Women in Industrial Automation - Factory to Field Innovation Ep. 029

Описание: In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, hosts Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Paola Paz of Automated Dynamics (ADC) to explore the theme “Factory to the Field: The Next Generation of Industrial Automation.”
Paola shares her journey from sales into applications engineering, where she has become a hands-on problem solver helping customers bridge the gap between legacy equipment and modern automation solutions. From automotive plants in San Antonio to oil & gas operations and emerging data centers, she explains how ADC’s portfolio — including Red Lion, Banner, Pulse, HMS, and Turck — delivers real-world value across industries.
Key topics include:
• The role of applications engineers as “secret weapons” on the factory floor
• How generational mindsets shape adoption of new technology
• Legacy equipment challenges and the risks of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”
• Bridging the IT/OT divide with modern networking and protocols
• The role of edge devices, predictive maintenance, and data logging in industrial transformation
• How AI, cybersecurity, and digital convergence are reshaping the future of automation
If you work in manufacturing, oil & gas, energy, or data centers, this conversation offers insight into real challenges and practical solutions for taking industrial automation to the next level.

https://www.adcreps.com/

https://www.bannerengineering.com/us/...

00:00 – Introductions & Welcome
02:42 – Meet Paola Paz (Automated Dynamics, ADC)
04:48 – Career Journey: From Sales to Applications Engineering
07:42 – The Role of an Applications Engineer (hands-on problem solving)
10:30 – What ADC Represents: Red Lion, Banner, Pulse, HMS, Turck
12:27 – Serving Automotive, Manufacturing, and Oil & Gas
15:05 – Legacy Equipment Challenges in Industrial Automation
17:05 – Generational Mindsets in Controls Engineering
19:34 – Why Critical Assets Stay on Old Technology
22:11 – Safety Risks and Preventative Maintenance
23:46 – Emerging Tech: Banner Snap Signal & Data Centers
26:27 – Power, Connectivity, and Edge Data in Modern Facilities
29:37 – IT vs OT: Bridging the Gap
33:44 – Network Challenges, Protocols, and Training Engineers
36:12 – Convergence, AI, and the Future of Industrial Automation
39:33 – AI Adoption Barriers in Manufacturing
42:58 – Closing Thoughts & Future Episodes with Paola Paz

Uygar Duzgun / “Fast Life” / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com