Have you ever had the experience of making a suggestion, and then finding that when they took your suggestion and run with it, it has all come horribly wrong? Well, I’m the person who suggested over a year ago that WBF look at ISA as a potential affiliation, like OMAC. Now I’m not so sure I was right, then, and I am not so sure it is the right thing to do now.
Here’s the verbatim release from ISA and WBF:
WBF and ISA Announce Intent to Affiliate
Research Triangle Park, N.C. (6 March 2006) – WBF (formerly known as the
World Batch Forum) and ISA are pleased to announce their intention to
affiliate in furtherance of their missions to aid professionals and
industry in the successful development and application of automation
technologies.
The affiliation will allow both organizations to build on their
respective strengths. The two organizations are working through the
final stages of the arrangements that would result in WBF functioning as
independent affiliate of ISA. Remaining steps should be completed in the
first half of 2006.
WBF’s mission, past activities, and future activities align well with
those of ISA.
* WBF’s work with implementation and adoption of batch and
enterprise integration standards are an excellent complement to the
standards development work done by ISA-SP88 and ISA-SP95.
* WBF’s focus on satisfying the technical needs of end-users
enhances ISA’s mission to serve the information needs of automationprofessionals.
* WBF’s collaborations with other industry organizations
complement similar ISA relationships
“There will be no change in the basic structure or direction of WBF”,
says Maurice Wilkins, WBF’s Chairman, Millennium Specialty Chemical, a
Lyondell Company. “WBF remains an independent non-profit organization
dedicated to providing an open and non-commercial forum for the exchange
of information related to the management, operation, and automation of
manufacturing processes. In the near future this affiliation with ISA
will allow WBF to provide additional services to WBF members and the
entire industrial community.”
“ISA is extremely pleased with the opportunity to affiliate with WBF,”
said Ken Baker, ISA President. “WBF is highly respected in the
automation community for their excellent work and the ISA leadership
looks forward to working with the WBF leaders in advancing the
automation profession around the world.”