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From One Techie to Another:
If you build it, they will come
Featured Article:
Document Searches = Waste
Product Announcements:
I/O Modules & LabVIEW added to CompactDAQ, SNAP PAC System & Racks, LabVIEW SignalExpress, Smartphone alarm monitor, Touch panel computers, Programmable device server, USB I/O Module, and more
Literature, Events & Training:
TiPS User Conference, Online SIL Resource Center, PTO Webinars & classes, GE Fanuc Users Conference, and more
| Sponsor: Remke Industries | |
From One Techie to Another | |||||||
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If you build it, they will come Over the past few years, I've really come to believe in this statement. You may recognize this quote from the the 1989 movie, Field of Dreams, where Kevin Costner experienced repeated auditory hallucinations consisting of the single sentence, "If you build it, they will come." In the movie, Costner later went on to build a baseball park in his Iowa corn field. Some of you may remember when we launched our first web site, www.automationtechies.com, nearly seven years ago. The intention of that web site was a job board focused on automation and control positions. Back in 2000, we had no idea that our company would evolve to what we are today. For those of you unfamiliar with our history, here's an overview. Our initial web site (www.automationtechies.com) quickly evolved from just a job board to an online destination with news, articles, application stories, products, and other resources relevant to industrial automation, process control and instrumentation. This was at a time when there really weren't any good web sites focused on the automation industry. Sure, all of the trade magazines had web sites, but they couldn't financially justify diverting money and resources from their bread and butter magazines to their web sites. In 2004, we purchased the www.automation.com domain name from a local, Minneapolis-based systems integrator who agreed the domain was better suited for our web site and company direction. As you know, that initial job board still exists (and thrives) today in the Career and Job Center section of Automation.com. The job board also evolved in a completely different, but very complimentary direction...a full service recruiting and contract staffing company. Our recruiting group still uses the "automationtechies" name and web site at www.automationtechies.com. We've come a long way in seven years, but our journey isn't over yet. As you have witnessed in this age of the Internet, things change very quickly. And like anything else in business, if you don't change with it, you could quickly become history. By now, we are probably on our 5th version of our web site, and we are constantly making improvements to better serve you and thousands of other loyal readers and visitors. Two recent examples of improvements are our searchable Product Showcase, which indexes products by keyword, product category, manufacturer and release date; and our soon-to-launch Product Portals, which will organize articles, news, products, events and other resources by topic. Back in 2000, we believed that if we built the web site, you would come. Our hope, belief and hard work became a reality. Today, Automation.com is one of the most frequented automation sites in the world. Now, I believe that within a couple of years, we will be THE most frequented automation web site in the world. Why? Because within a couple of weeks, we will be launching the only true networking site for automation professionals. Sure, there are discussion forums hosted by ISA and www.control.com, but they have limitations and don't allow you to network with other professionals. Of course, our networking site will only be successful if industry professionals, like you, use it and take full advantage of it. Not until after reviewing the preview site did I realize just how powerful it could be. Stay tuned for more information and my challenge for you. Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel |
2007 Salary Survey
Automation.com is surveying automation, process control and instrumentation professionals about career, salary and company information. Find out how you stack up with other professionals, and how salaries vary by job function or geographic region. Please take a minute to complete our survey and then pass it on to your automation friends and colleagues. Survey results will be published in early spring 2007.
Document Searches = Waste
Among North American manufacturers more than half of the company information is not centrally indexed and searchable; organizations employing a thousand knowledge workers wastes nearly $3 million per year due to an inability to locate and retrieve information. Knowledge workers spend a third of their time searching for information. All this time searching for documents is negatively impacting the productivity, bottom-line, and lean operations of most North American manufacturers.
Read full article by Thomas R. Cutler
More articles by Thomas Cutler
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National Instruments releases LabVIEW SignalExpress - 3/5/07 LabVIEW SignalExpress interactive measurement software simplifies data logging, instrument control and academic instruction. It provides one-click, plug-and-play setup with NI's CompactDAQ USB-based modular data acquisition system, and works with more than 270 data acquisition devices. |
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NI adds 19 I/O Modules and LabVIEW to CompactDAQ - 3/5/07 Modules include 20 mA current I/O, channel-to-channel isolated analog inputs, RTD sensor inputs, high-density digital I/O, and a universal input module. Each CompactDAQ chassis is shipped with the LabVIEW SignalExpress data-logging software. |
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Opto 22 introduces SNAP PAC Racks - 3/5/07 SNAP PAC racks are used with rack-mounted SNAP PAC R-series programmable automation controllers (PACs) and SNAP PAC brains. The racks are available in four sizes and can accommodate 4, 8, 12, or 16 SNAP I/O modules, allowing up to 512 I/O points on a single rack. |
