More and more industry clients are requesting certification for control system integrators as they consider the pool of candidates for industrial automation projects, according to the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA). “CSIA members tell us more of the requests for proposals they receive are requiring that integrators be CSIA Certified,” says Bob Lowe, executive director of CSIA. “Plant managers, corporate engineers, purchasing agents and other decision-makers are looking for ways to manage risk and establish quality benchmarks. In addition, these industry clients are increasingly using CSIA Certification and membership to ‘pre-qualify’ integrators for projects big and small.”
 
CSIA Certification requires integrator companies to undergo an intense third-party audit and abide by strict performance standards. Members must meet or exceed the 79 criteria in CSIA’s “Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual” to become certified. An audit is required every three years to maintain CSIA Certification.
                                
“Currently, CSIA has 95 member locations around the globe that are certified,” Lowe continues. “CSIA just certified a member in Mexico, our first one there. Our members are effectively demonstrating to directors of manufacturing, plant operations and other industry leaders that CSIA Certification lowers project risk and increases the likelihood of getting real results.”