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  • Sponsored by AutomationDirect In this Issue

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    From One Techie to Another:
    2007 Salary Survey

    Featured Articles:
    Answer: An Enterprise Business and Facilities Planning System

    Product Announcements:
    SoftMotion Module, EtherCAT Terminals, Wireless Device Server, Fiber Optic Safety Grids, Industrial Ethernet Managed Switches, more

    Literature, Events & Training:
    Ethernet Troubleshooting Guide, Motion Control Catalog on CD, more

    Company News:
    Rockwell and Honeywell acquisitions, JMP earns CSIA certification, Microsoft & OMAC host forum, more

    New Job Opportunities

    New Auctions & Classifieds

    Dilbert Pick of the Week

    Sponsor: ELPRO From One Techie to Another

    ELPRO’s 905U-L Industrial Strength Unidirectional Wireless I/O range

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    For integration into systems for sensor monitoring and complex networks. Features include:

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    Sponsor: Autodesk

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    2007 Salary Survey

    You are probably thinking, "It's about time!" I know. Unfortunately, we didn't do a salary survey last year, because, well, the year just got away from us. I get the impression that a lot of people really missed it. Just the other day, two people asked me if we had 2006 salary data. I'm sorry to say that we don't (and won't), but we are getting a jump on the 2007 survey.

    The last time we ran a salary survey was in 2005 and we had a tremendous response...over 1700 responses from all over the world. Out of those responses, just over a thousand of them were from the U.S. As a result, we probably had more automation-related salary data than anyone else in this industry.

    This year, I'd like to get even more responses. So, please forward this survey to any and all of your automation colleagues.

    Based on some feedback from the previous survey, we hope to break down the results by a few more countries besides the U.S. Of course, that means we will need enough responses from other countries to have meaningful results. Which is all the more reason to pass this survey on to others. We couldn't possibly include every country, but we did include most countries representing our subscriber base and/or site traffic origin.

    You'll also notice that we do ask for state/province within the U.S. and Canada. Although we will have data for each state, it will be tough to tally results for every single state and province. Instead, we plan to break down the salaries by 9 different regions in the U.S., i.e. New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, Midwest, South, Southwest, Pacific Northwest and Southern California.

    I don't want to ramble on too much, because I'd rather you spend the few extra seconds on the survey than reading my article.

    So without further a due, please take a couple of short minutes to complete our 2007 Salary Survey. It's all multiple choice, so you don't have to think too hard.

    We plan to run this survey on our site for a couple of months, or until we receive enough responses to meet our goal. I expect results to be published, at least for the U.S., by late April or early May.

    Click here to take the survey now. Then pass it on to all of your automation friends and colleagues.

    Enjoy the rest of this eNews!

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Publisher

    Featured Articles

    Answer: An Enterprise Business and Facilities Planning System
    A machine at a manufacturing plant has just gone down. The estimate of the engineers is between two weeks and a month of down time on the machine. How does a manufacturer minimize the impact of the outage on the ability of the organization to service its customers, while maintaining at the least possible cost?

