Media
Webcast Abstracts
Title: Control system integrator advice maximizes automation investments
Date: February 24, 2026
Abstract:
In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, maximizing the return on automation investments requires more than just selecting advanced technologies. It demands expert integration strategies that align technical design with business objectives. In this session, three experienced control system integrators from leading integration firms share field-proven insights to help end-users, manufacturers and other system integrators optimize automation, controls and instrumentation systems. Through real-world case studies and lessons learned, the presenters will demonstrate how collaborative integration approaches improve project outcomes, reduce lifecycle costs and minimize risk. They will examine strategic planning practices that increase project return on investment (ROI) and tactical execution techniques that avoid common pitfalls in system design, implementation and commissioning.
With a broad range of examples drawn from discrete manufacturing, process industries and hybrid environments, the session will emphasize scalable, standards-based solutions using a variety of control platforms and architectures. Attendees will gain an understanding of how to improve stakeholder alignment, define realistic project scopes and apply proven methodologies that lead to long-term success. Whether you’re specifying automation upgrades, delivering turnkey systems, or supporting installed operations, this session offers practical, vendor-agnostic guidance on how control system integrators deliver value across the automation lifecycle.
Learning objectives:
- Identify key strategies control system integrators use to align automation solutions with end-user business goals and operational priorities.
- Understand how early engagement and clear scope definition between integrators, manufacturers and end-users can reduce rework and improve project ROI.
- Apply proven technical approaches from real-world case studies to optimize integration of control, instrumentation and networking systems across various industries.
- Recognize common pitfalls in automation design and implementation, and learn how integrators mitigate technical and operational risk through standard practices and lifecycle planning.
Title: Ways to manage retrofit strategies for motors and drives
Date: April 29, 2026
Abstract:
Learn how to retrofit aging motors and drives in legacy industrial systems while meeting regulatory requirements and minimizing downtime. This webcast delivers case studies, safety strategies and control integration insights for plant engineers, managers and maintenance professionals. Industrial plants across all sectors rely on motor-driven systems as critical components of production. However, aging motor assets, outdated drives and shifting regulatory requirements have made retrofit and replacement projects a growing priority. This webcast addresses the practical realities of upgrading motors and drives within existing plant infrastructure — from identifying technical and compliance triggers to overcoming integration challenges during retrofit implementation.
Presented by two industry professionals, this webcast will guide attendees through real-world case studies where retrofits improved system reliability, energy performance and operational control. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to assess motor and drive conditions, when and how to replace legacy systems and what standards and regulations must be addressed — such as NEMA energy efficiency guidelines, safety codes and control system compatibility concerns. The webcast will also touch on how modern variable frequency drives (VFDs) and advanced controls can be used to extend the performance of existing systems, even in older facilities not originally designed for modern digital infrastructure. Challenges around wiring, grounding, noise interference, safety clearances and motor-drive mismatches will be explored.
This webcast is designed for plant managers, safety experts, controls engineers and maintenance professionals who want actionable, experience-based insights to make informed decisions about motor and drive upgrades. Whether you’re planning a large-scale system replacement or troubleshooting aging equipment, you’ll leave with clear strategies you can apply in your facility.
Learning objectives:
- Identify the key factors that trigger the need for motor and drive retrofits, including mechanical degradation, efficiency mandates and compatibility limitations.
- Compare retrofit options and integration strategies for replacing legacy systems while minimizing operational disruption and compliance risk.
- Evaluate regulatory and safety standards that apply to motor-drive retrofits, including NEMA and IEC guidance on protection, clearances and grounding.
- Apply best practices from case studies to improve reliability, optimize system control and extend the lifespan of existing motor infrastructure.
Title: How to apply industrial controllers for automation and controls
Date: June 30, 2026
Abstract:
Modern industrial automation depends on the reliable and efficient application of controllers to execute precise operations, ensure safety, and enable scalable system architectures. Whether integrating programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), distributed control systems (DCS), safety controllers, motion systems, embedded platforms, or edge controllers, a well-planned control strategy is essential to achieving operational goals. In this session, experienced system integrators will share practical guidance on selecting and applying industrial controllers to meet real-world automation and control challenges in various applications. The presenters will explore how different controller types are best-suited for various applications, how to integrate them with industrial networks and control architectures and how to optimize system performance over time.
