• Modern industrial facilities cannot operate effectively without adopting modern technologies and integrating various smart features into their infrastructure.

• The 5 outstanding features that modern industrial facilities should secure include Modern Building Materials, Modern Energy, Modern IT and Security, Modern Envirotech (Environment + Technology) and Modern System.

1. Modern Building Material

which refers to the construction and decoration materials that combine advanced technology to increase efficiency and sustainability of the buildings. These materials often incorporate sensors and other electronic components to collect data, monitor conditions, and automatically respond to changes. The aim is to create an intelligent structure that can save energy and more environmentally friendly. For example, smart mirrors can change colors or adjusts transparency in response to its surroundings, or self-repairing concrete that can repair its own cracks to help the structure extend its durability. The self-cleaning coating on the solar panels can prevent the accumulation of dirt and bird droppings, thereby ensuring that light is absorbed efficiently. An interesting example is 3M's use of self-cleaning conveyor belts in its manufacturing plants. The coating on the conveyor belts helps repel dirt, oil and debris, reduces downtime for cleaning and maintenance, and improves production efficiency while reduces the risk of product contamination.

2. Modern Energy

is the use of advanced technology and smart systems to increase the efficiency of energy production, distribution, and use within industrial facilities. The goal is to optimize efficiency, cut down on energy costs, and reduce the impact on the environment. Smart energy system can respond to these needs and implement operational improvement through real-time energy usage tracking and analysis. When combined with the use of advanced monitoring and predictive maintenance tools, potential problems can be identified before they escalate. 

3. Modern IT and Security

is the integration of advanced information technology (IT) solutions and strong security measures to increase efficiency, productivity and safety of industrial operations. This integration is especially useful as industries become more digitalized and connected. An interesting example is Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx Distributed Control System (DCS) solution for industrial security. It contains tools for assessing network risk and security. Food and beverage processing plants using this solution have secured better control of their production processes, and have their cyber security measures strengthened against unauthorized access and cyberattacks from criminals.

4. Modern Environtech (Environment+Technology)

which is also called smart 'green' or 'clean' technology, is the new technology that aims to conserve or mitigate the negative impact of technology on the environment and resource use. An example of this technology includes "Smart Waste Sorting" with automatic sorting systems with sensors and cameras. It uses machine learning (ML) algorithms for image recognition and material identification, which allows for efficient separation of recyclable materials from general waste, increases recycling rates and reduce waste from landfill. Another technology is "Smart Inventory Management for Hazardous Waste" which ensures safe management and disposal of hazardous waste by using RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tags to detect and track leaking hazardous waste containers. One such program is SAP, a leading enterprise software company who offers solutions for digital supply chain management and smart inventory management for hazardous materials by combining real-time data from RFID tags and other data sources to increase visibility and control of hazardous waste inventory.

5. Modern System

is a system that combines advanced technology often powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve functionality, efficiency, and adaptability to cope with change. Smart systems use data, sensors, and connectivity to collect data, analyze it, and make intelligent or automated decisions. In the context of industrial facilities, smart systems are often referred to as "Smart Manufacturing" or "Industrial Automation." One interesting example is the Building Automation Systems (BAS) which is widely used to increase efficiency, convenience, and sustainability of a building with IoT (Internet of Things). This BAS system can be accessed and managed remotely, so it can check the efficiency of the building, adjust settings, and receive notifications through a centralized platform to improve overall operational efficiency. Many companies that currently offer this solution including Siemens, Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, Honeywell, ABB, Delta Controls, Trane, Beckhoff Automation, and Emerson, among others.

Reference :

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/building-automation-system

- https://www.se.com/th/en/work/campaign/innovation/platform.jsp

- https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_S4HANA_ON-PREMISE/9832125c23154a179bfa1784cdc9577a/eecbcb53ad377114e10000000a174cb4.html

- https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/capabilities/process-solutions/process-systems/plantpax-distributed-control-system.html