    Read full article by Thomas R. Cutler
    Read other article by Cutler

    More articles and white papers
    More application stories

    Product Announcements
    NI enhances SoftMotion Development Module for LabVIEW NI enhances SoftMotion Development Module for LabVIEW - 2/6/07
    SoftMotion Development Module for LabVIEW allows machine builders and OEMs to create customized motion controllers. Enhancements include support for Windows Vista OS and CompactRIO controllers for motion control.
    Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminals work with Profibus, DeviceNet and CANopen Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminals work with Profibus, DeviceNet and CANopen - 2/6/07
    EL67xx EtherCAT master and slave terminals provide a direct interface to EtherCAT I/O nodes for all Profibus (EL6731), DeviceNet (EL6752) and CANopen (EL6751) devices. The terminals channel each fieldbus signal type through the EtherCAT protocol with full availability of the respective network’s features and functions.
    TURCK introduces PSU67 IP 67 rated power supplies TURCK introduces PSU67 IP 67 rated power supplies - 2/6/07
    PSU67 power supplies use a thermoselective vacuum encapsulation process that facilitates use in extremely harsh environmental conditions, including washdown applications. The potting material provides a self-extinguishing capability, and meets UL94-VO standards.
    NI Introduces PXI Embedded Controllers NI Introduces PXI Embedded Controllers - 2/6/07
    Family of PXI, PXI Express and PXI real-time embedded controllers is based on the 2.16 GHz dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7400. With two cores, or computing engines, in one processor, the PXI and PXI Express controllers can simultaneously execute two computing tasks.
    ASI cuts prices on DIN Rail Power Supplies ASI cuts prices on DIN Rail Power Supplies - 2/6/07
    Automation Systems Interconnect cut prices by 10% during the month of February on the CSF5 5 amp power supply.
    Elpro adds 802.11 Mesh Functionality to 24OU-E Wireless Device Server - 2/5/07
    The 240U-E now provides 802.11 Wireless Distribution System functionality, allowing a self-organising and self-healing 802.11 wireless mesh to form throughout a process plant or factory. This greatly increases the distance of coverage of an 802.11 network and provides self-healing redundancy during failure events.
    Banner introduces PICO-GUARD Fiber Optic Safety Grids
    Banner introduces PICO-GUARD Fiber Optic Safety Grids - 2/5/07
    PICO-GUARD Grids provide an optically based, non-contact solution for perimeter and access guarding for use in explosive environments. They have a rugged, MEK-resistant, aluminum protective housing and are available with 2, 3 or 4 beams that can function as an emitter or receiver.
    SIXNET announces Slim Line series of Industrial Ethernet Managed Switches SIXNET announces Slim Line series of Industrial Ethernet Managed Switches - 2/1/07
    These switches feature a compact and slim package design that makes them ideal for applications where DIN rail space is a premium. Slim Line (SL) switches are available in five-port (SL-5MS) and eight-port (SL-8MS) models, with up to two fiber optic ports.
    Siemens Milltronics Millpulse 600 motion sensor receives CE approval Siemens Milltronics Millpulse 600 motion sensor receives CE approval - 1/31/07
    The CE Mark indicates conformity to the legal requirements of the European Union (EU) Directive with respect to safety, health, environment, and consumer protection.
    Phoenix Contact enhances RAD-Link network programming software Phoenix Contact enhances RAD-Link network programming software - 2/1/07
    Enhancements include a setup wizard that makes it easy to set up new or existing networks. The user can see the name of each radio and review which slaves are communicating with the master and which slaves are communicating through repeaters. The user can choose to set alarms to appear at the bottom of the screen, make a sound, display a pop-up or send an e-mail/text message. A free version can be downloaded.
    NI releases LabWindows/CVI 8.1 real-time module - 1/31/07
    The module is an extension to the ANSI C development environment that makes it easy for engineers to create and deploy reliable and deterministic applications to dedicated real-time hardware such as PXI and desktop PCs.
    TURCK announces M40 Connectors, suitable for a 30 hp DC motor TURCK announces M40 Connectors, suitable for a 30 hp DC motor - 1/31/07
    M40 powerfast connectors are suitable for motor applications, handling up to 600 Volts and 55 Amps: enough power for a 30 horse DC motor or a 55 horse 3-phase AC motor.

    Other Product Announcements

    Product & Supplier Search

    Resources, Literature, Training, Events & Seminars

    Featured Resource: Guide for Troubleshooting Ethernet Networks
    Contemporary Controls has published a NEW technical guide that will prove valuable to every engineer when attempting to take the frustration out of solving network problems. Titled “The ABCs of Ethernet Troubleshooting,” this guide asks you 22 common questions to consider when troubleshooting your network.
    Request your free guide

    Featured Catalog: Parker Bayside Motion Control CD Catalog
    The CD features the catalog as a PDF file, bookmarked for the user's convenience, and covers linear and rotary positioning stages, frameless kit motors, gearheads, integral gearmotors and a special section devoted to Parker Bayside's Engineered Solutions Group, a highly qualified team of application, design and manufacturing engineers committed to providing Parker customers with innovative, reliable and cost-effective positioning systems solutions for their manufacturing processes.
    Request your free CD

    Other Items:

    Company & Application News

    Here are the latest company and application 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.

    Company & Organization News:

    Application News:

    New Jobs

    Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:

    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:
    Dilbert Pick of the Week

    How to make your boss perceive he/she is adding value.

     

    I hope you enjoyed this automation 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, Editor-in-chief
    Automation.com

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