“We need more thought leadership content in the magazine,” announced Technews’ managing editor, Graeme Bell, at a recent SAI&C team meeting. “I want you guys to think of something topical and then host a round table discussion on the subject. Find the right people, and get something set up no later than a month from now.” The features editor wiped his brow and the product manager coughed nervously. I nodded sagely, thereby scoring my full quota of Brownie points for the rest of the year.
We did come up with an idea we thought topical. And we received mixed responses when we set about inviting ‘the right people’ – much to the dismay of the product manager. Some champed at the bit in their enthusiasm to join the debate while others scoffed at the idea that scada technology may change substantially in the future. “This is good,” I thought. “We do not only want people who are in agreement. We want lively, even opinionated debate, and the contrarians out there should be welcomed to our table.” Well, I guess we will all find out if I was right in a couple of days when Andrew Ashton chairs the first SA Instrumentation and Control round table discussion and our panel of experts air their views.
The idea is to create a non-sales forum where vendors, system integrators and end users meet to present their different points of view in response to a technology related question. This time it is: ‘Where is scada technology headed in the future?’ Our objective is to unlock the ‘voice of knowledge’ and broadcast it to those who otherwise may not have access. We hope you, the reader, will benefit from what promises to be balanced feedback on the subject, without the usual attempts to influence through marketing speak and other trickery.
The product manager has got over her initial attack of cold feet and has come to realise that you are all fair game now. So do not be surprised if at some point in the future you receive the call to action. We hope you will grasp the opportunity to interact with your peers and share your hard-earned knowledge in ways that establish you all as credible voices on the subject – even if at times, you have to agree to disagree.
We also plan on having a whole lot of fun along the way, so join us. I look forward to reporting more on the subject next month.
Steven Meyer, editor: SA Instrumentation & Control
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