Industrial Automation System Integrator | BM Process
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Industrial Automation System Integrator | BM Process
By the BM Process Management engineering team · Reviewed by our automation and process control engineers · Last reviewed: September 2026
An industrial automation system integrator ties together the control hardware, software and instrumentation that run a plant into one working, reliable system: PLCs and SCADA, instrumentation and I/O, and the control strategy that makes a process start up, run and shut down safely and predictably.
This page explains what an automation system integrator does, how it differs from a process control consultant, what PLC and SCADA integration and factory automation involve, how platforms such as Siemens fit in, and how integration links to process intensification and petrochemical process control. BM Process is an automation integrator grounded in real process engineering.
Industrial Automation System Integrator: Frequently Asked Questions
What an integrator is and does
What is an industrial automation system integrator?
An industrial automation system integrator is an engineering partner that ties together the control hardware, software and instrumentation that run a plant into one working, reliable system. That means specifying and programming PLCs and SCADA, connecting sensors and actuators, and making sure the process runs safely and efficiently. A good integrator bridges process engineering and control engineering rather than treating them separately.
What does an automation system integrator actually do?
The integrator translates how a process needs to behave into control logic and interfaces that operators can trust. Typical work includes control philosophy and functional design, PLC and SCADA configuration, instrumentation and I/O integration, alarm management, commissioning and operator training. The result is a plant that starts up, runs and shuts down predictably and safely.
What is industrial system integration and integration services?
Industrial system integration is the work of connecting a plant’s separate control and information systems so they operate as one. It spans field instrumentation, PLCs, safety systems, SCADA and links to higher-level data and reporting systems. Good integration removes islands of automation and gives operators a single, coherent view of the process, which is the foundation for reliable control and later optimisation.
What industries need automation system integrators?
Chemical and petrochemical plants, oil and gas facilities, water and utilities, food and beverage, and general manufacturing all rely on integrators to keep processes controlled, safe and efficient. Any operation where product quality and safety depend on precise, repeatable control benefits from professional automation integration.
What is factory or plant automation system integration?
Factory and plant automation integration connects the control systems across a facility, from individual machines and process units up to plant-wide supervision and data. Done well, it removes islands of automation, gives operators a single coherent view, and creates the data foundation needed for optimisation and reporting.
Integrators, consultants and control roles
What is the difference between an automation integrator and a process control consultant?
A process control system consultant advises on strategy: what to measure, how to control it and how to improve stability and yield. An automation system integrator implements that strategy in hardware and software. Many projects need both, and the strongest results come when the same partner understands the process, the control strategy and the integration, which is the model BM Process works to.
What do process control system consultants do?
Process control consultants define how a process should be measured and regulated to run safely and efficiently: selecting the right control philosophy, tuning loops, improving stability and yield, and advising on where automation adds the most value. Their recommendations are then realised by the integration work that programs and commissions the actual control system.
What is a PLC system integrator and what is PLC integration?
A PLC system integrator designs, programs and commissions the programmable logic controllers that execute a plant’s control logic. This covers I/O design, control code, safety interlocks, HMI and SCADA links, and testing. Reliable PLC integration is what turns a control design on paper into a plant that behaves correctly under real operating conditions.
What is PLC and SCADA integration?
PLC and SCADA integration connects the controllers that run the control logic (PLCs) with the supervisory layer operators use to monitor and command the process (SCADA). It includes designing the data exchange between them, building clear operator screens, managing alarms, and testing that commands and readings behave correctly. Done well, it gives operators a trustworthy, real-time picture of the plant.
Platforms, process improvement and performance
Do you work with Siemens and other control platforms?
Experienced integrators work across the major control platforms and select the one that fits the client’s existing estate, standards and support needs rather than forcing a single brand. What matters more than the badge is disciplined design, well-structured code and thorough testing, because those determine how the system behaves for the next decade.
Should I choose a Siemens system integrator specifically?
A Siemens system integrator is the right choice when your plant already runs on Siemens controllers and you want consistency across the estate. That said, the platform matters less than the engineering discipline behind the integration. A strong integrator can work within your existing Siemens environment or advise objectively when a different platform suits a new project better.
What is process intensification and how does it relate to automation?
Process intensification means achieving the same or better output from smaller, safer, more efficient equipment, often by rethinking how a process is run. Automation and advanced control are key enablers: tighter control lets a process operate closer to its optimum, which is what intensification aims for. The field is well established, with dedicated research such as the journal Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification.
How does automation integration improve plant performance and support process optimisation?
Sound integration reduces downtime through reliable control and clear alarms, improves yield and consistency through tighter regulation of the process, and unlocks data for continuous improvement and industrial process optimisation. Over the life of a plant, the quality of the automation integration often matters more to running cost than the equipment itself.
Can automation integrators support petrochemical process control?
Yes. Petrochemical process control is a core application for automation integration, because these plants combine tight safety requirements, complex control and continuous operation. Integrators design and commission the control and safety systems that keep these processes stable and within limits, supported by continuous emission monitoring, and the best results come when the integrator also understands the underlying process chemistry and engineering.
Choosing an integrator and working with BM Process
How do I choose the right industrial automation system integrator?
Look for genuine process understanding as well as control skills, a structured engineering approach, platform independence, and a track record in your sector. The best integrators can explain not just how they will program a system, but why the control strategy suits your process and how they will prove it works at commissioning. Ask how they handle functional design, testing and handover.
What makes a top or leading industrial automation system integrator?
The leaders in automation system integration combine deep process knowledge with disciplined control engineering: structured functional design, well-organised and maintainable code, rigorous factory and site testing, and a clean handover with trained operators. They stay independent of any single vendor so the solution fits the client, and they treat safety and long-term maintainability as design goals, not afterthoughts.
How do I start an automation or system integration project with BM Process?
Start by defining the process outcomes you need and the constraints of your existing systems, then bring in an integration partner early enough to shape the control strategy, not just implement it. BM Process combines process engineering with industrial automation and system integration; outline your project at https://bmprocess.nl/ to begin the conversation.
About BM Process Management
Written and reviewed by the BM Process Management engineering team. BM Process Management is an industrial process engineering and automation consultancy based in the Netherlands, providing independent PLC and SCADA integration, process control and commissioning for industrial clients across Europe. The answers on this page reflect field experience in industrial automation and system integration.
