Index of all writings

Here is a chronological listing of most of my recent writings.

My writing started with industrial automation where I have spent much of my working life. More recently, my interests are technology futures and social trends in the new century. I hope you enjoy my work.

Click for just-poetry list Just Poetry To liven up the staid and often humorless industrial automation business, I've written a lot of poetic satire. The confusion in the fieldbus arena is a prime candidate for my metaphorical musings.

My Bill Gates poems have been published in US and international magazines and they too are here for your amusement. And a few others....

Chronological Index

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Click for Quick Index - grouped by subject

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Process
Instrumentation
Futures
Process Instrumentation Futures
Increased functionality will bring major productivity advances in the coming decade. The future of process instrumentation will be impacted in three primary technology areas: wireless, mobile devices and the industrial Internet. Process instruments will surge ahead, offering a lot more functionality for major productivity advances in the next decade.
Published by Automation World - December 2013.
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Process Safety
Futures
Process Safety Futures
Process safety systems have arrived at a juncture of transformation. What's needed are diagnostics to provide predictive maintenance that effectively prevents accidents before they occur. Mobile devices provide a paradigm shift - delivering specific information to selected individuals for corrective action.
Published by Automation World - November 2013.
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Cloud Computing
Futures
Automation Cloud Computing Futures
Cloud computing is one of the hottest technology fields today. In manufacturing, clear targets for cloud computing include manufacturing execution systems and production planning systems. As the technology matures, cloud computing will become more widespread in manufacturing and automation suppliers will track the demands.
Published by Automation World - October 2013.
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Manufacturing
Futures
Manufacturing Automation Futures
The continuing manufacturing drive will be to make more with less. Manufacturing is entering a dynamic new phase and will continue to grow globally. Innovative automation systems will be the core of future manufacturing growth.
Published by Automation World - September 2013.
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Infotech
Futures
Automation Infotech Futures
Information technology (IT) has been a dominating influence in many large manufacturing and process automation companies. But computer expertise is no longer just the domain of a select few, and responsibility to keep things running has shifted away from the centralized IT department.
Published by Automation World - August 2013.
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Automation
Tech Futures
Automation Technology Futures
Digital technology continues to permeate in the world at large, and several growth inflection points are brewing in the new digital automation world. Rapid shifts are occurring in all industrial environments, delivering knowledge and capabilities never before thought possible.
Published by Automation World - July 2013.
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Industrial
Computer Futures
Industrial Computer Futures
As a new class of industrial computer, the PAC signals a post-PC era of thin clients and mobile devices. Processors are now so powerful that even inexpensive gadgets can handle most tasks.
Published by Automation World - June 2013.
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From Fieldbus
to Industrial Ethernet
From Fieldbus to Industrial Ethernet
Compared to traditional, non-Ethernet-based industrial solutions, Ethernet technology delivers substantially higher performance and several other advantages. Will there be more than one standard? When fieldbus was introduced two decades ago, the same question was being asked.
Published by Automation World - May 2013.
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Cybersecurity
Product or Service?
Cybersecurity - Product or Service?
Security is a vital part of any Manufacturer's way of operating today. End-users must demand that suppliers offer more security in their platforms. Many Suppliers consider cyber-security as an after-the-incident service-revenue generator. What's lacking is an understanding of cyber security as a competitive, revenue-generating advantage.
Published by Automation World - April 2013.
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Mobile Devices
in Automation
Mobile Devices in Automation
Tethered-hardware thin-clients and mobile equivalents - tablets, smartphones and other portable devices, deliver vastly improved productivity and yield drastically reduced total cost of ownership.
Published by Automation World - March 2013.
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Nanomanufacturing
Automation
Nanomanufacturing Automation
Nanomanufacturing is the production of materials and the manufacturing of parts either from the "bottom up" from nano-scaled materials, or "top down" in nano steps for high precision. This is revolutionizing industry, impacting almost every manufacturing segment.
Published by Automation World - February 2013.
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Prognostications
2013
Pinto Prognostications 2013
For the past two decades, automation technology has remained at a plateau. As the year 2013 arrives major inflection points are brewing. The new automation leaders will be those who can demonstrate that their products and services can yield significant productivity improvements, and navigate the complexities of global automation markets. Published by Automation World - January 2013.
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Man/Machine
Synthesis
Synthesis of Man and Machine
Too often, automation systems are not designed with consideration of people and machines working in harmony. Enhanced productivity comes by optimizing the human element. People provide the peripheral vision; they fill in the gaps and create the broader context in ways that machines cannot. This partnership is the man/machine framework. Published by Automation World - December 2012.
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Automation
and the Cloud
Industrial Automation and the Cloud
The Internet of Things (IoT) will generate the next huge leap in industrial productivity. But IoT certainly won't bear fruit without ways to analyze all the data. Cloud computing is the enabler, the catalyst. Cloud/IoT has the potential to restructure automation industry leadership when the inflection point arrives. Published by Automation World - November 2012.
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Automation
IoT
Automation Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is about to transform the next decade. Literally everything will be connected to everything. The primary drive for automation IoT is to significantly reduce operating expenditures when automation devices, sensors and actuators become Internet-enabled devices. It's the next huge leap in productivity.
Published by Automation World - October 2012.
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Mentor
Power
Mentor Power
There are few things in the business world that are as effective and worthwhile as a good personal mentoring relationship. Mentoring is the best thing anyone could do for an improved outlook on life. It's good for business, and good for the spirit.
Published by Automation World - September 2012.
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Women in
Automation
Women in Automation: Opportunities Abound
Automation needs more women who can bring innovative ideas to the industry, contribute their intuitive skills and balance, and find different ways to solve many difficult problems. If you are a woman who wishes to advance in the automation business, there has never been a better time.
Published by Automation World - August 2012.
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Automation
Startups
Automation Business Startups
Looking for a career move? If you start your own automation related company, no big company can match the money you can potentially make as an owner. So what kind of automation business should you start? Here are some suggestions.
Published by Automation World - July 2012.
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Personal
Growth
Personal Growth & Success
Automation business grows slowly and is dominated by just a handful of large, global corporations. There's little real innovation and minimal agility. So what's a clever Steve Jobs like person to do? Let's discuss opportunities for personal advancement.
Published by Automation World - June 2012.
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Expansion
of Thin
The Expansion of Thin
The PC-centric period is winding down. Thin-client computing delivers vastly improved productivity at a lower cost. With ThinManager software, information and displays can be accessed from anywhere with thin-clients, and also with smart-phones or tablets. Too, ThinManager provides vastly superior security protection against introduction of external worms or virus attacks.
Published by Automation World - May 2012.
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Management
Paradigms
New Management Paradigms
In the past, leaders used corporate-mandated ground rules to get results. The word "boss" is archaic, a relic of obsolete management paradigms. Today's best leaders show that sensitivity is the path to building a strong, adaptive organization. Today's success comes through empowering others to perform. Published by Automation World - April 2012.
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Employment
Paradigms
New Employment Paradigms
Nobody relishes the idea of becoming suddenly unemployed, but a layoff doesn't have to be the end of the world. Being laid off is temporary. It may just be the stimulus for finding a more fulfilling job, or becoming self-employed. Published by Automation World - March 2012.
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Innovation
Paradigms
Automation Innovation Paradigms
Radical innovation is disruptive. It creates an inflection point that generates fast growth for the innovators and inevitable decline for those that are stuck in old paradigms. Automation is overdue for the emergence of new innovation paradigms. Look for new leaders to blaze the path to explosive new growth. Published by Automation World - February 2012.
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Progostications
2012
Pinto Prognostications 2012
I have a hunch that 2012 will not be another same-old, same-old year for industrial automation. There are several growth opportunities hiding in plain sight. There are an incredible number of exceptionally talented individuals scurrying around the automation infrastructure, looking for an "opportunity" niche. This is their time to grab for the gold.
Published by Automation World - January 2012.
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Overdue
Revolution
Automation: Overdue for a Revolution
The products large automation companies are developing are mostly extensions of old stuff, reincarnations of tired concepts. They are too conservative to do much beyond short-term extrapolations. No one has the gumption to do anything that is "insanely great" - functionality that customers need and want. Automation is overdue for a revolution, an inflection point.
Published by Automation World - December 2011.
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Generating
Growth
Ten Tips for Generating Growth
Old growth mechanisms miss the new paradigms of global markets; these are exactly the times to plan for innovation and growth, to jump ahead in the competitive rankings. Successful companies are those that generate growth with new products and markets. Here are 10 brainstorming ideas to help your company generate growth.
Published by Automation World - November 2011.
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Generating
Jobs
Generating Jobs
There is a sharp disconnect between the skills employers need and what unemployed workers have to offer. Simply taxing imports and placing restrictions on offshore outsourcing only keeps U.S. workers in jobs that are far less productive. What is needed is new job creation with manufacturing of innovative high-tech, high-value, high-margin, non-commodity items.
Published by Automation World - October 2011.
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People
Matter
People Matter - Valuing Human Capital
People are the primary assets of any business. Good businesses know that while most other assets are replaceable, fully developing and utilizing the knowledge and experience of people has paramount importance. For successful companies today, investment in people will pay off more than investments in other assets. Published by Automation World - September 2011.
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Creating
Wealth
Creating Wealth.
America must get back to creating wealth, but not by borrowing to buy more offshore "stuff". Manufacturing is the foundation of economic growth, the key to higher living standards and the future of the middle class. In the United States, this recognition is generating the re-birth of manufacturing.
Published by Automation World - August 2011.
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Manufacturing
Jobs Returning
Manufacturing Jobs Returning.
The great rush to outsource jobs to lower-cost countries is slowing down. Offshore outsourcing decisions are being reversed as U.S. businesses recognize that cheap, exploited foreign labor is only a short-term expedient. This "re-shoring" trend is likely to grow, and offshoring repatriation is an encouraging sign. Published by Automation World - July 2011.
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Automation
Cloud
Automation in the Cloud.
Cloud computing means using remote Internet-based servers for cloud-based applications and information exchange. This is emerging as the best way to service the new global infrastructure. The next five years will see the steady emergence of cloud computing in the automation world.
Published by Automation World - June 2011.
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Operator
Paradox
Operator Paradox.
When the term "operator interface" is used, who is "the operator"? Where does one find enough good operators to operate the system effectively? Improved effectiveness comes not just from training operators to use complex systems, but also from developing systems that adapt effectively to maximize throughput with minimal operator involvement.
Published by Automation World - May 2011.
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Internet
of Things
The Internet of Things.
With the emergence of the smart grid, smart cities and smart homes, more and more objects are becoming interconnected. The profound potential lies in the integration of everything - the ability to connect sensors, actuators and many other ordinary products into a "digital nervous system". This is likely to have a staggering impact on our daily lives, and will be a growth inflection point.
Published by Automation World - April 2011.
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Web Media
for Automation
Web Media Boosts Automation Knowledge.
Automation systems engineering requires knowledge that is applied across multiple disciplines. Individual skills are expanded through specialized groups within social networks, many organized specifically to share automation knowledge. People feed off one another, adding to each other's ideas and seeing problems, solutions and opportunities from different angles. Published by Automation World - March 2011.
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Keeping up
Motivation
Keep Motivation Up in a Down Economy.
During a period of recession, leadership skills are truly challenged. The solutions derive from strong management, which motivates good people to do what it takes to win during tough times. Mechanisms must be created for the workforce to share their feelings. It's the bad times that make good companies so much better during the good times.
Published by Automation World - February 2011.
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Prognostications
2011
Pinto's Prognostications 2011.
Automation growth is occurring primarily in international markets. Automation systems security has become a critical issue after the Stuxnet attack. The Top-Ten automation supplier line-up will certainly change, with mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. The question remains‚àö‚â•which company is large enough to acquire whom?
Published by Automation World - January 2011.
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Collaborative
Leadership
Collaborative Leadership.
The global business environment demands collaborative leadership. The manager relinquishes positional authority and becomes part of the work group to provide direction, communication, group process facilitation, coordination and support. This achieves better results than conventional boss-subordinate orientation.
Published by Automation World - December 2010.
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China
Solutions
Solutions for The China Syndrome
America must encourage the brightest and best to become engineers and innovators. Manufacturing people must be considered as professionals; engineers must be recognized and lauded. America is still the world's premier producer of high tech and growth services. This country's best assets are innovation, targeted marketing, and rapid change. Those are the ingredients of our response to the China challenge.
Published by ISA InTech - Nov/Dec. 2010.
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Swim
Upstream
Swim Upstream in a Down Market.
Many companies think of an economic downturn as a time to tighten belts and safeguard cash reserves. The executive mindset becomes survival, not growth - the bunker mentality. The irony is that this leaves a company in a vulnerable position organizationally and in the marketplace. The path to success in a down-market is to swim upstream.
Published by Automation World - November 2010.
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Creativity
Sleeps
Automation Creativity Sleeps.
Major automation innovations date back to the 1970s, with nothing significant since then. Large, conservative, rule-bound companies dominate the automation business, where true creativity doesn't really seem to be possible. And smaller companies don't have the resources to create new, breakthrough categories. Today, industrial automation is a stagnant backwater where slow growth is simply a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Published by Automation World - October 2010.
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Strategic
Manufacturing
Strategic Manufacturing.
Many corporate managers view manufacturing either as a black box or simply as a line item on a spreadsheet. The manufacturing function is either a competitive weapon or a corporate millstone; it is seldom neutral. Manufacturing enables competitiveness in global markets and manufacturing decisions frequently limit the corporation's strategic options.
Published by Automation World - September 2010.
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China
Syndrome
The China Syndrome
What is stunning about China is that, for the first time, a huge country competes both with very low wages and high tech. Lower prices. Better goods. Newer plants. More innovation. Unless the U.S. can deal with these new industrial realities, it will continue to suffer a loss of economic power.
Published by ISA InTech - Sept/Oct. 2010.
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Small is
Better
Industrial Automation: Small is Better.
The question is, can large companies in industrial automation be innovative? Or is small beautiful for innovation too? Big organizations aren't as innovative as smaller ones. At best, innovation is much harder for them. At worst, they crush innovation before it interferes with the status quo.
Published by Automation World - August 2010.
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Never be
Lowest Bidder
Never, never be the lowest bidder
It is curious that some people boast about their products being the lowest price. When buying food, do they buy the cheapest? When hiring people, do they hire the lowest paid? If they do, then good customers might choose not do business with them.
Published by ISA InTech - July/August 2010.
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Nested
Niches
Nested Niches
The automation majors, just a handful of multi-billion-dollar companies, are all combinations of medium-sized and small divisions. They are just like matryoshkas or Russian dolls, each nested within a larger group.
Published by Automation World - July 2010.
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Future
Workforce
Future Workforce
Work in a central place, at a set time remains only as a legacy of the past. Technology has brought the freedom and power to access information anywhere, at any time, so that work is becoming untethered from central locations. The future workforce will be global, distributed, collaborative and connected.
Published by Automation World - June 2010.
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Globally
Competitive
Staying Globally Competitive
Many automation products have become commodities. Also, many global producers accept lower profit margins and that increases competitive pressures. Producing high value-added products will be part of the solution. We must continue to compete with our best assets - knowledge workers, technology, innovation, and agile response.
