Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Automation Minutes 22 posted The latest Automation Minutes podcast is posted discussing Pack Expo, variable frequency drives, changes at Schneider Electric over the years, and how to have a great panel discussion. 5:07:58 PM    comment []

Advantech re-brands I had lunch with Chuck Harrell, PR manager at eAutomation (the company formerly known as Advantech Automation). He has a problem--branding. Advantech is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of industrial computers, data acquisition and I/O equipment, networking and more. Several years ago, it established a facility in Cincinnati, Ohio to focus on industrial automation and actually had it incorporated in the US separately with the thought of an IPO. Unfortunately, the stock market crash of 2000-2001 killed that plan. That division has been known as Advantech Automation. Unfortunately, if one searches on Advantech, a likely result is the embedded systems group in California.  That was one problem. But then the corporate office re-branded the entire operation. There are now four operating groups of Advantech Corp.: embedded and applied computing; industrial and network computing; eAutomation; and eVideo Solutions. If there appears to be overlap--there is. The first three all sell some of the same industrial computers. The last group is only active in Taiwan at the moment according to Chuck. Another unfortunate thing for Chuck to overcome is that only six months ago the company sent a release announcing the establishment of a Web-based sales channel called "eAutomation." Now the entire group bears that name. Therefore Chuck is making the rounds explaining the new branding situation and trying to make sure we don't get confused. If you thought PR people had an easy job, think again ;-) 10:53:28 AM    comment []