Advanced Process Control, Optimization and Information Technology in the Hydrocarbon Processing Industries—The Past, Present and Future.doc

Advanced Process Control, Optimization and Information Technology in the Hydrocarbon Processing Industries—The Past, Present and Future Advanced Process Control, Optimization andInformation Technology in the HydrocarbonProcessing Industries—The Past, Present and FutureBy George S. Birchfield, Birchfield Consulting, LLCFOREWORDI write this perspective, not as a practitioner, but from the point ofview of a business researcher who has tried to benchmarkprogress, levels of application, critical success factors and theHeadquarters[world wide web].aspentechimpact on business profitability. Perspectives will differ bycompany, by discipline and by individual. By no means, do Iworldwide headquartersclaim to have the absolutely correct perspective. However I wouldAspen Technology, Inc.Ten Canal ParkCambridge, MA 02141-2201 USAlike to share my perspective in the hope of learning more from[phone]+1 617 949 1000[fax]+1 617 949 1030other points of 6#00aa00view. A historical perspective does heighten[e-mail]info@aspentechrespect for the true practitioners and their ongoing saga to masterhouston officea rapidly advancing technological wave for the economic benefitAspenTechnology, Inc.1293 Eldridge ParkwayHouston, TX 77077 USAof their companies and all stakeholders.[phone]+ 1 281 584 1000[fax]+ 1 281 584 4329[e-mail]info@aspentechTABLE OF CONTENTSeurope/middle east/africaheadquarters2The Early YearsAspenTech Europe SA/NV2Instrumentation ImprovesAvenue Reine Astrid 921310 La Hulpe BELGIUM3Computer Control Spreads[phone]+32 2 701 94 50[fax]+32 2 701 95 004The Microprocessor Era[e-mail]ATE_info@aspentech45Advances in the 1980’s and 1990’sasia headquarters6On-stream AnalyzersAspenTech Asia Ltd.6What is “Advanced” Control Now?Room 32, 8th floor Bank of America Tower6Optimization12 Harcourt RoadCentral HONGKONG9Evolution of Information Systems[phone]+852 2584 6162[fax]+852 2584 617211The Rise of ERP[e-mail]info@aspentech12Outsourcingjapan headquarters12Convergence of TechnologiesAspenTe