Automation Technologies Forum: ' Timing -- it is running out.'
Automation Technologies Forum
February 9-10, 1998 ú Orlando, FL
Strategies & Technologies for Success in Manufacturing
Forum Draws Record Number of Attendees
ARC's Automation Technologies Forum in Orlando drew a record number of attendees to the two-day event. The forum brought together top automation professionals to discuss and debate current and emerging technologies and their potential impact on manufacturing. Presentations and panel discussions covered the use of Internet, Java, Windows NT, Ethernet, and other commercial technologies, as well as the impact of Year 2000 (Y2K) on automation installations.
Coverage of the Y2K issue was a big draw for user attendees. Y2K project managers from DuPont and Allied Signal gave updates on their companies' Y2K project status, while Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, and system integrators TAVA Technologies and Walsh Automation reported on their progress in support of their customers. Several users expressed frustration with supplier responses to the Y2K dilemma and the need for supplier assistance in making legacy systems Y2K compliant. Y2K as both a project management and technical issue was a recurring theme, and participants agreed that configuration and change management should be critical project components. The importance of external Y2K compliance among supply chain partners was stressed by both panelists and audience members. Timing was also stressed -- it is running out. As one panelist argued, in most cases, there is no time left to even test Y2K assessment and remediation plans on a pilot or test basis.
Speakers
In addition to ARC analysts, representatives from the following companies spoke at the forum:
DuPont, Patrick Meehan, Year 2000 Manager - Operations Hewlett-Packard, Jay Warrior, Laboratory Scientist Intellution, Mike Allen, Browser Product Manager Intrinsyc Software, Brian Rose, Director Sales & Marketing Microsoft, Marcus Schmidt, Industry Marketing Manager Object Automation, Dave Smith, President OPC Foundation, Dave Rehbein, President Rockwell Software, Rich Ryan, President Schneider Automation, Mark Fondl, VP Marketing Steeplechase Software, Mike Klein, President Sun Microsystems, Daniel Berg, Chief Technology Officer TAVA Technologies, Larry Hagewood, Executive VP Sales & Marketing Walsh Automation, Yves Dufort, VP Business Development Westinghouse, Bob Yeager, Manager Strategic Engineering VenturCom, Myron Zimmerman, VP & Chief Technical Officer
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