Control Amplified: The Process Automation Podcast

Schneider Electric and Intel: pioneering open automation solutions

Most proprietary and closed automation systems are 20-30 years old and quickly becoming obsolete. However, by bridging information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), open automation can help lead industry into a more secure future.

A collaboration between Schneider Electric and Intel focuses on the integration of Intel Policy Engine technology with Schneider’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert. The collaboration is an example of how industry can move from proprietary systems to open automation and avoid hitting the brick walls of obsolescence and experience.

To learn more, Control Amplified spoke with Andre Babineau, director of strategic initiatives at Schneider Electric, and Stan Woody, senior manager of product and business development at Intel.

Modern SCADA: ensuring safety, relevance and convenience

SCADA applications are responsible for far more than facilitating real-time process monitoring and alarm management. The process history they compile over time is critical to providing the data-driven insights that industry relies on when optimizing their systems to control costs, maximize uptime and increase the life of infrastructure. Modern SCADA systems must ensure data is safe, relevant and easily shareable with a company’s own team or third-party reporting solutions, business systems and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms.

Control Amplified talked to Chris Little, media relations director, Trihedral Engineering, about straightforward principles to ensure that your SCADA data is ready to go to work.

Leading factory floor monitoring with Hope Industrial Systems

Every control system on the factory floor needs reliable monitors, touchscreens and related products to keep their operation running efficiently. For the last 25 years, Hope Industrial Systems (HIS), based in Atlanta, Ga., has been at the forefront of manufacturing monitors and supplying them quickly to customers all over the world. How did the company succeed, so it can celebrate its 25th anniversary? Mike McGraw, president of Hope Industrial Systems, talked with Control's editor-in-chief, Len Vermillion, to explain what sets the company and its products apart from the field.

2025 Process Automation Hall of Fame: Sandy Vasser shakes up the industry

Editor in chief Len Vermillion is chatting with the newest inductees for 2025's Process Automation Hall of Fame in this Control Amplified mini-series. In his final interview of the series, he and industry legend Sandy Vasser discuss a lifetime in process control.

Achieving smart factory connectivity with product modification

Editor in chief Len Vermillion speaks to Felix Dozzi, customer services supervisor for Pro-face America, Schneider Electric, about how coordinating HMI with other devices and customizing the applications in smart factories can create more effective workplace solutions.

2025 Process Automation Hall of Fame: John Hedenglen runs the future

Editor in chief Len Vermillion is chatting with the newest inductees for 2025's Process Automation Hall of Fame in this Control Amplified mini-series. In this interview with John Hedenglen, they discuss how working with fellow Hall-of-Famer Thomas Edgar on process dynamics and controls kickstarted Hedenglen's career of academia, prestigious accolades and eventual induction into the Hall of Fame's class of 2025.

2025 Process Automation Hall of Fame: Duncan Schleiss stays humble

Editor in chief Len Vermillion is chatting with the newest inductees for 2025's Process Automation Hall of Fame in this Control Amplified mini-series. First up: Duncan Schleiss. From pioneering Emerson's DeltaV technologies to teaching at Louisiana State University, Schleiss continually recognizes the help and support of his colleagues amid all his successes.

"Point on wave" motor starter sets new performance standard

It’s often said that good things come in small packages, and that adage seems especially apt in describing Rockwell Automation’s new M100 Electronic Motor Starter. In this special Solutions Spotlight episode of Control Amplified, group publisher Keith Larson speaks to Bill Meindl, Jr., business manager for industrial components at Rockwell on the M100 functionality and highlights.

Tariffs, inflation and process control

While uncertainty over tariffs and inflation confuses the industrial sector, we wondered how the industrial processing market is affected. To get answers, Control editor in chief Len Vermillion talked with Connor Lokar, senior forecaster for ITR Economics, to try to make heads or tails of the situation.

While some processing business might be fretting over the escalating trade war the U.S. has engaged in with Canada, Mexico and China, others are may have reasons to be more hopeful. But many are still awaiting leading indicators to catch up to the whirlwinds of activity from the government before deciding how to react. In the meantime, we check in with ITR Economics to get their thoughts on the outlook for 2025 as it pertains to industrial processing, instrumentation and more.

Increasing the power of real-time data analysis

The only constant in today's industrial landscape is the rapid evolution fueled by digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI). It is estimated that more than 90% of businesses engage in some form of digital activity. While innovation and adaptability are keys to staying ahead, the digital transformation journey for industrial organizations is by no means an easy one, particularly in water and wastewater. Control talked with Alejandro Trejo, Offer Manager for Digital Services, and James Redmond, Global Offer Manager for SCADA and Telemetry, of Schneider Electric to get further insight into the challenges and solutions for operators.