The Flexware Team Reflects on the November 2022 Automation Fair
Flexware Innovation sent a large contingent of its team to Rockwell’s annual Automation Fair in order to connect with others, see what is new, and learn from experts from around the globe. The team was comprised of those from Flexware’s Automation Team, Business Development, and various team leaders and managers. Below are a few reflections from this team.
Team Reflection
Ryan Binkley, Technical Solutions Manager
By attending Automation Fair, Flexware was allowed the opportunity to interact, face-to-face, with product managers at Rockwell Automation. These interactions allow us to provide feedback on some of the exciting new offerings being launched by Rockwell, like FactoryTalk Design Studio, FactoryTalk Optix, and the new suite of FactoryTalk TwinStudio products. This puts Flexware on the cutting edge of capabilities by participating in the Early Adopter program which gets these products in the hands of Flexware engineers before being made available to the general public.
Travis Ewing, Strategic Account Executive
While attending Automation Fair, I was excited to see Rockwell foresee the gaps with edge asset management. As edge computing continues to gain momentum, scaling infrastructure and deployments of applications can quickly become unmanageable. With FactoryTalk Edge, Rockwell has simplified edge management, orchestration, contextualization, and application deployments.
Matt Heiden, Director of Talent Management
As a first time attendee of Automation Fair, I was impressed with the amount of learning and classes that happen. You can tell they are committed to help manufacturers implement the right technology. They are also committed to helping manufacturers solve the employee shortage as we come out of the pandemic. I was honored to participate in a panel discussion that discussed how companies are dealing with the Great Resignation and working toward higher retention rates. Overall Rockwell is committed on the technology and people front to help their customers move forward.
Curtis Crawford, Automation Manager
Rockwell Automation fair provided nearly half of our Automation Team (31) the ability to quickly complete training sessions just a few hours from the office. As a team, we were able to catch up on leading edge technologies including Simulation/Emulation tools such as Emulate 3D, Smart Technology (sensors and other devices), and Safety Solutions such as GuardLogix. The take-aways from the fair will be put into action immediately as we service our customers to improve their bottom line and help connect their systems from the “top floor to the shop floor”.
Dwayne Butcher, Director of Marketing
I went to the Automation Fair expecting to hear about new technologies, which I did of course, but a common thread in several learning sessions was centered on the current employment crisis. We’ve moved from “automation will replace jobs and put people out of work” to “automation will keep production moving since jobs are unfilled.” Fascinating to see all that Rockwell is doing to address these very real problems.
About Rockwell’s Automation Fair
Rockwell Automation Fair is an annual event that brings together automation and control professionals from around the world to learn about the latest advancements in technology, network with other industry experts, and gain insights on how to improve their operations. The event typically features keynote presentations, technical sessions, hands-on workshops, and a large exhibition floor showcasing the latest products and solutions from Rockwell Automation and its partners.
The event is designed to educate attendees on how to use Rockwell Automation’s products and services to optimize their manufacturing processes and increase productivity. Attendees can learn about the latest technologies and best practices in automation and control, and see how these technologies can be applied in real-world scenarios. The event also provides an opportunity for attendees to connect with other professionals in their industry and share ideas and experiences.
One important aspect of the event is the ability to take advantage of the hands-on workshops that are offered, which allows attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the products and technology on display. The fair is also great opportunity for attendees to speak directly with Rockwell Automation’s product experts to learn more about their products and how they can help improve their operations.
About Flexware Innovation
Flexware Innovation is a next-generation systems integrator and engineering firm for forward-thinking manufacturers. The company works with manufacturers, utilities, and other industrial organizations that need to integrate their business and production systems to maximize resources. Founded in 1996, Flexware works side-by-side with customers to solve real business problems by providing best-in-class software development, automation engineering, manufacturing systems integration (MES, HMI/SCADA, & ERP), business intelligence solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, enterprise level business systems, and specialized product development. For more information, visit www.flexwareinnovation.com.
Director of Marketing
I’m drawn to better and smarter ways of working and communicating. Many times that involves technology. Sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, work can and should be improved – continuously. I’m drawn to the mission of Flexware Innovation for these reasons. We’re committed to unleashing the potential of technology, freeing up leaders to focus on what’s next.
