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Abstract. The industrial control room has been a strong shaping image for design of information technology at process plants and even for information and control systems in other areas. Based on recent studies of the work of process operators and on ethnographically inspired fieldwork this paper question the relevance of control room type interfaces. The paper suggests new types of mobile interfaces, which enables the operators to configure and apply individual temporary views of the plant, originating in the problem focus of the operator. To explore the relevance of such new interfaces a number of design concepts are suggested. The design of a particular device: The Pucketizer (Personal Bucket Organizer) has been developed in close collaboration with process operators at a wastewater treatment plant. The paper concludes that mobile interfaces for spatially distributed interaction such as the Pucketizer seem to have generic qualities reaching beyond the immediate context at process plants.

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In general, process control automation affects operator work knowledge and can potentially hamper development of the operators ability to handle production disturbances. In this case study the effects on work knowledge caused by automation at a chemical industry is studied, and possibilities for overcoming negative effects of automation with computer-supported learning are explored. The aim is to develop a learning environment where a continuous dialogue on recurring problems in production can support operators in developing better skills to handle production disturbances.

A prototype "Living Book transcribing a textbook on Human Anatomy and Physiology is presented. Other possible uses for the Living Book are discussed.