OpsManage’09

Evolution of world of wonder!

Earlier this year many asked Why WonderWorld is Evolving to OpsManage’09? We were told that this expanded event would “add even more value and deliver what you have come to expect at WonderWorld.”

We have attended Wonderware conferences in Ireland and Britain including WonderWorld 2006 in Daventry (GB) and found it fascinating with a large mix of attendees from industry and systems builders from Europe in attendance for an intensive selection of talks and discussions packed into two days.

Sudipta Bhattacharya Of course there were many releases issued to co-incide with the event. 3rd November: Virtual Realty Training System from Invensys to Help Advance Clean Coal Power for US Department of Energy – the US Department of Energy (DOE) is to utilise the company’s EYESim™ virtual reality training solution as the centerpiece of a new state-of-the-art training center to assist in the development of new generation zero-emission integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants with carbon capture. 4th November: Invensys Announces Wonderware Intelligence 1.0 – this new EMI solution features best-in-class data analysis, presentation and reporting with HMI-like ease of use. InFusion SCADA 2.0 Offering from Invensys Delivers New Functionality, Flexibility and Security for Remote Operations – Comprehensive solution has RTUs for oil & gas, water & wastewater applications. Invensys Announces Availability of Industrial Utilities Monitoring and Optimization Solution Built On ROMeo 5.2 – New solution enables both demand- and supply side energy management 5th November: Invensys Introduces Corporate Energy Management Application – Out-of-the-box application provides new visibility is to help achieve energy efficiency. Wonderware to partner with B&B Automation at METS 2009 – IOM has partnered with highly experienced industrial automation specialists B&B Automation in order to attend METS 2009, Europe’s prime marine equipment showcase.

We have not been at any other these events on the other side of the Atlantic so we were looking forward being vicariously present at the “New WonderWorld”, OpsManage’09, which was held in Anaheim (CA US) through tweets from the participants at this “One Multi-Discipline Event Where You Can Learn How to Empower Your Sustainable Success!”

Were we disappointed? Yes, frankly we were. Although attendance at this event was significantly more than in previous years, the number of tweets emanating from participants was few and far between. Admittedly we are measuring it against the extraordinary almost blow by blow tweets from the Emerson User Group which undoubtedly set the standard against which all such tweetable events will be measured until somebody surpasses them or tweeterdom collapses under the weight of its own success.

But there were some tweets and click here to see them all. A lot were from Wonderware giving details of the product launches but one’s like those from Longwatch “Sudipta is good presenter/leader. Does history repeat itself?” or “some charts are strikingly familiar from times past. Same issues, new paths..” and the intriguing “..half the audience is doing “the Blackberry prayer.” We would have liked it better if they were tweeting on them! This from “Sudi Bhat,” “Great start to the Invensys OpsManage conference. Customer and partner attendance up by 16% in a tough economy. Great job team!” But then perhaps he was biased! And on the final day this from Wonderware: “Sessions packed, theaters bursting, software experiences have clients on the edge of their seats!” Tell us more!

For Automation World its Managing Editor, Wes Iversen, was there with his trusty recorder and secured a number of interesting interviews. These do give some idea of the flavour of the occasion and of themes and direction indicated by this event:

• Energy Mamagement Interview with Peter Martin, VP IOM.
• A new simulation-based energy management product
  Harpreet Gulati, Director, Simulation & Optimization at IOM.

• New Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence (EMI) product Maryanne Steidinger, Director, Commercialisation, Operations & Information Products, for IOM.
• He also managed to produce a video interview on A display technology concept that the company has developed for use with Wonderware systems Jeff Miller, Director of MES Solutions for E-Technologies Solution, a West Chester, Ohio-based systems integrator.

