Industry Links

Associations & Organizations

  • British Automation and Robot Assoc. (BARA)
    Provides a voice for the robotics and automation industries when dealing with government, industry, financial and academic institutions.
  • Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)
    International organization for electronics, electrical, manufacturing and IT professionals, with specifically tailored products, services and qualifications to meet the needs of today's technology industry.
  • OPC Programmers' Connection
    Independent site dedicated to the needs of the software developer working with open connectivity (OPC).
  • Modbus-IDA
    Protocol support organization providing access to training opportunities and application information for Modbus users.
  • Institute of Measurement and Control
    Britain's foremost professional body for the automation industry, providing members with routes to Engineering Council registration as Chartered and Incorporated Engineers, and Engineering Technicians.
  • Open Modular Architecture Controls (OMAC)
    Users group for companies with interests in developing and implementing open control technologies for manufacturing applications.
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
    Leading authority in technical areas ranging from computer engineering, biomedical technology and telecommunications, to electric power, aerospace and consumer electronics.
  • Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA)
    Educational organization connecting people and ideas for the advancement in theory, design, manufacture, and use of sensors, instruments, computers, and systems in automation.
  • Open DeviceNet Association (ODVA)
    Organization that supports network technologies built on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP): DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, CIP Sync and CIP Safety.
  • AS-Interface
    User group for manufacturers and users of the AS-Interface system.
  • Fieldbus Foundation
    Organization dedicated to a single international, interoperable fieldbus standard, providing information about fieldbus technology and products.

Consultants & Specialists

  • Ensys
    Engineering training site offering licensure training and renewel programs and continuing engineering professional education.
  • AutomationTechies
    The recruiting and staffing group of Automation Resources, Inc.
  • Frost & Sullivan
    Market research group that partners with clients to create innovative growth strategies.
  • ARC Advisory Group (ARC)
    Automation research group offering manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain solutions, plus industry news, market analysis and comment.
  • Used-Robots
    Integrator of new and used industrial robots for automation and other industrial robotics applications.
  • Intex Management Services (IMS)
    Market research provider to the global electronics industry, including semiconductors, industrial automation, communications, automotive, consumer, power electronics, security and identification.
  • Canary Labs
    Bringing together trending products, engineering expertise and software technologies for system engineered turn-key solutions.
  • Venture Development Corp. (VDC)
    Technology market research and consulting firm providing clients with data, analysis and strategic advisory services.
  • AMR Research
    Focusing on supply chain and enterprise issues, AMR Research provides practical, decisive research and actionable advice for improving business process performance with technology.
  • ClassicAutomation
    Support web site providing users of installed control systems, instrumentation and related automation equipment with replacement parts and products.
  • The Freedonia Group
    International business research company that publishes industry studies for strategic planning considerations.

Glossaries & Other Reference Tools

  • Harsh Environments
    Directory providing information about companies and institutions manufacturing, designing, testing, servicing, distributing and implementing products for harsh environments.
  • Rob's Fieldbus Pages
    Fieldbus reference list and online resource for industrial networks professionals.
  • KwMap
    A keyword map to related topics, websites and resources.
  • RunMode.com
    Web site providing tools and services for Siemens PLC's programming.

Industry Standards

  • HART Communications Foundation
    Technology owner and standards-setting body for the HART Protocol, supported by major instrumentation manufacturers and users around the world.
  • International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
    Global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
  • OPC Foundation
    Dedicated to ensuring interoperability in automation by creating and maintaining open specifications that standardize the communication of acquired process data, alarm and event records, historical data, and batch data to multi-vendor enterprise systems and between production devices.
  • CENELEC
    European committee for electrotechnical standardization.
  • Profibus
    Organization in the field of digital networking for industrial and process automation committed to setting and protecting the standards for open communication and control in the automation and process market.
  • PLCopen
    Worldwide association resolving topics related to control programming to support the use of international standards in this field.

Other Industry Resources

  • ControlGlobal.com
    The online resource of Control magazine.
  • Control.com
    Global online community of automation professionals working in the control field.
  • Automation.com
    Online resource for industrial automation, process control and instrumentation and manufacturing professionals.
  • Engineeringtalk.com
    Web site and newsletter publisher providing product design and automation engineers with information from manufacturers and distributors.
  • SMTnet.com
    Electronics industry portal featuring an industry directory, equipment mart, and electronics forum and threads.
  • Industrial Networking and Open Control
    Covering the latest developments in international industrial networking for the OEM, systems integrator and end user sector with concentration on the device and components level.
  • Technology Data Exchange
    OEM Technology's online resource for electronic components, equipment, supplies and services.
  • MachineToolsOnline.com
    Sourcing site for the machining industry.
  • Read-Out Instrumentation Signpost
    Providing measurement, control and automation resources to the instrumentation industry.
  • Sensors Web Portal
    Online resource of the International Frequency Sensor Assoc. (IFSA), providing academicians, researchers and engineers with a forum to discuss the latest design and application of smart sensors.
  • sparesFinder
    Inventory site and exchange resource for engineering parts.
  • ProcessViewBrowser
    Internet browser intended for use in industrial process visualization, HMI and SCADA.
  • DirectIndustry
    With over 6.000 manufacturers, DirectIndustry ensures comprehensive product updates in categories such as electricity, mechanical transmission, hydraulics, robotics, machine tools etc...