ISA Interchange

Welcome to the official blog of the International Society of Automation (ISA).

This blog covers numerous topics on industrial automation such as operations & management, continuous & batch processing, connectivity, manufacturing & machine control, and Industry 4.0.

The material and information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. ISA blog posts may be authored by ISA staff and guest authors from the automation community. Views and opinions expressed by a guest author are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent those of ISA. Posts made by guest authors have been subject to peer review.

All Posts

January Education and Training Course Offerings from ISA

This education & training roundup was compiled by Joel Don, ISA's social media community manager.

Start the new year with a jump on your automation industry skills with education and training programs from ISA. Featured program for the new year include Process Automation Boot Camp For Non-Maintenance Personnel (PABC), which has been educator-teaching-classdeveloped for non-maintenance personnel with little or no background in the field of process measurements and control. The popular Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control (FG07) combines lecture and hands-on labs to provide an overview of industrial measurement and control.

Onsite Training

In addition to taking ISA classroom training at ISA headquarters, regional locations and industry events, you can also receive customized ISA training at your facility through ISA Onsite Training. This option can bring any ISA course or combination of courses – along with ISA’s world-class instructors, training materials and portable laboratories – directly to you.  Simply pick the time and place.  Contact ISA at +1 919-549-8411 or info@isa.org.

Note: If a class date is not showing in the course offerings page or registration appears closed, contact ISA at info@isa.org or call customer service at +1 919-549-8411 to get a registration update or waiting list status.

Fundamental Skills Training

Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control (FG07)
This course combines lecture and hands-on labs to provide an overview of industrial measurement and control. Technicians, engineers, and managers are provided with a foundation for communication with other control system professionals. The class serves as a solid fundamental course for introduction to other ISA courses. The 4.5-day class starts January 11 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Technical Skills Training

Instrument Calibration and Documentation for FDA-Regulated Industries (TI24)
Do you want an untrained technician working on equipment that directly affects the quality and integrity of the product being manufactured at your facility? This course offers a combination of practical information and hands-on experience, covering fundamental principles of electronic process control instrumentation used in pharmaceutical and other life science industries. Proper calibration will be covered in hands-on lab exercises using common electronic instrumentation including analyzers. You will examine characteristics of electronic control systems and procedures for configuring transmitters, transducers, and controllers. A good portion of time is spent working hands-on with typical industry equipment. The 4.5-day class starts January 26 in Houston, Tex.

Advanced Industrial Networking and Cybersecurity (TS20)
In this course you will learn about the latest developments in Industrial Control System (ICS) networking and cybersecurity. The course provides a review of basic networking and cybersecurity technology and expands your understanding of industrial network concepts by reviewing basic networking principals including TCP/UDP, IPv4/IPv6, ICS protocols, addressing and troubleshooting. You will explore network security architectures and learn how to use layering and segmentation to improve security, as well as how web technology works and how web server capability is used in industry and the security problems engendered by such use. Practical application use of cybersecurity technologies such as firewalls, VPN, virtualization, virus scanning and intrusion detection tools will be covered, including how to industrially harden and secure your networks and perform "red team" testing of your systems using penetration testing software. Special focus is placed on the assessment of security risks and hazards in the industrial setting using ANSI/ISA-62443, NIST and ICS cybersecurity frameworks and standards. Laboratory exercises performed in class are designed to re-enforce learning objectives and allow for active participation using a classroom network setup leveraging virtual environments. The 4.5-day course starts January 25 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Automation Professional Skills

Tuning Control Loops (TC05)
This course is directed to anyone who would like to gain a better understanding of how to tune control loops − whether they have tuned loops but would like to become more proficient or they have never tuned a loop before. Registrants are expected to have a basic understanding of instrumentation and controls (either by working experience or taking fundamental courses such as ISA’s FG07: Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control) as this course does not cover that material. The three-day course starts January 25 in Cerritos, Calif.

Troubleshooting Instrumentation and Control Systems (TC10)
This course presents a systematic approach to troubleshooting and start-up of single- and multi-loop control loops. You'll see how pressure, level, flow, and temperature loops operate to maintain good process control systems. Knowledge of instrumentation and control is assumed. The two-day class starts January 25 in Cerritos, Calif.

Sizing, Selecting, and Applying Process Control Valves (EI30)
You will gain a practical understanding of control valves, actuators, and positioner designs and their applications. This course also provides methods that can be used to identify specific valve problems and to arrive at acceptable solutions within engineering tolerance. The three-day class starts January 19 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Ill.

Certification and Licensure Preparation

ExamPrepChecklist_80x80Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) Level I Review Course (TS00)
This is a fast-paced review of the knowledge and practical skills necessary to install and maintain standard measurement and control instrumentation. It is intended for practicing technicians preparing for the CCST Level I exam. An explanation of the examination process and practice certification-type exams are provided. The four-day course starts January 11 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Ill.

Special Training Events

Process Automation Boot Camp For Non-Maintenance Personnel (PABC)
This course was specifically developed for non-maintenance personnel with little or no background in the field of process measurements and control. The class focuses on the physical measurement technologies, the communication signals and the various applications of instrument equipment to achieve common process measurements and control. The course is strategically designed around lab demonstrations and in depth class discussions. The course offers a fundamental knowledge for operations, technicians and engineers working in the process control industry. The five-day course starts January 25 at ISA headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Ill.

