HART Foundation opens membership to product users

HART Communication Foundation (HCF) is extending its membership reach by offering a program for users of HART Communication technology. The User Associate Membership Program provides support services and benefits for users of HART-enabled instrumentation products, including vendor-neutral technical support resources and the HCF Library of registered device descriptions.

By Control Engineering Staff February 17, 2005

HART Communication Foundation (HCF) is extending its membership reach by offering a program for users of HART Communication technology. The User Associate Membership Program provides support services and benefits for users of HART-enabled instrumentation products, including vendor-neutral technical support resources and the HCF Library of registered device descriptions.

Companies joining before March 31, 2005, will receive User Associate Charter Member designation, along with a certificate and a 20% discount on the first-year membership fee. “Our objective is to facilitate and help users maximize their return on investment and use the full potential of their smart instrumentation,” said Ron Helson, HCF executive director. “As an HCF member, users have access to all Foundation resources, technical information, and programs to help them better understand and utilize the power of HART to optimize assets, increase plant availability, and lower costs.” Flat fee is $1,500 per site for end-user, OEM, or system integrator organizations and $1,000 for a government agency or educational institution.

User-associate membership is applicable to businesses that use but do not develop or manufacture products based on the HART Communication Protocol. An advisory council with direct input to the HCF Board of Directors will guide associate member programs and services.

Click here for more information and a membership application form.

—Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com