Through project-based examples, attendees will gain insights into controller deployment across diverse use cases, ranging from discrete manufacturing to process control. Experts may explore hardware and software selection, input/output (I/O) and communication interface considerations, integration with supervisory systems and data acquisition (SCADA) and industrial internet of things (IIoT) platforms and design for safety and maintainability. Migration strategies for legacy controller upgrades and troubleshooting techniques can improve uptime and performance. This session is designed for automation engineers, control system integrators and technical decision-makers seeking to enhance system reliability and efficiency by leveraging the appropriate controller technologies. Attendees should have a basic understanding of control systems but can expect actionable insights regardless of experience levels.
Learning objectives:
- Differentiate the roles and capabilities of various industrial controller types and identify use cases where each provides the most value.
- Apply practical techniques for integrating controllers with industrial I/O devices, field devices, control networks and supervisory systems (such as SCADA, IIoT).
- Recognize key design, deployment and troubleshooting practices that improve reliability, maintainability and system performance.
- Evaluate strategies for upgrading or modernizing legacy control systems while minimizing risk and downtime.
Title: Ways to mitigate common issues in motors and drives
Date: July 23, 2026
Abstract:
Motors and drives are critical to industrial reliability — yet failure is all too common. This webcast offers engineering-focused strategies for identifying, preventing and troubleshooting failures. Learn how to apply NFPA and IEEE standards, conduct real-world failure analysis and implement proven practices for reliability and safety.
Motors and drives are essential components of modern industrial systems — and when they fail, the consequences can be costly, disruptive and dangerous. This technical webcast examines real-world failure modes, root cause analysis and mitigation strategies for motors and drives across all major types: ac induction motors, dc motors and servo systems. The focus is on failure mechanisms observed in the field — electrical, mechanical, thermal and control-related — and how these are often linked to design flaws, integration issues, environmental stress or inadequate protection and maintenance practices. The presenters will use project examples and case studies to explore where and why these failures happen, how to assess risk and how to apply engineering standards such as NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) guidelines to both protect systems and improve long-term reliability. The webcast also addresses the interplay between motors and drives: how drive misconfiguration or oversizing can accelerate wear, reduce efficiency or compromise safety.
Attendees will learn how to calculate and verify motor and drive loads, analyze insulation failure or bearing degradation and apply safety factors that match real-world constraints — like legacy infrastructure, limited downtime windows and operational performance requirements. Whether you’re troubleshooting motor systems, designing for reliability or overseeing maintenance, this webcast will deliver practical insights and technical guidance you can apply immediately.
Learning objectives:
- Identify common failure modes in ac, de and servo motors and their associated drive systems, including mechanical, electrical, thermal and control-related causes.
- Apply industry standards (e.g., NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, IEEE) to assess, prevent and mitigate failure risks in motor-drive systems across industrial applications.
- Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) using performance data, motor-drive coordination parameters and inspection findings to determine and address system faults.
Integrate real-world best practices for specifying, installing and maintaining motor-drive systems — considering constraints like limited downtime, aging equipment and evolving operational demands.
Title: How to integrate new HMI or SCADA with existing automation
Date: August 13, 2026
Abstract:
Integrating a new human-machine interface (HMI) or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system with existing automation infrastructure is a high-stakes process that requires careful planning, technical insight and real-world experience. Whether upgrading legacy HMIs, transitioning from proprietary SCADA platforms, or modernizing visualization for data access and cybersecurity compliance, the key to success lies in seamless integration without disrupting production or compromising reliability. This session will deliver expert guidance from experienced industry experts who will share practical strategies for integrating new HMI and SCADA solutions into existing industrial control architectures. Drawing on diverse case studies from across manufacturing and process industries, they will explore how to evaluate existing hardware and software assets, assess communication protocols and network architecture, and apply best practices for controller and device connectivity.
Attendees will learn how to balance modernization with risk, including the use of offline testing, simulation, and phased deployments to validate functionality and minimize downtime. The session will also touch on critical considerations such as cybersecurity, operator usability (informed by principles of ISA-101 standard for high-performance HMIs) and managing legacy data sources. This technical session is designed for automation engineers, control system integrators, plant managers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seeking practical insights into extending the life of existing systems while adding modern capabilities. Participants will leave with actionable knowledge for planning and executing integration projects that improve visibility, reduce manual intervention and enable future scalability.
