Message from the CEO
The 2020 CSIA Executive Conference in Context
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By Jose Rivera
This newsletter is published to coincide with the release of the
2020 CSIA Executive Conference website
. The launch of the website represents the culmination of a long planning effort. As is customary, CSIA announced the location of the 2020 conference at the conclusion of the 2019 conference. In Asheville, CSIA also announced the theme “Claiming the Role of the SI in the Digital Transformation.”
Digital Transformation Task Force and CSIA Regional Event
The
CSIA Regional Event
that took place in Chicago on October 8 was also dedicated to the topic of digital transformation. This deep involvement has helped us to develop the program for the 2020 conference.
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CSIA is auditioning for 2020 Executive Conference
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By Jose Rivera
As you are probably aware, the theme for the
2020 Executive Conference
is “Claiming the Role of the SI in the Digital Transformation.” From my regular interaction with SIs, I know that some SIs have started their journey delivering on previously untraditional SI functions. I know of SIs conducting "smart industry readiness" surveys to end users, value stream mapping, unmanned vehicle testing, etc.
CSIA would like you to share your experiences delivering on these functions as part of an SI panel. CSIA is auditioning for a possible panel role at the 2020 CSIA Executive Conference.
If interested, please submit the following by January 31:
- Your name, your company and contact info
- Short description of the non-traditional role performed and how it impacted your relationship with your end user client
Please participate if you can.
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Best Practices Committee announces
Acceptable Use Policy of IT Assets
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By Remco Kappert
The
Best Practices Committee
is not only working on improving the manual for the next version, it is also working to produce documents that support system integrators in improving their business. For example, the committee is currently developing documentation for
- Panel building
- Configuration management
- Quality
In the meantime, the committee has recently published the Acceptable Use Policy of IT Assets to help members address the issue of cybersecurity.
CSIA members can find the policy
here
.
You will be interested in this policy if you have questions like:
- How do I protect my company against cybersecurity incidents?
- How do I protect my (or my clients') confidential information from being disclosed?
- What do I teach my employees about cybersecurity?
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By Lisa Richter
Industrial Automation Exchange blog
Recent topics posted on the Exchange blog include:
Talking Industrial Automation podcast
If you are a podcast fan, you’ll want to check out CSIA’s Talking Industrial Automation. Some of the latest episodes include:
Interested in being a podcast guest or guest blogger? Both are available to organizations that have upgraded to a Gold Profile. Contact
Lisa Richter
to learn how you can take advantage of these opportunities to position your C-suite as thought leaders.
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Decrease HMI/SCADA risk as a value-added service
Windows 7 obsolescence offers integrators an opportunity
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By Alicia Bowers Millinger
Many of your customers are running their plant operations with serious risk. They are using Windows 7, which reaches end of life in January 2020. They could even be using an older OS. The question is, are they using the most up-to-date version of their HMI/SCADA software?
Most industrial applications lack recommended updates and security patches, which make them a target for hackers. Outdated architectures, backups and spares can also create problems. With the number of attacks on industrial applications rising and the critical need for plant system availability, you can add value for your customers by helping to minimize HMI/SCADA risk. You can decrease their unplanned downtime and protect their organization.
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A partner endorsement, an in-person thank you, a top 3 appearance and fan mail were just some of the compliments CSIA recently received.
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In this
video
, Jack Barber of Exotek reveals why National Instruments vetted potential partners based on CSIA certification.
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Bryan Holmes of
BD Becton Dickinson stopped by the CSIA Booth during the Rockwell Automation Fair in November to let us know he listens – and loves – the Talking Industrial Automation
podcast
.
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Unsolicited compliments are the best! In this case,
Shawn Xurvein, a Sales Engineer at Industrial Tool Inc., took time out of his day to send an email expressing his appreciation for the
Talking Industrial Automation
podcast. Aw, shucks.
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Using the R&E tax credit to improve profitability
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By Tim Finerty
I have previously written about strategies system integrators can implement to maximize their
research and experimentation (R&E) tax credit
. This article focuses on ways that businesses can use those credits to drive improvements in their revenue and profitability. Most system integrators have heard that the R&E tax credit can have an immediate impact on a company’s cash position as it frees up money that ordinarily would have been used
to pay annual or estimated taxes. Specifically, I will be looking at some ways a business can use those savings to attract more customers and improve operations.
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Important Pulse and Salary Survey updates
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By Jose Rivera & Tim Campbell
Benchmarking is critical for the success of any company or organization, including those of system integrators. That’s why CSIA has historically offered its members essential SI benchmarking programs that are not available anywhere else
—
CSIA Pulse, Salary Survey and EZ Stats. CSIA is committed to evolving and improving these programs while continuing to ensure data confidentiality.
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By Lisa Richter
The past few months have been active on the M&A front for the industrial automation industry with the following transactions:
If you have M&A information that has been made public, contact CSIA Industry Director
Lisa Richter
for consideration in the next issue. Disclaimer: M&A Corner is not intended to be a source for breaking news but a place to get caught up on recent deals.
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Let's talk about introducing security
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By Toby Weir-Jones
Automation system integrators earn their bread and butter staying on top of all the evolving solutions across the control systems space. No longer limited to hardware, it has spread to cover a wide range of software tools, specialized interfaces with physical assets and staff training around policies and procedures.
These systems evolve over time and, even in relatively small environments, become complex. Documentation may exist, but even if it does, it may not reflect every detail; a certain belief in institutional knowledge among the skilled staff and supporting individuals always helps fill in any rough edges when decisions must be made.
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LATAM Update / Noticias de LATAM
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CSIA Best Practices Manual now available in Spanish
By Carolina Casas Anzola
Unfortunately, economic crises
—
downturns, recession, contraction or economic depression
—
are a frequent phenomenon of contemporary societies, especially those belonging to the so-called Third World, whose industrial and economic bases are not always very solid or depend on the market price of the export raw material, for example.
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En tiempo de crisis … un Buen Aliado … la major solución!
Por: Carolina Casas Anzola
"Cada crisis es una invitación a ingresar en el maravilloso mundo de las infinitas posibilidades,” Renny Yagosesky.
También puede representar una oportunidad para cambiar y corregir los errores cometidos en el pasado.
En CSIA hacemos el mejor y mayor esfuerzo, y enfatizamos en una cordial invitación para que nos vean y utilicen como sus más fieles y
consecuentes aliados. Es sano recordar el viejo adagio “una mano lava la otra y las dos lavan la cara”
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Does the thought of being featured in industry news outlets excite you? Do you want greater name recognition among your colleagues? Are you looking for way to boost your ranking in search engines?
Or do you simply love what you do and want to write about it?
Take a look at the media opportunities below
—
exclusively for CSIA members. Click on each one to see details in our Open Forum (log-in required):
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Connect with us on LinkedIn!
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Looking for even more ways to stay involved with CSIA and get the most out of your membership?
Follow us on LinkedIn and stay in the know on the latest CSIA and general system integrator news!
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Date: Tuesday, December 10
Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (CT)
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Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (CT)
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Interested in sponsoring the 2020 Executive Conference?
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A variety of sponsorship levels are available
exclusively to CSIA members
. Your support of the CSIA Executive Conference is crucial to the success of this event.
Thank you to the companies below who have already confirmed their support!
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Stay in the know on the latest CSIA and industry news. Follow us on social media!
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