Smart Phones and industrial automation was a marriage that was bound to happen. With almost all manufacturing facilities, even small ones, using some form of process automation, and at least half of the employees carrying smart phones, smart phones and industrial automation had to merge.
Industrial Automation and Smart Phones are already here, although as you might expect, the systems are evolving constantly.
Here at EMA, we like using the Bardac “Smarty” or “Savvy” controllers, and with those units, using a smart phone or an Ipad for the HMI is virtually seamless. (See Innovations in Industrial Process Control)
A lot of people are talking about the Groov system as well. From what we hear, it’s good, but pricey. Our suggestion is to see if the lower cost options, ie Bardac, will do it for you first. 
We’ve never had a single complaint about the Bardac controllers, and that’s not to say that anyone is complaining about the groov system.
The advantage to using a mobile devices such as a smart phone to control industrial automation processes is huge. There are, and continue to be, security concerns, but the technology improves in that area every day. Most people using these systems are able to construct security programs that satisfy their needs.
For operators running pumps, and other processes, the ability to have a mobile device on your belt to change speeds, pressures, or other parameters can be a huge advantage. Smart phones running industrial automation is happening now, and will continue; the only question is whether or not you’ll be doing it in your plant.
The same smart phone industrial automation control scheme applies to HVAC building controls as well.
We’d love to talk with you about your needs and the possibilities of using a smart phone or other mobile device to control or monitor your industrial automation system. Give us a call at 770-448-4644770-448-4644 or hit any of the contact methods on the right of this page.
No-One, Anywhere, is better at Drives (and automation) than we are!