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From One Techie to Another: Vendor-specific Conferences vs. National Trade Shows
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ifm efector's new inspection sensor
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Featured Article: California Custom Fruits & Flavors Automates Material Handling with Vacuum Conveyor
2005 Compensation Questionnaire
Product Announcements & Company News
Featured Event: Remote Monitoring, Control & Automation 2005
Featured Products:
Miniature Magnetic Cylinder Sensors
BX Programmable Logic Controller
2-MegaPixel Vision System
Featured Seminar: Differential Pressure Flow Transmitter Seminar
Services offered by Automation.com & Automationtechies
Hello everyone,
Last week, I started a discussion about vendor-specific conferences compared to national trade shows. More and more vendors are hosting these self-centric events. As a user of automation and control products, which event offers more value to you personally? Here's your chance...I know a few vendors are listening. Send me your feedback via e-mail or post your opinions in our discussion forum at: Vendor-Specific Events vs. Major Trade Shows.
Here's a response from an anonymous user...
"I prefer the big shows where I can compare and see all the vendors. The vendor-specific shows are too narrow in focus. HOWEVER, only top-dogs go to the shows from my company so it doesn't really matter what I think. I wait for product announcements in e-mail letters."
That's one reason Automation.com exists...I know there are a lot more of you out there.
And, here's a response from Bob Gross of Gross Automation, a midwestern automation controls distributor, with a vote for more vendor-specific events.
"We believe that there is a lot of value in these vendor specific events. At the Hannover Fair a couple of years ago, we were impressed at the difference between the US and Europe in how we approach our trade shows and our customers. There, they create a showroom if you will at the expo, complete with creature comforts, product and applications. You literally make an appointment to "tour" the booth. After a coffee or soda, perhaps even a sandwich, you are taken around the booth.
Here, we are trained to spend 3-5 minutes (or less), qualify the lead (notice that this isn't a customer) and then move them out so others can get in. All is a small 8x10 or 10x20 size booth.
Our company, Gross Automation, will be at ABB's Automation World in 2 weeks where, as a sponsor and in a relaxed setting, we can set up "tours" with customers and give (get) the personal attention that is a bit more normal in the European setting. For someone genuinely interested in working with a major controls partner, this really is the way to go.
Gross Automation will also be at Omron's Editor's Day Trade Expo on June 29th. Again, this is a more relaxed opportunity to set up, show specific detailed partnership products and be able to treat attendees as people, not just a sales lead.
Did we talk about cost? Gross Automation had a booth at National Manufacturing Week 2 years ago. After paying for dock space, paying for labor, waiting for electricians, arguing with supervisors over what we could and could not lift, and shelling out thousands, we were broke. We could participate as a partner in literally every one of these manufacturer specific events for less than the cost of NMW - and with more focused and better results.
What a pleasant difference these venues are to the big and expensive major shows that are fast and impersonal. It is also wonderful to go back to treating people like the customers that they are while determining their needs in a more relaxed and helpful environment."
Thanks for the feedback, Anonymous and Bob!
Send me your feedback via e-mail or post your opinions in our discussion forum at: Vendor-Specific Events vs. Major Trade Shows.
Enjoy the rest of this e-news!
California Custom Fruits & Flavors Automates Material Handling with Vacuum Conveyor
This problem/solution case study illustrates how CCFF, a leading provider of fillings and fruit preparations for the food and dairy industries, was able to improve manufacturing processes by replacing its existing manual scooping method with an automated solution from PIAB Vacuum Conveyors. The new solution eliminated waste from lumps in the ingredients and it also prevented physical harm to employees.
Articles and white papers on various automation topics
Application stories using various automation products
Automation.com 2005 Compensation Questionnaire
Automation.com is polling automation and control professionals about career, salary and company information. Please take a couple of minutes to complete our questionnaire so that we can better inform automation industry professionals and employers regarding current salary and employment trends. Results will be available in Spring 2005.
Hear all about it...industry news is published on our site daily. Here are the latest news headlines for your review...use the following links to read the full article. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events.