David Greenfield of Control Engineering filed a report (5th November) entitled Sustainability positioned as key driver of Invensys Operations Management strategy, where he highlights the keynote of Frito-Ley’s David Haft. He also has a report of Sudipta Bhattacharya’s address where he stressed IOM’s change of focus from stresses on issues control and safety, as well as simulation, optimisation and execution rather than on products

The event comprised of Industry Forums, Technical Paper Sessions, Training, Hands-on Software Experiences, and Special Interest Meetings. In addition in the background there was a “Collaboration EXPO” with over fifty stands with “demonstrations addressing real issues.”

The conference was an opportunity for Invensys Operations Management to announce the North American winners of its annual Wonderware Open competition. The “Best Industry Solution” winner was Pepsi Bottling Ventures. The “Best Manufacturing Execution System Application” was awarded to Johnson & Johnson. Campbell Soup was recognized for “Best Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence Application.” The “Best Mobile Solution” was given to OxyChem Taft and the China Ministry of Railway was awarded “Best HMI / SCADA.” More….

One of the first tweets was an invitation from APEX manufacturing Solutions to a sneak preview their new FactoryWidgets™ for WonderwareT™, low cost mini-applications that display Wonderware-based manufacturing KPIs . FactoryWidgets reside on your PC desktop without need for thick client software or even a browser. They can be in view at all times and dragged anywhere on your screen.

This was one of many exhibits from many complimentary enterprises divided into three “zones”, Manufacturing, Energy and Infrastructure, which were further subdivided into areas of interest such as food, water & wastewater and power generation. There was a further “Product” zone which seems to have been focussed on Wonderware applications and allied IOM products.

Russ Fadel tweets at the end Leaving Invensys OpsManage Conference-lots of buzz on sustainability.”

We will try to include links other reports on this “happening” as they are published and welcome information on these.

#ISAExpo

The last picture show!
The end of an era signals many changes at the International Society of Automation

ISA held what turned out to be the last ISAExpo in Houston, (TX US) early in October.

The last ISAExpo! (Pic Ken Keiser)

Comments, reports & discussions on ISAExpo’09 We welcome information on and will link to other reports! 2/11/2009 More on ISA Expo (Gary Mintchel – includes some stand reviews!) Last ISAExpo, first outing for ISA100 wireless standard (Ethernet Book) 30/10/2009 Summary of Multi-Supplier EDDL Demonstration at ISA Expo 2009 23/10/2009 ISA Unveils Plans for ISA Automation Week 2010 in Houston, Texas (ISA Release!) 2 22/10/2009 Show attracts thousands, features Dozens of Special Events (ISA’s release) 19/10/2009 Invensys’ Peter Martin Receives Prestigious ISA Life Achievement Award (see also our critique on his book Automation made Easy). 16/10/2009 More ISA thoughts (Gary Mintchel – Automation Weekly) 10/10/2009 ISA Expo run ends (Gary Mintchel – Automation Weekly) 9/10/2009 Genesis64 demos at ISA Expo 8/10/2009 ISA Expo Showcases Automation Technology Trends (Managing Automation) Industry Trade Shows Diverge (ISA Automation Marketing & Sales LinkedIn Discussion Group) ISA Announces Automation Week show (automation.com) 7/10/2009 Report from ISA Expo: Interoperability (Peter Welander-ControlGlobal) 30/9/2009 ISA: One Members Vision (Domesticating IT) Feb’09 to Oct’09 Exhibitor Press Releases Siemens Introduces the SITRANS SL ACR Systems Wat-R Your Needs? Meridium Launches New SIS Management Module AVEVA Unveils Instrumentation Product to Enhance AVEVA Plant ISA Expo’s posterous - there are interesting pieces on the events at the show on this posterous site. (the dead simple place to post everything!) Before, during and after the show, twitter was active, though, unlike the Emerson Meeting the previous week this was not enthusiastically fostered by the organisers. These tweets may be seen by the #ISAExpo search. See also LinkedIn discussion Social Media has been dubiously minimal at the ISA show on the Process Automation Social Media Club. Steve Toteda on ISA100 Compliance Institute Stand

The size of the show was smaller and the attendance was down too but despite that and despite the encroaching sunami of the “great depression” there was a buzz and even cheerfulness in the air.

