JIM PINTO, AUTOMATION ANALYST, AUTHOR & COMMENTATOR

During 2007, industrial wireless was recognized as a new inflection point generate significant growth, triggering standards struggles. Beyond just wire replacement, completely new applications will be generating quick investment payback, which will accelerate growth during 2008. Mesh networking with support of multiple industrial protocols will become integrated with standard plant and offi ce WiFi, WiMax and broadband IT networks.

Most of today’s automation and control systems use the same PC hardware (Intel), OS (Windows) and communications (Ethernet TCP/IP) as broadly deployed personal and corporate networks. But as plants and factories get connected to the Internet, and intranets, automation systems security becomes a critical issue and so effective security solutions will come to the fore.

Success in the industrial automation arena will come to the companies that understand how to combine and coordinate new technology, new thinking and tactical deployment in global markets.