Online Instructor-Assisted Courses

OnlineCourse_80x80 Safety Instrumented Systems − Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50E)
ISA’s CyberU online instructor-led training course offers the benefit of a high-quality ISA training course with the added advantage of studying at your own pace in the office, at home or while traveling. This course utilizes online training modules, additional text materials, online evaluations, and email discussions. Students will have access via email to an instructor and have an opportunity to participate in live Q&A sessions with the instructor and other class participants. The course focuses on the engineering requirements for the specification, design, analysis, and justification of safety instrumented systems for the process industries. Students will learn how to determine safety integrity levels and evaluate whether proposed or existing systems meet the performance requirements. The eight-week course starts January 18.

Note: This course is required for the ISA84 SIS Fundamentals Specialist Certificate Program. Click this link for details.

En EspanolOnlineCourse_80x80 Instrumentados de Seguridad - Diseño, análisis y justificación - (EC50ESP - Version en linea)
Este curso esta enfocado en los requerimientos de ingeniería para especificar, diseñar, analizar y justificar el uso de sistemas instrumentados de seguridad para la industria de proceso. Los estudiantes aprenderán como determinar los niveles integrales de seguridad funcional y como evaluar si los sistemas existentes o propuestos alcanzan los requerimientos de desempeño o rendimiento. Este curso es requerido como parte del programa ISA 84 "Certificado como experto en fundamentos en Sistemas Instrumentados de Seguridad funcional." El estudiante puede inscribirse para tomar el curso solamente o para el programa del certificado, que incluye el examen. Aquellas personas que completen el curso y pasen el examen, recibirán el reconocimiento como "Especialistas en Fundamentos ISA84" (ISA84 SFS por sus siglas en Ingles). Este curso es requerido para obtener el certificado como “Especialista en Fundamentos ISA84” (ISA84 SIS Fundamentals Specialist Certificate Program). La clase comienza 18 de Enero.

OnlineCourse_80x80 Cybersecurity for Automation, Control, and SCADA Systems (IC32E)
The move to using open standards such as Ethernet, TCP/IP and web technologies in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and process control networks has begun to expose these systems to the same cyberattacks that have wreaked havoc on corporate information systems. This course provides a detailed look at how the ANSI/ISA99 standards can be used to protect your critical control systems. It also explores the procedural and technical differences between the security for traditional IT environments and those solutions appropriate for SCADA or plant floor environments. The course starts January 25.

Live Webinar Series

Webinar_80x80Introduction to Process Control (FG05W1)
In this webinar, the importance of and an introduction to the methodology of measurement in control will be discussed and process control will be defined. The definition and technology of a loop and of the control loop will be covered. This seminar will also discuss control strategies and provide an introduction to controller tuning. ISA standard piping and instrument diagram (P&ID) symbols are introduced and used throughout the seminar materials. The webinar will be held January 13.

Webinar_80x80Introduction to Temperature Measurement (FG05W2)
This webinar provides an introduction to and overview of temperature measurement as current practice in measurement and control systems. Terminology, technology and applications are covered in this concise presentation. The webinar will be held January 20.

Webinar_80x80Introduction to Level Measurement (FG05W3)
This webinar provides an introduction and overview of level measurement as current practice in measurement and control systems. Terminology, technology, and applications are covered in this concise presentation. The webinar will be held January 27.


ISA Partner Training

ISA has teamed up with IDC Technologies & Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) to bring an array of technical-related training courses to various U.S. locations as well as online courses, with special discounts for ISA members.

Gain significant benefits and savings. Become an ISA member.
When you become an ISA member, you’ll join more than 30,000 automation and control professionals who collaborate to share ideas and insights, and solve technical challenges. And, you’ll receive up to 20 percent off on ISA products, including training courses! To review the complete array of ISA member benefits, click here or contact ISA customer service at +1 919-549-8411 or info@isa.org.

Become an ISA Instructor!
ISA is always looking to expand its pool of qualified subject matter experts to teach, develop or provide assessment services for our public and private clients/customers. Wouldn’t you like to make a difference and join this elite group of automation and control professionals? Click here to find out more about becoming an ISA instructor.

Have a great course idea? Click here and suggest a new ISA class.

When you become an ISA member, you’ll join thousands of automation and control professionals who collaborate to share ideas and insights, and solve technical challenges. And, you’ll receive up to 20 percent off on ISA products, including training courses. To review the complete array of ISA member benefits, click the link below or contact ISA customer service at +1 919-549-8411 or info@isa.org.

Click here to join ISA ... learn, advance, succeed!

photo credit: @jeremymasters via photopin (license)

Joel Don
Joel Don
Joel Don is an independent content marketing, social media and public relations consultant. Prior to his work in marketing and PR, Joel served as an editor for regional newspapers and national magazines throughout the U.S. He earned a master's degree from the Medill School at Northwestern University with a focus on science, engineering and biomedical marketing communications, and a bachelor of science degree from UC San Diego.

Related Posts

Ask the Automation Pros: Achieving the Best Cascade Control

The following discussion is part of an occasional series, "Ask the Automation Pros," authored by Greg McM...
Greg McMillan Dec 6, 2024 7:00:00 AM

ISA's Position Papers from 2024: Collect Them All

The International Society of Automation (ISA) frequently releases positions on global issues affecting th...
Kara Phelps Dec 3, 2024 7:00:00 AM

Integrated Control System (ICS) for H2 Gas Generation

Abstract "H2 gas" refers to hydrogen gas (H2), which can be used as a clean energy carrier, meaning it ca...
Ankeet Anil Kaji Nov 26, 2024 7:00:00 AM