Learning objectives:
- Evaluate legacy systems and identify integration requirements for deploying new HMI or SCADA solutions.
- Apply best practices for connecting new interface systems to existing programmable logic controllers (PLCs), other controllers, and field devices using standard protocols and network architectures.
- Develop risk-mitigated migration strategies using offline testing, simulation environments and phased deployment techniques.
- Incorporate essential cybersecurity, usability and data access considerations when implementing new HMI/SCADA with legacy systems.
Title: Industrial cybersecurity: Integration with security
Date: October 15, 2026
Abstract:
As industrial operations evolve, the convergence of control systems, industrial internet of things (IIoT) architectures, and cloud technologies is reshaping the way data is collected, visualized and acted upon across manufacturing environments. However, navigating this transformation while maintaining system reliability, security and interoperability remains a challenge for many automation users and system integrators. Experienced system integrators will share practical insights on implementing IIoT-enabled automation strategies and deploying cloud-based tools in real-world industrial settings. Instructors will discuss the integration of industrial controllers, edge computing, and data acquisition systems with cloud and hybrid architectures without losing sight of operational reliability or cybersecurity.
Case studies will show how data is securely collected from plant-floor devices, structured and transmitted using industrial protocols (such as MQTT, OPC UA and others), and visualized through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) extensions or cloud dashboards for performance tracking and smarter decisions. Topics will include architecture planning, network segmentation, edge-to-cloud gateways and the practical application of standards such as ISA-95 standard for enterprise-control system integration to define data flows across layers. Attendees will learn how to align technical deployment with business objectives, such as improving key performance indicators (KPIs), enabling predictive analytics and justifying return on investment. The session is designed for engineers, control system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seeking actionable guidance on extending automation strategies into the digital domain, while managing risk and delivering measurable value.
Learning objectives:
- Explain how industrial controllers, edge devices, and gateways can be integrated with IIoT and cloud platforms to enable data flow beyond the plant floor.
- Apply best practices for configuring and securing data exchange using protocols, such as MQTT, OPC UA and RESTful APIs.
- Identify key architectural decisions, including edge versus cloud processing, public versus private environments and hybrid models for successful digital transformation.
- Translate real-time data into actionable key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards that support operational improvements and justify IIoT investments.
Title: Motor and drives technology advances for automation, motion controls
Date: December 10, 2026
Abstract:
Motor and drive technologies are evolving rapidly, driven by the growing demands of precision automation, energy efficiency, digital integration, and scalable motion control. From intelligent variable frequency drives (VFDs) to high-efficiency permanent magnet and synchronous reluctance motors, recent advancements are transforming how motion systems are designed, deployed, and maintained across a wide range of industrial applications. In this session, experienced system integrators will share practical insights and field-proven strategies for selecting and applying advanced motor and drive technologies in real-world manufacturing environments. Drawing from a variety of case studies useful in discrete, process and hybrid industries, the presenters will explore how emerging drive features (such as built-in diagnostics, advanced vector control, and safe torque off) support improved system performance and safety compliance.
Attendees will learn how to optimize motor-drive selection based on load characteristics, environmental conditions and application needs, as well as how to integrate these systems with modern control architectures using industrial protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet, EtherCAT, CC-Link, Sercos, Modbus or other industrial protocols. The session will cover best practices for reducing commissioning time, improving maintainability and achieving energy savings through smarter control strategies. Engineers, system integrators and other automation professionals will gain actionable knowledge that supports better design, faster troubleshooting and future-ready automation infrastructure. The session will provide strategic considerations for technology planning and tactical details for effective implementation.
Learning objectives:
- Identify key advances in motor and drive technologies and evaluate their impact on performance, efficiency and maintainability in various industrial applications.
- Apply practical methods for selecting and configuring motors and drives based on application needs, including load types, motion profiles and environmental factors.
- Integrate advanced motor-drive systems with automation platforms, field networks and safety architectures using industrial communication protocols.
- Implement energy- and cost-optimization strategies using smart drive features, monitoring tools and best practices for maintenance and lifecycle planning.