Prior to the show we had seen some indications of a desire for change which we noted in our contribution Whether ISA? at the end of September. The ISA is apparently going through its own crisis and word was filtering out about some serious cuts in that organisation. Staff cuts, changes in the regularity of its periodical InTech from a monthly to a bimonthly albeit supported by a more regular internet presence. Their weekly InTech e-news will be produced as a co-branded weekly e-newsletter, with Automation Weekly, in addition to a number of topic-specific e-newsletters. The resulting co-branded e-newsletters will be distributed to Automation.com’s subscribers, ISA members and customers, and InTech subscribers, creating a combined total distribution of more than 90,000 world-wide automation professionals.

On the show front this is to be replaced by Automation Week, “a new knowledge-based conference event, focusing on delivering critical knowledge on the application of automation technologies in processing and manufacturing environments to top professionals.”

“It’s all about knowledge,” says ISA President Jerry Cockrell, who visited the Ireland Section last Spring. “ISA is a knowledge society. We have 30,000 members and we train, we educate, we run seminars and symposia, we have standards, books, educational programs — everything we disseminate is based on knowledge. We’re excited about what ISA Automation Week can offer,” he adds.

This new event will have a small limited table-top segment for vendors to present their wares and services. Bookings appeared to be brisk as the Expo drew to a close.

But back to the show.

There were two emphases I was interested to see this year, one was industrial wireless. The ISA100.11 Standard has just been approved so not surprisingly there was a lot of hype about that. Prior to the show a press tour was arranged to the Arkema plant just north of Houston. This showed that it actually worked. Indeed, Gary Mintchel, Chief Editor of the American publication Automation World tweeted, “ISA 100 works!”. (See also detail on this installation with pictures on the Industrial Ethernet Book.)

A tour of some of the stands was organized by WINA the Wireless and Networking association lead by Steve Toteda of DUST Networks, and current President of WINA. He spoke at the Wireless Track at Pharmatex here in Ireland some years ago.

The second emphasis was on security. This was a very US biased emphasis and included speakers who were heavily involved in the US Department of Homeland Security endevours in this field. Although of somewhat limited interest to non-US nationals it did attract attention and it was fascinating to see their concerns and anxieties. However we did hear a number of comments saying that the focus was too narrow for the International Society of Automation. (See also our item Industrial Security! in show preamble!).

There were other emphases or “Exchanges” at the show, safety, process automation & control, enterprise integration, and, energy & environment. This latter segment has achieved a higher profile in the US with the change in administration and a catching up with many other regions of the world.

One thing that impressed this visitor was the location of “pods” in each of these areas, well signposted where short presentations on various exchanges. These free presentations were remarkable in that though they were out in the show hall were acoustically sound and attendees could hear them without been disturbed by the general hub-bub in the rest of the show.

Attendance at the show hovered between 8000 and 9000, including conference and training attendance.

In box at the side we have endevoured to include links of the various commentaries, reports and blogs and other sites connected with this the last ISAExpo. The earliest are at the bottom leading up to the latest at the top.

Next year? It is difficult to say. Will the new format of Automation Week attract the automation professional? Will it prove the naysayers wrong? Only time will tell!

This correspondant wishes it and the Society well. Floreat!

#EMRex tweets rule

Real and virtual attendance at conference

I have never attended the Emerson User Group meetings in the United States, though I have attended them in Ireland and Britain, where they were called Manufacturing Excellence. In the past few years these have been superceded and maybe replaced by the US mammoth event.

Peter Zornio presents his dual between the traditional and the new!

In early September IPS North American Client Conference, “Achieving sustainable performance” was held in Houston. Then at the end of September over 1600 people at the 2009 Emerson GlobalUsers Exchange, entitled “Engaging Minds. Amazing Results”, descended on Florida’s Orlando and held a week long extravganza which by all accounts was superb. (Earlier in the year we also covered National Instruments events.

