FAQ | Logic Control Systems

Question 1

Where is Logic Control Systems located, and what areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

LCS is headquartered in Springtown, Texas, outside Fort Worth. We serve manufacturers and industrial operations nationwide, with a particular focus on Texas and surrounding states. We regularly work in Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and across the Gulf Coast. We travel anywhere in the country.

Question 2

How long has LCS been in business?

Accepted Answer

Over 25 years. We were founded in the late 1990s and have been continuously serving industrial clients since then. That longevity matters in this industry — we've seen technologies come and go, platforms go end-of-life, and client operations evolve significantly over time. We've been through enough projects to know what works and what doesn't.

Question 3

What industries do you work in?

Accepted Answer

We've worked across eight or more industries, including: • Food and beverage processing • Oil and gas (upstream, midstream, downstream) • Water and wastewater treatment • Agricultural processing (grain, feed, seed) • Metal fabrication and precision manufacturing • Chemical and specialty manufacturing • Consumer products manufacturing • Education and research (automation demo systems) If your industry isn't listed here, reach out — we've likely worked on something similar, or we'll tell you honestly if we haven't.

Question 4

What certifications and credentials does LCS hold?

Accepted Answer

Our current certifications and credentials include: • UL 508a Listed Panel Shop — certified to fabricate industrial control panels to the UL 508a standard • Ignition Certified Integrator — recognized by Inductive Automation as a certified integrator for the Ignition SCADA platform • ISNetworld Member Contractor — verified safety and compliance credentials required by many enterprise and energy-sector clients • Fortinet Authorized Partner — certified to design, supply, and deploy Fortinet OT cybersecurity solutions

Question 5

Are you a general contractor or a specialist?

Accepted Answer

We're a specialist. LCS focuses exclusively on industrial automation and control systems — PLC programming, SCADA/HMI development, panel fabrication, OT cybersecurity, and remote monitoring. We don't do general electrical contracting, civil work, or IT infrastructure. That focus means every engineer on your project has deep experience in exactly what your project requires.

Question 6

Do you work with subcontractors?

Accepted Answer

For most of our core services — PLC programming, SCADA development, panel fabrication, and commissioning — the work is done by LCS engineers and technicians directly. We may use licensed electricians for field installation work where required by local codes, and we have established relationships with qualified partners for specialized work (such as field instrumentation installation). We're transparent about what's in-house and what's not.

Question 7

What PLC brands and platforms does LCS program?

Accepted Answer

We work across all major PLC platforms, including: • Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation: Studio 5000 (ControlLogix, CompactLogix), RSLogix 500 (SLC 500), RSLogix 5 (PLC-5) • Beckhoff: TwinCAT 3 (EtherCAT-based PC control) Allen-Bradley is our most common platform, but we also work in Ignition and Beckhoff.

Question 8

What SCADA platforms do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Our primary SCADA platform is Ignition by Inductive Automation, for which we are a Certified Integrator. We also work with: • FactoryTalk View SE and ME (Rockwell Automation) • Ignition We also handle migrations between platforms — moving from legacy SCADA systems to Ignition is one of our most common project types.

Question 9

Do you do both PLC programming and panel fabrication, or just one?

Accepted Answer

Both — and that's an important differentiator. Many integrators specialize in one or the other. LCS does everything under one roof: control system design, PLC programming, UL 508a certified panel fabrication, and commissioning. That means the engineer who writes the program is working directly with the team that builds the panel, which eliminates a common source of errors and coordination gaps in projects that involve multiple vendors.

Question 10

What does your OT cybersecurity service actually include?

Accepted Answer

Our OT cybersecurity practice covers the full range of what industrial manufacturers need: • OT security assessments — network topology review, device inventory, vulnerability identification, and prioritized remediation roadmap • Network segmentation — designing and implementing IT/OT separation using industrial firewalls and DMZ architecture • Secure remote access — replacing insecure VPN setups with OT-appropriate solutions including MFA, session recording, and role-based access • OT network monitoring — continuous visibility into OT traffic with anomaly detection and alerting • Fortinet product supply and deployment — as an authorized Fortinet partner, we supply and deploy the FortiGate industrial firewall line and related OT security hardware • Compliance support — helping manufacturers meet ISNetworld, NERC CIP, NIST CSF, and ISA/IEC 62443 requirements

Question 11

What does remote monitoring cover — and what does it not cover?

