Lots o' news coming out of the ARC Forum down in Orlando. Judging from the number of releases Walt Boyes, Da Boss, is sending here to be uploaded, all those refugees from last week's blizzard have NOT, contrary to expectations, spent all their time at the pool.

The commercialization of products based on the ISA100.11a wireless standard took several steps forward at the ARC World Industry Forum this week in Orlando. "ISA100.11a is unique," said GE's Justin Smith to a gathering of industry media, "because its requirements were determined by end users in an open consensus process, with 23 of 24 end-users voting to approve the standard."

"We wanted something that could be enhanced and customized to the needs of every site," said ExxonMobil's Pat Schweitzer and committee co-chair.

PlantStruxure is Schneider Electric's new collaborative system designed to allow industrial and infrastructure companies to meet their automation needs and at the same time deliver on growing energy management requirements.

Yokogawa Electric Corp. announced the availability of VigilantPlant Services, a comprehensive package of automation service solutions designed to help manufacturers achieve safe, environmentally friendly, and profitable plant operations in line with the Yokogawa VigilantPlant concept.

Invensys Operations Management announced in a press conference today at the ARC World Industry Forum in Orlando the next evolution of its InFusion Enterprise Control System (ECS).

ILS Technology, LLC, an industry leader in intelligent connectivity solutions, announced today at the ARC World Industry Forum in Orlando the introduction of Virtual Service Infrastructure (VSI) Application Suite, further extending their award winning "enabling intelligence" solutions beyond the local enterprise.

The ILS Technology VSI Application Suite provides a complete end-to-end solution that directly and securely link intelligent devices with enterprise applications and databases, enabling deeper insights into operational performance and productivity, across networks, or arou

McLaren Software, a leader in asset information management solutions for owner operators and engineering companies, is showcasing its new McLaren Services for Outlook at the ARC World Industry Forum this week in Orlando.

Due for release in March 2010, McLaren Services for Outlook has been developed in response to customers' requests to extend the reach of their asset document management systems to a wider user community without introducing new client applications.

Kepware Technologies announced today in a press conference at the ARC Global Forum in Orlando the release of KEPServerEX version 5.2.

Yes, Virginia, there is life after Emerson Exchange. ARC Advisory Group is ramping up for a three-fer come next February--in Orlando. (Where else?)

Here's the news release:

ARC 2010 Orlando Forum to Co-Locate Multiple Programs in a Common Venue

As I didn't post almost all this week, I suppose I ought to explain-- but I did Twitter like crazy. If you haven't been infected with the Twitter virus, run like crazy.

The ARC Forum was smaller than last year...about 200 people smaller. But everybody there agreed that in the current economic climate, 450 attendees was a huge win for ARC Advisory Group.

And everybody who attended the sessions said that most of the presentations were good. There were the usual vendors who didn't get it, and gave commercials instead of presentations...