I've heard from Rockwell sources that the commitment to the process automation business remains the number one commitment of the company, and that the acquisitions to that end are continuing to do well, and that more information will be forthcoming soon.

As far as prominent departures are concerned, my sources indicate that the leadership of the process activity is intact and going forward full speed.

From the press release from Rockwell:

Kevin Roach to leave post as VP/GM of Rockwell Software

I am finally, after more than thirty years, going to get to meet one of the most important influences on my thinking, Alvin Toffler.

Like most of the world, in 1970, I read Future Shock. I was just entering college, and it was not only a trendy book to read, but it was also a very important look at what the future might hold. Then, in 1975, an English science fiction writer named John Brunner wrote a novel based on the world that Future Shock might look like-- The Shockwav...

Kevin Roach and Matt Bauer held a press conference this morning after Roach's "executive address." I guess an "executive address" is what you give when you've hired Alvin Toffler to give the "Keynote Address" tomorrow...

This is the 11th RSTechEd conference...and has 1600 registered attendees, above 60% of whom are customers, from 48 countries. There will be 400+ training sessions, on over 1200 computers...a veritable love fest of virtualized training. There are also 25 "manufacturing industry ...

Kevin Roach's opening speech at Rockwell Automation's RSTechEd 2008 event focused on insight and creativity-- and the perils of linear thinking. He pointed out the famous prediction errors, like "The world market for computers is, maybe, seven."

He quoted Sir Arthur Clarke's three laws of innovation:

1. Nothing is impossible.
2. Look past linear thinking.
3. Technology is essential.

Roach talked about futurism, especially tomorrow's keynote speaker, Alvin Toffler, who puts all the clues avail...

I had just received the following email from Lynn Craig, one of the founders of the batch standard ISA88 and the manufacturing standard, ISA95, when it came time for me to meet with Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO Keith Nosbusch on Tuesday, here at Automation Fair.

Folks -
I don’t always agree with Walt Boyes, but I think he is on to something fundamental when it comes to the whole technical recruitment issue.  He recently said the followin...

Is anybody still in doubt that Rockwell is serious about the process automation market?

If you are still wondering, here's something that will reduce your doubt:

Rockwell Automation To Acquire Pavilion Technologies

Acquisition Expands Process Automation Software Offerings

Our West Coast correspondent and senior technical editor, Dan Hebert, filed the following report about the Geoffrey Moore keynote at the Rockwell TechEd meeting.

Noted author Geoffrey Moore gave the keynote address at Rockwell Automation’s recent RSTechEd event, June 17-20 in Fla. The keynote summarized many of the innovation ideas detailed in Moore’s books Crossing the Chasm and Dealing with Darwinism. The problem with many big-name keynote speakers at automation industry...