Accepted Answer

Remote monitoring from LCS covers your PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs, and critical equipment — anything that communicates over Ethernet, serial, cellular, or satellite. We monitor for fault conditions, process deviations, communication failures, and equipment health trends.

What remote monitoring does not replace: on-site maintenance and repair. When monitoring identifies a problem that requires a physical intervention — replacing a failed component, re-seating a loose connection, calibrating an instrument — that requires either your team or an LCS field visit. Monitoring gets you early warning and remote diagnosis; it doesn't substitute for hands-on maintenance.

Question 12

Do you offer ongoing support contracts after a project is complete?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer several types of ongoing support arrangements: • Remote monitoring programs — 24/7 monitoring of your systems with alert response and monthly reporting • Annual maintenance agreements — scheduled site visits for preventive maintenance and system health checks • On-call support — priority access to LCS engineers for troubleshooting and emergency response • Remote support — remote access to your systems for troubleshooting, program changes, and configuration updates The right support arrangement depends on your operation's complexity, the criticality of your systems, and your internal capabilities. We'll help you figure out what makes sense.

Question 13

What does the process look like from first contact to project completion?

Accepted Answer

Every project is different, but a typical engagement follows this path: • Initial conversation: We learn what you're trying to accomplish, your timeline, and your constraints. This is usually a phone call or site visit — no formal proposal required at this stage. • Site visit and assessment: For most projects, we visit your facility to see the existing systems, understand the process, and gather the information we need to scope the work accurately. • Proposal: We provide a written scope of work and fixed price. No vague estimates — you know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before we start. • Design and engineering: Control system design, I/O lists, wiring schematics, and program architecture are developed and reviewed before fabrication or coding begins. • Build and development: Panel fabrication and PLC/SCADA programming happen in parallel at our facility. • Factory acceptance testing: We test the system thoroughly before it ships or before we arrive on site. • Installation and commissioning: On-site installation, loop tuning, and acceptance testing with your team. • Documentation and training: Complete as-built documentation and operator training delivered at project close.

Question 14

Do you visit our facility before providing a proposal?

Accepted Answer

For most projects, yes — and we strongly prefer it. A site visit lets us see the existing equipment, understand the process, identify constraints that aren't obvious from a description, and give you an accurate scope. Proposals written without a site visit are more likely to have scope gaps or surprises during execution. We'd rather take the time to get it right upfront.

For smaller or simpler projects (like a specific program modification or a straightforward panel build), we can often work from documentation and video calls without a site visit.

Question 15

How do you handle project changes or scope additions during a project?

Accepted Answer

We document scope changes in writing as they occur and agree on cost and schedule impact before proceeding. We don't surprise clients with change orders at the end of a project for work that was done without discussion.

That said, we're also realistic that complex projects sometimes reveal things that weren't visible during scoping. When that happens, we flag it as early as possible, explain what we found, and work with you to determine the best path forward.

Question 16

What happens during commissioning?

Accepted Answer

Commissioning is the phase where the system goes live on your actual process. It typically includes: • I/O verification — confirming every input and output is wired correctly and responding as expected • Loop tuning — adjusting PID parameters and control logic to achieve desired process performance • Device calibration — verifying instruments, drives, and other field devices are configured correctly • Functional testing — running the control sequences through their full range of operation, including fault conditions and edge cases • Customer acceptance testing — your team operates the system with LCS engineers present to verify it meets the agreed requirements • Operator training — hands-on training for the operators and maintenance staff who will use and support the system We don't consider a project complete until your team is comfortable with the system. If issues arise during commissioning, we stay until they're resolved.

