Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) is growing in members, international presence, conference participation, and organizational mission, helping automation system integrators and their customers, according to CSIA.

Robert Lowe

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The Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) is growing—in members, international presence, conference participation, and organizational mission to help automation system integrators and their customers. Here are the numbers.

Expanding internationally

The number of system integration companies on the CSIA roster grew to 325 member companies in 2011. Members represent 26 countries, with one in six members located outside of the United States. The globe-trotting auditors have conducted certification audits around the world, including Russia, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

International participation is reflected in CSIA leadership, with international members serving on the board of directors and the best practices and marketing committees. CSIA insurance is now offered globally, underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.

In Latin America, CSIA has participated in the ISA Mexico and ISA Brazil expositions. A Latin American Advisory Committee was created in June to help the association reach out to prospective members. One of the committee’s first recommendations was to reduce first-year dues by 50% to give smaller integrators in Latin America an opportunity to access the full benefits of CSIA membership.

Attendance at the annual executive conference increased more than 40 percent in the past two years. The number of CSIA Partner members (automation vendors) exhibiting at our conference increased nearly 50%. More than 20 speakers are already in the queue for the 2012 CSIA Executive Conference.

Expanding to raise awareness

Through its popular online search tool, Find an Integrator, CSIA has been connecting end users with CSIA members who can fulfill their system integration needs. In 2011, the board of directors expanded the organizational mission to place greater emphasis on raising industry awareness of CSIA, the advantages of retaining a CSIA member, and the value of CSIA certification. Expect to see and hear more industry-focused messages in coming months.

More in 2012

CSIA looks forward to even greater growth in 2012, with expansion efforts focused on Latin America, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. A new and improved website will help connect prospective clients with system integration firms that can meet their specific needs. The certification audit process will be made more comprehensive to meet international demands. Finally, the fourth revision of the CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual, featuring a new section on service and support, will be released in April.

The CSIA mission is to advance control system integration for the success of its members and their clients. Founded in 1994, the association serves independent control system integrators and industry partners in 26 countries. Headquarters are located at 22 N. Carroll St., Suite 300, Madison, WI 53703. For more information, call (800) 661-4914 or visit www.controlsys.org.

CSIA at a glance

• Membership comprised of 325 system integration firms from 26 countries
• One in six members is located outside of the United States
• 2011 Executive Conference attendance was 450
• Find an Integrator online directory pages viewed 3,000 times per month
• 14 of the 18 System Integrators of the Year to date have been CSIA Certified

Lowe is executive director, Control System Integrators Association. Contact Lowe at execdir(at)controlsys.org.

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