Automation Consultancy
Practical Industrial Automation Consultancy for Better Engineering Decisions
Industrial automation decisions can have consequences that last for decades. Selecting a PLC platform, replacing an ageing control system, specifying a new control panel or deciding whether existing automation should be upgraded requires a clear understanding of both the technology and the production environment.
The right solution is not always the newest system or the largest project.
Stratos provides industrial automation consultancy for manufacturers and industrial organisations requiring specialist engineering input before making changes to their control systems.
Our engineers assess existing PLCs, control panels, SCADA and HMI systems, industrial networks and wider automation infrastructure to help businesses understand their options, identify technical risks and make informed decisions about future investment.
What Is Industrial Automation Consultancy?
Industrial automation consultancy provides specialist engineering advice around the design, operation, improvement and lifecycle management of industrial control systems.
Consultancy may support decisions involving:
PLC systems.
Industrial control panels.
SCADA and HMI.
Industrial networking.
Automation modernisation.
Obsolescence.
Machine control.
Process automation.
Industrial cyber security.
System integration.
Future automation projects.
The objective is to understand the existing situation and provide practical recommendations based on operational requirements rather than recommending technology in isolation.
Existing Automation System Assessments
Before making major automation changes, it is important to understand what is already installed.
An automation assessment may review:
PLC manufacturers and models.
PLC software.
Control panel condition.
HMI hardware.
SCADA platforms.
Industrial networks.
Variable Speed Drives.
Remote I/O.
Instrumentation.
Engineering software.
System backups.
Documentation.
This provides a clearer picture of the current automation estate and helps identify where technical or lifecycle risks exist.
Automation Obsolescence Consultancy
PLC-related decisions can affect both immediate project delivery and the long-term maintainability of the automation environment.
Consultancy may support decisions around:
PLC platform selection.
PLC migration.
Existing PLC architecture.
Software structure.
Remote I/O.
Communication requirements.
System standardisation.
Integration with existing equipment.
Future expansion.
Where multiple PLC platforms are already installed, we can also help determine whether future projects should move towards greater standardisation.
Control Panel Consultancy
Control panels frequently remain operational through several generations of automation equipment.
A technical assessment can help determine whether an existing panel should remain in service, be refurbished or be replaced.
Considerations may include:
Panel condition.
Electrical components.
PLC hardware.
Variable Speed Drives.
Protective devices.
Available space.
Thermal considerations.
Labelling.
Documentation.
Obsolete equipment.
As a control panel manufacturer, Stratos can assess the practical implications of refurbishment and replacement rather than considering the panel independently from the automation equipment installed within it.
SCADA and HMI Consultancy
SCADA and HMI systems influence how operators, engineers and production teams interact with industrial automation.
Consultancy may help organisations assess:
Existing SCADA platforms.
HMI condition.
Operator interface design.
Alarm management.
Historical data.
Industrial dashboards.
Reporting.
Remote monitoring.
Software lifecycle.
Migration requirements.
This can help determine whether the existing environment needs targeted improvements, a software upgrade or a broader migration strategy.
Industrial Networking and Integration Consultancy
Automation systems increasingly depend on communication between equipment supplied by different manufacturers and installed at different stages of the facility's development.
Network and integration consultancy may consider:
PROFINET.
PROFIBUS.
EtherNet/IP.
Modbus.
Industrial Ethernet.
PLC-to-PLC communication.
Machine integration.
SCADA connectivity.
Legacy communication systems.
IT and OT connectivity.
The objective is to determine how systems can communicate reliably while maintaining an architecture that can be understood and supported over the longer term.
Automation Project Specification and Planning
Clear technical requirements can reduce uncertainty when an automation project moves into design and delivery.
Consultancy can help define requirements for:
New control systems.
PLC upgrades.
Control panels.
SCADA projects.
Machine integration.
Industrial networks.
Automation modernisation.
Testing.
Commissioning.
Documentation.
Establishing requirements before detailed engineering begins can reduce later design changes and help ensure suppliers are working towards the same operational objectives.
Reviewing Automation Proposals and Options
Manufacturers may receive different technical recommendations from automation suppliers, equipment manufacturers and internal stakeholders.
Comparing these options can be difficult when they use different platforms, architectures or scopes.
An engineering review can consider:
Technical suitability.
Existing system compatibility.
Maintainability.
Obsolescence risk.
Future expansion.
Integration requirements.
Production disruption.
Documentation.
Lifecycle implications.
The cheapest initial option is not always the lowest-risk or most maintainable solution over the operating life of the equipment.
Automation Modernisation Consultancy
Where an ageing automation environment requires significant improvement, consultancy can help establish a practical route forward.
This may involve identifying:
Systems that can remain.
Equipment requiring immediate attention.
PLC migration priorities.
Control panels suitable for refurbishment.
SCADA upgrade requirements.
Network modernisation.
Documentation gaps.
Cyber security considerations.
Future standardisation opportunities.
Recommendations can then be converted into a phased automation modernisation programme rather than attempting to replace multiple systems simultaneously.
Ongoing Automation Engineering Advice
Automation consultancy does not necessarily need to end once an initial assessment or project has been completed.
Production environments continue to change as machinery is added, equipment becomes obsolete and new operational requirements emerge.
Ongoing engineering input may support:
Automation investment decisions.
System modifications.
Obsolescence reviews.
Project planning.
Technical specifications.
Automation health checks.
Upgrade decisions.
Future integration.
Where more structured ongoing technical support is required, maintenance and service contracts can provide continuity across the automation environment and help ensure recommendations are reviewed as equipment and production requirements evolve.
Why Choose Stratos for Automation Consultancy?
Useful automation consultancy needs to be grounded in practical engineering.
Recommendations made without understanding PLC software, control panels, industrial communications and the realities of production can create technically attractive solutions that are difficult to implement or maintain.
Stratos combines hands-on experience across PLC programming, control panel design and manufacture, SCADA and HMI systems, industrial networking, commissioning and automation modernisation.
This allows our engineers to assess the wider control environment and provide practical recommendations based on what should be retained, improved, integrated or replaced.
Where required, Stratos can also support the engineering and implementation that follows the consultancy stage, providing continuity from initial assessment through to project delivery.
Make Better-Informed Automation Decisions
Whether you're considering a PLC migration, control panel replacement, SCADA upgrade or wider automation modernisation programme, understanding the existing system and the available options is the first step.
Stratos provides practical industrial automation consultancy based on real control systems engineering, helping manufacturers assess risk, compare options and determine the most appropriate way forward.
Speak to our engineers about an automation assessment, technical review or upcoming control system project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an industrial automation consultant do?
An industrial automation consultant assesses control systems and provides specialist engineering advice around areas such as PLCs, control panels, SCADA, industrial networks, obsolescence, integration and modernisation.
When should we use automation consultancy?
Consultancy can be useful before a major automation investment, when dealing with obsolete equipment, planning a control system upgrade, comparing technical options or when the organisation needs a clearer understanding of its existing automation environment.
Can you assess automation installed by another supplier?
Yes. Existing automation systems can be assessed regardless of the original supplier, subject to appropriate system access and availability of the necessary technical information.
Can you help us decide whether to upgrade or replace an existing system?
Yes. Existing equipment can be assessed according to condition, supportability, obsolescence, production criticality and compatibility with future requirements to help determine whether continued use, refurbishment, upgrade or replacement is appropriate.
Can Stratos implement the recommendations afterwards?
Yes. Where required, Stratos can support subsequent control panel, PLC, SCADA, networking, modernisation and commissioning work. Maintenance and service contracts can also provide ongoing support after implementation.