Question 17

What documentation do we receive at the end of a project?

Accepted Answer

Complete documentation is standard on every LCS project, not an add-on. Deliverables typically include: • PLC program files (source code) in the native programming software format • SCADA project files (if applicable) • Panel wiring diagrams (as-built, reflecting any field changes) • I/O list and tag database • Bill of materials for all installed hardware • Component data sheets for major equipment • Network architecture diagram (if applicable) • Operator and maintenance manual (for custom systems) You own the documentation and the program files. We don't withhold them or make support dependent on using LCS going forward.

Question 18

Do you work on systems you didn't originally build?

Accepted Answer

Yes, frequently. A significant portion of our work involves troubleshooting, modifying, or upgrading systems that were built by others. We'll review the existing documentation (if it exists), assess the system, and work on it with the same care we'd bring to our own. If a previous installation has significant issues that need to be disclosed before we can work effectively, we'll tell you.

Question 19

Can you work around our production schedule?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and we treat this as a firm requirement, not a preference. We plan all work that could impact production around your scheduled downtime windows. For critical cutover work, we've worked nights, weekends, and holidays to avoid production impact. We'll discuss schedule constraints during scoping and build the project plan around them.

Question 20

How does LCS price its work — hourly or fixed price?

Accepted Answer

Most of our project work is priced on a fixed-price basis. We scope the work, provide a fixed price, and deliver what we said we would for that price. This protects you from open-ended billing and gives both parties clarity on expectations.

For some types of work — ongoing support, open-ended troubleshooting, or projects where the scope genuinely can't be determined upfront — we use time-and-materials pricing with clear rate schedules and regular reporting so there are no surprises.

We'll tell you upfront which pricing model makes sense for your project and why.

Question 21

Do you provide free estimates or assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our initial consultation — the conversation where we learn what you're trying to accomplish and give you a rough sense of what it might involve — is always free and no-obligation. For most projects, the site visit that precedes a formal proposal is also at no charge.

Formal proposals, including detailed scope of work and fixed pricing, are provided at no cost after we've gathered enough information to scope the work accurately.

Question 22

Can you give me a ballpark cost without a site visit?

Accepted Answer

We can give you rough order-of-magnitude guidance for common project types based on our experience — but we're careful not to provide numbers that create false expectations before we understand your specific situation. A PLC upgrade that costs $30,000 in one facility might cost $90,000 in another depending on I/O count, panel complexity, program size, and site conditions.

What we'd rather do is have a 15-minute conversation to understand your project, give you an honest sense of the range, and then determine whether a site visit makes sense before investing more time on either side.

Question 23

How long does a typical project take?

Accepted Answer

Project timelines vary significantly based on scope. Rough ranges for common project types: • PLC program modification or upgrade (existing panel): 2–6 weeks • New panel fabrication (without PLC programming): 4–8 weeks • Full PLC/panel project (programming + fabrication + commissioning): 8–16 weeks • SCADA system build or migration: 8–20 weeks depending on scope and number of sites • OT security assessment: 2–4 weeks for assessment and report • OT security implementation: 6–16 weeks depending on scope These are rough ranges — your specific project may fall outside them. The biggest variables are scope complexity, client review and approval cycles, and the amount of existing documentation available.

Question 24

What affects project timeline the most?

Accepted Answer

In our experience, the three biggest timeline variables are: • Scope clarity upfront: Projects with well-defined requirements and clear existing documentation move faster. Projects that evolve during execution or where existing system documentation is incomplete take longer. • Client review and decision speed: Our work often pauses while clients review designs, approve proposals, or make decisions about scope changes. Clients who engage actively and respond quickly to review items see faster project completion. • Hardware lead times: Some specialty components — certain PLC modules, large drives, specialty enclosures — have extended lead times, sometimes 12+ weeks. We identify long-lead items early and order them as soon as scope is confirmed to minimize this impact.

Question 25

Do you require a deposit or upfront payment?

