The International Society of Automation
Published on : Monday 30-11--0001
The International Society of Automation is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cyber security of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world.
ISA officially was born as the Instrument Society of America on 28 April 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. It was the brainchild of Richard Rimbach of the Instruments Publishing Company and grew out of the desire of 18 local instrument societies to form a national organisation. Rimbach is recognised as the founder of ISA. Membership grew from 900 in 1946 to 6,900 in 1953, and today ISA Members number 28,000 from almost 100 countries. Recognising ISA’s international reach and the fact that its technical scope had grown beyond instruments, in the fall of 2000, the ISA Council of Society Delegates approved a legal name change to ISA – The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society. In October 2008, the Council voted to rename the Society to the International Society of Automation, a name that reflects our global nature and inclusive membership base.
Automation crosses all functions within industry from installation, integration, and maintenance to design, procurement, and management. Automation even reaches into the marketing and sales functions of these industries. Automation involves a very broad range of technologies including robotics and expert systems, telemetry and communications, electro-optics, Cyber security, process measurement and control, sensors, wireless applications, systems integration, test measurement, and many, many more. Automation professionals are responsible for solving complex problems in many vital aspects of industry and its processes. The work of automation professionals is critically important to the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to the sustainability and enhancement of our quality of life.
The US government, among many others, recognises the unsung value of automation professionals. Support for the importance of automation to industry comes from the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations. On 30 June 2009, the committee submitted report language (including the excerpt shown below) to accompany the bill: H. R. 2847 (Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010) emphasising the importance of automation to industry:
“Supporting the Nation's manufacturers, especially small businesses, is critical to keeping America innovative in a global marketplace…MEP, NIST, and its partners are directed to consider the importance automation plays in accelerating and integrating manufacturing processes. The topic of automation cuts across all levels of industry, rather than serving as a stand-alone technology, and particularly affects the fields of control systems cyber security, industrial wireless sensors, systems interoperability, and other basic automation technologies necessary for the success of industrial enterprises. NIST is encouraged to consult and collaborate with independent experts in the field of automation to support the agency's efforts in working with industry to increase innovation, trade, security, and jobs."
Recognising the importance of technology and innovation in modernising society, industrial bodies such as CII – Confederation of Indian Industry – emphasised the role of Instrumentation and Automation as a key driver for growth. Thus technology is a major constituent of a wide ranging programme under ‘India@75’. Government of India has initiated an ambitious developmental agenda with an aim to make technology deliver a panorama of products and services for the welfare of citizens. Thus in its vision for ‘India@75’ – in the year 2022, 75 years after independence, it aims at digitalising the country. If there is one technology that will ensure prosperity for the common man it will be the science and technology of automation. ‘Make in India’ is a vital link to this chain.
Automation professionals do and will continue to play a crucial role in protecting us from cyber-attack; enhancing our quality of life; and ensuring the reliability, efficiency, safety, constant improvement, and competitiveness of our electric power systems, transportation systems, manufacturing operations, and industry as a whole. Without these individuals, we cannot advance into the future.
It is the avowed aim of ISA – International Society of Automation – to work with all sectors of economy and all stake holders in India to make the above dream come true. With its over 3000 professionals and industry partners, the Asia Pacific District 14 is committed to contribution to the economy in a dynamic and vibrant manner.
Caption:
Ramani Iyer, District Vice-President, Asia Pacific District 14
ISA welcomes Brian Curtis as its 2018 Society President
The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced in early January that Brian Curtis, I. Eng., LCGI, is its 2018 Society President.
In his role as Society President, Curtis will lead the ISA Board of Directors, which is responsible for governing, setting policy, and establishing the strategic direction of the organisation. ISA is a nonprofit professional association that provides technical resources and programs for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure.
Curtis is the Operations Manager for Veolia Energy Ireland, providing services to Novartis Ringaskiddy Ltd. in Cork, Ireland. He has more than 35 years of experience in petrochemical, biotech, and bulk pharmaceutical industries, specialising in design, construction management, and commissioning of electrical, instrumentation, and automation control systems. He has managed complex engineering projects in Ireland, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany.
A long-time ISA member, Curtis has served on the ISA Executive Board since 2013, the Geographic Assembly Board (2012-2015), and the Finance Committee (2013-2017). He was Ireland Section President and Vice President of District 12, which includes Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Curtis has also been active on several Society task forces, including Cybersecurity, Governance, and Globalisation-related committees. He received the ISA Distinguished Society Service Award in 2010.
"I am extremely honoured to serve as ISA Society President. ISA has contributed so much to my professional and personal growth; I have been associated with ISA for over 30 years, and I believe strongly in the organisation," said Curtis. "As only the third non-North American president in 73 years, I hope this is the beginning of a more international dimension to ISA, and I intend to bring that perspective to my presidency. ISA has much to offer all regions of the world, and it's important that we find the best ways to deliver our expertise around the globe."
Curtis is the Former President of Cobh & Harbor Chamber of Commerce (2013-2015) and Former Chairman of the Ireland Southern Region Chambers (2015-2016) and is an active member of the Ireland National Standards Body, ETCI.