Central Control Systems for Integrated Industrial Environments

[Hasan S. Cemkan]

## Centralized Control Systems for Integrated Industrial Environments

ABB's Unification X solution aims to increase operator efficiency in industrial control rooms by consolidating disparate operational systems into a single interface.

In industrial control rooms, managing often fragmented hardware and software interfaces increases cognitive load and prolongs response times. Unification X serves as a technical integration layer for the digital process information chain, enabling operators in sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, and manufacturing to manage multiple systems from a single hardware and software configuration.

### System Architecture and Space Optimization

• The primary goal of Unification X is to reduce hardware redundancy.
• In traditional systems, operators use many independent workstations, keyboards, and monitor sets.
• This solution consolidates all inputs into a single centralized setup, typically on the Extended Operator Workplace (EOW) platform.
• According to ABB's tests, the physical installation space is reduced by 35%.
• Design work aligns digital workflows with the operator's ergonomic needs, ensuring critical data remains within the field of view.

### Operational Flexibility and Integration

• The system offers instant switching between control configurations, which is critical during emergency responses or shift changes.
• Different systems are combined on common monitors and human-machine interfaces (HMIs), providing a "workstation swap" feature.
• Operators can move to different desks without losing their digital environment, thereby increasing coordination during night shifts or unusual circumstances.
• This architecture can also be adapted to other sectors such as energy, infrastructure management, and emergency services.

### Security and Network Architecture

• Due to increased connectivity risks, Unification X operates on an isolated and dedicated network architecture.
• Operational technology (OT) traffic is separated from general corporate IT traffic, providing protection against cyber threats.
• The security protocols required for modern industrial digitalization do not negatively impact performance and command latency.

Sebastian Karlsson, General Manager of Control Room Solutions for ABB Energy Industries, states that this solution aligns with secure digitalization and operator-centric design principles. Furthermore, thanks to its scalable architecture, the system supports dual workstation and multi-desk configurations, offering a flexible response to facility needs.