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 15:47:43 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92902 It may be time to start seriously considering applying robots to improve manufacturing. As with many technologies, it has taken time for robots to be refined and cost-reduced before being broadly adopted in manufacturing. Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92902 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92163 Automation engineers regularly discuss the difficulty of convincing management to fund new automation projects. Companies need to adopt new technology to remain competitive, survive, and grow in the world economy. I suggest that automation engineers help management understand that applying new technology enables a company to remain competitive. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92163 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91305 Question: Is it more important for engineers to focus on application engineering or adding new products? The answer is both. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91305 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90804 There can be a great attractiveness to standardize on a single vendor for automation systems and services, but is this always the best decision for manufacturers to be competitive? Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90804 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90142 The addition of new people to the automation profession provides a great opportunity to avoid ... Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90142 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89689 Decision-making is an important part of the automation professional's job responsibility ... Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89689 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89181 Boeing's Dianne Chong, vice president Assembly, Factory, and Support Technology, gave a keynote at the annual ARC World Industry Forum. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89181 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88549 I recently visited Lee College in Baytown, Tex., which is a community college doing an amazing job of training automation and instrument professionals that are needed by industry. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88549 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87834 In this competitive world, improving efficiency in many industries is becoming essential for survival. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87834 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87275 In my opinion, there is too much hype about the Smart Grid without looking at the core problems from an engineering and business point of view. Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87275 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86945 Automation professionals have a unique set of knowledge and skills to improve production efficiencies and plant operations. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86945 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86240 ISA Automation Week 2011 opportunity Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86240 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85568 Taken to an extreme, outsourcing can potentially leave a company with no core competitive advantage. Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85568 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84851 It is easy to label a product with the term commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), and lately it is being done more often as a way to lead buyers to believe it should be the only criteria to select a product. Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84851 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84331 Knowledge based systems: Silver bullet or false security Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84331 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83584 Control engineering and information groups at odds Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83584 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83073 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster lessons Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=83073 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=82314 Putting knowledge to work Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=82314 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81669 Sustainability challenge Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81669 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81079 Be a source of your company's success Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=81079 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=79606 Keep your eye on the ball Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=79606 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78993 Time for real innovators to stand up Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78993 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78444 Will the real leader please stand up Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78444 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=77988 New challenges require flexible leaders Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=77988 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76989 Alternative? Yes; ‘Unfriendly'? Think again Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76989 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76203 Global teamwork wins Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76203 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/Content