The intelligent automation users group
July 2003
News
Since its introduction in 1987, Foxboro's I/A Series (intelligent automation) system has continued to undergo a process of evolution. The I/A Series was founded on the principle that a system can remain perpetually up to date if it can be made to continuously accommodate the latest developments in both hardware and software as they evolve, while allowing the original system to carry on as originally intended.
Because of the rapid advancement into the South African market, Protea Automation Solutions, which represents Foxboro in SA, formed an I/A users group consisting of representatives of all the companies and establishments who now use the I/A Series. So far, the Foxboro I/A Series system is in operation on 13 sites throughout the country, in widely different plant facilities. At present, chairman of the group is Jon Simon of Lever Ponds, and the Foxboro contact is Graham Malloy at Protea Automation Solutions.
The users group meet on an annual basis, when they feel they have a need to compare notes and obtain information from Protea Automation Solutions on latest developments. The meetings are held in various parts of the country where there are user sites. The most recent meeting was held in Johannesburg when Foxboro's Alain Ginguene, marketing consultant, Foxboro I/A Series platform visited SA and conducted a one-day seminar for the users group at the Protea headquarters.
Alain Ginguene addressing some of the Foxboro I/A Series users group at Protea Automation Solutions in Johannesburg
Every new I/A Series development programme begins with a customer request or review. This means users, by helping to identify and drive forward specific upgrade programmes help to shape the form and functionality of I/A Series systems. Thus the users group plays an important part in this role and benefits from the experiences and ideas from similar users all over the world.
For more information contact Graham Malloy, Protea Automation Solutions, 011 719 5700.
Further reading:
RS South Africa shapes future engineering talent
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa is demonstrating that nurturing future engineers goes beyond traditional classrooms or competitions. On STEM Day, the company shone a light on the full spectrum of its educational initiatives.
Read more...
ABB and Compu-Power bring high-efficiency UPS innovation to IS3 X-Change 2025
News
ABB recently participated in the 31st annual IS
3X-Change 2025 in Cape Town, alongside its long-standing channel partner Compu-Power.
Read more...
Meta and partners announce completion of 2Africa subsea cable system
News
Meta, in partnership with leading global and regional telecommunications companies, has announced the completion and activation of the core 2Africa subsea cable system. This marks a historic milestone in digital infrastructure, establishing what the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system.
Read more...
RS South Africa retains Level 2 B-BBEE status
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has once again achieved Level 2 B-BBEE verification.
Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE unveils world class facility in Gqeberha
News
In a landmark event in the Eastern Cape attended by key customers and industry leaders, SEW-EURODRIVE officially opened its expanded state-of-the-art facility in Gqeberha, marking a major milestone in its strategy to strengthen regional support and deepen its footprint in the region.
Read more...
Africa’s brightest young battery innovators
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric and Enactus, the international NGO dedicated to inspiring students through entrepreneurial action, have announced the winners of the 2025 Energy Transition Battery Innovation Challenge, funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation. It empowers young innovators to design battery solutions addressing the region’s most pressing energy challenges.
Read more...
Africa’s strategic role in powering the global clean energy future
News
The 2026 Africa Energy Indaba is to spotlight Africa’s mineral wealth, industrialisation potential and the urgent need for sustainable value chain development.
Read more...
Crash reconstruction tests advance vehicle safety research
News
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technologies (SMART) Lab recently participated in a series of collaborative crash reconstruction tests held at the Toyota Test Track.
Read more...
Siemens and HD Hyundai to accelerate revitalisation of USA shipbuilding
News
Siemens Digital Industries Software has signed a memorandum of understanding with HD Hyundai to drive the revitalisation and modernisation of the commercial shipbuilding industry in the USA.
Read more...
Accelerating Africa’s smart manufacturing future
News
Automation Day, a dedicated one-day conference within the Manufacturing Indaba 2026, will bring together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers for an in-depth exploration of how automation is reshaping Africa’s manufacturing landscape.
Read more...