Read-out though not there in the flesh felt very much there. Why was this? In a word, or rather two words “Social Media.“

The Twitter Experience! ‘New to Twitter? Stop by the Twitter Station near Registration and the Cyber Café for help in setting up your Twitter account. The folks there can also assist you in making your mobile phone or PC “tweet-ready.” ‘ #EMRex tweeters 99 active tweet 950 tweets. #EMRex top tweeters: @EmersonExchange (142) @RuneReppenhagen (50) @JimCahill (44) @MikeBoudreaux (38) @nancybartels (36) @timalosi (28) The long tail (bottom 80%) of twitter users accounted for more than 30% of the total volume. According to Metcalfe’s law, the efforts of the twitter registration desk increased the value of the #EMRex twitter network by more than 650%! What do you like most about the 2009 Global User “Loved the added Twitter exchange, great to see see live posts!” “There was so much good stuff I couldn’t see it all. “ “Had a great conference. Emerson does a phenomenal job.” “Just an incredible amount of new tech, great content, and even better conversations.” “this workshop along was worth the trip!” “It’s my 2nd one. What an opportunity to see and hear about the latest from EMR along with customers!” For all the folks giving Twitter a try from #EMRex , tag any future process automation-related tweets you have with #PAuto

Your tweet on the big screen!
Emerson embraced the the new technology with a heart and a half and not for the first time showed how their openmindedness fosters real loyalty not only among their employees but also among their customers. About 166 people were tweeting both at and from without the meeting. Indeed most of the information listed here was first learned about from the tweets of people who were attending the different streams of talks.

A novel idea was their use of twitter and anyone who tweeted using the tag #EMRex featured on a big screen at the venue. They also featured these tweets on their Exchange Page.

There was also a Emerson Global User Exchange LinkedIn site.

This report could not have been compiled at all without the use of twitter. It really has been a remarkable tool in bringing information before those who tweet. And it’s free.

“Poof!” they’re gone!!
Live on our PC, Emerson’s introduced significant new products for process control and maintenance, including an industry-changing approach to I/O engineering, project management and field device maintenance. Design process includes personas and stakeholder maps. Goal to eliminate or reduce steps in process to get tasks done. And a whole lot more. “Poof and they’re gone!”

The most spectacular event live on our PC, (see picture above taken from screen grab of event as we viewed it on the web) when Emerson’s Peter Zornio introduced significant new products for process control and maintenance, including an industry-changing approach to I/O engineering, project management and field device maintenance. Design process includes personas and stakeholder maps. The goal is to eliminate or reduce steps in process to get tasks done. And a whole lot more. “Poof and they’re gone!”

Jim Cahill is the marketing communications manager for the Process Systems and Solutions business of Emerson Process Management and self-proclaimed “Chief Blogger”. He produced a number of commentaries on some of the talks and delivered a provocative presentation himself on how to thrive in chaos, a timely intervention.

• Improved Distillation Column Recovery and Reduced Energy Usage
• Tips When Using DeltaV PID Control
• Gamechangers: How to Thrive in Chaos (Slide presentation with sound!)
• Getting a Handle on Plant Energy Usage
• The On-Line Data Analytics presentation
• Modular safety concept to FPSOs and offshore O&G production
• Applying Advanced Process Control to Distillation Processes
• Wireless versus Fieldbus Cost Comparison
• Flow Meter Verification

Jim has since assembled links to articles similar to this on his blog called Recapping Emerson Exchange 2009. There may be some we have missed so a quick perusal of his list might be advantageous! He has created a SlideShare event page for #EMRex presentations!

Another blog ControlDoctors.com presented videos shots of “Dr Tim” visiting various exhibits at the associated exhibition, which featured many comapnys besides Emerson.

