ISA has invited O³neida to submit a proposal for a market trends analysis focused on distributed industrial automation. O³neida is developing a proposal presently and hopes to submit it to ISA early in 2007. 

Depending on further discussions with ISA, NIST, IEC and ISO, the project could examine interoperability issues surrounding smart assembly and also look at the prospects for delineating an automation objects development framework. 

There is no guarantee that the submission would be approved, and it is also too early to specify the exact and final research focus at this stage. Suggestions are welcomed.

The approach to be followed will reflect the different expertise available in the various geographical areas covered by the O3neida network and will be adjusted to best fit the diverse local traditions and interests. 

One of the possible methodologies will likely involve a Delphi study with the intent to build up a vision on the future of manufacturing automation with a special focus on the impact that interoperability issues and automation objects will have on the next generation of production systems.

Web - based surveys with specific focus on interoperability issues and automation objects will also be developed and distributed throughout O3neida and its partner networks. Face to face interviews will also be arranged with key sector leading firms. 

O3neida is confident of being able to reach large numbers of firms, both technology developers and end users in Asia, Europe and North America through partnerships with organisations such as the Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA), Profactor, ISA and others.  This analysis will also include a critical analysis of the future competitive environment (external drivers), and manufacturing enterprise attributes in response to the new market challenges (internal attributes) as the context within which distributed industrial automation will be located. 

O3neida is forming a working group to develop this project further and we are looking for volunteers to assist in this effort. The first stage is proposal preparation and submission and we are looking to build a small team to prepare the project submission.

Please contact Allan Martel at allanmartel@travel-net.com for further details.