HomeJames R. KoelschAutomation World Contributing WriterSoftwareHow Serious Are You About Alarm Management?An Automation World reader survey detects a rising interest in alarm management best practices. It finds that, though many users are investing in new software, many are also missing the boat by giving their alarm philosophy short shrift.DataBattle for Cybersecurity Spreads to SensorsEven the lowest level of the Purdue model has become a target for hackers who want to attack manufacturing facilities. Automation vendors are scrambling to help users defend sensors and other intelligent devices.SoftwareERP Lands Starring Role in Intelligent ManufacturingThe cloud, the Internet of Things, machine learning, artificial intelligence—all are in the script making enterprise resource planning a rising star again.ControlEnergy Efficiency: A Little Knowledge Goes a Long WayThere has been a lot of talk in industry about energy efficiency in manufacturing facilities, but the realities of high cost and limited returns have stymied action. Some best practices, though, could tip cost calculations in favor of moving forward.