Published by ISA InTech - May/June 2010.
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Safety
Culture
Developing a Safety Culture
An effective safety culture is not just a set of policies and procedures - itís embedded in the organization. It relates to the "soft stuff" of humans interacting with each other, vs. procedures for interaction with "things" such as systems and equipment.
Published by Automation World - May 2010.
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Sustainability
Challenge
The Challenge of Sustainability
"Sustainability" means meeting the requirements of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainable programs can be successful only if they are demonstrated to be profitable, leveraging sustainability for competitive advantage. Improved profitability will generate growth, beyond which social responsibility can be leveraged. Published by Automation World - April 2010.
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Re-engineer
Yourself
Engineers - Re-engineer yourself
Engineers tend to focus on engineering, rather than the overall, broad picture - which limits their leadership potential. Good engineers must have a good understanding of the marketing requirements, plus the follow-on manufacturing, quality, sales, and distribution needs. This is what I call "total concept engineering."
Published by ISA InTech - March/April 2010.
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Manufacturing
Paradigms
New Manufacturing Paradigms
The resurgence of entrepreneurship and specialized companies heralds the dawn of a new industrial manufacturing paradigm built around small pieces, loosely joined, virtual and informal. The collective potential of millions of small companies is being unleashed on global markets. Global supply chains serve the small as well as the large. Welcome to the next Industrial Revolution. Published by Automation World - March 2010.
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Invest
in People
Invest in People
Good businesses know while most other assets become obsolete and are replaceable, fully developing and utilizing the knowledge and experience of their people has paramount importance. Investment in people can pay off more than investments in other assets. Published by ISA InTech - March 2010.
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ISA
Freemium
Freemium - A Plan for ISA Resurgence
ISA membership is declining steadily. To turn this around, the society should offer "freemium" membership and networking for people interested in automation and standards anywhere in the world. This will attract a multitude of new members and allow ISA to refine and advance its value propositions in the new global enviuronment.
Published by Automation World - February 2010.
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Changing Price
Paradigms
Changing Price Paradigms
Prices for automation products are traditionally based on manufactured cost with target gross and net profit margin multipliers. To succeed against China and other countries that accept lower profit margins, new pricing paradigms are needed.
Published by ISA InTech - January 2010.
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Innovation
Ideas
Eight Innovation Ideas to Help Drive Automation Companies.
Everyone recognizes that innovation can generate successful growth, but it seems elusive and unpredictable. How does one find innovation? Here are eight innovation ideas specifically for automation companies.
Published by Automation World - January 2010.
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Post-recession
Planning
Post-recession Planning
Automation companies should be developing forward-thinking strategies. Survival strategies are not success strategies. Organizations that look ahead to opportunities that follow a downturn will have a competitive advantage when the upturn arrives. Be ready for the upturn - this will increase your company's chances to be a winner.
Published by Automation World - December 2009.
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Disintermediation
Perspectives
Disintermediation - Distributors in the Driver's Seat
Business is a continuous loop of suppliers and customers, all intermediaries. No single product supplier has a broad enough product base and sufficient knowledge in specialist vertical markets. So, few can compete against the local specialists, and in all geographies. Local Distributors team up with local specialist SIs to offer a broad lineup of products and services. So, product manufacturers get disintermediated.
Published by ISA InTech - December 2009.
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Whither
ISA?
Whither ISA?
ISA has a problem. In spite of the new "International" in its name, no major new expansions have been accomplished anywhere in the world, it is now reducing staff and outsourcing key activities. The society needs a jolt of excitement. It needs to generate blogging and tweeting, automation Facebooks and YouTube videos, iPhone Apps and automation-related podcasts. Left on its current path, it will simply wither away.
Published by Automation World - November 2009.
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Demise
of Size
The Demise of Size
Evidence shows that there are significant limitations to sheer size. Getting bigger has not helped most big companies. Indeed, size inhibits growth. In the new economy, some of the biggest companies are ailing and failing. Published by Automation World - October 2009.
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Outsourcing
Revisited
Outsourcing Revisited
Outsourcing is typically a short-term expedient. In the current recessionary U.S. business environment, global outsourcing has a negative connotation - it means firing American workers and shipping jobs to less-developed countries where labor laws are more lax. Would globalization work without cheap exploited labor in the equation? A more enlightened, strategic view is starting to emerge. Published by Automation World - September 2009.
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Manufacturing
Innovation
Manufacturing Innovation
In the past, America's manufacturing has provided the world with some of the best products ever created. Manufacturing is a primary wealth-producing sector. Perhaps a fortuitous result of the current recessionary environment is that the U.S. manufacturing decline is being recognized and addressed in new innovative ways.
Published by Automation World - August 2009.
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Future
Factories
Future Factories
The future manufacturing operation will not be just a "factory", but rather a completely integrated business. Excellence can only be achieved by making manufacturing the vital heart of a high-value enterprise.
Published by Automation World - July 2009.
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High-value
Manufacturing
High-value Manufacturing
The age of large factories is over. Today's markets are consumption limited, not production limited. America must focus its prowess not on manufacturing commodities, but rather on becoming innovators and specialists in new types of high-value manufacturing such as nano-assembly, chemical or bio mechanisms.
Published by Automation World - June 2009.
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Connections
Count
Connections Count
Being well connected is the ultimate source of personal effectiveness and advantage. It is shared success, where what you can give is as important as what you can get from your personal networking. Become a regular networker. Count your connections, because connections count.
Published by Automation World - May 2009.
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Automation
Genome
The "Genome" of Your Automation System
Each factory, plant and process is unique, and the complexity is described with what Eddie Habibi, of PAS Inc., in Houston, calls the process and control systems "genome" - similar to the DNA and genome that makes each living entity unique. PAS "genome tracking" keeps track of the performance and adaptations of multi-vendor systems, providing traceability and performance optimization.
Published by Automation World - April 2009.
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Saas Solutions
Surge
SaaS Solutions Surge
Why are huge hunks of software still installed on individual computers as though they were isolated lumps of hardware? Today, everything is networked and Software has become a Service. So software installations with traditional End User License Agreements (EULA) are obsolete. Why go stale? Go SaaS! Published by Automation World - March 2009.
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Downturn
Strategies
Strategies for a Downturn
For well-managed companies, this downturn offers the chance to re-examine fundamental value propositions and develop new strategies. If you keep your eyes focused on opportunity, you can see it and create it. Remain agile; be poised to grow. You can not only ride out shaky economic times, but emerge a stronger, better company.
Published by Automation World - February 2009.
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Global
Perspectives
Global Automation Perspectives
For several decades now, the assumption has been that the United States and other industrialized nations will keep leading in knowledge intensive industries, while underdeveloped and developing countries focus on lower skills and lower labor costs. That's changed. Many countries around the world now compete.
Published by Automation World - January 2009.
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ISA InTech
Pinto's Points InTech eNews - Pinto's Points
ISA InTECH publishes a regular (weekly) eNews, which includes a link to a brief Pinto Point. Each point is an item which I think will stimulate your thinking - technical trends, market musings, sales solutions, business briefs. Here you have links to the ISA archives on the items that have been published. Many of these have been published in the book Pinto's Points published by ISA in August 2005. Read three years' worth of new "points" via this index.
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Automation
Skills Enigma
Automation Skills Enigma
The automation skills shortage in America mirrors the continuing decline in interest in factory engineering jobs. Few consider automation engineering an exciting career; most just drift into it by happenstance.
Published by Automation World - December 2008.
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ISA
International
ISA's Bid for International Significance
The ISA name change resolution was passed by a wide margin in October of this year. The Society now has several major initiatives which include workforce development, automation profession advocacy, advancement of standards and global growth.
Published by Automation World - November 2008.
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Distributed
Intelligence
Distributed Intelligence - the New Approach
At the input/output level, most of today's systems are similar - clumps of I/O connected via a device network to a deterministic, hierarchical system which is prone to failure when complexity increases. Conversely, interacting autonomous agent systems provide predictable performance - locally non-deterministic, but globally stable and predictable.
Published by Automation World - October 2008.
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Growth
Paradigms
Top-tier Growth Paradigms
All businesses go through five stages of growth. The final phase, growth to 10ドル billion and beyond, is not well understood. In relatively slow growth industrial market, companies can only grow through mergers, acquisitions and diversification. Some companies get stuck in the wrong paradigm. Published by Automation World - September 2008.
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Wireless
Conundrum
Cracking the Wireless Growth Conundrum
Wireless is shaping up to generate significant new markets, stimulaing visions of growth beyond past slow-growth automation paradigms. There will eventually be all kinds of new markets; but you don't know what they are and you can't think them up. That's the conundrum. Published by Automation World - August 2008.
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Workplace
Paradigms
New Workplace Paradigms
A large segment of worldwide manufacturing jobs are being replaced with automation. What's left of conventional manufacturing labor is migrating away from the United States. The declining manufacturing sector can be stimulated through individual entrepreneurship and development of new workplace paradigms. Published by Automation World - July 2008.
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Pricing
Paradigms
New Pricing Paradigms
Prices for automation products are traditionally based on manufactured cost with target gross and net profit margin multipliers. It's evident that to succeed against China and other countries that accept lower profit margins, new pricing paradigms are needed. Published by Automation.com - June 2008.
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Tracking
Change
Tracking the Progress of Change
In the half decade since Automation World was launched it has established its own special stamp of style and significance in a somewhat staid and stodgy business. Here I'll take a look back at some of my own columns over the years, to track the tides of change.
Published by Automation World - June 2008.
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Performance-based
Pricing
Performance-based Pricing
Conventional cost-based pricing is stuck in a trap because global companies are prepared to compete with lower profit margins. Performance-based pricing is the answer. The seller is paid based on the actual performance of its products and services.
Published by Automation World - May 2008.
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Network
Choices
Industrial Networks - Plethora of Choices
The future of the industrial automation environment holds the potential for installation of many different networks that can yield information to improve operations and profitability. The plethora of choices makes decisions difficult. It's important to have a strategy going forward. Published by Automation.com - May 2008.
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China
Pricing
China targets the Achilles-heel of Capitalism
Chinese planners recognize the demand for short-term profit as the Achilles-heel of Capitalism. So they offer products at very low gross-profit margins and have become the world leader in low-price manufacturing of high-volume products. Their own primary objectives are rapid local employment and long-term global market share.
Published by ISA - InTech - Final Say - April 2008.
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Winning
Business
Winning in Business
Winning is the lifeblood of any society. People who work in successful businesses are happier, more motivated and achieve yet more success. Here are some ideas to help you win in your business. Published by Automation.com - April 2008.
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Automation
Skills
Whither Automation Skills?
The automation industry is quickly developing a "skills shortage" which will occur after the current generation of engineers retires. Where will the new engineers and technicians come from to operate future factories and process automation plants?
Published by Automation World - April 2008.
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Bush Lied
Poem: The Iraq War - 5-year anniversary - Bush Lied
This poem was written for the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War, 19 March 2008. It has been published in newspapers and on websites worldwide. Feel free to copy and/or publish. YouTube video
YouTube
Video
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Energy
Partnerships
Wanted: Partnerships to develop energy alternatives
The development of practical energy alternatives is a burgeoning growth market. The automation industry has all the background knowledge and experience needed to make a significant impact in this technology arenas. Automation companies should look for and develop partnerships for this market. Published by Automation.com - March 2008.
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Green
Business
Green is good for business
The increasing attention to global climate change and rising energy prices brings new opportunities. Products that use less fuel and decrease emissions generate growth and profits. "Green" is becoming a good profit opportunity.
Published by Automation World - March 2008.
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Growth
Barriers
Business growth barriers & plateaus for Automation suppliers
All organizations go through five stages of growth. Each stage needs different management structures and strategies during that phase of development. It is important to understand why certain things work and don't work at each stage in the development of an organization. Published by Automation.com - February 2008.
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Sensors and Intelligence Key to Industrial Robotics Future
Future robot systems cannot be a mere extrapolation of today's technology, but should generate whole new application arenas through revolutionary sensors and artificial-intelligence extensions to stimulate new levels of manufacturing competence. This kind of robotics will be a key component in the digital factory of the future.
Published by Automation World - February 2008.
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Pointers
2008
2008 Pinto's Pointers - Technologies & Markets
In the broad automation markets, there are pockets of technology and market growth that deserve special review. Here are some Pinto's Pointers regarding the top automation technology and market trends that will gain traction in 2008. Success will come to the companies that understand how to combine and coordinate new technology, new thinking and the deployment of effective solutions for customers in global markets.
Published by Automation.com - January 2008.
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Global
Competition
Global Competitiveness Generates New Directions
My New Year's column, was written from "booming Bangalore", India's software capital. This is a city of some 6.5 million people, which makes it India's third-most populous city and fifth-largest metropolitan area. Local thinking is not just aimed at how to improve outsourcing services, or play consumer catch-up. Strategic plans at growing giants include new developments where they can lead rather than follow.
Published by Automation World - January 2008.
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Technology
Flip-side
The flip-side of Techno-productivity
Technology has changed the dynamics of how we communicate, live and even think. It's made our lives easier in many ways. But it's also causing deeper problems, causing stress and anxiety for many people, new disabilities and new realms of social misbehavior.
Published by Automation.com - December 2007.
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Winning
Elements
Elements of Winning
Much more important than how you operate your business is why you operate the business. It's more than just achieving the financial performance. It's about pride in the work, with people knowing that they are pushing themselves to achieve the best that they can. Having genuine interest and excitement in doing what it takes to attain worthwhile goals is as important as actually achieving them.
Published by Automation World - December 2007.
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Manufacturing
Strategies
Manufacturing strategies in the global environment
Over the past decade, many companies have adopted new strategies for manufacturing, which has taken competitiveness on to new planes. A whole array of initiatives, have been introduced, collectively labeled "new wave manufacturing".
Published by Automation.com - November 2007.
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ISA Identity
Crisis
ISA Identity Crisis
The proposed ISA name change to "International Society of Automation" was not approved during the recent meeting of Society delegates. ISA leadership sees clearly how the Society must expand beyond instrumentation in order to grow. But current members don't really want to become a small part of a different Society. And therein lies the rub. Published by Automation World - November 2007.
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Wireless
Wars
The Industrial Wireless Wars
Wireless is an "inflection point" which will generate significant growth and market share for the industry leaders. The Wireless Wars are really marketing ploys to gain market-share through the differentiation of standards that support the majors' market strategies. Here's the best overview and summary you'll find anywhere. Published by Automation.com - October 2007.
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Winning in
Business
Winning in a new business environment
Winning is important. Winners are motivated by winning, and see greater rewards when their company performs well. Success breeds success. Focus on creating a positive and productive business environment, help the individual players to flourish, have fun - and the wins will come. Published by Automation World - October 2007.
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Wireless
Quadrille
Pinto Poem: The Industrial Wireless Quadrille
Wireless is a new "inflection point" in Industrial Automation, expected to generate growth for the leaders. So, the "Wireless Wars" are generating wild and wacky posturing and dancing around - similar to the "Fieldbus Wars" which started almost 2 decades ago. Poetry is perhaps the only crisp, lucid way of describing the situation.
Published as part of JimPinto.com eNews # 238 - 25 September 2007.