• Micromotion Launches an Online Community for Users
• A tour of Emerson Mobile Plantweb Solutions Centere
• A quick look at DeltaV SIS Safety Instrumented System Hardware
• I/O On Demand: An Up Close look at Electronic Marshalling
• Emerson Exchange Flow Measurement Goodness
• Multipoint Fieldbus and Wireless Temperature Solutions with the 848T

During the event Emerson also announced winners and recognized all finalists of 2009 Smart Wireless Innovators Contest.

Reports from the hacks!
Finally there are the reports of the Editors. As usual the ControlGlobal team were very active under the leadership of the inimitable and enthusiastic and incisive Walt Boyes. This team produced a daily resumé of proceedings and emailed this to their mail list. They are also available as html pages on the web and now as pdf issues downloadable from their website.

Exchange reporters at work in their secret bunker!

Reports from Walt Boyes and his ControlGlobal Team

• day 5

• Day 4
• Day 3
• Day 2
• Day 1

pdf copies of each of these daily newsletters may be downloaded here on their site.
Also on ControlGlobal is Peter Wellendar’s A new audience at Emerson’s User Exchange

Emerson Global Users Exchange – Engaging Minds. Amazing Results is a report by Bill Lydon on Automation.com.

Other blogs have reports:
Greg Hale on “Emerson product development: All about ease of use.“
Andrew Bond in Eliminating the ’spaghetti wiring’ Industrial Automation Insider!

Gary Mintchel’s Fast Forward. Gary also conducted a podcast with Dave Deitz, product marketing manager for DeltaV. He then penned a more full report CatchingUp Emerson Exchange (20th Oct)

Emerson Exchange Brings New Products and Innovation in Tough Times is Larry O’Brien’s report from the ARC Advisory Group. (15/10/2009)

Hopefully there will one or two other reports from this important event and we hope to add those to this blog as they become available.

And next year?
They plan to do the whle thing again in the San Antonio Convention Center (TX US) from September 27 – October 1, 2010

IPS NAConf

Achieving sustainable performance
IPS North American Client Conference

Invensys Process Systems held their North American Client Conference in Houston Texas in September 2009. It was entitled Achieving Sustainable Performance.

We have here links to reports on this important event form what appears to be a re-vivified company. These reports from Automation World and Control Global two of the leading North American journals of Automation

Automation World’s Gary Mintchel gives a verbal report on what impressed him about the conference.

Gary Mintchell reports from the Invensys Operations Management conference in Houston on September 23. Topics include thoughts on the conference, new organization and structure, new products.

2009 IPS North American Client Conference: Chaos, Crisis, Clarity By Bill Lydon – Contributing Editor, Automation.com 7/10/2009

Control Global gives a day by day report on the happenings.
Day 1 – 21/9/2009

- Sustainable Performance Anchors Invensys Client Conference
- ExxonMobil, Invensys Team Up on Hurricane Ike Recovery
- Immersive Simulator Extends Training Scope with “Augmented” Reality
- Teamwork, Procedures Enabled Miracle of Flight 1549
- PODCAST: Avantis.PRO 5.0 Asset Management Tool
Features Improved User Productivity, Collaboration
- Simplicity and Scalability Driving I/A Series Roadmap
- Taking Care of Users Tops Triconex Priority List

Day 2 – 22/9/2009

- Better Fieldbus “Control in Field” Saves Time and Headache
- Refinery Hydrogen Poses Optimization Challenge
- Simulation Workbench Reduces Start–Up Complexity, Uncertainty
- CF Industries Streamlines Procurement with Avantis
- Managing Change to Follow OSHA-PSM Standard

Day 3 – 23/9/2009

- New I/A Series Tools Aid Cybersecurity Compliance
- What “Operations Management” Means to Invensys
- Billions of Dollars at Stake in the Refinery of the Future
- Sustainable Chemistry Can Mean Good Business Too
- Invensys Partners for Documentation, Mapping Solution
- Mitigating the Inevitable Pain of Obsolescence

Sure looks like these two reporters were impressed.

