I have been a DCS end user for 7 years and a DCS supplier for 10 years.

Problems encountered as a end user and from my clients as a DCS supplier

• DCS has been migrated what do we do with the old equipment
• I need a Test or Hotspare system to test application code or system cards before installing in the plant but buying a second DCS it is too expensive
• Obsolete or classic Control System Cards are very expensive
• Used DCS components are weighed and sold as scrap ie weighed and sold at scrap metal, aluminium, plastic etc.
• Customer X is busy migrating his system and as a first stage some gateway cards are needed, after two years this phase has been completed and these cards are now lying in this cupboard, never to be used again, customer Y now starts the same project and he is sold new cards.
• Proper DCS and PLC Asset Disposal is almost non existant