ISA makes Standards free for ISA Members

October 18, 2006
News

Summary

Houston, Texas (October 18, 2006) - ISA's Executive Board voted today to approve a financial commitment to support standards development activities as well as to provide a new member benefit of free downloadable ISA-developed standards. This financial support allows the Society to continue to grow its standards programs and fund future initiatives. "Because of this action, our current and future Members will benefit professionally from our standards at no cost, and they'll be able to bring value to their employers by introducing best practices into their business," said ISA President-elect Secretary Steve Huffman. "This will serve both individual Members and their companies, and we're excited about its positive impact on the industry as a whole." "ISA exists to bring knowledge into the automation marketplace," said ISA Treasurer Leo Staples. "This financial support allows us to continue to fulfill that mission by supporting our standards development initiatives and by making standards freely available for ISA Members." ISA has traditionally invested over $1,000,000 per year in its industry standards development programs. The Society has typically recovered only 70% of that investment through the sale of standards. This additional funding commitment assures that ISA will underwrite the annual financial deficit allowing standards development to continue unabated, independent of any other Society business trends. It also adds the new benefit for the Society to provide standards at no charge to its Members. "The Standards and Practices Board is delighted that the Executive Board has approved this funding," said Ian Verhappen, ISA VP of Standards and Practices. "We have over 4,500 dedicated experts who volunteer thousands of hours every year to develop standards for the automation industry. This funding reinforces the value of that work and ensures that it will continue to grow." "I've learned, first hand, that standards make companies safer and more efficient. I'm certain that this initiative will facilitate even broader use of ISA standards in my industry, and that's good news for everyone," said ISA Standards and Practices Board Managing Director Nick Sands, Process Control Technology Manager at DuPont Chemical Solutions. ISA Members will be able to download (in PDF form) any ISA standard for free as of January 1, 2007. About ISAFounded in 1945, ISA is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation. Learn More

Did you enjoy this great article?

Check out our free e-newsletters to read more great articles..