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ISA Global
Strategy
ISA Global Strategy Moves Forward
Today, one can sense a spirit of new drive and determination within the ISA organization. ISA is now involved with the broader aspects of "automation" and aims to be a catalyst for the automation profession of the future. The new ISA will expand global membership to become truly "international". No other organization anywhere in the world covers these important functions to serve the global automation business. Published by Automation World - September 2007.
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Collaboration
Strategies
Collaboration Strategies fuel growth and success
With continued, accelerating change, companies can achieve significantly more through collaboration - sharing business information with suppliers and customers. Collaboration is a key enabler, allowing companies to react more quickly to changes in supply and demand. In the next few years your enterprise will be collaborative, or it won't exist at all. Published by Automation.com - September 2007.
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ISA
Progress
ISA - New Growth Through International Automation
Over the past few years, ISA appeared to be steadily declining. Now, with strong management, enlightened volunteer leadership and new focus on international automation, the society appears to be headed for significant growth and success.
Published by Automation.com - August 2007.
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Redefining
Leadership
Redefining Leadership
To become a high-performance business today requires leadership within an entirely new framework of understanding. Today's leaders must maximize diverse strengths that tap into the growth and success of local markets in the global arena. Published by Automation World - August 2007.
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Keys to
Innovation
The Keys to Successful Innovation
Innovation stems from a culture that encourages and breeds consistent business value improvements. In the new, fast-moving global environment Innovation is the key to generating growth and success. Here are the keys to successful Innovation.
Published by Automation.com - July 2007.
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Staying
Competitive
Staying Competitive in a Global Economy
Everyone knows that emerging countries are starting to grab significant market share in U.S. and world markets. For America to maintain its leadership against global competitors we must continue to compete with our best assets: technology, innovation and agile response. Published by Automation World - July 2007.
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Compensation
Styles
Engineers - Re-engineer yourself
U.S. leadership is at risk in the global economy when engineering follows manufacturing in going offshore. Engineers must re-engineer themselves to re-vitalize their own careers and generate renewed success.
Published by Automation.com - June 2007.
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Art of
Leadership
The Art of Leadership
Whatever you do, you can enhance your job, your results - and your pay - by acquiring leadership skills.
Published by Automation World - June 2007.
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Compensation
Styles
Employee Compensation Styles
In the age of knowledge work, outsourcing and global competition, many companies still have employee compensation systems rooted in the past. In today's business environments, pay must be performance based.
Published by Automation.com - May 2007.
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Guru Advice
for Startups
Guru Advice for Startup Companies
Many new companies are started by unemployed or dissatisfied people. Being an owner in an enterprise is perhaps the biggest satisfaction that any job can provide. If you're considering a startup, or have already launched your own company, here's some guru advice which may help. Published by Automation World - May 2007.
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Global Playing
Field
Level Playing Field - Globally
In the new century, the global playing field has leveled. The prizes are available to any country that can deliver cheaper, better, faster. It's a new game out there. Don't complain about it ñ join it and enjoy it. If you are not good enough to play in this different kind of game, you'll simply be sitting on the sidelines, watching others play. Published by Automation World - April 2007.
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Automation
History
A short history of Automation growth
Automation has a few key segments. In the 1970's, the original DCS was developed in the 1970's by a team of engineers at Honeywell, and the first PLC was the brainchild of inventor Dick Morley and others. Several innovative startups developed HMI software for PLCs and indusrial I/O. Innovative sensors and actuators came from some key companies. In a fragmented business, most innovators get stuck at growth plateuas and get bought out. But some continue to generate independent growth and success. Published by Automation.com - April 2007.
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Infosys
Culture
Infosys - Global Growth with a Conscience
Infosys is one of the largest software companies in the world - 69,000 people, with revenues (fiscal-year 2006-07) about $ 3B, Nasdaq market-cap about $ 30B. I visited the corporate headquarters in Bangalore, India in February 2007. Here is my report which describes this significant company and its strikingly different corporate culture. Published by Automation.com - March 2007.
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Automation
Roots
Roots of Automation Innovation
Trace the roots of all significant automation business segments and you'll find key innovations. Few larger companies come up with major new developments; an exception was the DCS, developed by engineers within Honeywell. The PLC was the brainchild of prolific inventor Dick Morley and others. Several innovative startups grew fairly rapidly with HMI software for PCs. Rosemount's growth can be traced to its innovative capacitive differential-pressure sensors. Published by Automation World - March 2007.
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Innovation
Culture
The culture of Innovation
In today's fast-paced business environment, innovation is the key element that helps a company not only to survive, but thrive. Innovation does not depend on just one person, or even a few - it stems from a culture that encourages and breeds innovative thinking. Published by Automation World - February 2007.
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Human
Capital
Investing in Human Capital, People Assets
In today's competitive global market environment, an organization's primary assets are its valuable human capital. For successful companies today, management goes beyond capital assets. It involves consistent, long-term investments in committed, talented people. Published by Automation.com - February 2007.
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2007
Prognostications
Pinto Prognostications - 2007
Most automation companies showed reasonable growth and profitability in 2006, and some good-sized acquisitions will occur in 2007. Offshore outsourcing will continue growing at 20% annually. The companies that succeed will be those that understand how to combine new organization, new technology and new management thinking for global competitive advantage. Published by Automation World - January 2007.
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2007
Tech Picks
2007 Technology - Pinto's Picks
The industrial automation market is growing again. During the coming year, several new products and technologies will begin to emerge. Here are my top picks for automation technologies that will make a difference in 2007.
Published by Automation.com - January 2007.
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Organizing
Innovation
Organizing an Innovative Company
In the past, innovation has been viewed as a creative process that leaps from the minds of a few imaginative people. But in today's global business environment, innovation must be developed as a reliable, measurable process that yields consistent, positive results. Published by Automation World - December 2006.
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Knowledge &
Innovation
Automation Knowledge & Innovation
Products are becoming commodities in the fast-moving new global business environment. To succeed, businesses need a competitive differentiator - a proprietary edge which can only be developed through innovation, knowledge and experience. Published by Automation.com - December 2006.
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Industrial
Ethernet
Industrial Ethernet for Automation Networks
Today automation products must have Ethernet connectivity. The real question is whether to connect directly via Internet protocol, or indirectly via one of the entrenched industrial networks. Ethernet alone does not guarantee that two devices can talk to each other. There must be compatibility at the application layers. Published by Automation.com - November 2006.
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Wireless
Growth
Wireless Growth Paradigms
Industrial wireless adoption has been stalled by a combination of old-paradigm thinking and paralysis-analysis through standards committees. In addition, conventional pricing inhibits high-quantity orders and faster growth. This presents opportunities for new, agile and innovative leaders to emerge. Published by Automation World - November 2006.
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OPC
Standards
OPC - the standard that makes other standards interoperable
Standards are intrinsically difficult to implement and adopt. In the industrial automation business, OPC is a unifying standard that allows true interoperability. It needs more end-user support and involvement. Published by Automation.com - October 2006.
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Wireless
Innovation
Wireless: The Next Innovation Breakthrough?
As the innovation center-of-gravity shifts, the long-term economic implications are enormous. Looking back, the last major innovations in industrial automation were in the mid-'70s - the DCS and PLC. Will wireless be the next big innovation breakthrough? Published by Automation World - October 2006.
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Honeywell
Culture
Honeywell Culture Drives for Leadership
With annual revenue of about 30ドルB and current market-cap of about $ 32B, Honeywell is arguably the largest US-based automation company. Here's an updated (Sept. 2006) view of the corporate culture. Published by Automation.com - September 2006.
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Pursuit of
Innovation
The Pursuit of Innovation
Creativity is developing new ideas. Innovation is implementing creative ideas into valuable or profitable solutions. Innovation happens when organizations make money or gain value from creativity. Effective innovation is the timely and efficient implementation of new ideas that can result in significantly increased revenues and profits. What is your company doing to stimulate innovation? Published by Automation World - September 2006.
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Outsourcing
Myopia
Outsourcing Myopia
Countries cannot continue to thrive without high-tech economies. When the local supply of talent dwindles and talent emerges elsewhere in the global environment, the center-of-gravity shifts. A shift must occur to true business use of global and knowledge resources. Published by Automation World - August 2006.
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NEW Invensys
Culture
The Invensys/Foxboro Culture - It took a lickin' but kept on tickin'
Just six years ago Invensys was one of the top industrial companies, with annual revenues of about $ 14B and comparable market-cap. But, after several unwise acquisitions the stock declined drastically and many of the best-performing companies in the group were sold off to stay financially afloat. Here's a review of how the corporate culture not only survived, but thrived.
Published by Automation.com - August 2006.
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Asymmetric
Motivation
Asymmetric Motivation
The manufacturing-based middle class is the nation's backbone. In this new global century, nations and regions are engaged in a fight - albeit peaceful - that will have lasting impact. Published by Automation World - July 2006.
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ISA Melting
Iceberg
ISA - Melting Iceberg continues to melt
ISA is slowly melting. Many members and local-section leaders are concerned that only incremental steps are being taken. Writes the Cleveland Section, "ISA is on a collision course with irrelevance." ISA leadership will find several significant positive ideas and suggestions in this analysis.
Published by Automation.com - July 2006.
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The MTL
Story
MTL has crossed 100ドルM with independent growth & success
Measurement Technology Limited (MTL)is recognized throughout the process control industry as the world leader in Intrinsic Safety products for hazardous areas. Growing beyond its niche, MTL is successfully developing a strong position as an automation hardware infrastructure provider. Published by Automation.com - June 2006.
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ISA
Progress
ISA - only incremental progress
ISA should make some bigger moves, starting with a clear change in governance. With 30ドル+ million in the bank and high-value real-estate holdings, the society is simply a "melting iceberg". Published by Automation World - June 2006.
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Automation
Networks
Open Automation Networks
Automation products must have Ethernet connectivity. The real question is whether to connect directly on Ethernet, or indirectly via one of the entrenched industrial networks. Ethernet alone does not guarantee that two devices can talk to each other. There must be compatibility at the application layers. Published by Automation World - May 2006.
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Matrikon
Culture
Matrikon - A Successful Solutions Provider Approaching 100ドルm
Matrikon is one of the largest independent industrial automation systems integrators in North America. The company has already broken some of the traditional size limitations for systems integrators, and is now well on its way to breaking the famed 1,000 people, 100ドルM barrier. Published by Automation.com - May 2006.
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Global
Collaboration
Global Collaboration - Worth Striving For
Today, collaborative enterprises with global scope are winning the game. They streamline end-to-end business and supply chain processes, distribute information across various businesses to boost mutual responsiveness, agility, and customer-centricity. Published by Automation World - April 2006.
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National
Instruments
National Instruments - Culture of Growth & Success
National Instruments achieved about 600ドル million in annual revenue in 2005, and looks well set to exceed $ 1 billion within the next few years. The company is exceptional in that it has thrived for three decades after startup, with an adaptive people-orientated culture and the founder is still in charge. Published by Automation.com - April 2006.
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Bottomless
Well
Energy - the Bottomless Well
The technologies used to find, extract, or capture energy from the environment have improved much faster than the estimates of supply have receded. New energy sources have always been developed to meet burgeoning demand. The belief in human ingenuity and progress generates the concept of "the bottomless well." Published by Automation World - March 2006.
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ABB
Culture
The ABB Corporate Culture - Winners Shaped by History
Already an automation leader, ABB made a series of bold acquisitions in the 1990's. The company got into serious trouble in 2002, but quick, decisive action succeeded in reversing most of the problems. Read this review of the culture of a new, stronger and more focused ABB - one of the automation industry's most dramatic turnarounds. Published by Automation.com - March 2006.
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Robots
are coming
The Robots are Coming
When it comes to robots, reality still lags science fiction. But the confluence of several advanced technologies is bringing the age of robotics ever nearer. Today's robots are smaller, cheaper, more practical and cost-effective and are chalking up major gains in the automation world. Published by Automation World - February 2006.
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The Emerson
Difference
The Emerson Difference
Emerson is one of the world's leading global manufacturing companies. Emerson Process Management is a leader in process control and automation. With an achievement-oriented culture, the company seems to attract and retain some of the best people in the industry. Published by Automation.com - February 2006.
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People are
Primary assets
People are your primary assets
In today's competitive global market automation end-users and suppliers alike are under increasing pressure to improve return on assets. Many companies tend to forget that people are their primary assets. Published by Automation World - January 2006.
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Schneider
Corp. Culture
Schneider - aggressive French Giant
Schneider Electric calls itself "the world's power and control specialist". The company serves the residential, building, industry and energy and infrastructure markets. All operating numbers show significant growth in the past year, and their strategy of selective acquisitions continues. Here's a view of the Schneider Corporate Culture. Published by Automation.com - January 2006.
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Vendor
Choices
What automation end-users need to know about vendors
The selection of a supplier, especially for large control systems, is a complex undertaking. To help end-users with automation vendor selection, hereís a checklist organized in 10 categories. Published by CONTROL magazine - December 2005.
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Network
Choices
Network Choices - Wireless Revolution
Today there are lots of network alternatives, not only for business, but also for factory and process installations. The plethora of choices available today makes decisions difficult. The wireless connectivity paradigm is emerging, and the implications are nothing short of revolutionary. It's important to have a strategy going forward. Published by Automation World - December 2005.
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Automation
Cyber Security
Automation Systems Cyber Security
Many of today's automation & control systems use the same PC hardware (Intel), operating system (Windows) and communications (Ethernet TCP/IP) as corporate office and administrative networks. So automation systems security is an urgent issue, perhaps even a critical one. Published by Automation.com - December 2005.
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Innovation
Wins
Automation Plus Innovation Wins
To achieve sustainable advantage, manufacturing efficiency must be coupled with innovative new products. Companies that go beyond manufacturing low priced commodities and offer improved customer values are the winners in the new global environment. Published by Automation World - November 2005.
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Price/Margin/ Volume Mindset
Price/Margin/Volume Mindset Inhibits Growth
Industrial automation companies traditionally market higher priced products in low volume. The problem is that no one wants to break price barriers because of the mindset - the self-fulfilling prophesy. You can open new markets by changing pricing structures and sales channels. Published by Automation.com - November 2005.
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Automation
Services
Services - growth on a slippery slope
End-users are scrambling to reduce costs and many have even eliminated engineering and maintenance services. Reacting to this demand, automation suppliers are expanding their service offerings to "total solutions" responsibility, which puts them into competition with some of their own local integrators - a slippery slope. Published by Automation World - October 2005.
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Flat World
Tom Friedman's book - The world is flat
Technology has changed the shape of the world. Cheap and abundant communications and broadband connectivity have made it easy for knowledge work to be done from anywhere in the world. This has created a "flat" global political, economic, and cultural playing field.
Published by Automation.com - October 2005.
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ISA
Standards
ISA tackles the Standards Dichotomy
Standards are intrinsically difficult to implement and adopt. End-users cannot drive standards; supplier involvement compounds the confusion. The role of standards coordinator is best served by a neutral third-party. For industrial automation, the best choice is the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA). Published by Automation World - September 2005.
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ISA governance problems
Antique governance plagues cash-fat ISA
ISA's primary assets are 30ドル million in the bank and valuable real-estate. But, like other engineering societies, its volunteer-driven governance is causing steady decline in the new, global business environment.
