Walt Boyes' Blog

"Why are we here?" Tom Craig, from Reichhold Chemicals asked this question to start off the YCA 6th annual Conference and Exhibition. Yokogawa is an underdog. They think like one, they act like one, and they have a chip on their shoulder. The chip is understandable, coming from a 90 year old process automation company, with 50% market share in Japan, their home country. Because … [Read more...] about "Why are we here?" Yokogawa User Group Conference and Exhibition

Terry Molloy, former Executive Board member, writes: What do I want to be when I grow up? Everyone has ideas and since most of our group are bright people they are typically good ideas. Jim Pinto and Walt Boyes make a good point about going international in the right way as well as their observation about the demonstrated lack of interest in North America. However, I think … [Read more...] about More Commentary on ISA…

The holy grail of automation, whether discrete or process or hybrid, is to be able to begin with simulation, move to design, provide construction drawings, provide control schema, calibrate on site, and feed maintenance and upgrade information directly back to the as-builts. This goal has moved closer as ABB and Intergraph have announced that Intergraph's SmartPlant design … [Read more...] about ABB and Intergraph Move Closer to the Holy Grail

I suppose you have already read this Jim Pinto's analysis of ISA situation. As a former Section President, District VP and executive Board member, I should say I almost 100% agree with Jim's impertinence. I tried to initiate changes and infuse new thinking, but the disease is too deep. Non-decision or lenghty middle age stratgegic processes consume volunteers' motivation and … [Read more...] about From Jean Vielle, to Don Zee and Ken Hilgers at ISA

From Diana Bouchard (one of the first women to serve on the Executive Committee of ISA ever): Hello one and all: Jim's proposed plan might yield a new organization which would carry forward ISA's name and reputation and be of service to the automation community. But this organization would barely resemble the ISA we know. Assuming ISA continues its current activities, the "new … [Read more...] about Even More on ISA…