ARC Advisory Group Study Shows HART Communication Protocol as Global Leader

32 million field devices, 46% of the 69.2 million devices installed worldwide by year-end 2010, are HART-enabled devices according to a recent study by the ARC Advisory Group. This is the largest market share of any field communications protocol—larger than fieldbus devices (Foundation fieldbus, Profibus and other all digital), proprietary protocols and 4-20mA (analog/non-smart) combined.

The ARC study estimates that the number of installed HART devices will grow to 35 million in 2011 and projects growth to continue to 37.3 million in 2012.

The 2010 ARC Pressure Transmitter Worldwide Outlook, a five-year market analysis and technology forecast of the largest segment of field devices, projects that the market for HART-enabled pressure transmitters will continue to grow. In 2011 HART-enabled pressure transmitters are expected to represent nearly 73% of all transmitters shipped. A comparison with the 2005 ARC study shows that HART is the only technology that significantly increased its share of the pressure transmitter market.

“What we see today confirms our projections. HART continues to have the largest share of the market, which includes fieldbus, conventional, proprietary and all other types,” says Wil Chin, ARC Research Director. “Rather than see HART level off, we see strong, continued growth with proprietary and conventional decreasing and fieldbus gaining slightly.”

Users worldwide are sending a clear message to industry suppliers by purchasing and deploying HART-enabled products in overwhelming numbers. They choose HART Communication because it is a simple, reliable, secure, low-risk, feature-rich and cost-effective intelligent communication protocol that delivers significant value during the entire plant life-cycle.