Published by Automation.com - September 2005.
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ISA at the
crossroads
ISA at the crossroads
Most membership-based technical societies are declining - ISA is just one example. The old 'cash cow' needs new governance and new drive. Here is my 6-point plan.
Published by Automation World - August 2005.
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Networks
Everywhere
Networks everywhere - the Global Brain
It turns out that networks are NOT a relatively recent "invention," something that has to do only with computers. They've always been around; even before we humans came on the scene. Howard Bloom's book: "The Global Brain" explains everything. And it's enlightening to think of networks this way. This article was published by Automation.com - August 2005.
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Performance-based
compensation
Performance-based compensation
Today's compensation systems were originally developed during the era of hourly-paid factory workers. For today's knowledge-based employees, performance-based compensation is necessary. And it's important to include team-success factors. Employee-ownership has the best results.
Published by Automation World - July 2005.
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Exhibitions
Decline
The Decline of Large Automation Exhibitions
Large, central automation exhibitions used to be major events a couple of decades ago, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees from all over the world. Today exhibitions are steadily declining because there are more effective ways to disseminate information and provide opportunities for customer and supplier networking. This article was published by Automation.com - July 2005. A shorter column was published in Automation World - May 2005.
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Automation
cyber threats
Protecting automation systems against cyber threats
Today's networked control systems often use the same hardware architectures, software and networks as corporate office and administrative networks. This means that vital production and process control systems can be exposed to the same spam, virus and security threats that corporate IT departments have been facing for years.
Published by Automation World - June 2005.
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Enterprise
Web Services
Managing Enterprise Performance with Web Services
Web delivery of business and manufacturing process data enhances collaboration between multi-location plants. The facilities that yield the best performance can share results across the enterprise - learning about what works, and what doesn't. Enterprise performance management using key performance indicators is becoming reality. This article was published by Automation.com - June 2005.
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Decline of big exhibitions
The decline of big automation exhibitions
Attendance is declining steadily at the large, central automation exhibitions. From the exhibitors' standpoint, it's more effective to invite key customers to attend focused presentations and private showings of all the latest products. Organized personal-networking conferences are also becoming successful.
Published by Automation World - May 2005.
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Productivity
Race
Cheaper, Faster, Better - The Productivity Race
Productivity has now become a global race. It's a fierce, head-to-head competition between regions and nations for the single reason that it is the source of the wealth, the key to improvements in living standards. Those who can make things cheaper, faster, better win! This article was published by Automation.com - May 2005.
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Automation Mindset
Breaking the automation mindset
The industrial automation business mindset inhibits growth and expansion in related higher-volume markets because of reluctance to change the ground-rules. In a flat or declining economy, everyone seems to be too busy staying afloat to consider new avenues of growth. Published by Automation World - April 2005.
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Bottomless
Well
Energy - The Bottomless Well
A new iconoclastic book by Peter Huber & Mark Mills explains why energy is not scarce - an infinite supply will continue to flow through human innovation and ingenuity. The things we think we know about energy are mostly myths - the demand for energy will never go down; more energy-efficient products simply raise demand. Across the board, energy isn't the problem - it is the solution. This article was published by Automation.com - April 2005.
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Honeywell
Culture
The New Honeywell Corporate Culture
The "old" Honeywell had developed over the past century as a respectable, though plodding, Minneapolis-based company. It merged with Allied Signal and was almost bought by GE. Now under the leadership of CEO David Cote, Roger Fradin (ACS) and Jack Bolick (Process Systems), how is the NEW Honeywell doing?
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Energy partnerships
Partnerships can develop energy alternatives
Technology leadership is needed to develop practical energy alternatives. Automation companies have knowledge and experience that applies in this arena. End-users and automation suppliers can develop partnerships to tackle the opportunities.
A version of this article was published by Automation World - March 2005.
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Schneider
Culture
The Schneider Corporate Culture
With annual revenue about 14ドルbn, and 80,000 employees in 130 countries, Schneider Electric is high on the world list of major automation companies. Here we discuss the Corporate Culture of this unusual, acquisition-orientated France-based company.
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Home Robots
Practical home robots - Roomba Floorvac
One wonders when practical robots will be available for home use. Well, I finally decided to buy a robot to do some real work at home and am now the proud owner of Roomba, the home vacuum cleaning robot by iRobot. We have used it for a while, and are pretty satisfied. Published by Automation.com - March 2005.
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Collaboration
Collaboration is the key
In a fast-changing world, collaboration allows companies to react more quickly to changes in supply and demand. In the next few years your enterprise will be collaborative - or it won't exist at all. A version of this article was published by Automation World - February 2005.
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China Solutions
Solutions for the China Challenge
It is well known that China is grabbing significant manufacturing market share in US and world markets, and is already moving strongly into high-tech. Here we'll discuss ways and means for America to maintain its leadership against China and other emerging global competitors. Published by Automation.com - February 2005.
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China Challenge
Global Manufacturing - The China Challenge
In today's global environment whoever manufactures products better, cheaper and faster, wins. Every country in the world is competing. In consumer products, China is grabbing a lot of the prizes. And they're moving strongly into high-tech. IBM's PC business is now Chinese. Will some of the automation majors become Chinese also?
Published by Automation.com - January 2005.
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Emerson culture
The Emerson difference
Emerson is an achievement oriented culture. They select the best "high potential" people, and makes development plans for each individual. The company has a constant inflow of excellent new management. They seem to attract some of the best people in the industry, and keeps developing the next wave of leaders.
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Omron
Omron - success with a unique philosophy
Founded in 1933, Omron has grown to be the largest industrial automation company in Japan. The unusual thing about Omron is this: alone among any multi-billion corporations, it devotes a significant amount of attention to its ethical, social and philosophical position. The company continues to generate strong growth, profit and success.
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China
Syndrome
The China Manufacturing Syndrome
Manufacturing is tending to migrate away from the U.S. for a variety of factors. In the meantime China is attaining pre-eminence in global manufacturing. America needs to have its entrepreneurs and home businesses succeed. Perhaps that is America's best response to the China manufacturing syndrome. A version of this article was published by Automation World - January 2005.
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AspenTech
The rise and fall of Aspen Technology
Aspen Technology supplies modeling software and services used in the process industries. The company acquired a number of companies in the glory-days of the stock market, and has been going through some interesting twists and turns. Here is the story, to the end of 2004. Published - January 2005.
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Future of Automation
The Future of Industrial Automation (2005)
Since the turn of the century, the global recession has affected most businesses, including industrial automation. After four years of the new millennium, here are my views on the directions in which the automation industry is moving.
Published by Automation.com - December 2004.
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Pervasive
Networks
Pervasive Networks
Within the next few years, literally billions of Internet-enabled microprocessors will provide digital intelligence and connectivity for almost every commercial & industrial product and appliance, extending the Internet into almost every aspect of our lives.
Published by Automation World - December 2004.
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Never be the
low bidder
Never be the lowest bidder
When business is tough, many people feel that price-cutting may be the best way to generate business. But, the industrial automation business demands a high level of applications knowledge and specialization. Don't short-change yourself. Here is the latest version of my earlier writing on this subject.
Published by Automation World - November 2004.
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ISA Rimbach Lecture 2004
Automation Unplugged - Global Shifts in a new age
Outline of the slides presented at the Rimbach Lecture Series, Keynote speech at ISA, Houston, Texas, October 6, 2004. Review of automation business, with predictions of continued consolidations. Discussions of new technologies and trends. How Outsourcing and Offshoring will impact future business as China and India emerge as global competitors. Keys for success. Future global challenges.
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M2M Revolution
The M2M (Machine-to-Machine) Revolution
The convergence of smart devices with the Internet is creating a new inflection point. A whole new environment of M2M is emerging, focused on the issues of how machines communicate, how they are managed, how the data and information within them are managed. Companies that fail to exploit this next wave will simply obsolete themselves.
Published by Automation.com - November 2004.
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Stay Agile
Stay agile in an accelerating business environment
Today's business keeps changing fast. There are too many unforeseen technology changes and basic operating shifts which change the ground-rules. To sustain business performance in this environment, companies must develop agility.
Published as Staying Life Cycle Agile by Automation World - October 2004.
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Scarcity & Abundance
The Problems of Scarcity & Abundance
What do traffic jams, obesity and spam have in common? They are all problems caused by abundance. By achieving abundance, technology destroys the natural checks and balances of scarcity. An abundance of automation has caused a scarcity of jobs. Off shore outsourcing is responsible for just 15% of recent job losses.
Published by AutomationTechies.com - October 2004.
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Outside the box
Think outside the box
Project management today is not quite the same as it used to be in past decades. Project management skills cannot be taught. The best project managers become successful using wisdom which cannot be learned, or bought. They think "outside the box".
Published by Automation World - September 2004.
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Executive Leadership
Total Concept Engineering - Executive Leadership
Engineers recognize that leadership involves many, many things beyond just technical details. But, especially in engineering companies, engineers who advance to executive leadership can make a big difference. Here are my suggestion, plus some good advice from the gurus who were engineers themselves.
Published by AutomationTechies.com - September 2004.
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Ballad of GW Bush
Poem: The ballad of GW Bush
I've been having discussions with many friends who are Bush proponents, with no effect. They seem to dodge all my sincere questions, or answer with faith-based responses. So, I wrote this poem for them, with which I hope you'll connect. It's written with the lilt of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven". First published - August 2004.
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M2M - OEM advantage
M2M - the OEM advantage
The next major inflection point of Internet usage is machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. Within the next few years, more machines will be connected via the Internet than humans. This will add significant value for businesses and consumers. Published by Automation World - July/August 2004.
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Engineering Leadership
The Art of Engineering Leadership
If you are an engineering techie, whether you're a senior engineer or raw recruit, whether you're an instrument technician or maintenance mechanic, you can enhance your job, your results - and your pay - by acquiring some leadership skills. Published by AutomationTechies.com - August 2004.
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Engineering Startups
Investing in engineering startups
Many technology startups are founded by engineers. But, the management team should include marketing, sales and finance. Investors look for a good balance of innovation, planning, drive and experience. Published by AutomationTechies.com - July 2004.
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Enterprise decision-making
Decision-making across the enterprise
Today, a plethora of software tools and web services are available for enterprise integration. Perhaps the key job for the future CEO is simply to determine and monitor the key performance indicators (KPIs), letting local decision-making achieve results for the integrated enterprise. Published by Automation World - June 2004.
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Using Global Resources
Using Global Resources to Succeed
In today's global business environment, products must be developed quickly and inexpensively, and manufactured at the lowest cost. Where the products are developed is irrelevant - productivity is the key. The companies that can utilize global resources effectively will generate growth and success! Published by AutomationTechies.com - June 2004.
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Iraq Situation
The situation in Iraq is getting worse!
The effort to stabilize Iraq is out of control. There seems to be no plan, no strategy. April brought the worst death-toll since the war began. A year after "Mission Accomplished" how much longer can this killing continue? Published by San Diego Mensan - June 2004.
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Sensor networks
Intelligent Sensor Networks
Smart, wireless networked sensors will soon be everywhere, collecting and processing vast amounts data, providing vast arrays of real-time, remote interaction with the physical world. Published by Automation World - May 2004.
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Systems Integration
Automation Systems Integration - the realm of specialists
Automation systems integrators serve big markets. But most of them are unable to "scale up" beyond about 5ドル-10m in annual revenue because their markets are fragmented, have specialized requirements and are geographically spread out. Published by AutomationTechies.com - May 2004.
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Real-time productivity
A realtime boost for productivity
Today, real-time enterprise applications are cutting through several layers of previous inefficiency, allowing all segments of a business to interact in ways that were previously unthinkable. The resulting productivity boost is perhaps the key factor behind the so-called "jobless recovery". Published by Automation World - April 2004.
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Oil Crisis
The Oil Crisis - Energy Alternatives
The world is running out of oil and the shortages will only get worse. Technology leadership is needed to develop practical energy alternatives. Automation companies have the knowledge and experience to get involved in this new and burgeoning market. Published by AutomationTechies.com - April 2004.
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Gay Marriage
Same-sex marriage - what is the real issue?
Attitudes toward homosexuality continue to be one of the more complex areas of public opinion. What is the real issue? My prediction: This political furor is a precursor of things to come in this century - the legalization of marriages between humans and clones, techno-humans, robots, machines. Brave new world! Published by San Diego Mensan - April 2004.
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Broader Horizons
To succeed, broaden your horizons
When growth is elusive in traditional markets, it behooves good companies to look for expansion and growth in other similar markets. Industrial automation companies must extend their existing products, and develop new marketing and sales channels, to attract new "commercial" customers. Published by Automation World - March 2004.
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RFID
RFID - a significant technology with far-reaching implications
RFID technology is growing by leaps and bounds. RFID tags will soon be built into everything, allowing each individual item to be tracked and traced. The implications are startling. Published by AutomationTechies.com - March 2004.
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Energy Independence
American Energy Independence
Over the past century, America has become increasingly dependent on oil. Consider this: without oil propping up their economies, most Mid-East countries would be reduced to relatively poor strips of desert, the financial power of terrorism would be de-fanged. Developing alternate energy sources for energy independence is a matter of extreme urgency. Published by San Diego Mensan - March 2004.
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Think Globally
Think globally, act locally
There are lots of new things that your company must do to remain competitive in the global environment. People in all parts of your company must be encouraged to become more globally oriented. Global customers must be met at their home locale, to find out specific local requirements. And the company must respond by adapting products to meet those local needs. Published by Automation World - February 2004.
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Internet Insecurity
Internet Insecurity - Spam and viruses
For several years the growth of the Internet seemed unlimited, an almost free resource that provided vast benefits. But that expansion is now being choked, and security is threatened by the twin plagues of spam and viruses.
Published by AutomationTechies.com - February 2004.
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Symbols of Love
Symbols of Love
In February each year, the opportunity (or obligation) to send Valentine cards comes around. It's supposed to be a tradition dating back to the third century. In this fast-changing world, everything seems temporary. Perhaps that's why so many people seem to want to follow old traditions. Published by San Diego Mensan - February 2004.
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Winning edge
People are the winning edge
Success can only be developed by consistent, long-term investments in people and leadership. It requires sustained development budgets for automated processes and plant equipment - which requires strong and committed, in-house engineering talent. Published by Automation World - January 2004.
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Buying & Selling Time
Buying & Selling Time
Time is a resource that everyone values - we all have the same 24 hours every day. By delivering convenience (saving time) the new, connected economy yields significant improvements. Companies that can offer those improvements generate growth and success. Published by AutomationTechies.com - January 2004.
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Electronic voting
brings risks
Electronic voting brings serious security risks
The Florida "chad" debacle resulted in a rapid push towards electronic voting machines. Problem: The touch-screen machines being deployed cannot be made to produce a paper record, and will not be able to do so until 2007. Without a paper validation of each vote, there is a significant risk that the electronic count can be rigged in 2004. Published by San Diego Mensan - January 2004.
