Success of CSIA continues to grow

Automation Integrator Guide 2013: Promoting members to prospective clients, enhancing the value of membership, and reaching out to control system integrators around the globe are the leading initiatives of the Control System Integrators Association for 2013.

Bob Lowe and Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE

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CSIA leadership has expanded the association’s mission beyond the traditional membership organization to promote the profession of control system integration and serve as a marketing adjunct of its members. Through a new website, www.controlsys.org, and expanded media relations, CSIA seeks to raise awareness of control system integration, educate clients about the services system integrators provide, and promote the value of retaining a CSIA member. 

The website speaks to two distinct audiences—clients and integrators—by offering separate portals with content that addresses different information needs. Ultimately, the website will connect prospective clients with CSIA members through the CSIA “Find an Integrator” online directory.

Enhancing membership benefits

Members continue to see increasing value from their CSIA membership. Access to the newly released CSIA Best Practices & Benchmarks Manual (the fourth major revision of the manual since its original release in 1997), participation in CSIA’s benchmarking program (KPICs), and promotion of members on the new client-facing website and in industry media add to the value of membership.

As membership grows and attendance at the annual conference increases, CSIA is rapidly becoming the organization of choice for the industry.  Recently added benefits for CSIA members are ARC Advisory Group quarterly Automation Index reports, ITR quarterly updates on the economy, an expanded library of business documents, an enhanced certification management system, and dues-free branch offices.

Expanding global presence

Manufacturing is a global industry in which international standards are becoming increasingly important. CSIA is responding to the need by promoting its best practices for management of a control system integration business, educating clients about the value of professional control system integration services, and extending the benefits of membership to control system integrators around the world.

CSIA is working with a globalization consultant to help the organization assess its policies and membership benefits, and understand the needs of a diverse membership. Steps range from the obvious—making membership applications available in different languages, for example—to the complex, such as understanding cultural differences in finance.

Global recruiting efforts initially will be focused on Latin America, Brazil, and Europe.  Already, one in six CSIA member companies is headquartered outside of North America. CSIA members herald from 27 countries around the globe, from Finland to South Africa and Brazil to China—and many points in between.

The Control System Integrators Association is a not-for-profit professional association dedicated to advancing control system integration for the success of members and their clients. CSIA helps members improve their business skills, provides a forum to share industry expertise, and promotes the benefits of hiring a certified control system integrator. CSIA has more than 400 members in 27 countries.

- Bob Lowe is the executive director and Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, is president of the Control System Integrators Association. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, Plant Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, mhoske(at)cfemedia.com.