Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) were invented in 1968 to automate industrial processes and have since been used in thousands of applications to replace manual controls. Traditionally, pump installations involved manual operation of valves and monitoring of the pump by operators. A PLC can automate the pump cooling and priming process by automatically sensing temperature, detecting leaks, starting the pump, and ensuring proper operation. It can also identify problems and shut down the system until maintenance is performed, reducing pump life-cycle costs. PLCs provide automated control and monitoring to improve safety and efficiency for processes like cryogenic pump operation.