The Automation Federation will be operational by the end of June, says ISA.
The two initial charter members of The Automation Federation are the WBF, formerly the World Batch Forum, and OMAC, the Open Modular Architecture Control Users Group.
The intention to create the Automation Federation was first made public on March 6 at the WBF 2006 North American Conference in Atlanta. There ISA president Ken Baker described the new body as “an operational construct” where both WBF and OMAC will be positioned outside the ISA structure. The arrangement will enable WBF and OMAC to operate as they have operated in the past, Baker explained, while gaining the benefits of society management and access to funding.
In its March 24 announcement, the ISA said that The Automation Federation will coordinate the work of member organizations engaged in advancement of automation technologies and applications. Common objectives are to:
• promote the value and image of the automation profession in contributing to manufacturing effectiveness and efficiency
• facilitate the development and dissemination of educational and informational resources intended to develop new generations of automation professionals, enhance the effectiveness of existing professionals, and advance the automation profession
• facilitate the promulgation of industry standards that enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety of automation technology and application.
“Finally the automation industry has a one-stop-shop for authoritative knowledge,” said WBF chairman Maurice Wilkins at the late April ISA President’s Spring Meeting in Orlando, where charter stakeholders of The Automation Federation met to begin the formal organizational process.
For more information, visit www.isa.org.
