Automation.com e-News - April 5, 2006

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April 5, 2006 - Volume VII, Issue 14
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In this Issue	Sponsored by SIXNET
From One Techie to Another: System Integrators are Key Featured Article: Plant Floor Automation Requirements for Food ERP Systems Product & Company News New on Automation.com Dataradio Featured Training Alarm Management Workshops Featured Application Tool Automation Components CD Featured Products: Vision 8 Development Module Siemens Automation Summit DC Power Supplies RFID System AS-Interface Gateway New Job Opportunities New Auctions & Classifieds Dilbert Pick of the Week	The SIXNET Micro-IPm can do things your way with Linux! The compact Micro-VersaTRAK µIPm™ (Micro-IPm) is the ideal plant-floor interface for: Water treatment applications Real-time inventory management Remote process monitoring HVAC & energy management Environmental monitoring Low cost OEM applications Advanced Datalogging Use the powerful communications inside for your next project! Get more info. now! www.sixnetio.com
From One Techie to Another
System Integrators are Key If you have ever been involved with a control system project, you can (or at least should) really appreciate the role of the system integrator. The job of the system integrator is never easy, by any stretch of the imagination. Each project presents different challenges (technology, management, timeline, expectations, personalities, etc.) that the integrator needs to manage effectively or the project can “go south” very quickly. Fortunately, there are a lot of good system integrators out there. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of bad system integrators out there. It’s up to the end user (project owner) to choose the best system integrator for their project. And, project success ultimately depends on the system integrator. So, how do you find the best system integrator? Most system integrators are very technically competent because they are founded and/or managed by engineers. But, some integrators may lack strong business, financial, sales or marketing expertise. The Control System Integrators Association’s (CSIA) is an organization with the sole mission to improve the business skills of its member companies and their executive management – in support of a belief that being a good system integrator goes hand in hand with operating a good business. CSIA's trademark Certified Member Program provides an industry-specific means for end users to identify areas of importance and minimize uncertainties in selecting a system integrator. This program also offers a framework for integrators to evaluate and continuously improve their own businesses. Each certified member goes through an extensive audit process to ensure they meet best practices, bench marks and performance standards in seven critical business areas including general management, human resources, project management, quality management, financial management, business development and technical management. CSIA offers a great bench mark and will provide the standard by which integrators are compared. Today, CSIA has 215 Integrator Members with 83 Certified Members. In addition, there are more than 50 Partner Members who support CSIA's cause, including suppliers like Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, Yaskawa and other resource companies like automationtechies and Automation.com. If you are a system integrator, check out CSIA. You’ll be glad you did. If you are a manufacturer or end user looking for a system integrator, check out CSIA. Your project will thank you. Related Links: Guide for Selecting and Working with a Control System Integrator: http://www.controlsys.org/find/howto_guides.htm CSIA Web site: http://www.controlsys.org Search from 150 CSIA members on CSIA’s site: http://www.controlsys.org/find/search.htm Search from over 1400 global system integrators on Automation.com: http://www.automation.com/sitepages/pid63.php Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel Vice President, Editor-in-chief
Featured Article	Sponsored by MKS Instruments, Inc.
Plant Floor Automation Requirements for Food ERP Systems The plant floor automation issues unique to the food manufacturing sector are significant. Finding an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system which addresses the idiosyncratic nature of food manufacturing is not easily accomplished. Despite claims, promises, and elements for success, few ERP vendors are comprehensive in providing the full spectrum of needed functionality. Read full article by Thomas R. Cutler. Other articles by Tom Cutler More articles and white papers More application stories	MacroNode™ compact Ethernet I/O solutions from MKS The MacroNode I/O product line provides high density, compact, and economical I/O solutions for Ethernet networks. These modules contain cLogic, an on-board C-compiler to handle distribution of real-time logic tasks. You are no longer limited by network bandwidth; time critical tasks are designated to your I/O modules. More information on MacroNode™ Compact Ethernet I/O Solutions.