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Exporting jobs
Exporting jobs to stay competitive
In today's global markets every business is pitted against worldwide competitors with consistently improving productivity, better performance and shrinking prices. For the US, the choices are clear: Move strongly to maintain a lead in technology innovation.
Published by Automation World - December 2003.
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Tomorrow's leaders
Tomorrow's automation leaders
In the industrial automation business, you can count the $ 1+billion companies on your fingers. Then count the companies between $ 100 million to $ 1 billion; you won't get more than just a couple. All the others who seem to be in that range are simply divisions of larger conglomerates. So, who are the leaders of tomorrow?
Published by AutomationTechies.com - December 2003.
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Political labels
confuse democracy
Political parties & labels cause antagonism, confuse Democracy
What are the real differences are between Republicans and Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives? The whole political system seems to be based on polarized, aggressive antagonism. I cannot help feeling that is a subversion of democracy.
Published by San Diego Mensan - December 2003.
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Intelligent, optimized equipment
Intelligent, Networked Equipment Optimizes Assets
Imagine every piece of equipment monitoring its own operation, including uptime, downtime, dwell-time, energy usage, malfunction and repair-time. Technologies exist right now that can do that in order to help end-users optimize their assets.
Published by Automation World - November 2003.
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Near-term Nanotech
Near-term Nanotech
The commercial interest in nanotechnology is being driven by visions of a stream of commercial products and applications that will lead to a new industrial revolution. Some significant nano-tech products are already on the market.
Published by Automation Techies.com, November 2003.
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Fully automated factories
Fully automated factories approach reality.
The vision of fully automated factories has already existed for some time now: customers order online, with electronic transactions that negotiate batch size (in some cases as low as one), price, size and color; intelligent robots and sophisticated machines smoothly and rapidly fabricate a variety of customized products on demand.
Published by Automation World - October 2003.
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Robotics
Tech Trends
Robotics technology trends.
When it comes to robots, reality still lags science fiction. But, just because robots have not lived up to their promise in past decades does not mean that they will not arrive sooner or later. Indeed, the confluence of several advanced technologies is bringing the age of robotics ever nearer - smaller, cheaper, more practical and cost-effective.
Published by Automation Techies.com, October 2003.
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Globalization
Outmoded
Globalization - outmoded and irrelevant.
Industrialized countries present their neo-liberal brand of globalization and capitalistic freedom as things that bring peace, prosperity and power. In the past, it was easy to embrace this enticing vision, especially with no clear alternative on the horizon. But, the dreams of capitalistic globalization cannot be sustained.
Published by San Diego Mensan - October 2003.
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War - Myths
& Mystique
The myths & mystique of war.
Perhaps war is a human addiction. It causes renewed nationalism and patriotic fervor that is intoxicating. It is seldom justified, but there are always those who claim that it is right. In its wake it brings devastating effects on all involved. But the pain is eventually forgotten and then war again reoccurs, like some awful addiction that cannot be kicked. Published by San Diego Mensan - September 2003.
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Internet
insecurity
Internet insecurity
Internet vulnerabilities will force ever-greater countermeasures. My suggestion is to stick with the major anti-virus software standards. Published by Automation World - September 2003.
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Wireless sensor networks Wireless sensor networks
Smart, wireless networked sensors will soon be all around us, collectively processing vast amounts of previously unrecorded data to help run factories, optimize farming, monitor the weather and even watch for earthquakes. Published by Automation Techies.com, September 2003.
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The well curve
The well curve
Previously, the "bell curve" defined normal statistical distribution, and it became a fundamental law of natural science, a cornerstone of statistics. Recently, several economic and social phenomena seem to be following a different pattern. Instead of being high in the center and low on the sides, this new distribution is "bi-modal", low in the center and high on the sides. So, it's called "the well curve". Published by San Diego Mensan - August 2003.
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Dichotomy
of open standards
Dichotomy of open standards
The definition of a "standard" is simple: operating characteristics that everybody follows. Therein lies the rub. Someone has to be the leader, to develop the standard that others follow. Conflicting objectives continue to cause endless debate. To help clear the confusion, we must understand that technology developers need to recoup their investment through one or more of the rules for open standards. Published by Automation World - August 2003.
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Automation inflection points Industrial automation inflection points
During a decline, good companies should be looking for revenue growth through significant new technologies that can change the rules of the game. New products that provide an order of magnitude improvement in performance or cost-effectiveness generate an inflection point. Published by Automation Techies.com, August 2003.
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Copyright & Patent wars The copyright & patent wars
Copyright law, originally written to protect books and maps, has been constantly revised and stretched. Today there is no standard way to ensure that the owner gets paid when their work is bought, or used. And in industrial automation, it's a whole, different ballgame. Published by Automation Techies.com, July 2003.
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Automate, emigrate or evaporate Automate, emigrate or evaporate
The new century is bringing significant and irreversible changes in a competitive, global environment. Almost every segment of business is undergoing significant change. For end users, manufacturing plants must be smaller and more flexible; for automation suppliers, products must be designed to meet global end user needs, with local services for all customers. Published in the inaugural issue of Automation World, June 2003.
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Sidetracked from terrorism Sidetracked from the war on terrorism
The Iraqi war, far from addressing the roots of the terrorism, has exacerbated the problems. Indeed, the "easy win" with no apparent justification simply inflames the extremists. Egypt's President gave an ominous warning, "The war in Iraq will create hundreds of bin Ladens!" And sadly, this is perhaps what bin Laden has wanted. A version of this article was published by: San Diego Mensan magazine, June 2003
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Cheap revolution The cheap revolution.
The price of electronic memory and computer storage and will continue fall over the next several years. This will cause a significant revolution in the way many things are done. Your company can find growth through a cheap revolution. Published by Automation Techies.com, June 2003.
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The Aussie
Fieldbus The Aussie Fieldbus
This poem was written on April 28, 2003 for my friend Dick Morley, who was speaking at the INDCOMM Conference in Melbourne, Australia, April 30 & May 1, 2003. It describes the wonderful, new Aussiebus, which connected to just about every other network in the world. Except....
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Distributed Computing Distributed & Grid Computing. Your desktop computer (like most others) is only utilized about 5%. Distributed computing uses the idle time and links many machines together to perform mammoth tasks that previously only super-computers could do. The whole area of distributed and grid computing is a hot bed of significant development that is expected to generate amazing advances in the next few years. And the first big applications are already here. Published by Automation Techies.com, May 2003.
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Future of air-travel The future of air-travel
In December 1903 the Wright brothers first flight was 852 feet and lasted 59 seconds. Today's 747 and Airbus jetliners carry hundreds of people thousands of miles, non-stop. But the threat of hijacking and SARS has curtailed air-travel and the airlines are in trouble. What will happen in the future? Published by San Diego Mensan magazine, May 2003.
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Great Depression - lessons Lessons from the Great Depression. If the stock market dips again in 2003, this will be the first time since "The Great Depression" (1929-1932). In both periods, prior to the bust, Americans enjoyed astonishing prosperity, novel technologies generated a boom, there was faith that the economic system had permanently changed things for the better and the stock market rose to unanticipated heights before it crashed. The 9/11 attacks and fear of terrorism have deepened the parallels. Published by San Diego Mensan magazine, April 2003.
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Manufacturers get Disintermediated Disintemediation-III : Distributors in the driver's seat, Manufacturers get disintermediated. In past years manufacturers were considered "upstream in the food chain". Intermediaries (sales channels, distributors, retail outlets) were considered "downstream" links, generating lower margins. Today, no single product supplier can compete against local specialists in all geographies. So, the big switch occurs - the product manufacturer gets disintermediated. A version of this article was published as: Industry View, the back-page of ISA - InTech, March 2003.
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Intelligent
Robots Intelligent robots will be everywhere
The world of sentient machines, is fast approaching. Humanlike machines are increasingly take on the work of humans. As processing power increases exponentially, and as MEMS technology brings smaller and smarter sensors and actuators, robots are the breeding ground for future-generation products with new, varied and exciting applications. Published by AutomationTechies.com March 2003.
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Beware the Ides Beware the Ides
"Beware the Ides of March!" was the soothsayer's warning to Julius Caesar, which he ignored and went about his business - and met his fate. In this new century another date is significant, perhaps close enough to the 13th to be remembered as the Ides of September. Now, in the age of terrorism, we are constantly in a state of alert. Published by San Diego Mensan magazine March 2003.
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Nanotech &
self-organizing
systems - PREY Nanotech & self-organizing systems - Michael Crichton's PREY
Nanotechnology - manipulating matter at the atomic scale. When we get down to this size, the classical laws of physics change. Michael Crichton's new techno-thriller PREY weaves a story about the perils of Nanotechnology. This is combined with a technically realistic account of distributed intelligence, self-organizing systems and emergent behavior. Published by AutomationTechies.com Feb. 2003.
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Angel Investing Pinto perspectives on "angel" investing
"Angel" investors are private individuals who invest their own money as seed capital in early-stage companies that catch their interest, and help to accelerate them to market leadership. Here are my own perspectives on angel investing. Published by UCSD Connect newsletter Feb. 11, 2003.
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The Love Puzzle The puzzle of Love
With Valentine's Day at mid-month, February is the month of love and romance with cards, candy, flowers and gifts exchanged between loved ones. Love is everywhere. The language of love is universal. For an analytic like me, this brings up the question - what is Love? What is this mysterious condition, at once a panacea and affliction? How does it come about? Published by San Diego Mensan Feb. 2003.
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Global competition Competing in a global environment
Many automation companies are moving rapidly to outsource product design and manufacturing to the Far East and software to India. In a global environment, this is indeed a good business decision for most companies. Broaden your own horizons. Consider offshore capabilities as resources to be utilized to help your company become stronger. Seek out ways and means to complement the strengths of your own department and organization and maximize your own results. Published by AutomationTechies.com Jan. 2003.
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Transition to a different future Transition to a very different future
More than ever before, the world seems to be poised for rapid change. More and more people are beginning to recognize the naivete and inadequacy of the present social order. There is an awakening acceptance that many of the old icons have been broken beyond repair, and that a new age is indeed being ushered in. A version of this article was published by San Diego Mensan magazine January 2003.
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What's an automation techie to do? In a declining economy, what's a good automation techie to do?
In a poor economy, don't simply sit back and wait for the axe to fall. Be pro-active - use your personal strengths, plus new ideas and tools, to find new opportunities for continued growth and success. There are always good opportunities for good people. And good people find those opportunities! Published by AutomationTechies.com Dec. 2002.
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Uneasy Thanksgiving Uneasy Thanksgiving in a precarious world
We are uneasy this Thanksgiving. Yes, this is the time to give thanks for the bounty with which we are blessed. And yet, in this new century, we come up with the sudden realization that our bounty is tinged and tainted in an uneasy world.
Published by San Diego Mensan Nov. 2002.
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The Pervasive Internet The Pervasive Internet & its effect on industrial automation
Soon, digital intelligence and connectivity will be available for almost every commercial and industrial product and appliance, extending the Internet into most aspects of our lives. Products and companies that fail to exploit this next wave of the digital revolution will simply obsolete themselves.
Published by AutomationTechies.com Nov. 2002.
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Pathways to insanity Pathways to insanity
The new century has indeed commenced with disturbing events, which seem to be the pathways to insanity for the US - the most powerful nation in a fragile world.
Published by San Diego Mensan Oct. 2002.
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Jim Pinto Interview Interview with Jim Pinto
Perry Marshall interview with Jim Pinto - talking about Jim's 30+ years as an entrepreneur, the direction of the industrial controls business, future technologies that will make our lives better, and where he thinks our world is headed in the 21st century.
Published by Contemporary Controls Oct. 2002.
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Products vs. Services Automation: Products Vs. Services
With the recent worldwide decline in the automation business, many major suppliers are trying to generate growth by becoming "total solution providers", rather than just product manufacturers. In my opinion, while this strategy may generate additional short-term revenue, in the long haul it is a business mistake.
Published by AutomationTechies.com Oct. 2002.
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Automation: directions Automation: Old dead-ends, new directions
The consistent stream of industrial automation mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, re-organizations and layoffs is happening because US industrial automation markets have been declining for the past several years. To understand the decline, we must recognize that several important strategic factors that have changed over the past decade. Published by AutomationTechies.com Sept. 2002.
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Wolfram's
Patterns Pattern's - here, there and everywhere
Stephen Wolfram's "New Kind of Science"
In his book, Stephen Wolfram demonstrates rules that produce on a computer the same results as pigmentation patterns on jaguars and seashells, the growth of leaves, the behavior of financial markets. I feel intuitively that this approach is right. The only question is - did Wolfram "discover" it? Published by San Diego Mensan Sept. 2002.
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Genetic
Competition Genetic competition - technology speeds evolution
It is clear that genetic selection, in addition to reducing the propensity for disease through elimination of undesirable genes, will also improve physical characteristics and intelligence. Soon, choosing the physical and mental characteristics of a child through cloning and genetic selection will be vastly preferable to the present day biological lottery. Published by San Diego Mensan Aug. 2002.
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Never be the
lowest bidder Never, never be the lowest bidder
A hard-hitting but realistic view of price-cutting - meant to encourage business people not to allow devaluation of their business knowledge and experience. Discounting is a loser's game, especially in the industrial automation business, which has a high level of applications knowledge and specialization. Published by AutomationTechies.com Aug. 2002.
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The
Soft Approach Finding a softer approach in a new century
Hard realities in a new century bring the recognition that a new society is emerging - new demographics, institutions, ideologies and problems. An enlightened, global community must find new "soft" ways to approach the "hard" problems of the past. I am continuing to work on this theme: Soft Solutions for Hard Problems.
This article was published by The World Future Society in their GLOBAL STRATEGIES FORUM - July 2002.
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New Tech
will boost Industry New technologies will boost industry out of recession
The industrial automation business seems somewhat stale, waiting for mythical market resurgence. To be successful in the future, we must use the current lull to get back to basics: developing new technology, new manufacturing methods, and new market approaches for a new business environment.This article was published as Industry View on the back page of InTech magazine, July 2002
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Go Global Go Global, Think Local
In the global village of the new economy, automation companies have little choice - they must find more ways and means to expand globally. To do this they need to minimize domination of the central corporate culture, and maximize responsiveness to local customer needs. Published by AutomationTechies.com - July 2002.
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Relationship management Relationship management
The Internet has brought major changes to the way business is being done. Old-style intermediaries are being replaced by infomediaries. Relationship management is the key to success. Published by AutomationTechies.com - June 2002.
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Angel Angles Poem : Angel Angles
There are about 4,000 "angel" investors in the US. These are private individuals who invest their own money as seed capital in early-stage companies that catch their interest, and help to accelerate them to market leadership. Who are these "angels"? And why do they invest? You might enjoy the poem I wrote for the UCSD CONNECT newsletter, published May 14, 2002.
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Creeping Criminality Creeping Criminality
Few people are out and out criminals - most drift into increasingly dubious behavior through insidious wealth addiction. Many drift into fiddling with results, expecting that they can explain away the discrepancy if and when their bluff is called. They fudge (stretch the truth), and then the fudging turns to lying, which extends to cheating and stealing. This is creeping criminality. The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - May 2002
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Intelligent Appliances Intelligent, Connected Appliances
Intelligence will continue to penetrate and populate virtually every product. Advances in wireless technology will allow low-cost, high-speed connections for hand-held devices, as well conventional appliances to the Internet - almost everything will become an intelligent, connected "appliance". Published by AutomationTechies.com - May 2002.

