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Ask the Automation Pros

This long-running series of discussions, curated by 2010 ISA Life Achievement Award recipient Greg McMillan, gathers responses from ISA subject-matter experts on technical topics important to industrial automation professionals, academics and students.
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  • Abstract digital code, 1s and 0s.
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    How Can We Improve Data Historian Use?

    In the latest edition of the Ask the Automation Pros column, the pros discuss how to set up a data historian to transform data into information that can be used for process monitoring, diagnosis, prediction, optimization and continuous improvement.
    By: Erik Cornelsen, Hunter Vegas, Michel Ruel, Peter Morgan, Gregory K. McMillan
    12 October, 2026 | 12 minutes
  • Group of people at a conference table in front of an industrial plant floor.
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    Ask the Automation Pros: How Can We Enhance Control System Reliability?

    In the latest edition of the Ask the Automation Pros column, the pros share strategies for enhancing control system reliability.
    By: Peter Morgan, Hunter Vegas, Erik Cornelsen, Gregory K. McMillan, R. Russell Rhinehart, Bob Heider, Edward J. Farmer
    15 September, 2026 | 13 minutes
  • Thumbnail for Ask the Automation Pros: What University Projects Are Needed to Support Process Control?
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    Ask the Automation Pros: What University Projects Are Needed to Support Process Control?

    Like a lot of things in engineering and construction, it’s hard to teach everything and risky not to, but getting it right the first time saves time and money.
    By: R. Russell Rhinehart, Mark Darby, Gregory K. McMillan, Peter Morgan, Michael Taube, Matthew Howard, Héctor H. Torres, Pat Dixon, Julie F. Smith, Bob Heider, George Buckbee, Michel Ruel, Edward J. Farmer
    24 June, 2026 | 15 minutes
  • Thumbnail for Ask the Automation Pros: What Are the Process Control Simulation Requirements for Automation Projects?
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    Ask the Automation Pros: What Are the Process Control Simulation Requirements for Automation Projects?

    Simulation of process control can ensure productive automation projects. But how much effort should be allocated to simulation, testing and training. ISA’s Automation Professionals weigh in.
    By: Erik Cornelsen, Julie F. Smith, Gregory K. McMillan, Edin Rakovic
    20 May, 2026 | 4 minutes
  • Thumbnail for Ask the Automation Pros: How Can You Ensure the Best Rate of Change in the PID Manipulated Variable?
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    Ask the Automation Pros: How Can You Ensure the Best Rate of Change in the PID Manipulated Variable?

    What is the best strategy to get the best rate of change in the PID for a manipulated variable, or is there a more elegant solution within the control strategy itself? Answer includes example applications and guidance on how PID tuning can meet objectives.
    By: Gregory K. McMillan
    30 March, 2026 | 16 minutes
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