Product Announcements & Company News
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. Product Announcements: National Instruments Software Links Common Requirements Management Tools to NI Development Environments 4/4/06 Expertune PlantTriage® Performance Supervision Ensures Optimal Model Predictive Control 4/4/06 New Artila Serial-to-Ethernet Gateway Enables Browser-based Monitor and Control 4/4/06 alpha's New Economic Precision Gearhead Provides Options 4/4/06 New NI CANopen Library Extends Industrial Connectivity for LabVIEW 4/4/06 Honeywell Announces OEM Agreement for Resale of PAS Integrity™ Software 4/4/06 NI LabVIEW Embedded Design Platform Now Available for Analog Devices Blackfin Processors 4/4/06 ASI Introduces a Line of Industrial Ethernet Switches 4/3/06 New "RELECO by TURCK" Catalog Features C12 interfacer™ and CSS Relays 4/3/06 Danaher Motion to Launch System Control Software At Hannover Fair 4/3/06 Emerson’s 375 Field Communicator Is First Handheld To Pass Fieldbus Foundation’s Host Interoperability Test 4/3/06 Objective Interface's ORBexpress Communications Middleware Now Supports ThreadX RTOS from Express Logic 4/3/06 Banner Introduces Extreme and Heavy-Duty Fiber Optic Safety Interlock Switches for Harsh Environments 3/31/06 Pepperl+Fuchs to Highlight New Position Measuring System, Light Beam Switches and RFID Systems at Hannover Fair 3/31/06 Hoffer Introduces Premier Gas Series of Turbine Flowmeters 3/31/06 Torque Systems Announces Quick Ship Program For New High Energy Brushless Servo Motor 3/31/06 Caterpillar Expands New Line of Diesel Generator Sets with ACERT™ Technology 3/31/06 AllMotion Introduces Fully Programmable Dual Axis Stepper Driver For Embedded Applications 3/30/06 Artila's New Matrix-500 Redefines the Industrial PC 3/30/06 Advantech Launches LGA 775 Pentium 4/Celeron D Processor-based Motherboard with DDR2/Dual GbE LAN 3/30/06 New 12 Volt DC Gearmotor Develops 310 IN. LB. Torque at 15 RPM 3/30/06 Kyland Introduces Mini Industrial Ethernet Switch KOM300 Series 3/30/06 PAN-STEEL® Stainless Steel Fully Coated Self-Locking Ties Offer Additional Cable Protection 3/30/06 Universal Flow Monitors Introduces Stainless Steel CoolPoint™ Flowmeters 3/29/06 Emerson's Fisher® Sanitary Pressure Regulators Now Available In Expanded Sizes, Trim Options And Spring Ranges 3/29/06 MTS Introduces World's Highest Performance Magnetostrictive Position Sensor 3/29/06 FKI Logistex Releases Latest Version Of BOSS Material Handling Control System 3/29/06 Fluke Introduces 2006 Edition of Test Tools Catalog 3/29/06 Azure Wireless Announces Successful Testing of Universal Wi-Fi Gateway with Videoconferencing Systems 3/29/06 Company & Organization News: “Learn, Lead, Unleash” Theme Sets The Promise of 2006 Emerson Global Users Conference 4/4/06 Datalogic Becomes Intermec RFID Rapid Start Participant With the Acquisition of PSC 4/4/06 Authorized MTS Service Centers Now Certified For Next-Generation Temposonics® Product Repair and Support 4/4/06 ISA Forms Field Device Tool (FDT) Interface Specification Standards Committee 4/3/06 Asbestos Plan Finalized for ABB Subsidiary in U.S. 4/3/06 Fieldbus Foundation Names Siemens Executive To Board Of Directors 3/31/06 OMRON Announces Agreement to Acquire Pioneer Subsidiary 3/31/06 Matrikon Industrial Workshops Prevent Unplanned Shutdowns 3/30/06 Schneider Electric Recognized as Outstanding Supplier By Grainger 3/29/06 OMRON's Industrial Automation Business Establishes Global Service Center 3/29/06 Application News: Intergraph's SmartPlant® Selected by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited 4/3/06 Cameco Corporation Selects Foxboro Automation Systems For World-Scale Uranium Milling Operation 4/3/06 Emerson Chosen to Automate Mexico's First LNG Regasification Terminal 3/30/06 Invensys to Implement Triconex Safety Instrumented Systems at Petrobras Refineries in Brazil 3/30/06 ABB Drives Retrofit Updates Critical Smoke-Removal System at Atlanta Airport 3/29/06
New on Automation.com
Dataradio Automation.com welcomes Dataradio as a Featured Supplier. Since its founding in 1981, Dataradio has become the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless data products and systems for mission-critical applications. Whether an OEM telemetry device, analog radio, digital radio modem or a mobile data system, Dataradio products are found in critical mobile data as well as automation and control networks around the world. For more information about Dataradio, please use the following links... Dataradio Company Profile Dataradio Product Showcase Dataradio Product & Company Announcements
Featured Training
