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New! RIA Systems Integrator Certification Webinar

Find out what it takes to become an RIA certified systems integrator, an all-new way to help users find qualified integrators, and help integrators demonstrate they are qualified to meet user needs. Robotic Industries Association certification helps expand the use of robotics throughout industry by helping assure more successful applications.
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Sponsor: ARC Advisory Group |
ARC's World Industry Forum

Winning clearly demands flexibility, agility, and continuous innovation. New technology fuels today's dynamic environment by enabling continuous improvements in asset management, production efficiency, product quality, safety, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency. Learn more at ARC's World Industry Forum, "Transforming Technology through New Processes and Technologies", February 6-9 in Orlando.
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We'll help make your next move the right one. No recruiting firm is better connected with companies that hire Automation Professionals. Have a conversation with an automationtechies experienced recruiter today.
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| Sponsor: Automation.com |
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| Featured Articles |
Avoid the Crisis - Achieve Zero Downtime
Automation.com, November 2011
By Roy Kok
In the terms of Automation, a crisis can be characterized as a loss of production (downtime), possibly of a simple piece of equipment, or it can be extensive, affecting major portions of the plant. Are we giving enough focus to the right areas, not focusing on the level of a "worst case scenario" type of crisis?
Has Open Architecture Delivered?
Automation.com, October 2011
By Bill Lydon
Since the 1980s, the automation industry has been adopting standards for networked industrial communications, software, and applications. Have users gained all the benefits originally envisioned?
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| Product Sponsor: GarrettCom |
GarrettCom Switches: Broadest Line - Outstanding Reliability
GarrettCom leads the industry with the broadest line of industrial hardened Ethernet switches, routers, converters, and serial in the business. |
PLC vs. DCS - Competing Process Control Philosophy
Automation.com, October 2011
By Bill Lydon
The idea of using a PLC-based system rather than a DCS has become a philosophical and technical debate in the industry. DCSs have been the primary solution for process automation but now many PLC vendors are arguing that a single integrated architecture based on PLCs and/or PACs is the best approach to total plant automation. Join the LinkedIn Discussion on this topic.
Browse more articles on the Systems Integration portal. |
| Product Sponsor: PCN Technology |
Use Existing Serial Wire as an IP-Enabled Network
With IP-485®, instantly upgrade legacy RS485, RS422, RS232, Modbus, coax and other Twisted Pair networks into a TCP/IP Enabled network without running CAT 5/6 wiring. |
| Product Announcements |
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Honeywell announces OneWireless Video Solution
Video Solution allows plants to enhance their perimeter security and employee safety by deploying industrial video cameras over the OneWireless network.
HMS puts Netbiter in the cloud
The Netbiter remote management solution enables users to monitor and control machinery such as power generators, tanks, wind turbines and building applications from a standard web browser.
Other Product Announcements
Browse more Product Announcements on the Systems Integration portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. |
| Resources |
When Worlds Collide in Manufacturing Operations: ISA-95 Best Practices Book 2.0 - $109.00
Book 2.0 explains how to implement ISA-95 workflow applications in Mfg 2.0 to execute operations tasks through the MOM and physical process levels while coordinating them to streamline plant operations and align those operations with ever-changing supply chain processes.
Project Management: A Technician's Guide - $69.00
This text explores project management from a technician's perspective. Subjects include documentation requirements, communication requirements, planning & resource coordination, monitoring & control, administration, and closeout.
Dwyer Produces Product Tutorial Video Series
Product Videos are a collection of informative and instructional compilations that are centered on a given Series.
Browse more resources on the Systems Integration portal. |
| Application Stories |
Lonmin system platform upgrade
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, November 2011
Lonmin's Marikana complex is one of the largest platinum mining and processing operations in the world. It uses uses five ArchestrA Galaxy Repository servers, 43 ArchestrA Object Servers, 42 view stations, 14 Wonderware Historian servers and 68 PLCs.
Secure Access
Control Design. November 2011
By Dan Hebert
System integrator Prism Systems uses security modules to establish connections to remote systems, such as a natural gas compressor.