Next week looks busy too with the Emerson do in Orland followed the next week by the annual ISA week in Houston…and they tell us there’s a recession!able align=right”

Presidential control

US president learns about control!

Visits high tech Classroom with control hardware

President Obama in college! (AP Photo)

US President Barack Obama visited Hudson Valley Community College in Albany, (NY US) on September 21, to tour a high-tech classroom and give a speech on the economy. The classroom included GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms controllers and operator interface equipment used for the training of tomorrow’s technology workers in areas of green technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing, alternative fuels, and installation and maintenance of photovoltaic, geothermal and wind energy systems.

Featured behind President Obama in the classroom were GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLCs and QuickPanel View operator interfaces. The Series 90-30 has been the PLC of record in applications, such as high speed packaging, material handling, complex motion control, water treatment, continuous emissions monitoring, mining, food processing, elevator control, and injection molding. The QuickPanel View bundled visualization solution provides the tools required for today’s application needs with a combination of bright touch screen displays and multiple communications options.times

Security at show!

Industrial Security
Focus of industry experts at ISA EXPO 2009

Seán McGurk

Greg Garcia

Read-out will as usual be at ISAExpo in Houston (TX US). We will be reporting on products and trends on our ISA Review as we have for the past eight or nine years. We have been receiving some information prior to the show of the different emphases this year.

Sometimes Europeans think that the Americans go overboard with their emphasis on security since the events of September 2001. Nevertheless industrial security which takes centre stage at the show on Wednesday, 7 October will prove fascinating. It will feature presentations by security experts with U.S. Department of Homeland Security experience, as well as a groundbreaking hack and defend tutorial and demonstration on wireless security.

The ISA EXPO 2009 conference will feature six Exchange Conference Tracks centered on key issues facing instrumentation, automation, and control professionals, including a dedicated track on industrial security. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss best practices, lessons learned, and potential solutions to specific automation problems as part of the conference’s technology exchange format.

Securing the US’s Industrial Control Systems Infrastructure
Sean McGurk, DHS Director, Control Systems Security Program (CSSP), will present the ISA EXPO 2009 Keynote Presentation. In his presentation, entitled “Securing the Nation’s Industrial Control Systems Infrastructure”, McGurk is to discuss the current threat landscape, common vulnerabilities and security issues facing critical infrastructure control systems, and mitigation strategies being developed to address these challenges. He will also discuss current program efforts including how to become directly involved in securing the USA’s critical infrastructure control.

Industrial Security and the Political Control System: A View from Washington
Greg Garcia, President, Garcia Strategies, LLC, will deliver the featured presentation, entitled “Industrial Security and the Political Control System: A View from Washington”. Garcia served as the first Presidentially-appointed Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications (CS&C) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, from 2006-2008. During his tenure, this department affirmed the urgency of cyber security across the nation and embarked on a comprehensive cyber initiative that will measurably strengthen the security of our nation’s networks against domestic and international threats.

Live Hack and Defend Industrial Wireless Systems Demonstration
Wednesday’s security spotlight will also feature a live “Hack and Defend Industrial Wireless Systems” demonstration. The never-been-done-before wireless hack and defend tutorial session will give attendees the chance to learn techniques about breaking and defending wireless systems, as well as pose questions to the experts.

ISA Security Lounge The ISA Security Lounge will offer meet-and-greet opportunities with the keynoters—including Sean McGurk and Greg Garcia, industry leaders, recognized professionals, presentations, and running demonstrations of cyber security related topics of interest featured during the technical conference.

Workforce development

Opportunities Available

to Support the Growth of Automation Professionals

When: 6-8 October 2009 Where: ISA EXPO 2009, Reliant Center, Houston, Texas, USA

As part of the International Society of Automation (ISA) and the Automation Federation’s workforce development efforts, a number of student, professional, and career-building activities are being offered through ISA’s Automation Career Connection event, held in conjunction with ISA EXPO 2009.