Accepted Answer

For projects involving significant material purchases — panel fabrication, hardware procurement — we typically require a deposit at project kickoff to cover material costs. The exact deposit amount and payment schedule are specified in the project proposal. We don't require full payment upfront, and final payment is tied to project completion and client acceptance.

Question 26

Do you work with clients outside Texas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A significant portion of our project work is outside Texas — we've worked across the continental US. Travel costs for site visits and commissioning are typically included in the project proposal as a separate line item so they're transparent. For projects with extensive on-site requirements, we discuss logistics upfront to make sure the arrangement works for both parties.

Question 27

Can you provide references from past clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes, upon request. We're happy to connect prospective clients with past clients in similar industries or with similar project types. We'll ask our reference clients in advance and make sure the connection is a good fit before facilitating the introduction. Our case studies on the website also provide documented examples of our work, though client confidentiality means some details are omitted.

Question 28

What is UL 508a and why does it matter for my control panels?

Accepted Answer

UL 508a is the Standard for Safety for Industrial Control Panels, published by Underwriters Laboratories. It establishes requirements for how industrial control panels must be constructed, wired, and rated to ensure electrical safety. Panels built by a UL 508a listed shop carry a UL listing mark, which verifies they were built to the standard.

UL 508a listing matters for three reasons: safety (the standard addresses arc flash and fire risks from improperly built panels), compliance (many facilities, insurance policies, and customer requirements specify UL-listed equipment), and quality (UL listed shops are subject to periodic third-party inspections). See our full article on UL 508a in the Resources section for more detail.

Question 29

What is the difference between SCADA and HMI?

Accepted Answer

An HMI (Human-Machine Interface) is a local operator interface — typically a touchscreen panel at or near a machine or process area — that shows the status of that specific piece of equipment and allows operators to interact with it. Think of it as the dashboard for one machine or one section of a process.

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a broader system that provides visibility and control across an entire facility — or multiple facilities. SCADA systems connect to multiple PLCs, aggregate data into a single interface, log historical data, manage alarms across the whole plant, and often provide remote access for engineers and managers. SCADA is the big picture; HMI is the local view.

Many facilities use both: SCADA for plant-wide visibility and reporting, HMIs at individual machines for operator interaction.

Question 30

What is OT and how is it different from IT?

Accepted Answer

OT stands for Operational Technology — the hardware and software that monitors and controls physical industrial processes. OT includes PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs, drives, sensors, and the industrial networks that connect them. OT's job is to control what happens in the physical world: moving product, running pumps, controlling temperature, driving motors.

IT (Information Technology) manages data and business systems: servers, workstations, email, ERP, business networks. IT and OT have historically been separate — but as manufacturers have connected OT systems to business networks for data visibility, the boundary has blurred, creating new cybersecurity challenges.

The key difference for security: OT systems prioritize availability (the process cannot stop) over confidentiality (keeping data private), which is the opposite of most IT security priorities. That difference requires a different security approach.

Question 31

Do you support remote access to our systems? Is that secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes — secure remote access is something we both implement as a service and use ourselves for remote support and monitoring. The key is doing it right: • Dedicated OT remote access solutions, not consumer VPNs • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all remote access • Session recording so every remote interaction is logged • Role-based access so each user can only reach the systems they're authorized to access • Automatic session timeouts Insecure remote access — open VPN connections to OT systems with no MFA or logging — is one of the most common attack vectors in manufacturing. We won't set up remote access that way, and we'll flag it if we see it in existing systems.

Question 32

What is ISNetworld and why do some clients require it?

Accepted Answer

ISNetworld is a contractor management platform widely used in oil and gas, energy, and heavy industrial manufacturing. Companies that use ISNetworld require their contractors and vendors to maintain current safety, insurance, and compliance documentation on the platform before they can work on their sites.

LCS is an ISNetworld Member Contractor, meaning our safety credentials, insurance certificates, and compliance documentation are maintained and verified through the platform. If your procurement process requires ISNetworld, we're already set up — just let us know your company's ISNetworld account details and we can connect.

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