Doing More With Less To Achieve Energy-Management Results
Maintenance Technology, November 2011
By Dan Brown, Cascade Energy, Inc.
Rising energy costs are moving energy management into a new era of sophistication, capturing substantial savings for companies large and small. Here's the approach Cascade uses to help its clients' operations become more efficient.
Browse more application stories on the Systems Integration portal. |
| White Papers |
PC vs. PLC: key factors in comparing control options
Automation.com, November 2011
By Bosch Rexroth
When deciding whether to choose a PLC or PC, analyze and compare characteristics that could differentiate the two technologies such as operation, robustness, serviceability, hardware integration, security, safety, programming and cost.
The Future of Machines: Self-Aware Control Systems
Automation.com, October 2011
By Christian Fritz, National Instruments
You can use sensors to create systems that are aware of their environment, perform real-time process monitoring, and know every detail about their mechanical component health. The key to solving new challenges is creating control systems that can integrate sensor data, gather information in real time, and use information from multiple sensors within high-speed control loops.
Waste Water Treatment Control
Automation.com, October 2011
By Hollysys
Paper describes how a typical municipal waste water treatment operates - including mechanical treatment, biological and chemical treatment, sludge treatment and the instrumentation involved - and how a PLC-based control system, Profinet and Ethernet handle it all.
Browse more white papers on the Systems Integration portal. |
| Company & Organizational News |
CSIA Announces six new members
The Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) announces that six companies joined the association.
Applied Control Engineering joins Yokogawa Partner Program
ACE is an independent systems integration firm with seven offices throughout the northeast USA and Texas.
Schneider Electric names MAVERICK Strategic Alliance Partner
MAVERICK Technologies, the largest control systems integrator in North America, is now a Strategic Alliance Partner with Schneider Electric.
Browse more company and organizational news on the Systems Integration portal. |
| Project News |
Emerson to automate lead and zinc plant in China
Emerson will provide a DeltaV automation system, AMS Suite asset management software, and smart field devices using Foundation fieldbus and WirelessHART.
Honeywell to control Australia Pacific LNG Project
Honeywell will provide automation, safety and security solutions for a new multi-train liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Queensland.
Rockwell Automation to replace DCS at zinc smelting operation
Rockwell will replace the DCS at Nyrstar Hobart's zinc smelting operation in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with a PlantPAx process automation system.
Browse more project news on the Systems Integration portal. |
| Featured Events |
SCADA Asia 2012
January 11, 2012 - January 13, 2012
Location: Intercontinental Grand Stanford, Hong Kong
Our Expert Advisory Panel has helped shape the conference agenda to include new case studies focusing on cybersecurity, IEC 61850, DNP3 Protocol and data management; 2 exclusive site visits to CLP Power and the Water Supplies Department; and 2 workshops on IEC 61850, coping with cybersecurity threats.
ARC World Industry Forum - Transforming Industry through New Processes and Technologies
February 6, 2012 - February 9, 2012 Location: Orlando, FL, USA
The event includes sessions on the major issues facing our industry, with multiple tracks that enable executives to explore these topics from different perspectives. Dynamic roundtable discussions will provide an intimate opportunity for attendees to ask questions and share experiences with the speakers and their peers.
Global ManuCHEM Strategies 2012
February 13, 2012
Location: Berlin , Germany
By popular demand, we.CONECT is bringing an international audience of global manufacturing directors from the chemical industry to Berlin, to network, share knowledge and be made aware of the key developments within the industry. Bringing together over 80 of the world's leading chemical operators and suppliers.
Ener.CON Europe 2012
March 15, 2012 - March 16, 2012
Location: Berlin , Germany
Strategic approaches and operational improvements in energy efficiency and savings in plants and facilities (demand side) for asset intensive industries. 17 industrial best practice case studies, 4 World Café Roundtables, Icebreaker & Morning Sessions - Ener.CON Europe - the leading event for improving energy efficiency for asset intensive industries in Europe.
Browse more industry events on the Systems Integration portal.
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