I just saw this press release that Invensys Process Systems has a new CEO/president. Paulett Eberhart joins IPS from EDS, the global IT services and consulting firm founded by Ross Perot and recently spun off from GM. She was most recently president of the Americas division.
This is a most interesting appointment on many levels. First, she is joining a much smaller operation than she's used to (following almost 30 years at EDS). The cultures are quite different. But, I'm not entirely shocked because a constant undercurrent at IPS since the InFusion announcement has been that many see the future of the company in software. Eberhart should really know both that technology and that market (including how to sell it).
I remarked about different strategies among the major automation vendors in my last post and expanded the ideas in a private conversation. This announcement makes the contemplations all the more real. Obviously senior corporate management at Invensys has the same belief that I've heard at lower levels--the best strategy for the company as it positions for growth lies in enterprise software. I'm sure they won't forget instrumentation and control, but here is where the growth is. I'm trying to learn more about Eberhart, but surface analysis points to this being a bold and appropriate move.
UPDATE: I did find out that she had retired from EDS in 2004.
From My Emerson News. "identifying acquisition candidates", hmmm. I had a chance to chat last week in Bologna. Peter's understandably excited at the opportunity.
Emerson Process Management has announced the appointment of Peter Zornio to the new position of chief strategic officer. The 21-year industry veteran, who was most recently director of product marketing for Honeywell, will have a leadership role in prioritizing technology investments and identifying acquisition candidates.
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