Industrial Automation Support
Industrial Automation Support to Keep Production Moving
Industrial automation systems are critical to production, but as equipment ages, processes change and control systems become more complex, maintaining reliable operation can become increasingly challenging.
A PLC fault, communication failure, control panel problem or SCADA issue can quickly affect production. While some problems require immediate fault finding, others can be prevented through planned maintenance, system reviews and a better understanding of the condition of the automation equipment.
Stratos provides industrial automation support for manufacturers and production facilities, helping engineering and maintenance teams diagnose faults, maintain existing systems and plan improvements before ageing equipment becomes a production risk.
From one-off technical support to ongoing maintenance and service contracts, our engineers work across PLCs, control panels, SCADA, HMIs and industrial networks to support the complete automation environment.
What Is Industrial Automation Support?
Industrial automation support covers the technical assistance required to maintain, diagnose and improve the systems controlling production equipment and processes.
Support may include:
PLC fault finding.
Control panel diagnostics.
SCADA support.
HMI troubleshooting.
Industrial network faults.
Software backups.
Obsolescence assessment.
Automation system health checks.
Control system modifications.
Planned maintenance.
The level of support required depends on the complexity of the automation environment and the engineering resources available on site.
PLC Support and Fault Finding
PLC faults can cause anything from intermittent equipment problems to complete production stoppages.
Our engineers can investigate PLC systems to identify issues involving:
PLC hardware.
Inputs and outputs.
Program logic.
Communication faults.
Sequence failures.
Interlocks.
Sensors and field equipment.
Remote I/O.
Industrial networks.
Connected drives.
Effective PLC fault finding looks beyond the immediate alarm to understand why the system has entered the fault condition.
Where recurring problems are identified, we can also recommend software improvements or longer-term modernisation rather than repeatedly applying temporary fixes.
Control Panel Support
SCADA and HMI systems provide operators with critical information about production processes and equipment conditions.
Problems can include:
Communication failures.
Incorrect process information.
Missing tags.
Alarm problems.
Failed operator screens.
Poor system performance.
Software compatibility issues.
Server or workstation problems.
Outdated applications.
Our engineers can investigate the relationship between the SCADA or HMI application and the PLC system beneath it, helping identify whether the problem originates within the supervisory system, communications or underlying automation equipment.
Industrial Network and Communication Support
Modern automation relies heavily on communication between PLCs, drives, HMIs, SCADA systems and other industrial equipment.
Network problems can create intermittent faults that are difficult to diagnose.
Support may include investigation of:
PROFINET.
PROFIBUS.
EtherNet/IP.
Modbus TCP.
Modbus RTU.
Industrial Ethernet.
Remote I/O communications.
PLC-to-SCADA communications.
Device connectivity.
Understanding the complete automation architecture helps identify communication problems without unnecessarily replacing equipment that is functioning correctly.
Automation System Health Checks
A production system does not need to fail before its condition is reviewed.
Automation health checks can help identify potential risks before they become urgent production problems.
A review may consider:
PLC condition.
Control panel condition.
Software versions.
Hardware lifecycle status.
SCADA and HMI systems.
Industrial networks.
Software backups.
System documentation.
Obsolete components.
Recurring faults.
The findings can then be prioritised according to operational risk, allowing improvements to be planned rather than completed under the pressure of an unexpected failure.
Automation Obsolescence Support
Industrial automation equipment often remains operational long after manufacturers have introduced newer technology.
Eventually, ageing PLCs, HMIs, drives and control components can become difficult to source or support.
Obsolescence support can help identify:
Discontinued PLC hardware.
Unsupported HMI equipment.
Ageing drives.
Obsolete control panel components.
Unsupported SCADA software.
Legacy communication equipment.
Unsupported operating systems.
Rather than replacing everything at once, Stratos can help develop a phased modernisation strategy based on equipment condition, availability and production criticality.
Automation Backups and Documentation
Reliable backups and accurate documentation become particularly important when a production fault occurs.
