Emerson opens solutions centre in Singapore to help industrial firms ramp up digital transformation

US technology and engineering company Emerson, which is in the automation solutions business, has opened a new customer solutions centre at its regional headquarters in Singapore.

The US$3 million (S$4.1 million) facility in Pandan Crescent, launched on Friday, comes as part of the company's drive to make Singapore a hub for the delivery of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and services for customers across Asia-Pacific.

It features collaboration spaces which make use of multimedia technology, including augmented reality and virtual reality, where customers can get an immersive experience using Emerson's technologies to operate and maintain the digital plant of the future.

For instance: A scaled-down replica of a process manufacturing facility simulates the processes of a typical plant - such as an oil refinery, a pharmaceutical plant, or a power plant - and is equipped with Emerson's digital solutions for process control and safety systems, and new industrial IoT technologies.

"This is a first-of-its-kind facility that shows customers how automation and IoT technologies can drive measurable improvements to the bottom line of their manufacturing processes," said Ron Martin, Asia-Pacific president for Emerson Automation Solutions.

Singapore Economic Development Board managing director Chng Kai Fong added in a press statement: "Emerson's new solutions centre builds on Singapore's deep engineering and innovation capabilities in high-value manufacturing, to accelerate manufacturers' digital transformation journeys within Singapore and across the region."

The Emerson Solutions Center is the latest addition to the company's growing investment in automation technologies, services and engineering based in Singapore, including a new facility for additive manufacturing launched earlier in March.

Emerson on Friday also announced it is teaming up with Singapore Polytechnic to support an upgrade of the training facilities and instructional materials for the polytechnic's Continuing Education Training courses, including the Earn and Learn Program (ELP) for the chemicals sector.

The ELP is part of the SkillsFuture Singapore initiative to help individuals develop skills mastery and find fulfilling careers.

Emerson will install control systems, essential asset monitoring and field instrumentation in three integrated process manufacturing units at the polytechnic's chemical engineering training facility.

When commissioned in June 2018, the integrated pilot plant and associated training courses will boost the polytechnic's efforts in producing Industrial IoT-ready graduates for Singapore's workforce, said Emerson.