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Exele enhances TopView to remotely Monitor Alarms from Smartphones - 3/5/07 Enhancements include remote monitoring from Windows Mobile Smartphone, enhancements to the desktop Remote Viewer, and alarm limits. |
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Emerson introduces DeltaV InSight control performance software - 3/5/07 InSight integrated control performance software monitors, analyzes, diagnoses, and improves control loop performance. It includes all the basic monitoring and tuning capability of its predecessor products, DeltaV Tune and DeltaV Inspect, plus advanced diagnostics and adaptive tuning capabilities with embedded learning algorithms. |
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Advantech launches RoHS-compliant TPC-66S and TPC-66T computers - 3/1/07 The TPC-66S and TPC-66T fanless touch panel computers with RoHS compliance start at $790. |
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Opto 22 announces SNAP PAC System - 3/1/07 The SNAP PAC system includes PAC Project Software Suite, higher performance SNAP PAC brains, five SNAP I/O modules, four SNAP PAC racks, OptoDataLink enterprise connectivity software, SNAP Motion Control Subsystem, and SNAP PAC Sim, a software application that simulates a fully functioning SNAP PAC controller on a PC. |
| Lantronix launches IntelliBox-I/O 2100 programmable device server - 2/28/07 IntelliBox enables customers to connect industrial, commercial, medical, retail and security equipment to IP networks and the Internet to automatically monitor and respond to events in real-time with no human intervention. Triggered by an event, the IntelliBox automatically responds with pre-determined, user-defined responses. |
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Advantech launches USB-4716 16-bit USB I/O Module - 2/28/07 USB-4716 200 kS/s 16-bit multi-function USB I/O module includes a USB connector with screw fasteners and a DIN-rail mounting kit. It draws power directly from the USB port and therefore does not require an external power supply. |
Other Product Announcements
- ASI has sale on Industrial Ethernet Switches 3/6/07
- Theorem upgrades Universal CATIA translator 3/6/07
- Foxboro announces migration solution for Moore APACS 3/5/07
- IntelliCom updates NetBiter web based I/O 3/5/07
- OpenMake offers free build-to-release process-automation software 3/5/07
- Brady introduces lockout/tagout products 3/5/07
- Beka announces Single Variable Fieldbus Indicators 3/5/07
- Barix introduces IP-based building security 3/5/07
- Sealant Equipment introduces Automatic Snuf-Bak Dispense Valve 3/5/07
- Industrial Safety Integration expands CIRSMA risk management software 3/5/07
- McCrometer releases Wafer-Cone Coal-Bed Gas Flow Meter 3/2/07
- McCrometer introduces V-Cone flow meter for FPSO Vessels 3/2/07
- Agilent introduces L4411A digital multimeter 3/2/07
- Agilent introduces software for troubleshooting RFID Systems 3/2/07
- Cognex introduces DataMan 7500V portable 2D code verifier 3/2/07
- Sensicast launches SensiNet web-based monitoring service 3/2/07
- Sharq introduces 207 series parallel shaft gearmotor 3/2/07
- Livingston & Haven and ADI develop KD-Rig for NASCAR 3/2/07
- Baldor introduces Ethernet Powerlink three-phase AC drives 3/1/07
- Ethernet Direct releases HMG-828 Managed Gigabit Switch 3/1/07
- Igus announces Interior separating options for Energy Chain Systems 3/1/07
- Moore Industries introduces BIMETAL Temperature Sensor with Local Readout 3/1/07
- Control Microsystems enhances ClearSCADA 2007 software 2/28/07
- Rexroth introduces IndraMotion system for Metal Forming 2/28/07
Product & Supplier Search
- Featured Products for March
- Search Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date
- Search Suppliers by keyword or product category
Featured Event: TiPS User Conference
The TiPS User Conference is scheduled for April 17-19, 2007 in Austin, TX. A highlight is an alarm management panel seated by founding members of the ASM Consortium; contributing authors of the EEMUAR 191 guideline; and people who have been involved with assessment and analysis of the world's most notorious incidents and who remain on the leading edge of alarm and upset management.
More information
Featured Resource: Online SIL Resource Center
General Monitor’s online SIL Resource Center has examples of how to determine Safety Integrity Levels and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), links to associated standards organizations, an extensive Questions and Answers section on the background and requirements of SIL and SIS process industry practices, along with a Common SIL Myths section.
More information
Other Resources
- ISA Releases Automation and Control Systems Economics Book
- SIXNET releases free product CD
- SME web site connects kids to the world of manufacturing
- McCrometer updates its web site
- Igus offers free CD-ROM of its Energy Chain and iglide product catalogs
Other Events & Training
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:
- Rockwell Automation and Endress+hauser demonstrate partnership 3/6/07
- Acrosser exhibits at CeBIT 2007 3/6/07
- Verano expands marketing team 3/6/07
- SOURIAU doubles area of its connector production site 3/5/07
- Cyco Software Exhibiting at MUWG 2007 3/5/07
- KUKA Robotics appoints Stuart Shepherd President 3/5/07
- Green Hills Software presents papers at TI Developer Conference 3/5/07
- ARC says Foundation Fieldbus Dominates Fieldbus 3/2/07
- Ethernet Direct opens offices in Chile & Argentina 3/1/07
- Xycom Automation becomes Pro-face 3/1/07
- ARC says CPM Market in Europe to hit $1.6 Billion by 2011 2/28/07
- Fieldbus Foundation to exhibit at Interkama 2007 2/28/07
Application News:
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Project Engineer: Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. - Newtown, PA 3/2/2007
- Sales Engineer: Harold Beck & Sons, Inc. - Newtown, PA 2/28/2007
- Regional Sales Manager: ESA Technology - Midwest, USA 2/28/2007
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
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, Publisher
Automation.com
For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit.
For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.