is due for handover in August 2003.
Engineering, Procurement and Contract Manager, SNC-Lavalin Murray & Roberts, awarded the tender to Keops Isis on behalf of the Billiton Group mainly because of the success and effectiveness of the initial RTS system installation, which was done by Keops Isis in 1995, as well as its recent track record which includes a similar contract currently being executed for Mozal Aluminium.
Some of the existing VXL SCADA applications will be retained, thereby substantially reducing the total contract cost, but expanded upon for the Level 2 software expansion portion of the project. All new functionality will be developed using Wonderware`s InTouch and Industrial SQL Server.
The scope of the contract covers the design, development, supply and installation of hardware and software, as well as the provision of software licences, documentation updates and amendments to applications where necessary. Various sectors and facilities of the smelter will be upgraded, including the Substation; the Low Voltage Monitoring applications for Potlines 1, 2 and 3; the Pot Tending Assembly Filling Stations; the Compressed Air Plant; Treatment and Logistics; the Casthouse; the Fines Pneumatic Transport system for Paste Plants 1 and 2; and the Anode Handling and Storage application. More than 15 000 new tags and 70 new view screens will be developed and commissioned, while several old view screens containing more than 3 000 tags will be removed from the existing VXL platform and redeveloped and commissioned in Wonderware InTouch.
The project will present specific challenges as both VXL and Wonderware will be used and some applications will be ported between the two platforms making commissioning in a live environment particularly challenging. Keops Isis has, however, successfully executed similar projects in a number of large facilities and the experience gained will be used to successfully execute this project as well.
Says Keops Isis Project Manager, Schalk Claassen: "Keops Isis is one of the industry`s leaders in industrial system integration. We have successfully completed numerous contracts using Wonderware solutions and in areas where specific knowledge is required, we partner with reputable suppliers as is the case with VXL development. Sound project management methodologies and an absolute commitment to quality are the distinguishing trademarks of a well-executed contract, and I am confident that the Hillside Expansion Project will be no different. We will deliver on time and within budget, like we always do."
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After a successful joint venture since 1993, Keops Isis Industrial Information Systems (Pty) Ltd was registered in 1995. Keops Isis is the leading provider of Manufacturing Execution and Control Systems to the South African processing industry and a well-established integrator of multi-level industrial information systems. The company traditionally operated in the metals industry, but is currently growing its presence in virtually all sectors of the manufacturing industry. Besides expanding into Africa and increasing its local client base, Keops Isis` strategic goal is to provide clients with added value by increasing operational efficiency through the implementation of and redesigning operations management practices and business processes and enabling systems, while simultaneously providing conceptual solutions for the integration of current and future IT architectural building blocks.
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