We have reached the half-way point of 2019 and I am shocked at how time has just flown by for me personally. But, that is usually the result when you are fully engaged and busy with things that occupy your mind and align with your interests.
Today I want to talk about something different. As the president, I have the privilege of being invited to many conferences and discussions around the future of technology. What I have realised, is that there are end users who are not 100% on top of the new technologies with regard to infrastructure in the IT environment. Of course they attend these conferences to educate themselves, but personally, I do not think you should leave the infrastructure knowledge to other parties as this could cost you money in the long run.
Knowing how to manage your legacy systems and making decisions on how to maintain and support them while developing new systems is a balance, which can end up being costly if it goes wrong.
Keeping this in mind, I urge you to look at some basics again. Maybe you understand them and just need to see what has changed: concepts like Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (Paas), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Docker technology, Kubernetes, and the changes that will come with IPv6. Restructure your organisation to be future-proof. As an individual, you should also educate yourself to ensure that you stay relevant and can contribute to effective decision making. New laws like the PoPI act have also changed the constraints and use of information. Make sure you know the risks, but also understand the new opportunities that have opened up for you.
The world is changing at a rapid pace – don’t get left behind.
International robotics conference streams live to Africa
SAIMC
The SAIMC hosted five live-stream viewing events across South Africa for the IEEE International Conference of Robotics and Automation in Vienna, bringing global robotics research and technology directly to local industry and academia.
Read more...From the office of the CEO: Introduction to GRIP SAIMC
SAIMC
Industry has long been concerned about graduates who have no understanding of the modern equipment they will face in industry. This has triggered an investigation into the possibility of creating a facility whereby graduates register with the SAIMC and rotate through all the vendors to obtain experience on modern equipment.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch hosted a technology meeting featuring a presentation by Abacus Automation on the practical role of AI in industrial automation, drawing considerable interest from attendees.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
Instrotech recently hosted a technical presentation on load cell technology and applications at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening, presented by Trevor Salzwedel. The session covered load cell fundamentals, selection and installation, mechanical considerations and calibration methods.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg Golf Day SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Golf Day on 22 May 2026 brought together 16 four-balls for a day of golf, networking and fundraising, with generous support from sponsors across the instrumentation and control sector.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Johannesburg Branch had the privilege of being hosted by Phoenix Contact for our technology event in May. Shamil Surbun, BU manager for Automation, presented a CPD-accredited session on ‘From Sensor to Cloud: How SPE and APL Are Transforming Industrial Connectivity’.
Read more...From the office of the CEO: Power Hour goes national SAIMC
SAIMC
South Africa’s automation, control, mechatronics and computer engineering community is changing fast, and the SAIMC is changing with it. I am excited to announce a new national initiative that will reshape how we deliver technical knowledge, strengthen branch identity and bring our community together like never before.
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