Automation support should consider whether current copies exist of:
PLC programs.
HMI applications.
SCADA projects.
Drive parameters.
Control panel drawings.
Electrical schematics.
I/O schedules.
Network configurations.
System settings.
Software versions.
Maintaining organised backups and documentation can significantly reduce the difficulty of recovering from hardware failure or making future system modifications.
Planned Automation Maintenance
Waiting for automation equipment to fail before investigating its condition can expose production to unnecessary risk.
Planned maintenance allows critical systems to be reviewed during scheduled production windows.
Maintenance activities may include:
Control system inspections.
Backup verification.
PLC diagnostics.
Control panel inspections.
SCADA and HMI reviews.
Communication checks.
Obsolescence monitoring.
Documentation reviews.
Identification of recurring faults.
Recommendations for improvement.
This creates an opportunity to address developing problems before they result in unexpected downtime.
Maintenance and Service Contracts
For organisations requiring ongoing engineering support, maintenance and service contracts can provide a structured approach to managing industrial automation systems.
Rather than relying entirely on reactive support, a service agreement can be developed around the equipment, production requirements and internal engineering capability of the facility.
Depending on requirements, support may include:
Planned automation health checks.
PLC and SCADA support.
Control panel reviews.
Software backup management.
Obsolescence monitoring.
Fault investigation.
Documentation updates.
Technical advice.
Planned improvement recommendations.
This provides greater continuity and helps build a clearer understanding of the automation systems operating across the facility.
Automation Improvements and System Modernisation
Support often identifies opportunities to improve the underlying automation system rather than continually repairing recurring problems.
This may involve:
PLC code optimisation.
PLC modernisation.
Control panel refurbishment.
Replacement control panels.
HMI development.
SCADA upgrades.
Network improvements.
Improved alarm management.
Remote monitoring.
Improved documentation.
Where modernisation is required, improvements can often be prioritised and phased around production schedules rather than requiring wholesale system replacement.
Why Choose Stratos for Industrial Automation Support?
Industrial automation problems rarely exist within a single piece of equipment.
A machine fault may involve PLC logic, electrical components, industrial communications, an HMI or equipment within the control panel. Effective support therefore requires an understanding of how the complete system operates.
Stratos combines PLC programming, control panel engineering, SCADA and HMI expertise, industrial networking and automation fault finding to provide support across the wider control environment.
Whether you need help diagnosing an immediate automation problem, maintaining ageing systems or establishing structured ongoing support, our engineers can work with your internal teams to improve reliability and develop a clearer plan for the future of your automation equipment.
Get the Right Support for Your Automation Systems
Automation problems should not have to become production emergencies before they receive attention. Stratos provides industrial automation support covering PLCs, control panels, SCADA, HMIs and industrial communications, from fault diagnosis through to planned maintenance and long-term system improvement.
Speak to our engineers about immediate technical support or a structured maintenance and service contract for your industrial automation systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What industrial automation systems can you support?
Stratos supports PLCs, industrial control panels, SCADA systems, HMIs, drives, industrial networks and associated automation equipment across manufacturing and production environments.
Can you support existing automation systems installed by another company?
Yes. Existing automation systems can be assessed and supported even where Stratos was not responsible for the original installation, subject to the availability of system access, software and appropriate technical information.
Do you provide PLC fault-finding support?
Yes. PLC support can include investigation of hardware faults, program logic, communications, I/O, sequences, interlocks and connected automation equipment.
Can you help with obsolete automation equipment?
Yes. Stratos can assess ageing PLCs, HMIs, drives, SCADA systems and control panel equipment and help develop a phased modernisation strategy based on operational risk and equipment availability.
Do you offer ongoing automation maintenance contracts?
Yes. Maintenance and service contracts can provide structured ongoing support including planned health checks, backup reviews, obsolescence monitoring, fault investigation and recommendations for future automation improvements.