By Jose Rivera
Congratulations! We have made it through our second pandemic year. We now look forward to 2022. We can’t wait for the return of the in-person conference but also the continuation of some of the “newer things” we developed in response to the pandemic to stay engaged and deliver value (e.g., weekly virtual events, ability to conduct remote audits, etc.).
The Future of Work
From recent conversations with members, including those attending the 2021 Partner Committee meeting in October and Rockwell Automation Fair in Houston in November, it is obvious that we have moved to a hybrid workplace. Many SIs are still figuring out exactly what this means for their teams. The changes introduced and accelerated by the pandemic are nevertheless not limited to workplaces.
The SI community is emerging with expanding business opportunities as end users are investing heavily in automation to enable manufacturing reshoring; supply chain strengthening; and factory-floor, worker-density reduction to cope with serious labor shortages and contain contagion.
This has provided impetus for many digital transformation initiatives.
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By Jeff Thornton
In 1893, the first analog panel meter was invented by Dr. Edward Weston. Anytime something needs to be counted or measured -- from speed to temperature to units coming off the production line -- a panel meter is likely part of the solution.
The Panel Meter Evolution
The panel meter is used to display these critical data points to the machine operator. In the beginning, they were basic displays, from a swing arm meter to a simple numeric display. As panel meters evolved, controls and relays were added for basic control functionality. Limited communication was added years later.
Present-day panel meters are used much the same way – a local display indicator for the machine operator. To add a feature or data point to be indicated to the machine operator, another panel meter needs to be wired into the system.
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Software Toolbox’s Secure Gift to
CSIA Members to Start 2022 off Right
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By John Weber
It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of 2021, and we are all, I hope, looking forward to being together again in Denver in June 2022!
As I contemplated what to share for this final newsletter and what we could give you to help you start the new year right, many things came to mind, but one subject rose to the top, and that’s security. In this article I’m going to give you access to a compilation of our experiences, tips and resources on cybersecurity topics in industrial control.
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By Lisa Richter
In no order, a few sundries:
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Last chance: Thinking about joining CSIA? Sign up now, and you’ll still get a couple of extra weeks thrown in. Same goes for any Exchange profile upgrades or packages.
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Where’s the love: If you are a current CSIA member and you haven’t renewed yet, get er done! The primary contact on the account can go to controlsys.org, log in and knock out those invoices. If you have already renewed, I’ll make sure Santa (or whatever magical creature you lie to your kids about) knows to put a little something extra into your stocking this year.
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Uh oh, did someone just take your spot? If you haven’t locked in your marketing plans with CSIA for 2022; you should scootle your bootle because we sold out in 2021 and I’d hate to see you miss out. [Members only.]
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Talent Retention Toolbox: Now more than ever, you need to make sure your game is on-point when it comes to staying competitive in the Thunderdome that is the labor market. The TRT can help. [Members only.]
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CSIA Pulse too!: As services organizations, the cost of talent is most likely the most significant line item on your income statement. TRT provides valuable insight into how your organization’s talent cost structure compares to others in our industry. CSIA’s Pulse program carries this benefit further by providing a quarterly look at how efficiently your organization is deploying your team. Benchmark your operations against your peers to focus your management efforts on the areas that will deliver the most value. (h/t Benchmarking Committee Chair Titus Crabb, president of Vertech.) [Members only].
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Conference registration is open! (Did I bury the lead)?
Questions? Send me an email, I’m here for it.
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CODESYS Provides all the Right Tools for
Intelligent Packaging Technology
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By CODESYS Corporation
According to recent studies, around 40 percent of the volume shipped consists of air, which is caused by shipping boxes that are too large. In addition to huge amounts of packaging waste, there are almost twice as many delivery vehicles on roads as necessary.
Just-in-time, fully automated packaging processes and custom-made boxes are on the forefront and will replace former store-and-retrieve, pre-made box inventories. The pioneer in the packaging Industry, Packsize Technologies, offers with On Demand Packaging solutions intelligent packaging solutions: The smallest possible packaging is created for each product, exactly when it is needed directly from a packaging line. The benefits: Significantly less packaging material, optimized throughout the supply chain, thanks to small packages. Packsize Technologies relies on the CODESYS Software Suite and the CODESYS Automation Server.
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Flexible Connectivity Unlocks Operational Resiliency |
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We know, now, that we’re resilient. We know that focus on the work persists despite isolation and concern. We know that manufacturers scarcely skipped a beat transitioning to virtual environments for back-office and other key functions, while ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all personnel.
But what about our systems and ways of doing things? Have they proved to be as resilient as we are?
Download the latest eBook from CFE Media and Technology to learn how flexible, real-time access to operational data across the organization is key to unlocking operational resiliency.
This content is sponsored by Kepware.
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2022 System Integrator of the Year Winners
Include 3 CSIA Certified Members
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Three CSIA Certified Members earned a 2022 System Integrator of the Year award:
The 2022 System Integrator of the Year recipients were selected by industry experts and CFE Media from nominations from within the industry. Interviews with each of the System Integrator of the Year award winners are featured in the annual Global System Integrator Report published by CFE Media and distributed in the December issues of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering magazines.
