ISA NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Infantino
(919) 990-9287
jinfantino@isa.org
WBF and ISA Announce Intent to Affiliate
Research Triangle Park, N.C. (6 March 2006) – WBF (formerly known as the World Batch Forum) and ISA are pleased to announce their intention to affiliate in furtherance of their missions to aid professionals and industry in the successful development and application of automation technologies.
The affiliation will allow both organizations to build on their respective strengths. The two organizations are working through the final stages of the arrangements that would result in WBF functioning as independent affiliate of ISA. Remaining steps should be completed in the first half of 2006.
WBF’s mission, past activities, and future activities align well with those of ISA.
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WBF's work with implementation and adoption of batch and enterprise integration standards are an excellent complement to the standards development work done by ISA-SP88 and ISA-SP95.
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WBF's focus on satisfying the technical needs of end-users enhances ISA's mission to serve the information needs of automation professionals.
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WBF's collaborations with other industry organizations complement similar ISA relationships
“There will be no change in the basic structure or direction of WBF”, says Maurice Wilkins, WBF’s Chairman, Millennium Specialty Chemical, a Lyondell Company. “WBF remains an independent non-profit organization dedicated to providing an open and non-commercial forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes. In the near future this affiliation with ISA will allow WBF to provide additional services to WBF members and the entire industrial community.”
“ISA is extremely pleased with the opportunity to affiliate with WBF,” said Ken Baker, ISA President. “WBF is highly respected in the automation community for their excellent work and the ISA leadership looks forward to working with the WBF leaders in advancing the automation profession around the world.”
About ISA
Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
About WBF
WBF provides an open forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes. Created in 1994, members of the non-profit, professional organization include end-users, vendors, consultants and academics. WBF provides organization, management, and structure to facilitate networking among its members and sharing of knowledge and information related to manufacturing processes. WBF documents best practices and guidelines for implementation of standards that apply to batch control and the exchange of batch data, as well as conducting technical conferences and technical training programs. WBF is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org). More information about WBF is available at www.wbf.org.
About OMAC
OMAC–The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users’ Group (www.omac.org) is an affiliate organization of ISA- The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society- and works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
For more information contact
T. S. "Chip" Lee
tlee@isa.org
(919) 990-9412
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