Utilising ABB Ability – the technology service developed with Microsoft that harnesses device , edge and cloud computing – highlytrained professionals stationed at the centre can crunch key performance indicators and action data into realtime solutions , with ABB upholding a commitment to a 15-minute response time to plant operatives on site .

In the power and water industries , this data-driven process not only solves issues but raises plant performance and helps cut costs through predictive maintenance . Utilities can benefit from a 15 % reduction in boiler start-up costs through ABB Ability remote services , for example , and power plants and turbines could save up to $ 1mn per day by using Collaborative Operations to prevent unplanned downtime .

Such advanced asset management leads to a 20 % average extension to machine life . Technology makes all of this possible , but Kosisko insists the synergies with customers and ABB ’ s expert knowledge-base is what makes the service stand out .

“ We ’ re familiar with closing the loop with digital technology for our customers , but Ability and the

solutions set around Ability allow us to take it to the next level ,” he says .

“ It gives us that capability to go beyond what our normal process control can do and really look at things in a larger scale . How can we use data that we aggregate in our process control systems ? How can we use the data that comes from other sensors within the process to solve some of our customers ’ most challenging problems ?

“ The Ability ecosystem allows us to bring all of that together on a platform that is scalable , secure and fit for purpose in this space . We have an open architecture and customers can connect to that architecture very easily . Data is not owned by

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