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Lure of
the lifestyle The lure of the lifestyle.
Have you wondered how the crony capitalists spend the proceeds of their exercised stock-options, enormous salaries and generous perks? They become lifestyle junkies - hooked on pompous posturing, playing follow-the-leader into an endless hedonistic spiral. This type of escalation up the ladder of life is not limited just to the filthy-rich. It's easy to succumb to the lure of the lifestyle.
The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - April 2002

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The 3
Technology Laws The 3 Technology Laws.
In the industrial automation business, we should expect that in the future virtually all industrial I/O products and processes would have significantly expanded embedded intelligence and connectivity. Apply the 3 technology laws to see how simple applications will extend automation methods from factory and process controls to a much broader range of applications. Published by AutomationTechies.com - April 2002.

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Crony
Capitalism Crony Capitalism - electronic consciousness is the antidote.
Our modern society is hooked on growth, an addiction that is difficult to cure. People get used to extrapolating growth and success - they become part of crony capitalism. When growth stops many start to fudge, which can quickly turn to lying, and then extend to cheating. Few people start off being dishonest - most drift into it through insidious wealth addiction. The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - March 2002
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Dichotomy
of open standards
Dichotomy of open standards
The definition of a "standard" is simple: operating characteristics that everybody follows. Therein lies the rub. Someone has to be the leader, to develop the standard that others follow. Conflicting objectives continue to cause endless debate. To help clear the confusion, we must understand that technology developers need to recoup their investment through one or more of the rules for open standards. Published by AutomationTechies.com - March 2002.

