A fully automated cement storage and dispatch terminal

Three million dollars extra for a highly technical advanced computer network in a plain cement storage and dispatch terminal? The objective of this paper is to clarify why it makes sense in the technical and economical point of view to invest this extra money. It describes the new terminal control system for a cement plant in Mexico. One data highway connects 6 local area networks via 8 computer gateways to 22 PLCs, 10 personal computers (one abroad), 6 microcomputers, 15 printers, 30 additional terminals, 20 intelligent card readers, and other peripherals like truck gates. The complete operation is centralized in 2 rooms which are monitored by video transmission. In addition, 5 existing manual bag loading stations have also been integrated into the operation.<>