ISA 2006: Free standards, addition of wireless group

Staff -- Control Engineering, 11/1/2006

Among announcements at ISA Houston 2006 last month: ISA members will get to download the group's standards for free as of January, and adding the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA) joined the Automation Federation. More ISA news follows in this issue.

The Oct. 17 ISA Executive Board standards decision "allows the society to continue to grow its standards programs and fund future initiatives," the organization says. "Because of this action, our current and future members will benefit professionally from our standards at no cost, and they'll be able to bring value to their employers by introducing best practices into their business," said ISA President-elect and Secretary Steve Huffman. "We're excited about its positive impact on the industry as a whole."

The organization says it invests more than $1 million per year in standards development and typically recovers 70% of that through the sale of standards. More than 4,500 experts volunteer thousands of hours per year to develop automation standards.

Nick Sands, who is process control technology manager at DuPont Chemical Solutions and ISA Standards and Practices Board managing director, said, "I've learned first hand that standards make companies safer and more efficient. I'm certain that this initiative will facilitate even broader use of ISA standards in my industry, and that's good news for everyone."

WINA has joined The Automation Federation umbrella organization as a charter member. The Automation Federation aims to provide an umbrella under which associations and societies engaged in manufacturing and process automation activities can work more effectively to fulfill their missions. Current member organizations include ISA, OMAC, and WBF. WINA is a coalition of industrial end-user companies, technology suppliers, industry organizations, software developers, system integrators, and others interested in the advancement of wireless industrial technologies.

WINA aims to communicate the benefits of using wireless in industrial applications, to improve confidence in wireless technology and access to solutions, and to focus on the end-user. WINA activities include Web seminars, participation in industry trade shows, presentations at industry conferences, and contributions to industry standards activities.

Bruno Kisala, managing director of The Automation Federation, says, the affiliation adds "collaboration, synergy, autonomy, and stability." WINA chairman Hesh Kagan, director of technology with Invensys Process Systems, expects the move to foster WINA expansion.

Automation Federation and ISA are based in Research Triangle Park, NC.

www.isa.org www.automationfederation.org www.wina.org