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Fully Automated
Factories Fully automated factories - Futuristic? Or today's reality?
The promise of remote-controlled automation is finally making headway in automated factories and processes. The vision of powerful super-robots without people to tend them required networked intelligence. This is now well developed and widely available. Fully automated factories are quickly becoming an accepted fact.
Published by AutomationTechies.com - Feb. 2002.

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New Age
Neighborhood Work, play and romance in the new age neighborhood
The removal of travel and communications restraints in the new age re-defines the neighborhood, workplace and playground. The Internet now shrinks the world to a global village and vastly expands participation. Today, people are working, playing, socializing and romancing in a global village.
The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - February 2002

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The Perfect
Funding Poem: The Perfect Funding
An entrepreneur finds funding for his high-tech startup, beyond his wildest expectations. Poem written in the lilt of Poe's The Raven
The original version of this poem was published in the San Diego magazine The T Sector, January 2002
C=PxV/U
Pinto's Law
Pinto's Law of Open-systems Confusion
In the race for market dominance, everyone wants to be "the standard". The major suppliers promote the networks that give them the advantage, leaving Users totally confused. A simple formula that demonstrates the relationship between Confusion in the marketplace and the number of Vendors and Happy Users.
Published by AutomationTechies.com - Jan. 2002.

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21st century prognostications 21st century prognostications
The hard realities of the new century bring the recognition that a new society is emerging - new demographics, institutions, ideologies and problems. Things will be quite different from the society of the late 20th century and different from what most people expect. Much of it will be unprecedented. Most of it is already here, or is rapidly emerging. The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - January 2002

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San Diego's role in the new century San Diego's role in the new century
San Diego's attraction is not just the climate, but also the proximity to Mexico. Without the right attention to new-century technology investment, San Diego might just become a satellite city across the border from its fast-growing neighbor to the south. The original version of this article was published in The San Diego Union Tribune - Sunday, 30 Dec. 2001

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New Growth New growth in old markets
Industrial automation business is in a general decline - many products have become commodities. Growth and success will result for leaders who recognize the advantages that new technology brings, and for those who have the ability to provide new products and advances for old and new markets. The original version of this article was published by automationtechies.com, December 2001
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3 Technology Laws
The three laws of technology
The combination of the three technology laws will soon bring startling changes.Within the next decade many people will have a couple of hundred computers embedded in their clothes, communicating through a "personal-area-network" (PAN), with wireless connection to the Internet. Published by Vanguard Group - Dec. 2001.

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Now I'm 64 Happy birthday ! Now I'm sixty-four!
I've always been a Beatles fan! Their song When I'm sixty-four has always been one of my favorites. I savored the idea that, if I was lucky enough to last till the new century, I'd eventually get to be 64. Well, I arrived at my sixty-fourth birthday on December 6, 2001. To celebrate, I wrote this little ditty - which you can sing to the tune of the Beatles song. Try it!

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Soft Solutions Soft Solutions for Hard Problems
Capitalism and democracy will need to adapt to the realities of the new age. It is clear that the problems we face are hard and cannot be solved by the old hard solutions that might have been effective in the past. New, soft solutions are needed. The coming century is a century of soft things. The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - December 2001

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Virtual Visits Virtual visiting for the holidays
Soon, traditional holiday get-togethers will become virtual visits. Big-screen TVs will be placed right next to the dinner table for all the loved ones to sit down together at the same virtual dinner to eat, drink and be merry. The settings will be virtually the same though the ambience will adapt. The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - November 2001

