3 client benefits of system integrator certification; annual meeting

Those who hire system integrators derive benefits when the integrators are certified by the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), according to points made in a Control Engineering April 2006 article. Key benefits follow, along with a link to information about the annual CSIA meeting this month.

By Control Engineering Staff May 4, 2006

Those who hire system integrators derive benefits when the integrators are certified by the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) , according to points made in a Control Engineering April 2006 article. Key benefits follow, along with a link to information about the annual CSIA meeting this month.

1. Less risk. The CSIA certification audit ensures that an integrator’s policies addressing management of finance, projects, quality, technical facets, human resources, business development, and other areas, are documented. This goes beyond claims of technical competence, sales volume, or years in business.

2. More help from vendors. Major automation vendors have incorporated certification among the support for and criteria for their system integrator partners. The vendors include GE Fanuc, National Instruments, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, and Siemens.

3. Best practices lead to higher efficiencies. According to one system integrator cited, the audit got ‘everyone involved in examining and discussing the best and most efficient way to schedule, monitor, and perform a project.’

To read the full Control Engineering article, click here .

For information about the CSIA annual meeting, May 11-14, in Panama City, FL, click here .

—Edited by Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering editor in chief, MHoske@cfemedia.com