DCS, or Distributed Control System, is also referred to as a decentralized control system in China’s automation industry. A DCS is a modern control system based on microprocessors. It distributes control in a decentralized manner, focusing on hazard control while centralizing operations and management. This advanced system integrates computer technology, communication technology, CRT (display) technology, and control technology, collectively known as 4C technology.
DCS systems are primarily used in process industries such as power, petrochemical, metallurgy, and pharmaceuticals. These systems are capable of bringing together control units located in various locations through network communication for centralized management.
Leading DCS System Brands:
Honeywell (USA)
Founded in 1935, Honeywell is a Fortune 100 company and a Global 500 leader in high-tech. The company operates through four main groups: Energy & Sustainable Technologies, Aerospace Technologies, Smart Industrial Technologies, and Smart Building Technologies. Honeywell provides specialized industry solutions worldwide. In 2024, it made it to China’s ESG Impact List as one of the 31 foreign-funded enterprises. In 1975, Honeywell launched the TDC2000, its first integrated distributed control system, ushering in a new era in process control.
Honeywell’s DCS systems include Alcont, Experion LS, Experion PKS, Experion HS, Plant Scape, TDC 2000, TDC 3000, TPS, and safety systems.
2. Rockwell Automation (USA)
Rockwell Automation is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation solutions, established in 1901 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1988, it established its first entity in China, Allen-Bradley (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
Rockwell’s ControlLogix series is among the top DCS solutions in the industry. The 1756-TC15 temperature input module, for instance, collects process temperature signals and integrates them into the broader DCS network. PlantPAx is Rockwell’s distributed control system, enabling seamless integration of key process areas with plant auxiliary equipment through a unified automation platform.
3. Emerson (USA)
Emerson Electric Company, founded in 1890 in the USA, is a leading global industrial conglomerate producing electronic and electromechanical products. Initially, the company focused on manufacturing AC motors and fans. Emerson entered China in 1979 and established Emerson Electric (China) Investment Co., Ltd. in Shanghai in 1993.
Emerson’s DCS systems include the DeltaV and OVATION systems.
4. Yokogawa (Japan)
Yokogawa Electric Corporation, founded in 1915 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a global leader in measurement, industrial automation control, and information systems. In 1975, Yokogawa developed the world’s first revolutionary distributed control system (DCS), used in large industrial processes like oil and chemicals. Yokogawa has contributed significantly to industrial advancement and societal progress.
Yokogawa’s extensive product line includes DCS, SIS (Safety Instrumented Systems), CIServer (Collaborative Information System), APC (Advanced Process Control), DRTO (Dynamic Real-Time Optimization), MES (Manufacturing Execution System), VM-SCS (Planning & Scheduling), VM (Energy and Carbon Management), Petro-SIM (Process Simulation), SCM (Supply Chain Management), and RIOS (Value Chain Management).
5. Siemens (Germany)
Siemens, founded in 1847, specializes in electrification, automation, and digitalization, with activities spanning transportation, healthcare, lighting, and energy sectors. Originally the Siemens-Halske Telegraph Construction Company in Berlin, it was officially renamed Siemens AG in 1966, with headquarters in both Berlin and Munich. Siemens has a long history in China, beginning with its first permanent office in Shanghai in 1904.
Siemens’ DCS systems include SIMATIC PCS neo and SIMATIC PCS 7 (Process Control System).
6. ABB (Sweden)
ABB Group, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, was formed in 1988 through the merger of two long-standing international companies, Sweden’s ASEA and Switzerland’s BBC Brown Boveri. ABB’s DCS systems include 800xA, Advant OCS with Master Software, Advant OCS with MOD 300 Software, Freelance, Symphony Melody, Satt OCS, Symphony DCI System Six, Harmony/INFI 90, and safety systems.
7. Schneider Electric (France)
Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy efficiency management, excelling in industries such as energy infrastructure, industrial process control, building automation, and data centers. In 2014, Schneider acquired Foxboro, launching the new EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS process automation system, which expanded on the well-regarded Foxboro I/A Series and integrated world-class Triconex safety technology. Schneider’s main products include the EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS and EcoStruxure Hybrid DCS systems. In 2020, Schneider indirectly acquired OSIsoft through its majority ownership of AVEVA, and in 2023, it fully acquired AVEVA.
Summary
DCS systems are integral to modern industrial automation, providing centralized management of processes spread across multiple locations. The leading brands in the field, such as Honeywell, Rockwell, Emerson, Yokogawa, Siemens, ABB, and Schneider, each offer distinctive features and systems tailored to various industrial needs. These systems ensure efficient, safe, and precise control of processes, contributing to increased productivity and safety across sectors like power, petrochemicals, and manufacturing.
If you have experience with any of these brands or their systems, it would be beneficial to share your insights on the specific functionalities and advantages you’ve encountered during use.