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Never Low Bid Never, never be the lowest bidder!
When business is tough, some people feel that price-cutting may be the best way to generate business. But that is a loser's game - especially in the industrial automation business, which has a high level of applications knowledge and specialization.
The original version of this article was published by
Electrical Equipment Co. Oct. 2001
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Pay Daily Dues Have you paid your daily dues?
Today, major industrial automation companies are consolidating and laying-off. What's a budding young engineer or technician to do? Or, if you're already in the instruments business, should you simply wait for the ax to fall? Here, I propose more practical directions that combine your own personal strengths with new thinking in a new economy.
The original version of this article was published by
ISA - InTech - Oct. 2001
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What's happening to Halloween? What's happening to Halloween?
It seems to me that Halloween was quite a big thing some twenty years ago. Participation has been declining steadily for a variety of reasons. Perhaps TV and home-videos provide sufficient spookiness to diminish the need for door-to-door doling-out of dull doo-dads. Could a virtual Halloween haunt our future?
The original version of this article was published by
San Diego Mensan - Oct. 2001
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Staying ahead of the powercurve Staying ahead of the powercurve
In the new economy, Internet communication has brought major changes to the way business is being done. Make sure that your business is staying ahead of the power-curve.
The original version of this article was published by
Electrical Equipment Co. Sept. 2001
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Automation
eBiz Automation eBiz : The new business environment
Almost universal business e-mail provides closeness that breeds startling new effectiveness. The old, bulky snail-mail catalog is becoming obsolete and most companies are now providing access to product and pricing information on the web, with many going beyond, with true B2B interaction.
The original version of this article was published by
Electrical Equipment Co. Sept. 2001
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A.I. movie
Robot Love A.I. - The Movie : Robot Love
A discussion on Steven Spielberg's movie - A.I. - and the social, ethical and moral implications of robot love.
The original version of this article was published in
San Diego Mensan - Sept. 2001
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New age
Intelligence Intelligence in a New Age
Evolution took millions of years to progress to the development of primates and then Homo sapiens. Over the past ten thousand years, intrinsic human intelligence has changed very little - Socrates would probably have scored at genius level on the Stanford-Binet intelligence test.
The original version of this article was published in
San Diego Mensan - August 2001
Futurescope 2001
Futurescope 2001 Evolution of the TechnoHuman
Evolution is speeding up exponentially. In this next century, technology speed-up will continue with major evolutionary consequences. History makes it evident that man-with-tool inevitably survived and conquered man-without. Technology has caused and will continue to cause significant societal change.
World Future Society - Futurescope 2001,
Minneapolis, MN. USA. July 30, 2001.
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What's Hot
for Industrial Automation What's Hot for Industrial Automation
Industrial automation is transitioning from distributed control systems programmable logic controllers and industrial PCs to a new, connected environment of industrial appliances. In a somewhat stagnant business environment, new technologies will bring significant advances and new leaders.
The original version of this article was published in the ISA magazine
Industrial Computing - July 2001
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Charity Charity - where does it begin? And end?
By world standards, most of the people reading this on the Internet are wealthy. So, given that we have more than most, how much should we give as Charity? And is our giving obligation, goodwill or guilt?
The original version of this article was published in the popular webzine *spark-online - July 2001
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2001: Automation Industry Outlook 2001 : Industrial Automation Outlook
The industrial automation business is under pressure. I have already forecasted that the industry Big-10 will reduce to the Big-5 - this is the year in which that prediction will be realized. Who will survive? How will they thrive? Here I present my outlook for industrial automation at the start of the new millennium.
First published in :
Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, Feb. 2001
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View
2001 View 2001 : Growth in a Shrinking World
In the blink of an eye we have fast-forwarded to the brink of a New Year, a new century and a new millennium. In this new age, the people who win will be, not scared, but excited about the technology tools that emerge and the new effectiveness and opportunities for growth that this will bring in a shrinking world.
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My Christmas
eMail Poem : My Christmas eMail
This poem was first written on Christmas Eve, 1975 - really! It has been published in several webzines and sent via email countless times - some of my friends actually email it to me, not realizing that I wrote it... This is the Christmas 2000 version, written for JimPinto.com visitors.
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Inflection
Point Scarcity & Abundance -the Inflection Point
Scarcity and abundance play out in a spiral of reciprocity, with each producing its opposite in the cycles of economic advance. The inflection point is where significant growth and wealth is generated for leaders who utilizes knowledge and creativity to manipulate the future abundance while it is still a scarcity. For industrial automation, several new inflection points will arrive in the next couple of decades. Here, I suggest my favorite possibilities.
First published in : Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, December 2000
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Jack
Grenard Tribute to Jack Grenard
Jack Grenard is the founder of PLC User magazine and Industrial Controls Intelligence. Jack "retired" in Dec. 2000 - to focus on sailing on his sailboat in San Diego. The Dec. issue of his old newsletter included a column written by several of his friends and associates. It included this poem, as a tribute to my friend, Jack Grenard. First published in : Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, December 2000
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The Honeywell
Saga Prognostications on the Honeywell Saga
The Honeywell saga started first as the sale of the controls division to Siemens, then the merger of the whole enchilada with United Technologies and then ended a couple of days later with the sale to GE - it all happened in less than a week! Few industry journals and financial newspapers tell the whole, unbiased background and story. Read it here. First published in : Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, November 2000
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TechnoHuman
Evolution Evolution of the TechnoHuman
Is technology changing humans? Will the rapid advances in technology in the coming century cause, or allow, a different type of human to evolve? Significant philosophical, ethical, moral, legal and sociological questions must be answered, as we move forward in the new century and millennium.
First published in : Spark-online, November 2000
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Catch the
Fieldbus
How do I catch the Fieldbus?
A wide variety of networks is available in the industrial automation environment and confusion arises because their capabilities overlap. So, which "fieldbus" should YOU use? It all depends on your needs - cost, speed, complexity, compatibility with already-installed devices and future expansion requirements.
First published in ISA Worldbus Journal, Supplement to InTech, October 2000.
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Troubled
Companies Companies in Trouble
Expected gains through consolidation are just not developing and several industrial automation companies are in deep trouble. This article traces the decline of past industry leaders and points out the patterns that are developing as industrial age companies enter a new era. It offers predictions, warnings and advice. First published in Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, October 2000.
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Automation
Decline Industrial Automation - Why is it declining?
Industrial automation markets are declining and have been for a few years. As a result the majors are all looking for mergers and consolidation as a means to survive. Why are industrial markets not growing? Why are margins shrinking? Is the decline temporary? Is the malaise worldwide? I hope this article helps to answer these questions. First published in Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, September 2000.
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Merger Urge
: 2000 The Urge to Merge : 2000
Lack of growth in industrial automation is forcing publicly-held companies into a steady stream of mergers and acquisitions to maintain or improve stock-market valuations. This update of my previous article includes the famous-list of industrial-automation majors, ranked by size. First published in Controls Intelligence & Plant Systems Report, August 2000.
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Temperature Sensors The Pros and cons of RTDs and Thermocouples
Resistance temperature detectors and thermocouples can be used for some of the same measurements, but each has strengths and weaknesses that must be carefully matched to the application at hand. Technical article, published in I&CS magazine, June 2000.
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Development Speed Product Development Speed in the Internet Age
In the last century, new products took years to develop. In the Internet age Time is critical and clearly a competitive weapon. With accelerating technology, some products are obsolete within months. Move fast - or become history.....
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Intelligent Appliances The Intelligent, Connected Appliance
Embedded computers are already providing intelligence in appliances. With connection to an expanding network infrastructure, the intelligence of each network-node bringing totally new functionality.
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Chaos2000 Review Chaos in Manufacturing Conference - May 2000
Dick Morley's Chaos in Manufacturing Conference was at Santa Fe, New Mexico again. Review of the discussions on applications of Complexity Science, Artificial Life, Emergent systems and the kind of advanced thinking that will begin to make a major difference as we move into the new century.
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Symbiotic Intelligence Symbiotic Life in the 21st Century
Humans and Technology - a new level of Life.
Chaos Conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 2000. Technology is a tool of evolution. As technology advances accelerate, humans with technology extensions will attain a new level of Life - Symbiosis.
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Marketing Speed Marketing Speed in the Internet Age
In the age of Internet marketing, Time is a key ingredient. Conventional printed catalogs and price lists, snail-mailed with expensive postage, are simply too slow and too expensive. As customers, we all expect more.
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New Age Conciousness Intelligence & Consciousness in the New Age
This essay was first published in Spark Online a popular webzine which explores electronic consciousness. Will synthetic intelligence exceed human capabilities? What are the social and philosophical implications?
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Disintermediation
Disintermediation Stirs up Industrial Automation
In the post-internet world, intermediaries are disappearing rapidly. Here we review how and where disintermediation affects the industrial automation business and, with a positive perspective, how those most affected can "reintermediate".
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Disintermediation-II
Disintermediation-II - the Customer Perspective
The Internet provides direct-connections between suppliers and customers, disintermediating conventional sales and distribution channels. As an end-user, a customer, what are your choices? Should you stick with the people you know? Or, start buying direct from the suppliers website?
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Disintermediated-III Disintemediation-III : Distributors in the driver's seat, Manufacturers get disintermediated. In past years manufacturers were considered "upstream in the food chain". Intermediaries (sales channels, distributors, retail outlets) were considered "downstream" links, generating lower margins. Today, no single product supplier can compete against local specialists in all geographies. So, the big switch occurs - the product manufacturer gets disintermediated. A version of this article was published as: Industry View, the back-page of ISA - InTech, March 2003.
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Automation Changes
The Changing Face of Automation
The new century has arrived as a benchmark of change. Everyone has recognized that business has moved into a new era where the ground rules are intrinsically different. Here are some of the causes behind the effects.
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Frontiers
of the Future
Instrumentation & Control -
on the Frontiers of a New Millennium
In this vision for the start of the new millennium, control happens at the I/O level, products become intelligent appliances, PLC and PC-based software and operating systems are replaced by network applications and components that run from browsers, and adaptive control becomes the norm. Am I right? Only time will tell.
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IEC Fieldbus Vote
The 8-Part Fieldbus Voting Fiasco
In early January 2000, the IEC "unofficially" voted in favor of an 8-part Fieldbus standard. The ISA webpages reported the news in businesslike prose. I felt that this somewhat comical paradox could only be described with poetry.
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Predictions
Predictions & Possibilities
First written on December 17, 1999, and then updated on January 1,2000 after the arrival of the New Year and Century. A postscript on my previous Millennium Meditations.
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y2k Poem
The y2k Raven
Written on December 31, 1999, as we were all awaiting the arrival of January 1, 2000. This poem is written using the style of Poe's The Raven - which has a lilt which is similar to some of my other poems. The y2k bug really bites.... Or, does it?
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Millennium Meditations
Limbering Up to the New Millennium
Prognostications and meditations - just 30 days before the start of new millennium. Will we simply slide into it? Or, is this the start of a new era? The prose melted into poetry....
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Microsoft Mugging
The Legal Mugging of Microsoft
This topical poem was written right after the big news (5 Nov. '99) that a judge had ruled that Microsoft was a monopoly. The world now waits to see what the legal "penalties" will be.
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Fieldbus Update
Update: Fieldbus -
Neutral Instrumentation Vendor's Perspective.
Revision (Dec. '99) of my popular fieldbus paper, first presented at ISA, Oct. '94 and article in InTech, July '95.
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Fieldbus Debate
The Great Fieldbus Debate - is Over!
A summary of The Great Fieldbus Debate at ISA TechExpo/99. This event was significant in that each of the participants preached "I did it my way!" - signaling the death of the Fieldbus SP-50 standard, and emergence of several de facto standards in the different classes of applications.
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Open Systems Rules
Rules for Open Systems
This article appeared in Industrial Controls Intelligence, October '99. It presents the Marketing rules which govern the introduction of open and interoperable technology systems.
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The Merger Urge
The Urge to Merge... Versions of this article have appeared in Industrial Controls Intelligence, September 99 and other US and Europe journals. This is a more detailed text, with some additions and updates of the "famous list" of industry rankings - by size and market-cap.
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Who will buy?
Who will Buy Rockwell & A-B?
Jack Grenard's Rumor Mill stirred up discussions on whether or not Rockwell was "selling off" Allen-Bradley. This article provides prognostications on the possibilities and probabilities. First published in Industrial Controls Intelligence , July '99
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Insights 1999
Sink or Swim the Internet Wave
The stock market is making conventional company valuations look bleak, when compared with new Internet stocks. Industry consolidations seek to change the scenario. First published in InTech - the ISA Journal , June '99
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Hannover 1999
Hannover Fair 1999 - Meditations
Report on Hannover Messe April 1999, the largest industrial exhibition in the world. First published in Industrial Controls Intelligence, May '99
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Synthetic Intelligence The Age of Spiritual Machines - When Computers exceed Human intelligence. Presentation at Dick Morley's Chaos in Manufacturing Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, April '99. With accelerating technology as a tool of evolution, it is simply a matter of time before synthetic intelligence exceeds human capabilities. What then?
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WIN/SP-50
Microsoft Takes Over Fieldbus
A poem, written at the ISA/98 Expo, about Microsoft taking over Fieldbus SP-50 to make it the de-facto standard. First published in CONTROL, November '98
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ISA Commentary
Industrial Automation Industry Overview
A review of the ISA/98 Expo, held in Houston, TX. in mid-October '98. First published in Industrial Controls Intelligence, November '98
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Bill Gates
& the devil
You are Rich Brother William - UPSIDE, Feb. '98
A satirical poem - about Bill Gates negotiating with the devil.
Whew! I got a lottt of response on this one....
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The Sequel
Bill & God
Saint Bill - UPSIDE, April '98
The sequel to the first poem - the one about Bill Gates and the devil. A repentent Bill Gates appeals to the Almighty!
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What Next?
And Who?
What Next? And Who? First published in Industrial Controls Intelligence, July 98. A strategic view of the wave of mergers and acquisitions in the Automation business. What is next?
And who will be next?
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Self-organizing
Controls
The Advent of Self-organizing Contol Systems
Presentation at Chaos in Manufacturing conference, Santa Fe, New Mexico, April '98. The end is in sight for conventional, centralized control systems. New self-organizing controls are on the horizon.
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Fieldbus
A Neutral View
Fieldbus : A Neutral Instrumentation Vendor's Perspective.
ISA Proceedings '94 and Intech July '95. This popular paper featured the very first direct comparison of major fieldbus protocols. Note : Updated October '99
C=PxV/U
Pinto's Law
The Law of Market Confusion
A simple formula that demonstrates the relationship between Confusion in the marketplace and the number of Vendors and Happy Users.
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Fieldbus Quadrille
The Fieldbus Quadrille
 A poem in the Alice in Wonderland metaphor, which describes the current paradoxical situation relating to Fieldbus in the industrial automation business.
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Net du Jour
Fieldbus duJour
Another poem, about a little guy going to ISA to look for Fieldbus networks and finding a plethora of choices and "open" vendor-associations.
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Fieldbus Raven
The Fieldbus Raven
A poem, borrowing Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven theme, about actually finding a completed SP-50 Fieldbus at ISA.
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Open SaysaMe
Open Saysa Me - Closed Saysa You
A whimsical view of the confusing claims regarding "Open" or "Closed" fieldbuses by various factions within the industrial automation markets.
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Famous Fieldbus Fiasco
The Famous Fieldbus Fiasco - the first (1992) of the Fieldbus poems, written to describe the frustration of the industry with the continuing committee delays of SP-50 Fieldbus, and the introduction (at ISA in Houston, Texas) of a new ISP pseudo-standard which was subsequently, and predictably, abandoned.
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Everyone
Gobbled-up
Where have all the Players Gone? My very first poem written for and about the industrial automation business. First published in July '91, after Siemens had bought Texas Instruments' PLC business and Schneider had bought Square-D. The warm response to this first poem prompted the Fieldbus Fiasco and others.
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Intelligent I/O
The TRULY Distributed Control Revolution
Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Programmable Controls (PLCs) are giving way to intelligent I/O systems. Presents an overview of the advantages of new peer-to-peer autonomous I/O systems.
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Fix It Anyway
If it ain't broke, fix it anyway!
 A sweeping view of the industrial automation business and why so many American companies are being sold off to the Europeans. First published in Managing Automation, Sept. '91 with lots of good comments and feedback.
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Raise the Hood
Raise the Hood and Check the Engine
Borrowing Ross Perot's phrase - an interesting anecdote about an Action Customer who actually thought his ACTION PAK units may have failed.
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The Discount

What is the Discount?
A hard-hitting but realistic view of price-cutting - meant to encourage Systems Integrators (and anyone else) not to allow devaluation of their business knowledge and experience.
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The Face of Competition

Pressure's on! The Changing Face of Competition.
This was written in 1991, when the dollar was weak against most foreign currencies and it seemed that most US companies were acquisition targets. It was during this period that Siebe bought Foxboro, Siemens bought the Texas Instruments PLC group, Modicon was sold to AEG (Schneider came later). The majors that stayed in US hands were Allen-Bradley which was bought by Rockwell, and Fisher Controls and Rosemount by Emerson.
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The Industrial Automation Quadrille

The Industrial Automation Quadrille.
This poem written when the dollar was weak against most foreign currencies and it seemed that most US companies were acquisition targets. It was published in the magazine CONTROL along with my article : The Changing Face of Competition in January 1991.
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PC-Wocky
PC-Wocky the parody of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky.
This poem was written at the time when the open-architecture of the IBM PC and MS-DOS had become the standards and the PC-clones were running amok! IBM was trying to wrest back control through introduction of their new MCA-bus and OS/2 software. First published in Computer Systems News, June '89.
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Father Big Blue
Father Big Blue - parody of Lewis Carroll's Father William.
This poem was written at the time when the open-architecture of the IBM PC and MS-DOS had become the standards and the PC-clones were running amok! IBM was trying to wrest back control through introduction of their new MCA-bus and OS/2 software. First published in Computer Systems News, February 6, '89.
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Industrial Computers & Communications
Industrial Computers & Communications - A Dissection
Long, long ago, I wrote this article as a guest-columnist for Dick Morley's column in Programmable Controls, now Industrial Computing. While reading it recently, I was surprised that some of the ideas are still valid today. I've included it here, to provide a historical perspective on the still important topic of industrial computers, communications, fieldbus and ethernet.
First published in Programmable Controls, Nov/Dec 1987.

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