More and more companies are looking to implement a cloud platform strategy —either they're starting at zero or extending what they already have in place. In both cases, they're are looking for answers to many questions when we begin most conversations, including:

How fast can I install cloud software?

Do I have to use a set system, or can I choose what I need?

Can you integrate with my existing SCADA systems or must we start over with your SCADA system?

These are among the top questions for companies looking to become more efficient and boost profits while reducing their bottom line. Many cloud platforms have a wide variety of options and abilities to customize a system to a Customer's needs.

Maintaining a cloud-based project requires an in-depth understanding of what you are trying to do and how best to execute it, but when this level of detail is unavailable, breaking down the cloud-based project into phases can help you focus on tasks.

The most crucial phase in any cloud-based project is at the start, where you decide what your operations' goals are and outline what needs to be done to achieve these goals. This will provide more clarity that applies to other phases throughout the cloud implementation process.

We offer cloud-based software solutions to new and existing industrial customers. Emerson's Zedi Cloud platform allows you to monitor, control, and optimize your assets remotely from anywhere via our web interface Zedi Access, and Zedi Go mobile app for your smart devices.

There's a new sense of confidence that companies can remain operational with improved efficiencies by employing digital tools, reducing costs, and acquiring the best assets. For a long time, companies kept operations going during challenging times by decreasing operating costs, deferring maintenance expenses, divesting properties with higher costs, cutting production, and laying off personnel. Instead of relying on these traditional methods, focus on creating digital operations by deploying and utilizing the right IIoT (industrial Internet of Things) strategy for your organization.

Taking advantage of IIoT technologies and strategizing your digital journey to improve work processes, add security, increase production, free your workforce, and begin the path to operational excellence that delivers stronger, more sustainable returns that can easily be layered on to your current SCADA system to bring it to the next level of insights, mobility and actionable analytics.

You’ve probably already decided that digitally transforming your operations is necessary as you face a shrinking workforce and tighter budget dollars. The productivity advantages of a full cloud software strategy implementation are many and well documented.

Like cars, snowflakes and superheroes, no two cloud computing service providers are exactly alike, nor are their customers. So, when picking a cloud software provider, it’s important to know if they can adapt or customize their system to exactly what you need (or don't need), or if you’re supposed to bend your procedures to someone’s limited, out-of-the-box configuration.

Here are some questions to ask before you decide:

1. Can the vendor’s system easily fit with the hardware you may already have?
2. Can the new system seamlessly integrate your historical data with the new input they’ll gather?
3. Are Project Managers available to handle all the details?
4. Will the vendor provide the reports you need, by format, frequency, user authorization and department needs?
5. Do they provide ongoing support?

In an effort to help you better understand the importance of measurement schematics to your operations for Alberta's Energy Regulations (AER) we gathered a list of questions were most frequently asked about, while demonstrating how Emerson's cloud-based Zedi Measurement Schematics application can help meet these requirements.

General questions producers inquire about regarding AER regulation are many, but here are the answers to the most often asked, and of course we're always here to help you with any additional questions or help you may need.

Measurement schematics are often required by local, state or country Governments to ensure measurement, accounting, and reporting compliance and are visual tools showing the current physical layout of facilities. Schematics should be regularly reviewed and used by groups such as operations, engineering, and accounting to ensure a common understanding.

It’s surprising how many operators are using one software system or company to monitor tanks, another to automate pumps and yet another for back office reporting software. There may have been a time in history when this was necessary—there was a lot of narrow specialization at one time—but it is definitely hard to keep up with.

When something goes wrong, who do you call? If the problem is beyond the scope of your own people’s training, is the issue with the software, the communication system, or the security of it all? And then who is going to fit the problem itself? This does not help you, or your team focus on your production.

After all, you digitally transformed your operations to increase efficiency, not create confusion and headaches.

Things used to be so much simpler. Every home had one phone line. Every store took cash or checks, and almost every well had a rod pump over its whole life span.

Complexity though, can be really great for your bottom line.

With cell phones, we can call for help from just about anywhere. Debit cards are way faster than check writing. And using a series of unconventional lifting methods on unconventional wells is unlocking much stronger potential for oil and gas production—and profitability that we could only dream of a few short years ago.

Let's say you have your electronic flow meters (EFMs) on the Zedi Access “island”. On another “island” called The Lab that processes all your testing and they have all your gas compositions. How do you upload your gas compositions into your EFMs?  Easy: Zedi Composition Management (ZCM) is the bridge connecting your EFMs to their gas analyses.

Use ZCM to link your EFM on Zedi Access to a sample point on ZCM.  When that sample point on ZCM receives an updated gas composition, click Apply to upload the gas composition into the EFM.  No need to send anyone to site and manually enter the gas composition into the actual EFM.