Port Kembla steelworks was partially evacuated recently after a 20 tonne overhead coal trolley was ignited by a gas fire.

Cisco Systems announced a rugged switch designed for deployment in harsh environments.

WhereNet provides wireless location and communications solutions for managing mobile resources. Siemens, by partnering with WhereNet, expands its suite of MOBY radio frequency identification (RFID) systems to include wireless, real-time applications for locating, tracking and providing status information on mobile assets.

Rockwell Automation has expanded its Allen-Bradley VersaView industrial computer line with the VersaView CE industrial computer, combining the Microsoft Windows CE platform with rugged computer hardware designed specifically for industrial applications.

A specialist training program introduced by South Australian pipe fittings manufacturer Philmac is providing managers with the opportunity to further their careers by obtaining formal business administration qualifications while at work.

Queensland-based IT company Technisyst Computing has formed a strategic alliance with a leading US software developer, to deliver cutting edge software that will help companies and organisations increase their productivity.

Citect has announced two separate partnership agreements with major European automation companies Felten Automation GMbH and Brains in Motion (BIM) to provide integrated solutions for the regulated manufacturing industries.

The CKR Automatic Vision Inspection System has won the 2003 Advanced Imaging Award in the Machine Vision category. This is an annual US Imaging award.

Willett International Limited announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Danaher Corporation.

ABB has signed a full service maintenance agreement with Carter Holt Harvey, an Australian-Asian forest products company. The five-year contract, worth US$10 million annually, covers all maintenance services for the Kinleith mill in Tokoroa, New Zealand.

Level is the process measurement for which suppliers are eagerly pursing wireless solutions. The characteristics of a tank farm exemplify why wireless is appropriate for such applications. Storage tank locations are generally not central to the control room, requiring added costs for digging trenches, laying conduit, associated labour, engineering and maintenance.

World trade rebounded in 2002, growing by 2.5% compared to a 1% decline in 2001. But the real story is in the detailS. China and the transition economies are gaining prominence while The Americas, Western Europe, and Japan are stuck in neutral.

The three major fieldbus organisations are behind an initiative to standardise an Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL).

Global manufacturing commerce solutions provider QAD has announced a partnership with Queensland IT consultancy, F5 Systems Integration.

The Australian Information Industry Association and Gilbert + Tobin have launched the Software Legal Guide. Written in layman's terms the guide provides a broad overview of both the legal and business issues involved in running a software business.