Alarm Management Workshops Many process control plants have alarm systems that actually fail the operator when they are needed most. Instead of alarms alerting operators with useful and actionable direction, the overwhelming number of nuisance alarms a typical plant faces impedes processes, productivity and safety. Matrikon’s Alarm Management Hands-on Workshop is designed to help process control professionals resolve alarm problems such as nuisance alarms and alarm floods. Working with alarm management experts, participants will learn about practical alarm management practices that significantly increase the quality and reduce the quantity of process alarms, decrease operator stress, and ensure timely compliance with legislative, regulatory and environmental policy changes. Click here for more information on these workshops More training, seminars and workshops
Featured Application Tool
Automation Components CD ASI’s CD catalog of automation and control components is very comprehensive and includes all of our product information, application notes, and two short videos showing the Universal Marking system and the unique line of insulation displacement terminal blocks, the "Terminator." This CD catalog has information on IEC terminal blocks, modular power supplies, circuit breakers, signal conditioners, interface modules, sensors, relays, tools, ferrules and accessories. You can view specifications, print out information and link directly to our website for pricing, availability and place orders. Click here to request your free CD
Featured Products
NI Vision 8 Development Module adds new utilities for enhanced quality inspections. More Information on Vision 8 Development Module Contact National Instruments for Measurement & Automation Catalog or Application Assistance
See why, for eight years running, attendees have rated the Siemens Automation Summit a "must attend" event. Join us June 6-8, 2006 in Las Vegas! More Information on Siemens Automation Summit Contact Siemens for Product CD or Application Assistance
Low prices on 5V, 12V and 24V Industrial DC Power Supplies. More Information on DC Power Supplies Contact AutomationDirect for Product Catalog or Application Assistance
ifm efector’s RFID System provides reliable tracking and control throughout the manufacturing process. More Information on RFID System Contact ifm efector for Product Literature or Application Assistance
Gateway to AS-Interface with the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM - I/O, Master, power supply, and more. More Information on AS-Interface with the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM Contact WAGO for Product Catalog or Application Assistance
Product & Supplier Search Other Featured Products for April Find Products by Category Find Manufacturers & Suppliers
New Jobs
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com: Systems Designer: Baton Rouge, LA - QDS Systems 4/03/2006 Control Systems Engineer: Bay Area, CA - EandM 4/03/2006 Control Systems Engineer: Newport News, VA - Swisslog 4/03/2006 Senior Engineer: Berkeley, CA - Bayer Healthcare 3/31/2006 Director, Project Management: Denver, CO - Integrated People Solutions 3/30/2006 Instrumentation and Control Engineer: Phoenix, AZ - CH2M HILL IDC 3/29/2006 Controls/Automation Engineer: Lewisville, TX - DEPRAG, INC. 3/29/2006 Senior Engineer: Albany, OR - automationtechies 4/04/2006 Field Engineer: Northern Atlanta, GA - automationtechies 4/04/2006 Electrical/Controls Engineer: Syracuse, NY - automationtechies 4/04/2006 CNC Integrator: Seattle, WA - automationtechies 4/04/2006 Sr. Controls Engineer: Seattle, WA - automationtechies 4/04/2006 Manager of MES Solutions : Exton, PA - automationtechies 4/04/2006 Manager Metrology: Northern Minneapolis area, MN - automationtechies 3/29/2006 Controls Engineer: St. Louis, MO - automationtechies 3/29/2006 Field Sales Engineer: Seattle, WA - automationtechies 3/28/2006 To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
New Auctions & Classifieds
eBay hosts over 8000 auctions for industrial automation, control and instrumentation products. From PLCs to sensors, from motor controls to robotics...Use the links below to browse the latest new, used and surplus automation products by category: Control Systems & PLCs Drives & Motion Control Fieldbus, DeviceNet, Ethernet Instrumentation Operator Interface Panels Power Supply, Circuit Breakers Relays, Timers, Counters Robotics Sensors Switches Temperature Controllers Valves & Flow Controls Wiring, Connections & Cables Other
Dilbert Pick of the Week
Beware of those team building exercises.
I hope you enjoyed this e-news update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me. Rick Zabel Vice President Automation.com View our Privacy Policy For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit. For automationtechies recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.