Get ready. Those of you who work for a machine builder, discrete manufacturer, or SI, and who are subscribers to the magazine, our e-newletters, and/or web site registrants, will very soon receive your email invitation to participate in this year's voting to decide what companies provide the best value and support and service for various machine control product categories.

This is a great way for you to collectively recognize those suppliers that are doing right by you, and (by their absence), those that aren't. The feedback we get every year makes it clear that the vendors take the results pretty seriously. Vendors aren't eligible to vote. If you've chosen not to participate before, please give it a go this time.

If you're a machine builder or SI who wants to vote, but you don't receive our invitation, it's beacuse we didn't know you were out there. You can contact me directly for a ballot link.

There's also a drawing for a number of gift cards to be awarded as a way to thank you for voting.