This post is authored by Terrence G. Ives, president of ISA 2013.

ISA's reputation for providing automation professionals with the highest quality, unbiased technical information continues to grow.

Just a few days ago, in late June, the 2013 Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports (JCR), a highly recognized quantitative ranking and comparison of professional journals, announced that ISA Transactions: The Journal of Automation earned its highest rating ever in a key measurement of content quality and value.

The JCR's Impact Factor measures the importance of journals by calculating the number of times their articles are cited. The 2013 release of the JCR reflects a systematic analysis of nearly 11,000 journal listings in 232 disciplines throughout more than 80 countries across the globe.

This year, the JCR rated ISA Transactions 46 percent higher on the Impact Factor scale than the previous year. And among all professional journals relating to instrumentation, control, and automation, ISA's journal earned the highest five-year rate of increase in the JCR rankings.

These outstanding results drive home the fact that leading industrial practitioners and applied researchers in the field of process instrumentation, systems, measurement, and automation depend on ISA Transactions for highly credible technical information and research data. It also demonstrates to everyone in the automation community and publications industry what everyone here at ISA already knows – that ISA Transactions is on par with the very finest professional journals in the world.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize Editor-in-Chief Ahmad Rad, Ph.D., his talented group of volunteer editors and editorial board members, and the many contributing authors and reviewers who are responsible for developing such a top-quality, well-regarded publication.

ISA members can access the online version of ISA Transactions at no cost, and can subscribe to the print version for $99. ISA also offers subscription options for non-members and institutions.

Sometimes, it's easy to take for granted all the great work that goes into ISA Transactions and ISA's other bimonthly publication, InTech magazine, because they consistently furnish excellent content every two months. It's important to pause and recognize the efforts and hard work that go into each edition.

ISA Transactions Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports Impact Factor for 2000 to 2012

InTech is a key element in ISA's vision as it provides thought-provoking and authoritative coverage of automation technologies, applications, and strategies to enhance automation professionals' on-the-job success. InTech staff work in concert with thousands of ISA members, customers, and subject-matter experts from established and emerging industries to explore and report on the entire automation field.

Recently, we asked InTech readers if they could only receive one automation publication, which one would it be. More than 62 percent selected InTech as their automation resource of choice.

InTech is distributed free to all ISA members. Certain qualified automation professionals may receive InTech through application.

I encourage ISA members and all automation professionals to share your knowledge and help others by writing an InTech article. Your insights and experience can save your automation and control colleagues a great deal of frustration, time, and effort.

You also become a valuable link in the chain of knowledge that moves the automation profession forward. Please send your ideas and proposals for articles to article_submit@intecheditor.org.

Moving forward, please take the time to read and fully appreciate your next issues of ISA Transactions and InTech magazine. They both exemplify the very best of ISA and its service to the automation profession.

About the Author
Terrence G. Ives is the third-generation president and owner of Ives Equipment Corporation in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, a process control manufacturing representative and stocking distributor. Terry has been actively involved in ISA leadership for many years. He has held numerous positions at the local and Society level including Society Treasurer, Executive Board Parliamentarian, Finance Committee Chair, Investment Committee Chair, District 2 Vice President, and Philadelphia Section President and Exhibit Chairman. He received a bachelor of science degree in industrial systems engineering from Ohio University.