http://www.isa.org/ InTech provides the most thought-provoking and authoritative coverage of automation technologies, applications, and strategies to enhance automation professionals’ on-the-job success. en-us Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:47:41 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92905 It is an exciting time in the U.S. automation field. Capital is becoming more readily available. Demand for custom-manufactured products is surging. Our land, energy, and telecommunication costs are lower than in most other advanced countries. Our business infrastructure and intellectual property rights are more developed. And we are one of the world's lowest-cost producers of raw materials – including oil and gas. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92905 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92185 The process control industry is facing a major crisis: Engineers and technicians are nearing retirement age, and not enough trained and knowledgeable people are entering the workforce to replace them. End-user companies, systems integrators, and engineering procurement & construction (EPC) firms are trying to fill this void by sending new hires, as well as more experienced employees, to training schools. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92185 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91308 Through a series of special events and forums over the past month, I have had a chance to engage in some in-depth, highly insightful conversations with process engineering, control engineering, and IT executives across a range of industries. From oil and gas to fine chemical to water/wastewater to food and beverage, these professionals shared some common priorities and goals as they look forward to 2013. It might be interesting to see if they align with your own. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91308 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90801 Attempting to define the "future of automation" is a real challenge, especially considering the complexity of today's industrial operations and automation systems. Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90801 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90150 We all know it costs far more to attract new customers than to keep current ones ... Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90150 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90185 In today's hyper-competitive environment, everyone is looking for ways to increase the value and sustainable differentiation of their products and services ... Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90185 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89176 Ever since the Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010, safety and risk management has become the subject pushed to the forefront of every business operating in the oil and gas sector. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89176 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88555 When the subject of China comes up, I often ask people if they remember that 1970's Calgon detergent commercial ... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88555 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87840 Name any recent industrial disaster, and you will find the “perfect storm” of events that together led to catastrophic results. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87840 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87286 The abbreviated quote by Albert Einstein-"Everything should be as simple as possible, but no simpler"-can be used to illustrate an important contributor to business success. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87286 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86954 Every industrial executive who participated in a roundtable discussion Invensys recently hosted indicated replacing their aging and retiring workforce is one of their most difficult challenges. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86954 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86246 As I mentioned in my opening remarks at the ARC World Industry Forum in Orlando in February, while the business drivers have not changed significantly for industry since last year, the intensity continues to increase. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86246 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85573 Quick … name the most common cybersecurity threat in today's industrial manufacturing plant. Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85573 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84921 Today's manufacturing enterprises are global, asset intensive, and feature high-variability designs that make them difficult to manage from an operational perspective. Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84921 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84336 Integrated asset management Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84336 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83589 Keys to maximizing the profitability of unconventional gas operations Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83589 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83079 FIRST: Where everyone can turn pro Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83079 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=82298 A holistic approach to energy management Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=82298 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81674 The 'emerged' skill crisis Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81674 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81097 Online collaboration: A win for all of us Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81097 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=80588 Surface key to social network success Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=80588 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=79612 Benefits of integrated process, power automation Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=79612 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78997 Gilsdorf: Wireless allows more data points Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78997 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78447 Gilsdorf: Wireless continues to gain momentum Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78447 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=77999 Schneider dishes on organic growth, acquisitions Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=77999 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76996 ABB N.A. chief: Down times, yes, but true growth areas exist Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76996 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76215 Recovery will come in pieces Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76215 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=75693 Working with IT to grow Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=75693 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=74695 To gain technology advantage, change remains key Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=74695 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=74622 Process industry remains a guiding light Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=74622