How manufacturers benefit by choosing a certified control system integrator

System integration insights

• Selecting a CSIA-certified integrator provides manufacturers assurance that projects will be managed with proven best practices, covering both technical proficiency and effective business operations.
• CSIA certification ensures integrators excel in ten critical business areas, from project management to financial health, demonstrating a commitment to industry-leading standards and continuous improvement.

In the field of system integration, there are many companies available for hire. When selecting one to handle critical automation projects, manufacturers go to great lengths to find an integrator that demonstrates wide-ranging overall proof of competency, not only within their technical skillsets but also within their business practices. Taking on this important vetting process from the ground up can be time-consuming and tedious for those tasked with it. However, manufacturers can make this intensive process easier by selecting an integrator who has earned the distinction of “CSIA Certified.”

CSIA certified integrators have earned this distinction after being thoroughly vetted by a third-party auditor for verification of sound engineering and business practices. Manufacturers that select a CSIA certified integrator are given some level of assurance their project will be handled by professionals that meet or exceed industry best practices.

The value of CSIA certification

Founded in 1994, the Control System Integrator Association (CSIA) provides tools, training, and support to help its members improve their competencies and capabilities in business and project management. CSIA members have exclusive access to the CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual, which is updated every three years.

Certification by CSIA is specifically tailored to the control systems integration industry, providing a focused and comprehensive evaluation that sets it apart from certification processes such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO). While ISO 9000 certification offers valuable general guidelines for quality management across various industries, CSIA focuses on the unique challenges and requirements of system integrators.

CSIA certification ensures integrators are not only technically proficient, but they also demonstrate effective management of the financial and operational aspects of their business. With only 20% of CSIA members obtaining this certification, it stands as a measurement for SI exceptionality.

Don Roberts, a CSIA auditor for over two decades, explained the value of certification. “For those integrators striving to obtain the distinction of ‘CSIA Certified,’ third-party auditors like myself conduct an in-depth review of engineering and business practices across the 10 essential areas outlined in the manual,” he said. “While the best practices are guidelines available to all system integrators within CSIA, certification serves as proof that the integrator has implemented those best practices.”

“Selecting a CSIA Certified system integrator is a strategic choice to work with a fully vetted professionally managed control system integration business,” said Jose Rivera, CEO of CSIA. “The certification process involves a substantial investment of resources to meet the best practice’s stringent performance standards, demonstrating the company’s commitment to excellence.”

Ten components of CSIA Certification

The CSIA certification process encompasses 10 wide-ranging business areas (see Figure 1) as defined in the CSIA’s Best Practices & Benchmarks manual including:

1. General management
2. Financial management
3. Human resources Management
4. Project management
5. System development life cycle (SDLC)
6. Quality assurance management
7. Information systems management and cybersecurity
8. Supporting activities (i.e. project methodologies, standards and templates, etc.)
9. Marketing, business development and sales management
10. Service and support

Figure 1: CSIA certified system integrators meet standards across 10 key management and operational areas, ensuring comprehensive and reliable solutions. Courtesy: Patti Engineering

For each section, integrators are audited for implementation of well written, clearly understood and formalized policies, processes and procedures to ensure they are being executed effectively. The integrator must demonstrate how well these policies, processes and procedures are being followed by employees and report on whether they are producing the desired results.

While strength in all 10 areas must be met for CSIA certification, there are five specific domains that provide the most value for the end user.

1. Project management

Robust project management is critical to the success of any automation project. CSIA-certified integrators are audited to verify efficient and effective project management processes are in place to ensure reliable delivery of project objectives in terms of scope, performance, time and cost. The integrator must have documented policies, procedures, and supporting tools to manage all aspects of a project from initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling to the final close out. This includes but is not limited to having methodologies for risk management, resource planning, kick off to close out project communication plans and scope and change management processes.

2. System development lifecycle

In addition to good project management, CSIA best practices further define what system development activities are needed for the engineering and project execution efforts to produce the final deliverable that meets the client’s desired project goals.

Whether they’re integrating a new robotic cell or adding an entire new production line, a client often may not know exactly what they need or want. If specifications are provided by the client, sometimes the intent of all specifications, requirements and/or constraints may not be clear.

CSIA certified integrators have proven processes throughout the lifecycle of system development to ensure project success. A common tool used to resolve ambiguity in project deliverables is the development of a detailed functional requirements specification (FRC).

3. Functional requirements specifications

Functional specifications are detailed documents that serve as project blueprints, outlining the functionality and behavior of a system or component and providing the client and integrator with a clear, mutual understanding of the project’s goals and requirements.