Automation Career Connection offers a multitude of activities related to careers in automation. It’s designed to bring industry professionals, academia, college students, middle and high school students, and those interested in getting involved with the automation profession at these special event offerings:

YAPFEST –Gives students and automation professionals, ages 18-30, the chance to network with others who are interested in careers in automation—all in a festive atmosphere.

iAU2M8.09 – Introduces the concept of automation to middle and high school students and provides examples of the many career choices through educational displays, a keynote presentation, and more activities related to the automation profession.

Undergraduate Student Research Conference – An opportunity for pre-selected college students to show their fundamental knowledge and skills in an information exchange focused on research projects.

Business & Academic Leads Roundtable – Presented by the Institute for a Competitive Workforce – US Chamber of Commerce, this program invites business and academia together to discuss critical topics including, Business-Education Partnerships: The Road Both Travelled; Better Education Data – A Key To Effective Educational Decisions, and the National Governors Association – Common Core Initiative.
This program will be held on 6 October from 9:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m.

Re-employment Webcast Summit–A live webinar presented by the US Department of Labor that will focus on critical areas of concern for the unemployed and “need-to-knows” for re-employment into the workforce. Those currently unemployed in the automation profession or those looking to advance in their careers are encouraged to attend.
This free webcast will take place on 7 October from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

NI Week ‘09

Who’s listening?

This is the second day of the annual NI Week 2009. This is National Instruments 15th annual customer and technology conference, opens August 4 in Austin (TX US), for three days of interactive technical sessions, targeted summits, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions on the latest developments for design, control, automation, manufacturing, and test.

We usually seek reports on these events and put links to these reports on the Read-out Signpost events page (right-hand column). The last such event was the Honeywell User Group, rather wonderfully shortened to HUG. We have put in links to the INTECH and Automation.com reports on HUG (and will link to others if and when we become aware of them!

In out daily perusal of twitter we spotted that a number of people were sending 140 character messages from the event. These ranged from the intriguing “OH would you like a bite of my meat”,
through the understandable “SWEET! I won a LAVA mug at the #niweek LAVA BBQ!!!”,
the effusive “Relaxing after a great first day of #NIWeek. Can’t wait to see what is in store for tomorrow! Its the most wonderful time of the year! “,
the practical “learning about software eng tools in 16B”
and the unexpected “Mention NiWeek Conference and get 20% off! Click here for directions. http://ow.ly/iXso Here for reservations http://ow.ly/9G2v” (This from a local restauraunt – good marketing there!).

As we look at the twitters (do a search for #NIweek) and the entries come thick and fast. “25 entries since you started this search. Click refresh to see them!”

So if your not there then this is a flavour of what is happening!

OK so that’s a flavour. But what is the message from the first day?

Well who better to set the tone than Dr James Truchard, founder of National Instruments in his opening remarks. I think that Gary Mintchell of the American publication Automation World encapsulates it well “NI execs – financial engineers would benefit from real engineers, understand the constraints of your model.”

It is very interesting how this simple 140 character messaging system is enabling this correspondant in this beautiful corner of Ireland’s west coast can get something of the experience of these events.

But I can’t help asking myself the question, “If the audience are busy twittering who’s actually listening to what’s been said?”

Tumult and Turbulence

ISA MARKETING & SALES SUMMIT KEYNOTES ANNOUNCED

The 4th Annual ISA Marketing & Sales Summit will take place September 9-11, 2009, in Boston. It looks like an interesting and timely programme.

The theme is in keeping with the times: Managing Through the Tumult and Turbulence.

