Efficient Factory

The first of the year is traditionally a time to reflect on big picture trends. In their January 2010 issue, Automation World’s Editor Gary Mintchell brings together “technologists, Users, and Pundits” to “Ponder the Future of Automation” You can read about it here at;  Automation World.

To quote the first few sentences of “the State of Innovation” is to capture the essence of Automation and why it is so appealing.

“Changing approaches now can offer a foundation for future prosperity. The technology business has always been the world of cool ideas. How can you do something faster or easier, or make a whole lot more of something with little or no extra effort?”

Appealing to some but not others. There is a shortage of qualified individuals and a shortage of innovation according to Pundits Jim Pinto and Charlie Gifford that are covered in the article.

Interesting takeaways were to do with the turmoil in the indusrty. Talking “Ten Years Out” many of the ideas springing up today are ten years out in implementation. The stoggyness of the industry is cited as a reason.

Time and time again I’m reminded of the gaps in the Automation Industry. There are the functional gaps that exist between appliances, the protocols, and the applications; in essence the “work” of the Automation industry. There are gaps in the structure of the industry as well;  a lack of standards, a lack of innovation , a lack of outward understanding, and a mypotic view by the big players in the game. All too much here for this post. Perhaps I’ll tackle it soon.