Affordable Wireless Device Server
The PS110W is a Wireless Serial Device Server that connects serial devices to 802.11b/g type wireless network interface. Features include WPA2 and 802.11i compliant wireless security, flexible operation mode, multicasting, telnet COM port control support, and port event handling for wireless device networking.
Click here for more information
 |
Live News Feeds |
|
|
| Product Search |
|
|
| Sponsor: OPC Foundation |
.jpg)
What is OPC? Want your company to be an innovator leader, and maximize your product and resource utilization? Learn more about OPC, and how to achieve secure reliable interoperability with high performance quality products from hundreds of vendors.
- For End-Users and System Integrators: the OPC Foundation provides no-cost seminars providing the solid foundation for what and how to use OPC-based products.
Click Here for more details, schedule and registration for these and other important OPC Events.
|
|
|
International Perspective on Automation
In the U.S. we've (maybe not all) come to terms with the fact that a large percentage of manufacturing is occurring outside the U.S. One of the initial draws to moving manufacturing overseas was the low labor rate. But in some cases, poor quality and high shipping costs will overshadow those low labor rates. To remain competitive, those overseas factories and processing plants need to automate. The manufacturing sectors in India, China, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries are experiencing the same automation surge that we experienced here in the U.S. 15-20 years ago.
What does this mean for the automation industry overall? We are experiencing a major global shift. The Automation Suppliers that have entered those markets are already realizing significant revenue growth. The vast number of young engineers graduating from universities in these countries is astounding. Those emerging markets are ready for individuals, companies and organizations to tap into them. From an automation perspective, it’s an exciting opportunity to suppliers and engineers. The fields are green and the engineers are eager for the latest and greatest technology.
In a recent conversation, Benson Hougland, Marketing Director for Opto 22, noted that most engineers who attended their training sessions in China were in their late 20s or early 30s. In comparison, the average age of automation engineers in the U.S. is the late 40s or early 50s. The automation market in the U.S. is mature with a significant amount of business. There are some new factories going up and there are hordes of upgrade and retrofit opportunities. However, the U.S. will no longer be the world’s largest automation market. And the number of active automation engineers in the U.S. reflects that. A large percentage of engineers will soon be retiring, with nobody to take their place. This presents a great opportunity for young engineers who want to get into automation, either here or abroad.
As an online-only media resource, our audience has always been very international. Seven years ago when we launched our site, we targeted North American automation professionals, but we very quickly realized that our audience inherently covers the globe. Today, our own web site statistics show more than half of our visitors are coming from countries other than the U.S. That statistic alone sends a very clear message…if you are only targeting North America, you are missing a significant portion of the automation market.
ISA, as an automation organization, has begun initiatives to penetrate these “new” global markets. Not only are they considering a new name (International Society of Automation), but they will be establishing an office in India very soon. And there are proposals on the table to do the same in the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Europe and South America. ISA’s past focus as the Instrument Society of America is reflected in its membership. 65% of ISA’s current membership is from the U.S. and 10% is from Canada. With the global shift of the automation market, ISA is re-orienting to serve the needs of international automation professionals. And with the large pool of engineers in the Asian countries, ISA hopes to significantly increase its reach and membership.
If you are not aware of what ISA has been doing lately, I urge you to read this week’s feature article, ISA - New Growth Through International Automation, by Jim Pinto. ISA, like no other organization in the world, is poised to become the international ambassador of automation.
Please share your thoughts in our Discussion Forums.
Enjoy the rest of this eNews!
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher |
_thumb.jpg)
_thumb.jpg)
_thumb.jpg)
_thumb.jpg)