“For the majority of projects, the first 10% should be spent designing and developing the functional specification in conjunction with the client,” said Dave Foster, vice president of engineering and operations at Patti Engineering. “There have been many times where Patti Engineering has been called in to save a project gone sideways due to the lack of an initial fully defined functional specification. The integrator may have designed a beautiful system, but if it doesn’t meet the project’s requirements, all too often the result is additional project expense and delay.”

4. Quality management for continuous improvement

Successful quality management is a companywide practice that plays an important role in the culture of any successful business operation. As measurables, auditors look for effective procedures surrounding quality assurance and quality control. In addition, they look for an effective policy on continuous improvement within all facets of the organization.

Auditors evaluate an SI’s processes to confirm they are robust to ensure the integrator’s delivered projects will meet the quality standards of their clients. The evaluation process reviews functional, factory and site acceptance tests when relevant, client satisfaction surveys, risk management procedures and disaster recovery procedures including the SI’s backup system architecture.

Configuration management also is an important engineering process that ensures all system parameters, settings and specifications are documented and maintained throughout a system’s lifecycle. Certified system integrators ensure every configuration as released for site acceptance tests or installations is fully documented for the client. The certified integrator also keeps a permanent copy of every project’s configuration management data within their own records. Therefore, should a client’s system fail, the certified integrator can provide the necessary configuration backups to restore functionality. The audit process includes a review of the SI’s backup storage methodology, including its cybersecurity posture.

For example, Patti Engineering provided decades-old programmable logic controller (PLC) program backups to restore a former client’s system that had failed after 20 years of service due to a battery issue.

5. Human resources management

For the HR portion of the audit process, auditors look for robust HR systems that enhance the SI’s most important resource: The quality of the people within their operation. The goal of effective HR systems and policies is supporting the people delivering the solutions to the client.

The HR audit entails an in-depth review of the SI’s training policies and procedures. Auditors look for methodologies that identify necessary skillsets and outline training strategies that keep their employees current with industry technology, safety and leadership.

“Effective HR management practices are essential for sustaining long-term business success and client satisfaction,” said Roberts on the importance of HR in the CSIA certification process. “Clients need to trust their integrators, and low employee turnover coupled with high company morale helps build and maintain that trust.”

A well-managed HR department helps ensure the right people are in the right roles and they can handle the responsibilities of their positions.

Financial management and transparency

CSIA auditor survey data shows clients place high value on the importance of working with an integrator that is financially astute and sound. They desire assurance the integrator will remain in business long term to support their system as needed (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Patti Engineering has been CSIA certified for more than two decades, demonstrating continuous commitment to excellence in system integration. Courtesy: Patti Engineering

The review of financial practices is a complex and time-consuming portion of the audit. The overarching goal of the financial auditing process is to not only assess the integrator’s financial health and book keeping in adherence with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), but also to look for strong financial documentation and methodologies that can guide longer-term company planning, decision making and optimization of business practices.

The SI business model is different from other business types because it is primarily project-based. Auditors review billing procedures, project financial planning statements, balance sheets, income statements and ask sufficient questions to develop a holistic financial model of their business. From there, auditors assist and verify the SI uses financial tools for business management, managing cash flow, and profitability over time.

Change orders are specific to the SI industry and require robust methodologies that flow through many facets of the business. The CSIA audit examines documentation for the integrity of the integrator’s change order process within their financial practices. Change orders often begin with the project manager but flow through multiple other business areas including sales, engineering, finance, and also to the client. Effective change order management prevents revenue losses and supports accurate project costing, protecting the SI’s financial tracking as well as providing the client with fully documented clarity of the new deliverables.

Evolving standards for a changing industry

CSIA best practices are updated every three to five years as auditors continuously assess and refine the standards to address emerging industry challenges and advancements (see Figure 3). Revision six is the current standard, and revision seven is in the planning stages. During the audit, auditors share upcoming changes that aren’t yet part of the current best practices with integrators.

Figure 3: Logo awarded to CSIA certified integrators. Courtesy: Patti Engineering

Examples include developing a password responsibility handoff procedure to strengthen cybersecurity posture, formalizing a company policy for AI-based tools and creating an employee social media policy.

The “certified member” distinction serves as a mark of completion of a rigorous evaluation process, demonstrating an integrator’s exceptional holistic business qualifications. Choosing a certified integrator ensures a project is managed with proven best practices and a commitment to quality. For the end user, this is a great way to help ensure a project’s long-term success.

Sam Hoff is founder and CEO of Patti Engineering. CSIA is a Control Engineering and Plant Engineering content partner.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.