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What is a “Third-Party Beneficiary” and Why Do I Care? |
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By Mark Voigtmann and Brian Clifford
Every so often a contract or purchase order will mention that a company other than the customer is a “third-party beneficiary” of the agreement. Sometimes this “beneficiary” is the end user (in the situation where the integrator’s contract is with a middleman). On other occasions this “beneficiary” is an affiliated or parent company of the customer. What does this title mean and why should an integrator care?
Consequences Can Be Harsh
Simply put, a third-party beneficiary is a legal status created by contract that gives the so-called beneficiary all the same contract rights as your customer. Which means: If you breach the contract, not can only your customer enforce the terms (and collect damages), but the third-party beneficiary can too — even though this beneficiary never signed any agreement with you. In some situations that may be unavoidable or expected. But in others, particularly where your customer contract already is problematic (for instance, contains no limitations on liability of any kind), the consequences may be harsh.
State Differences
The law on third-party beneficiaries differs from state to state. Some states are loose on this topic — and don’t require contracts to formally name a third-party beneficiary for that status to be implied from the situation. Others require great formality.
Bottom Line
The bottom line: If you really want to be sure you are preventing a “relative stranger” to your agreement from having rights against you, it’s important to put in writing the opposite: that the parties agree that there are no third-party beneficiaries to your customer contract.
Did you know CSIA members can access legal services for free or a flat discounted rate? Learn more here.
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Win the Talent Game with the Right Company Culture |
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By Tim Finerty
Attracting and retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive, post-COVID hiring market has become a hot topic for business leaders in many sectors, including those who specialize in industrial automation. It’s a universal challenge, but solutions that will have lasting impact demand a common language so employers and their teams can understand the core issues and stakes.
Defining Company Culture Terms
Decades ago, organizational development and efficiency icon Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In five words, Drucker set a compass for today’s conversations about employee engagement. No matter how perfect your business strategy might be, it can’t succeed without the buy-in of the people you rely on to implement it.
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Here’s your quarterly roundup of recent content you may have missed. |
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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:
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Episode 59: Brandon Ellis of Ellitek explains how he teaches his engineers to do “what then,” analysis to ensure that his customers get the right solutions.
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Episode 60: Steve March of Schneider Electric recounts how the company went from from an abandoned foundry to a global company with almost 130,000 employees, close to $30 billion in revenue and multiple smart factory lighthouse sites since its inception almost 200 years ago.
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Episode 61: Sam Cafferata of Concept Systems reveals the common denominator for his favorite projects. This episode is sponsored by Xometry, the leading AI-enabled marketplace for on-demand manufacturing.
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Business and Technical Webinars
CSIA members share their expertise in these free virtual event recordings. (You do not need to be a member to access most of the following content, but you will need to register with the site.)
Interested in being a podcast guest or guest blogger? Both are available to member 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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By Lisa Richter
The past few months have been active on the M&A front for the industrial automation industry with the following transactions:
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CSIA Certified Members Sage Group and Autoware have entered a strategic partnership “centered around joining their forces and efforts in transforming the manufacturing landscape.” Read the full announcement here.
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Re:Build Manufacturing announced the acquisition of CSIA Certified Member Optimation Technology, according to the press release.
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ECS Solutions, Inc., a CSIA Certified member, acquired the assets of CSIA Member LPR Automation. Read more about it in the announcement.
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Tetra Tech, Inc. acquired Enterprise Automation, a CSIA Certified Member. More information is available here.
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Inframark, LLC, acquired CSIA Certified Member MR Systems. The details are available here.
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CSIA Member Graybar completed the acquisition of Steven Engineering, Inc., according to the company website.
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CSIA Member Roeslein & Associates announced the acquisition of Servtech, Inc. The press release is here.
If you have M&A information that has been made public, contact 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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LATAM Update / Noticias de LATAM |
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The Work of the Future
By Carolina Casas Anzola
This evolution from fixed work models to highly flexible ones is a journey that many companies are currently moving on. Systems for measuring results and models of autonomous work in which employees enjoy a high degree of freedom are beginning to be used. Others have not gone that far, although they have applied different degrees of "agility" and have varied the levels of empowerment of their staff. But, regardless of the stage of the journey in which each one is, the most obvious course is the same for everyone.
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El Trabajo del Futuro
Por Carolina Casas Anzola
Esta evolución desde esquemas fijos de trabajo a otros altamente flexibles es un viaje en el que actualmente están embarcados muchos empresarios. Se empiezan a utilizar sistemas de medición de resultados y esquemas de trabajo autónomo en los que los empleados disfrutan de un alto grado de libertad. Otros no han ido tan lejos, aunque sí han aplicado distintos grados de «agilidad» y han variado los niveles de empoderamiento de su plantilla. Pero, con independencia de la etapa del viaje en la que se encuentre cada uno, el rumbo más evidente es el mismo para todos.
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Did you know that CSIA can help you get published in the trade press? Get your expertise noticed by potential clients when you take advantage of the media opportunities that come with your CSIA membership.
Browse upcoming opportunities here. [Members only]
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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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Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors! |
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Stay in the know on the latest CSIA and industry news. Follow us on social media! |
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