Fieldbus Foundation representation in South Africa
April 2008
News
The Fieldbus Foundation Southern African Marketing Committee (FFSAMC) was recently formed in South Africa with the aim of creating awareness on Fieldbus Foundation (FF) in the southern African region. The establishment of this committee gives decision makers the assurance that FF is well represented and supported by a multivendor committee that is associated with the global Fieldbus Foundation organisation. The objectives are to create awareness, provide specification, standards, support and training for Fieldbus Foundation.
The importance in forming this committee is for the end-user to have the freedom to choose (425 total products registered – pressure, temperature, valve positioners, level, flow, analytical etc,) and have the power of integration. Fieldbus certified instruments have comprehensive diagnostics features that will ensure predictive maintenance and simplify commissioning of plants, thereby increasing plant availability. FF is well represented throughout the world, and the various vendors on the committee have given their commitment to support FF in southern Africa.
Training and support will be the primary function of the FFSAMC and discussions are in progress with STC South Africa in this regard. STC is an international company that is one of the preferred training institutions recommended by the International Fieldbus Foundation Organisation.
The committee consists of:
* ABB (Shaugn Osler).
* Honeywell (Paulo Da Silva – vice chairman).
* Yokogawa (Paulo De Sousa Gomes – chairman).
* Extech – MTL (Gary Friend – training).
* Rockwell (C.W. Barwise).
* Siemens (Ryan Chetty).
* Endress+Hauser (Hennie Blignaut – secretary).
* Alpret Control Specialists (Vinesh Nundkishore and Mark Leutfeld – marketing and communication).
* Metso Automation (Karl Engelbrecht).
* RET Automation Controls (Brandon Topham – treasurer).
* Pepperl+Fuchs (Rob Burns).
We would like to extend an invitation to all other companies to join this committee in supporting FF. The FFSAMC is fully supported by the International Fieldbus Organisation (www.fieldbus.org) reporting to the EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa) region. This committee is a registered non-profit organisation.
For more information contact Vinesh Nundkishore, +27 (0)31 705 0450, vineshn@alpret.co.za
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