By
Katherine Bonfante, managing editor, digital media
The Directory of Lost Companies
ControlGlobal.com introduces The Directory of Lost Companies, our first wiki. Using the list found in the Instrument EngineerÂs Handbook (with permission), we have identifi ed more than 200 companies whose
name, ownership or product line has changed significantly over the period from 1990 to 2005.
During this time, the instrumentation, systems and automation industries have undergone significant
change Ânot just of a technical nature, but in terms of consolidation among instrument and control system
suppliers. The result: Many automation professionals are left wondering what happened to those original companies. Where are they now? Who owns them? What happened to their product lines? Can replacement parts or old manuals still be found? Our wiki can help you learn where these companies stand today.
What exactly is a wiki, you ask. Think of it as a participatory encyclopedia.
WeÂve seeded our list of lost companies with what we know about them. You can add what you know about them or about those weÂve missedÂincluding any that have disappeared since 2005Âand in the end, we will all know more about these Âlost companies and their products.
Search The Directory of Lost Companies. Add what you know about them at
www.controlglobal.com/wikis/lost_companies.
New to Our Multimedia Library
ÂOutsourcing. (videocast)
Control managing editor, Nancy Bartels, says outsourcing is no longer just about sending jobs to low-cost countries. Find out whatÂs driving process manufacturers to take a look at outsourcing.
ÂBuilding Simple Automation Software. (videocast)
If we can design HMI software to work with Legos, we can surely design automation software that is simple, easy to use and forms building blocks for control systems, says Walt Boyes.
ÂSafety Instrumented Systems in Process Plants. (podcast)
Editor in Chief Walt Boyes discusses safety instrumented systems with Charlie Fialkowski of Siemens of ISAÂs S84 standards committee and Bill Goble of exida, a renowned global authority on SIS and process safety.
To view these audio and video presentations, visit www.controlglobal.com/voices/podcast_library.html
SPECIAL TO THE WEB
New White Papers
Nonlinear Control and Decision Making Using Fuzzy Logic in Logix
This white paper explores fuzzy logic and how it helps engineers solve nonlinear control problems commonly found in process applications.
Implementing Automatic Controls Using Data Acquisition Processor Boards
The white paper points out where you can apply DAP technology and where other approaches may be a better fit.
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