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What Can a Control System Integrator Do for You?

Think your multiple automation systems are out of control? Here's your answer!

Electric panel

A control system integrator is a company that designs and implements sophisticated control systems for manufacturing, process and other industrial facilities. Using their knowledge of engineering, information technology and business, system integrators integrate plant equipment to automate manufacturing and processes from the plant floor to the enterprise level. Automation helps manufacturers and processors reduce costs, increase production, use less energy and lower environmental impact.

Control System Integrators are responsible for designing, programing, testing, commissioning and servicing electrical and electronic systems in industrial applications. They integrate hardware, software and equipment from multiple suppliers into fully functional systems for optimum plant control, automation and information.

How do I find a Control System Integrator?

The Control System Integrators Association’s (CSIA) Industrial Automation Exchange is the best resource to find an integrator. You can tailor a search to your industry, application and products to help find the answers to your industrial automation and information needs.

Look for an integrator that is CSIA Certified. CSIA certification is the gold-seal mark of a professionally managed system integration business. Certification reassures clients that the control system integrator is an established, successful professional services firm that wants to develop a prosperous, long-term partnership with clients.

CSIA Certification is similar to ISO, but there are important differences. ISO certification offers quality management to make sure operations are consistent for your business. CSIA delivers that same consistency, but expands the concept to include business management, financial management, human resources, project management capabilities and more. Audit criteria for achieving CSIA Certification derive from CSIA’s Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual.

Founded in 1994, CSIA is a not-for-profit, global trade association for system integration companies. CSIA has more than 400 member firms in 27 countries. It seeks to enable industries everywhere to have access to low-risk, safe and successful applications of automation technology by advancing the business practices of the system integration industry. CSIA helps its members improve their business skills, provides a forum to share industry expertise, and promotes best practices for business management.

Lowe Bob 2014 Hi Rez

Bob Lowe is executive director of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), a global non-profit professional association that seeks to advance the industry of control system integration for the success of members and their clients. Prior to taking over his leadership role with CSIA in 2009, Bob spent 19 years in plant automation in the metals industry. He helped establish a control systems integration company, where he was president and technical staff manager. A founding member of CSIA, Bob served on the Best Practices committee, was instrumental in designing the CSIA Certification audit and wrote articles on audit preparation.

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