FAQs – inControl answers:

Can you deliver turnkey projects?

Yes. inControl delivers end-to-end turnkey projects. Our scope includes everything from the initial site survey and specification writing to electrical design, software development, control panel & software license supply, installation, factory & site acceptance testing (FAT & SAT), commissioning, and personnel training.

Take a look at a recent completed project in a Cold Brew Coffee production site

How do you ensure a project is successful?

Project success is primarily a result of a robust specifications and open & regular communication. We place high value on ensuring that both us and you have a strong understanding of both your User Requirement Specification (URS)and the Functional Design Specification (FDS) that we write for you; this ensures the final solution aligns perfectly with your operational goals.

Who owns the software code at the end of a project?

Any software we design specifically for you—including PLC programs, SCADA builds, and custom solutions—becomes your property. This allows you to make future modifications yourself or via third parties. We always recommend that customers insist on this “no lock-in” approach with any systems integrator.

How do you guarantee the quality of your engineers?

Please get in touch to speak directly with our team. We have nearly 20 project engineers, and we select the right person based on their specific experience with your specified hardware choices and your process application. Often, we pair a senior lead with a younger engineer to provide the perfect balance of deep expertise and rapid availability under our engineering management team.

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Control Systems & Design

Do you build your control panels in-house?

We manage the electrical design and “free issue” all major high-value items to our trusted local partners who specialise in panel building. This allows us to maintain strict quality control over the components while leveraging specialist build facilities.

Which PLC and SCADA suppliers do you prefer?

inControl are generally agnostic. Whilst our engineers have personal preferences, we select the best platform to suit the project requirements. In the UK, we see an even split between Rockwell (Allen Bradley) and Siemens, although we are also proficient with Schneider, Mitsubishi, and Beckhoff. Our partners

Can you handle electrical design and site installation?

Yes. We design electrical schematics and panel layouts in-house for every project we deliver. For site work, we use our own engineers to perform commissioning and SAT, whilst collaborating with specialist electrical installation partners for field wiring.

What if we don’t have a User Requirement Specification (URS)?

If you don’t have a URS, we can help you define the project requirements. This typically involves a site survey followed by us drafting a Functional Design Specification (FDS) for your review and sign-off. In some cases we can write your URS for you.

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Digital Transformation

How can inControl help with our factory/plant digitalisation?

Our dedicated Digital Solutions business unit connects your assets and plant machinery into a cyber-secure network. By surfacing data in a unified platform, we provide different departments with the insights needed for downtime reduction, energy management, and productivity improvements.

How do you extract data from old or legacy equipment?

We have three main approaches:

1. Connecting via protocol interface products.
2. Adding new sensors and interfaces to the existing machine.
3. Modernising the equipment to provide a standardised interface to your software platforms.

What are the keys to a successful digitalisation project?

Success requires a clear understanding of long-term requirements, a secure OT-IT network architecture, and a Unified Namespace for data definitions. We always recommend starting with a high-impact, low-risk pilot project to deliver early ROI and build confidence within your team.

Want to know more about how we can support your Industrial Digitalisation journey

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Problem Solving, Upgrades & Safety

How do you handle control system upgrades if the original OEM has gone bust?

We can help in several ways. We often extract the original program from the controller or reverse-engineer the design by interviewing your operators. We then provide a new, supported control system based on industry-standard hardware, giving you full access to the application program files.

Can you recover programs from old PLCs without a backup?

This is a common issue. If the PLC isn’t password protected, we can typically extract the program using our extensive archive of legacy design equipment, tools and software.

How do you support Functional Safety and audits?

inControl has two TÜV certified functional safety experts who design systems to meet any SIL (Safety Integration Level). We can work from your independent HAZOP and LOPA (Level of Protection Analysis) to ensure your new system is fully compliant and documented.

How can you help us? we have many obsolete PLCs and Drives.

You aren’t alone. We specialise in reviewing legacy systems via site surveys and providing a structured upgrade path for PLCs, HMIs, Drives, and SCADA systems that have moved beyond their supported life.

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These are some of the challenges you will come across in your business
and all are solvable by working with inControl.

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A final word from the team…

We know that choosing the right partner is a big decision, but don’t worry—our engineers and managers have the expertise & experience to make sure every challenge is understood and solution is engineered correctly. Work with us, and we will ensure that your team is always inControl.

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A competent partner for your project

Supplying control & automation systems since 1999 we have wide and deep experience in many applications and industries. inControl Systems strives to be one of the most advanced & trusted process automation systems integrators in the UK.