May 2007

In this issue

	New Partnership
	Conferences
	Classes
	Trick of the month: Optimization: Where Should You Start?
	To contact us

New Partnership

We are very proud to announce that we are now Matrikon partners.

Matrikon Inc. (TSX:MTK) a leading provider of industrial intelligence solutions, today welcomed two members to its reseller partner program, both based in Quebec, Canada. Everest Automation will act as distributors for Matrikon products and Top Control will provide high-end consulting services and plant performance optimization solutions based on Matrikon products to all process industries, including, refining, , pulp and paper, power, mining , petrochemical and many other sectors.

"Our suite of plant performance improvement products is leading edge, and the ability to combine these technologies with the solid plant optimization expertise of a partner like Top Control combined with Everest Automation Inc sales force is very exciting," commented Michael Brown, Vice-President of Technology for Matrikon. "It will ensure that we deliver the best possible technology coupled with highly experienced, value-added services to our clients in the process industries,"

"This relationship will allow us to further optimize our client's automation systems with the application of Matrikon's control performance optimizing technologies. This agreement will also enable us to offer an added suite of integrated solutions, such as alarm management, advanced control and equipment condition monitoring, which are in strong demand within our client base," added Michel Ruel, President of Top Control

Conferences

"Roadmap to Optimize Process Control Performance",

Michel Ruel
Chicago, Tuesday, May 8, 13:30, Matrikon Summit 2007

"Value Out Of Technology",

Mike Brown, VP Technology Matrikon Inc. & Michel Ruel, pres. Top Control Inc.
Chicago, Wednesday May 9, 8:30, Matrikon Summit 2007

To learn more...

Upcoming Classes And Seminars

Analytical Methods For Troubleshooting And Control Loop Tuning
May 8-10, Sault Ste-Marie, ON

PID Loop Tuning
June 5, Portland, ME

Introduction to Instrumentation and Process Control, Process Control Basics for Non-Specialists
June 6-7, Portland, ME

See our 2007 courses calendar

This Month's Tip : Optimization: Where Should You Start?

Suggested approach:

1. Put all loops in service
	Loops in wrong mode Manual rather than automatic Automatic rather than cascade SP Local rather than supervision Loops with configuration problems Loops where an equipment does not work
2. Determine which loops do not perform
	Oscillations Tuning? Valve? Process? Others? Sticky valve Loop is too fast? Loop is too slow? Valve often at limit Loops where the operator has to intervene often
3. Sustain performance
	Measure performance Alert or event triggering Economic priority Away from benchmark Root cause analysis Repair

Steps 1-2-3 are easily done with performance supervision software. Step 3 is a must, since you sustain your gains! You do your maintenance based on conditions, not on failures.

Steps 1 and 2 can be done without tools but this is time consuming. Step 3 cannot be easily done without tools. Your maintenance will be reactive, waiting for failures or for operators' complaints.

Contact us: our experts have applied this approach or trained plant personnel to do it successfully, in hundreds of plants!

To Contact Us

	Lévis' office	+1 (418)834-4321
	Pointe-Claire's office	+1 (514)695-3492
	Hartland's office	(877)867-6473
	Toll free	(877)867-6473