This year’s keynote speakers include:

Dick Morley - father of the PLC

– David Caruso, Industry Analyst, Manufacturing & IT; topic, “Technology Moneyball: Unlocking Your Opportunities”
- Dr. J. Patrick Kennedy, CEO and Founder, OSIsoft
- Dr. Hans Baumann, former Sr. VP Technology, Fisher Controls,
author of “Building Lean Companies“ and “The Ideal Enterprise: Managing by the Law of the Sphere“
- Dick Morley, PLC inventor, author “Out of the Barn“

The Marketing & Sales Summit will also feature 9 breakout sessions, a channel marketing workshop, and 2 pre-summit workshops:
Marketing & Sales 101 by Walt Boyes and
Advanced Software Pricing by Jim Geisman.

Student Paper Competition The ISA’s Management Division will be sponsoring a student competition for the best paper at this year’s summit. They are currently in the process of establishing the proper procedure as far as content, formatting, word count, etc

Roundtable

Automation Federation Participates in United-States – European Union Roundtable Discussion on Economic Recovery

This release from the Automation Federation is perhaps the first concrete example of true international co-operation which recognises the discipline of Automation. It is to be hoped that this co-operation will increase to include other countries or alliances in the future.

The Automation Federation was invited to participate in a United States – European Union Roundtable to discuss “Skills for Growth and Jobs in the Economic Recovery and Beyond.” The Roundtable held May 28-29, in Washington, D.C., centered on workforce development strategies for economic recovery, with a focus on employment strategies that the U.S. and the EU could share to help promote economic recovery.

Douglas Small

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) extended the invitation to the Automation Federation to participate in the Roundtable because of their strategic partnership, particularly in the arena of workforce development.

The Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities for the European Union, Xavier Prats-Monnè, led the European Union (EU) delegation of twenty-one individuals, representing the twenty-seven EU countries participating in the Roundtable.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Labor, Douglas Small, led the twenty-four individuals representing the United States, which included Michael Marlowe, director of government relations for the Automation Federation.

Gay Gilbert, DOL administrator, discussed the importance of Competency Models for the development of worker skill sets for future economic recovery efforts. In her presentation, Gilbert highlighted the completed Automation Competency Model, developed by DOL with the assistance of the Automation Federation. She also noted that the European Union would find value in developing strategic partnerships similar to what the DOL and the Automation Federation have built.

Xavier Prats-Monnè

Michael Marlowe met with Xavier Prats-Monnè to discuss the Automation Federation and their workforce development initiatives, including the Automation Competency Model. The initial feedback from Prats-Monnè was positive. Subsequent to the Roundtable, the Automation Federation and the European Union have agreed to further discussions regarding the Automation Competency Model and how it can be utilized by the members of the EU.

About the OECD The OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to: · Support sustainable economic growth · Boost employment · Raise living standards · Maintain financial stability · Assist other countries’ economic development · Contribute to growth in world trade The Organisation provides a setting where governments compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice, and coordinate domestic and international policies. About Automation Federation The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization under which member associations and societies engaged in manufacturing and process automation activities can work more effectively to fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is working to become the “Voice of Automation.” More about the Automation Competancy Model

Steve Huffman, chair of the Automation Federation government relations committee said, “The Automation Federation’s participation in this significant meeting between the United States and the European Union provides the Federation with an excellent opportunity to raise the awareness about the Automation Competency Model on a global front. The Model will become international and recognition for the automation professional will be established globally.”

After the Roundtable, Marlowe and Gilbert met with Melvin Brodsky, director of Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) for the Department of Labor. At this meeting Brodsky expressed his willingness to work with the Federation to help expand the message and importance of the Automation Competency Model to additional countries.

Marlowe commented, “The DOL has helped the Federation introduce the Automation Competency Model beyond U.S. borders through new communication opportunities. The partnership between DOL and the Automation Federation continues to be a great asset. These opportunities—the Roundtable and the OECD—will help take the Automation Competency Model global and thus bring the Federation closer to our goal of establishing due recognition for automation professionals.”

Walt Boyes of ControlGlobal.com comments in his “Sounding Off” blog: “Now this is more along the lines of things that ISA should be doing– raising the awareness of folks both in North America and in Europe about the Automation Competency Model they’ve been working on with the U.S. Department of Labor.”