This new release has been updated to reflect the continuing evolution of digital technologies and their impact on automation processes as well as new automation standards in such areas as alarm management, HMI design and operational technology cybersecurity.

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (08 May 2018) - The International Society of Automation (ISA) today announces the third edition release of A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge, a comprehensive, yet practical overview of the essential concepts and processes in industrial automation and the skills required to master them.

This new release has been updated to reflect the continuing evolution of digital technologies and their impact on automation processes as well as new automation standards in such areas as alarm management, HMI design and operational technology cybersecurity.

The books co-editors—Nicholas P. Sands, PE, CAP®, Senior Manufacturing Technology Fellow at DuPont and Ian Verhappen, P.Eng., CAP®, Senior Project Manager at CIMA+—are ISA Fellows who bring decades of collective expertise and experience in automation standards development, automation competency, safety instrumented systems, alarm management, process safety and industrial communications networks.

"Though much of the content of this guide covers the fundamentals of the automation profession, automation is a dynamic field of practice that continues to change through new technologies and practices. Thats why it was important to introduce this new edition," says Verhappen. "The value of the book remains the same, however, as it serves as a highly applicable, condensed reference guide to established automation principles and practices."

Given its easy-to-follow, plainly written format and approach, Sands says the book is particularly valuable to automation professionals early in their careers as well as to other practitioners in the field needing a "refresher" on certain topics.

The guide is also consistent with the Automation Competency Model—which defines the core skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an automation professional—and relied upon as a study guide for those seeking to gain ISA Certified Automation Professional ® (CAP®) certification.

To purchase a copy of the third edition of A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge, click here.

For more details, read the informative author interview
For greater perspective on the value and significance of the updated edition and its areas of new and enhanced content, read the Q&A feature with both co-editors.

About ISA
The International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world.

ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org), an association of non-profit organizations serving as "The Voice of Automation." Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute (www.isasecure.org) and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute (www.isa100wci.org).