Can any one suggest me about my career as I am working on both Foxboro DCS as well as Triconex-ESD. I want to continue in one segment so which part is better in future DCS or ESD. Please reply me.

 

I'm only in my forties and my career has already outlived almost every control system, computer & operating system I started programming on. So in the long term, bear in mind that these systems or this choice will probably not define the whole of your career.

Short term - I don't know. Pick the one you like the best. Do them both if you can.

My $0.02

Rob

www[.]lymac.co.nz

 

I'm only slightly more mature (older) and I would tend to agree: pick the one you like the best.

Having said that, I am predicting that if you want to make the most compensation possible, get into SIS (Safety Instrumented System) design and configuration. That is the biggest bottomless money pit on the horizon, and it's looming over the controls industry like nothing I can recall.

The IEC regulations "defining" SIS and it's various levels (SILs: Safety Instrumented Levels) are horrendous, and if adopted will create jobs for life. Remember: It's "cradle to grave". And it's going to be the death of many good people and companies. "Good intentions paved the road to (in this case) ruin."

First, the amount of data that has to be collected and sifted through to prepare a database for reference is huge. And, every manufacturer prepares their own database (that should be a hint to a few of the potential problems right there). Next, one has to make some assumptions; that's right! Assumptions. And, while there are some guidelines for that, they are still what they are: assumptions. (Anyone picking up on any more clues, here?)

The paperwork involved in commissioning a SIS and the paperwork involved in maintaining or modifying a SIS, well, let's just say, that permitting a nuclear power plant is just about the only thing that comes close.

And the cost of the hardware alone is simply astronomical.

This is going to be around at least until those companies forced to buy and maintain these systems, and the governments that dictated their use and have to enforce compliance, come to their senses.

My USD$0.02-worth.

And, no. I'm not looking to be that highly compensated before I retire.

 

My A$0.02 worth.

If you cant answer this question already then what are you even doing in SIS. SIS systems are not for the inexperienced. Yes it will make money but its not always so. I have my TUV FSEng and it took some time, I do not earn most of my income with it.

If you want to make a decent living on a regular basis then don't specialise or at least have some variety of skills, which it sounds like you don't have.

Also since most systems these days are IEC 61131 compliant (they have the same programming languages) the really important thing to learn is applications. it doesn't matter which system you learn on they all program with the same or similar languages. Its the setup/config of systems that differs.

If you are only good at 1 system then you are pretty much useless to most companies these days.

AS for SIS you need 5 years safety system experience before you sit your TUV FSEng. get the experience you need, keep your eyes and ears open and learn as much as you can. Specialists get great hourly rates when they are needed and nothing when they arent!