The Importance of Control System Integrators (Part 3 of 3)

E-Zine April 2014

Click here to read Part 1
Click here to read Part 2

Now, there are some clear guidelines to enable companies and municipal agencies to select highly competent control system integrators, to go along with the excellent sensors they already know how to select. CSIA’s guidelines benchmark a system integrator on general, financial and project management, quality management and human resources, and professional development. Registered Members have passed a third-party audit on these benchmarks. Selecting a control system integrator is much easier now that there are Best Practices & Benchmarks to use.

So, how does this help you? Make sure your control system integrator candidates:

1. Are professional integrators with experience, customer references, project descriptions, and a history of successful implementations and return customers.
2. Have been in business a while, so you can avoid the typical “first project” traps.
3. Are experts on the systems, sensors and software you are asking them to integrate.
4. Have done projects like the one you want them to do for you.
5. Have the infrastructure to do the project.
6. Are financially secure enough to do the project.
7. Are bondable and insured.

Even in the best of projects, things can and do go wrong, and it is essential that the integrator have sufficient bonding, general liability, and Errors and Omissions coverage to protect both the integrator and the owner of the project in the event of catastrophe.

You can complete a questionnaire to locate a control system integrator at www.controlsys.org.

Click here to read Part 3

From Flow Control (August 2002)

ISSN 1538-5280