- Parker CTC Releases HPC & HPX High-performance Factory-hardened Workstations 4/12/05
- TURCK Introduces a New Catalog for its Innovative Line of Industrial Connectivity Products 4/12/05
- NI Measurement Services Software Package Now Includes Free Data-Logging Software 4/12/05
- Honeywell Earns SIL3 Certification for Safety Management Platform 4/12/05
- Aerotech's AGS1000 Cartesian Gantry Uses Brushless Linear Servomotors 4/12/05
- Intermec Technologies Introduces the 730 I-Safe Mobile Computer For Use in Hazardous Environments 4/12/05
- Honeywell to Supply Web Monitoring System to World's Northernmost Paper Mill 4/12/05
- Midwest Motion Products Introduces 2 New 12 Volt DC Gearmotors, Model No. MMP TM55-12V GPK52-016.1 and Model No. MMP.TM55-12V.GPK52-029.1 4/12/05
- PSI Introduces Micro Rapid IN-Feeder Friction Feeder System 4/12/05
- Phoenix Contact Introduces Thermal Transfer Printer for All Marking Applications 4/11/05
- RKC Instrument Announces High Performance Process Controller in a Short Case 4/11/05
- JAI PULNIX Offers Replacement for Popular CV-M70 Machine Vision Camera 4/11/05
- APEM Introduces IA Series of Low Profile Pushbutton Switches 4/11/05
- SimSci-Esscor Dynamic Process Simulation Solution Now Offers Improved Performance and Enhanced Ease of Use 4/11/05
- Keithley Introduces the S510 Semiconductor Reliability Test System 4/11/05
- IXXAT Introduces CAN Interface for Automotive and Industrial Applications 4/11/05
- IXXAT Announces CAN Access Via Bluetooth with CANblue 4/11/05
- Gemba Solutions Introduces OEEIMPACT Connect TPI Software for Overall Equipment Effectiveness 4/11/05
- FKI Logistex Upgrades Horizontal Carousel Line 4/11/05
- ABB Announces The Most Affordable Drive, the ACS50, Extended up to Three Horsepower 4/8/05
- Intermec and Impinj Debut RFID Generation 2 Technology Collaboration 4/8/05
- Intelligent Instrumentation Introduces LANpoint Mobile, Windows CE.NET Data Collection/AutoID Handheld Terminal 4/7/05
- ASI's New High Density Terminal Block Allows 288 Connections in 12 Inches of Panel Space 4/7/05
- ControlAir, Inc. Introduces Compact Electronic Pressure Regulator 4/7/05
- OMRON to Release Safety Network Controller Featuring the World's Highest Safety Control Level 4/6/05
- National Instruments Announces Fastest Available USB-to-GPIB Converter 4/6/05
- DPAC Introduces Airborne™ 802.11b Wireless LAN Node Module Evaluation and Development Kit 4/6/05
- PATLITE Introduces NHM-3FB Network Monitor Signal Tower 4/6/05
- Nyquist and Tecnotion Cooperate to Market Advanced Linear Motion System 4/6/05
- Eurobex Now Offers Real-time Automated Order Acknowledgements 4/11/05
- OMRON Announces Establishment of Safety Devices Division to Strengthen Safety Business 4/6/05
- OMRON Announces Revised Dividend Forecast for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2005 4/7/05
- Visteon Reduces Delivery Times, Saves $13 Million with National Instruments Software and PXI Hardware 4/6/05
- ISA Looks Into Possible Standards Compliance Program 4/6/05
- Students Use NI LabVIEW, CompactRIO and PXI to Design Fuel-Efficient Vehicles 4/12/05
- Air Products Lowers Material, Labor and Installation Costs with PROFIBUS 4/6/05
- Ohio Awards TechSolve and UC $1.88 Million to Fund Lean Product Development Pilot 4/6/05
- Wonderware Announces Enhancements to ArchestrA Application Platform for Fab-Wide Equipment Engineering Systems 4/6/05
Remote Monitoring, Control & Automation 2005
October 6 – 7, Orlando, Florida
The Remote Monitoring, Control & Automation Conference, now in it's fourth successful year, will focus on the leading advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, automated process & system controls and device networks. If your business relies on SCADA, security, control, automation, M2M, networking, telemetry and/or condition monitoring you cannot afford to miss this show. Over 40 sessions! Co-located with Onsite Power 2005.
For more information check out their web site at: www.remotemagazine.com/rem_conf_index.htm.
You can also view the Remote 2005 PDF.
ifm efector Miniature Magnetic Cylinder Sensors with GMR technology for pneumatic cylinder applications.More Information on Miniature Magnetic Cylinder Sensors
Request Product Literature or ifm efector Assistance
Beckhoff's BX Programmable Logic Controller is ideal for small to midrange multi-tasking machine control applications.BX Programmable Logic Controller
Request Product Catalog or Beckhoff Assistance
Keyence 2-MegaPixel Vision System. Ultra high-speed and accuracy. Dual camera support. Advanced processing. No PC required.More Information on 2-MegaPixel Vision System
Product & Supplier Search
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Senior Controls and Integration Engineer: La Verne, CA - VaCom Technologies 04/10/2005
- Automation Design Engineer: Prescott, WI - Phillips Plastics Corporation 04/07/2005
- Project Manager, Industrial Controls Projects: Minneapolis, MN - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Controls Engineer: Newark, NJ - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Controls Engineer: Boston, MA - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Software Engineer: Flagstaff, AZ - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Project Engineer: North Western, SC - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Controls Engineer: Aiken, SC - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Controls Specialist: Southern, MN - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Service Engineer: Boston, MA - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Electrical Engineer: Central, NY - automationtechies 04/12/2005
- Maintenance Supervisor: Fort Dodge, IA - automationtechies 04/11/2005
- Electrical Engineer (Instrumentation): Dallas, TX - automationtechies 04/10/2005
- Instrumentation/IT Specialist: Odessa/Midland, TX - automationtechies 04/06/2005
- Controls Engineer: Cedar Rapids, IA - automationtechies 03/28/2005
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
Differential Pressure Flow Transmitter Seminar
Flowmeters are important. There are over 300 flowmeter suppliers. How do you know which flowmeters to pick? These one-day seminars are taught by David W. Spitzer, a world-recognized expert on flow measurement and author of The Consumer Guide to… books, Industrial Flow Measurement, and a Contributing Editor of FLOW CONTROL magazine.
June 27 - Philadelphia, PA
July 11 - Chicago, IL Click here for seminar outline or Download registration form
Other Training Courses & Seminars
Browse for training courses, seminars, web-seminars and workshops offered by various training organizations, product manufacturers and suppliers in industrial automation, process control and instrumentation. For information on specific training courses and seminars, please use the following links:
- Bar Code Training
- Data Acquisition Training
- Data Communications and Networking Training
- Electrical Controls Training
- Fieldbus Network Training
- Flowmeter & Flow Transmitter Training
- Instrumentation & Process Control Training
- Level Gauge Training
- Machine Vision Training
- Motion Control Training
- OPC & Industrial Networking Connectivity
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) Training
- Risk Assessment Safety Training
The goals you’ll never reach…the bonus you’ll never get.
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