Automation Unplugged: Pinto's Perspectives, Pointers, & Prognostications

Pinto's book is a bible for understanding automation. I was hesitant to purchase and read it but as I was managing a company in that area, I need a quick update of the industry. This book puts automation into perspective. From a humanistic as well as an operational point of view. Now that automation and business intelligence are musts in the management of any business, how it evolved from the manufacturing plants is very interesting. It helps anybody thinking in processes to increase productivity and create methods that provide consistent outcomes, whether in manufacturing or not. Futuristic at its time, the book is still a gem. I look forward to an update.

Usually, when I read "This is a must-read book," I put it down to publishers' hype. Now that I have read Automation Unplugged, I will say that a person in the instrument/control system business should read it. The book gives some history that provides insight into the present conditions in the systems business. The marketing section is truly required reading for today's environment in the systems business. When you finish reading, you say to yourself "I knew that," but you had not developed the thesis as logically nor as completely. As to the forecasting of the future, if only 50 percent of Mr. Pinto's predictions come true, major changes in management thinking will be required. Dick Caro's introduction to the Fieldbus chapter clearly explains why the ISO and IEC standards are as irrational as they are. The chapter titled "How do I catch the Fieldbus" presents a logical explanation of all the varying standards for the buses. Put this book in your library for reference along Bella Liptak's series of books.

Jim's collection of essays, many updated for this book, will cause you to stop and think about the state of the automation industry, as well as manufacturing in general, today. He is not afraid to take a stand, and in fact, delights in stirring up readers and getting intelligent feedback.Although many people seem to think that his views are limited to attacks on the Yurko-era of Invensys and predictions of Rockwell's sale, very little of the book concerns those topics. This series of articles touches on technologies and business topics with a wit designed to cut through the clutter of your mind and get you to think. I wish more people were thinking deeply about the business impact of automation these days.Read this book not as a text book of what was, but as a starting point for your own reflections about the state of manufacturing. Pinto will get your "juices flowing." You may find that you care more about the state of manufacturing than you thought.

For those of us outside the close knit world of automation, Jim Pinto is at his futuristic best in his poetry and political commentary. He rebels against the trend toward group think and bland commentary. He offers a prismatic view of the industry of automation which is neither too focused nor too general nor, we come to understand, viewed from every angle captured by Mr. Pinto. He has more facets of his intellect to share (perhaps political commentary will make up all or a larger portion of his next book?). Mr. Pinto writes unselfconsciously and without apparent concern for the backlash that might face anyone less well regarded in the industry. In twenty years, Mr. Pinto built Action Instruments from nothing to industry greatness. That is to say, it was a great company until he sold it five years ago. His entrepreneurial success, financial independence, and intellectual prowess are readily evident in his seemingly unguarded and thought provoking views. I found it refreshing to read intellectual commentary from a man with a sense of humor.Wade LovellPresident & CEOSki Tote LLC

You haven't heard anything til you've heard industry pundit Jim Pinto jump on his soapbox. The Founder and former CEO of Invensys' Action Instruments, Jim takes a hard look at what's working and what's not in the industrial automation market. He asks...and answers...the right questions. Who are the top 10 suppliers in the industry and will any survive? Who's best managed, who's mis-managed? What's the Achilles heel of the top players (hint: it's spelled M-A-R-K-E-T-I-N-G)? What does the future hold? Is Microsoft about to take over Fieldbus?!?! This book is a must-read for anyone in the business.