In my last article, I talked about ISA members and volunteers. Today, I will discuss the importance of automation professionals and give a preview of International Automation Professionals Day which will be commemorated on ISA's founding day, 28 April 2022.
First, What is Automation?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines automation as, “the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automatically.” It’s not hard to tell that automation provides benefits to virtually all aspects of the industry.
ISA’s Definition of Automation |
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ISA defines automation as, “the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production and delivery of products and services.” |
Here are some examples:
- Manufacturing, including food and pharmaceutical; chemical and petroleum; and pulp and paper
- Transportation, including automotive, aerospace, and rail
- Utilities, including water and wastewater; oil and gas; electric power; and telecommunications
- Defense, including military, operations, and robotics
- Facility operations, including security, environmental control, energy management, safety, and other building automation
Automation encompasses many vital elements, systems, and job functions. From installation and integration to maintenance and design, procurement, and management—the automation industry comprises a variety of job functions. Marketing and sales play a vital role in the automation industry as well.
Automation involves a very broad range of technologies, including instrumentation; process measurement and control; sensors; programmable logic controllers (PLCs); and distributed control systems (DCS). Automation may also include robotics and expert systems,; telemetry and communications; electro-optics; cybersecurity; wireless applications; systems integration; test measurement, and more.
Why are Automation Professionals Important?
Automation professionals are responsible for solving complex problems in vital areas of the industry and its processes. Their work is critically important to preserving the health, safety, and welfare of the public, while also contributing to the sustainability and enhancement of our quality of life.
Just about anything you can think of is a result of complex processes. It can be something as simple as a mobile phone or broadband internet, to much larger processes such as proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers or refinery control systems. Without talented individuals to design, build, improve, and maintain these processes, these technological advances would never have occurred, and future innovations would be impossible. Without automation professionals, our world and our future would be very different.
Automation professionals do—and will continue to—play a crucial role in protecting us from cyber-attacks, enhancing our quality of life, and ensuring the reliability, efficiency, safety, improvement, and competitiveness of our electric power systems, transportation systems, manufacturing operations, and industry at large.
The scope of automation technologies are evolving rapidly and now include many new terms and technologies, such as internet of things (IoT); cloud computing; edge computing; digital twins; machine learning (ML); and artificial intelligence (AI).
Without automation professionals, we cannot advance into the future.
28 April: International Automation Professionals Day
To recognize automation professionals around the world, ISA has created International Automation Professionals Day to coincide with the International Society of Automation’s founding day: 28 April, 1945.
International Automation Professionals Day: #AutomationProDay |
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ISA commemorates the anniversary of its founding day, 28 April 1945, as International Automation Professionals Day to celebrate our founder's legacies and lasting contributions to the industry. To our members, volunteers, staff, and the entire automation community, thank you for helping us create a better world through automation. |
Social Media Contests
Throughout April, be on the lookout for two social media contests—one for professionals and one for students—on ISA's Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts. On 28 April, we will choose three winners from each contest who will receive their choice of any one item from the ISA merchandise store (from April 24th to April 30th, shop at the ISA merchandise store and receive 15% off, no promo code needed!).
Everyone can participate! Make sure to include the hashtag #AutomationProDay in your post(s).
Professionals, Show Your Pride!
Post videos or photos of yourself interacting with ISA, or automation in general, on ISA’s social channels. Tell us how you help create a better world through automation in your job and/or how ISA has played a role in your career. Show yourself working as an automation professional, wearing ISA apparel, participating in an ISA event, or interacting with others in the field of automation.
Remember, don't forget to include the hashtag #AutomationProDay in your post(s)!
April 28th Flash Sale
To celebrate International Automation Professionals Day, ISA is offering a 15% discount for a select number of training courses and books for one day only! Use promo code AutomationPro when you checkout to receive the discount. Learn more at our dedicated International Automation Professionals Day page here.
Help us make International Automation Professionals Day a huge success. You can find more information about all the ways to participate here.
Contact Me
I love to connect with our members and listen to their opinions about automation, what ISA is doing now, and what ISA should be doing to answer their needs. Please connect with me on ISA Connect, LinkedIn, or send an email to president@isa.org.
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