News & Knowledge

We’re your source for automation news. Keep up with the latest industry updates and E Tech employee spotlights, as well as tips and guidance from our manufacturing experts.  

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How Does Your OT Cybersecurity Stack Up? Tips and Techniques for a Safer and More Secure Operation

In the Food Engineering article titled “How Does Your OT Cybersecurity Stack Up? Tips and Techniques for a Safer and More Secure Operation,” Matt Smith, a security engineer at E Tech Group, offers valuable insights into enhancing cybersecurity within Operational Technology (OT) environments.​

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Project Success begins with a FEED Study

A well-executed FEED study by E Tech Group provides the critical planning foundation for complex industrial projects—delivering clear, detailed documentation that helps clients make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and stay on schedule from concept through construction.

What is a Controls and Automation FEED Study?

A front-end engineering design (FEED) study is the critical early planning phase in the development lifecycle for industrial manufacturing and infrastructure projects. It involves conceptualizing and planning the technical, economic, and scheduling aspects of a large project to make informed investment decisions prior to implementation and construction.

A controls and automation FEED study delivers detailed planning documentation for the project, a roadmap that guides the next steps for the project’s execution, including procurement, detailed engineering and implementation plans.

E Tech Group’s controls and automation FEED studies are specifically designed to address the unique challenges of designing advanced automation systems. Critical design decisions are made that ensure reliability, efficiency, compliance, and scalability to best meet the diverse needs of stakeholders.

Some design decisions include:

  • Advanced control hardware
  • Software platforms
  • Process flow
  • Communication networks
  • Equipment sizing
  • Layout configuration

Each decision has a lasting impact on the final system’s performance and operational reliability, as well as the project’s schedule and overall budget.

By conducting a well-structured FEED study, E Tech Group helps clients make the best decisions for their own unique needs, optimizing resources, avoiding costly mistakes, and keeping the project on schedule.

Why Choose an E Tech Group FEED Study?

E Tech Group’s extensive expertise in controls and automation and IT ensures that every decision made during the FEED study is backed by robust technical knowledge.

E Tech Group employs a thorough, structured process for FEED studies, ensuring that all stakeholder needs are thoroughly considered during the project’s planning.

Conducted by experienced engineering and project management professionals, E Tech Group’s FEED studies are scheduled and forecasted so that the cost and projected timeline of the study itself is clear.

E Tech Group’s FEED study deliverables provide a detailed roadmap for the project’s execution, guiding each phase from planning to construction.

Key deliverables include:

  • Summary Report: Consolidates all findings, recommendations, and next steps for the project.
  • Stakeholder Register: Lists all stakeholders and their respective roles.
  • User Requirements: Documents each stakeholder’s system requirements.
  • Decision Matrix: Describes the criteria used to evaluate automation design and implementation options.
  • Decision Log and Justification: A record of the rationale behind each decision.
  • Detailed Scope of Work: Defines the project’s boundaries, objectives and high-level deliverables.
  • Detailed Schedule: Accounts for project phases and integrates lead times for all components.
  • Design Specifications: Defines system architecture, hardware, software, and integration requirements.
  • Total Project Budget Estimate: Provides an overall project cost estimate.
  • Recurring Cost Estimates: Outlines ongoing maintenance and operational expenses of the completed project.
  • Risk Identification and Mitigation: Identifies potential risks and strategies to address them.

E Tech Group’s successful FEED studies span various industries

When Should You Consider a FEED Study?

A FEED study is essential before committing significant capital to a new facility, expansion, renovation, upgrade, or process change. It provides a solid foundation for accurate budgeting, scope definition, and risk reduction.

Once a high-level idea has been evaluated and deemed viable, a FEED study dives deeper to define:

  • Utilities and infrastructure needs
  • Process flow diagrams (PFDs)
  • Preliminary piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
  • Equipment specs and layout
  • Role definition and responsibilities for the parties involved

If the client plans to issue bids or award EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts, a FEED study helps:

  • Ensure apples-to-apples vendor comparisons
  • Define project requirements
  • Avoid scope creep

FEED studies often provide the detailed technical information needed for:

  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Regulatory compliance documentation
  • Permitting applications

A FEED study identifies and mitigates potential risks (technical, financial, operational) early in the project. This prevents surprises down the line and increases the likelihood of staying on budget and on schedule.

Bottom Line:

A client should consider a FEED study when they need clarity, confidence, and control over the scope, schedule, and budget of a complex project—especially before committing major resources.

FEED Study Expertise

What our clients say?

E Tech Group proved to be an invaluable partner in a complex design-build project. As a general contractor, we had been tasked by our client to quickly repurpose a decommissioned facility, with the goal of getting it operational within a very short time. This work involved assessing the current state of the equipment in the building to determine what needs repairing, retooling, or full replacement. The facility had been previously built in a piecewise fashion, which meant the equipment and control systems were generally outdated, mismatched, and without documentation. In lay terms – it was extremely complex.

We needed an integrator who could effectively determine the project’s controls and automation requirements, evaluate the current equipment for potential reuse or retooling, while also having the capabilities to handle its design and implementation. E Tech Group had all of these capabilities. The quality of deliverables from the initial FEED study was exactly what was needed to successfully complete the project at a remarkably fast pace. This project would not have been successfully completed to meet its aggressive timeline without them.

– Austin Ramsdell, Project Manager at DPR Construction

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The Power of AI: Making AI Work for Front-Line Labor Challenges

The Power of AI Webinar highlights the transformative role of AI in addressing workforce challenges in manufacturing. Experts from Datch, Oden Technologies, and E Tech Group shared insights on leveraging manufacturing data to implement practical AI solutions.

The webinar covered several key areas critical for manufacturers seeking to leverage AI:

  • Closing labor gaps and addressing workforce shortages through AI solutions.
  • Enhancing frontline efficiency with AI-driven insights and automation.
  • Enabling better decision-making with real-time data analysis and actionable intelligence.
  • Optimizing operational workflows and increasing productivity.
  • Maximizing the return on AI investments for long-term manufacturing success.

E Tech Group’s Pradeep Paul, Director of Manufacturing Intelligence, participated in the Power of AI Webinar, sharing how the company utilizes AI and Manufacturing Intelligence data to address client pain points, including labor shortages. Through their solutions, E Tech Group helps optimize operations and improve efficiency, ensuring clients can make data-driven decisions that lead to enhanced productivity.

View the Power of AI: Making AI Work for Front-Line Labor Challenges

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Fact or Fiction: Separating the Hype from Reality in Manufacturing Intelligence

Are you overwhelmed by the constant buzz surrounding manufacturing intelligence? In this complimentary informative webinar, we’ll debunk common myths and provide a clear understanding of what manufacturing intelligence can truly achieve.

Our expert panel will discuss:

  • The real benefits of manufacturing intelligence: Learn how it can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality.
  • Common misconceptions: Discover the truth behind the hype and avoid costly mistakes.
  • Best practices for implementation: Get practical advice on successfully integrating manufacturing intelligence into your operations.
  • Case studies: See real-world examples of companies leveraging manufacturing intelligence to gain a competitive advantage.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing professional or just starting to explore the possibilities of digital transformation, this webinar will provide you with valuable insights and actionable information. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions about your manufacturing future.

E Tech Group team members, Pradeep Paul, Director of Manufacturing Intelligence, and Vivek Puthezath, Director of Sales and Marketing lead this webinar separating the hype from reality in manufacturing intelligence.

View the Fact or Fiction: Separating Hype from Reality in Manufacturing Intelligence Webinar

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