In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Mfg, Gary Cohen and Stephanie Neil talk with Adrienne Meyer, CEO of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), about why system integrators are becoming more essential than ever in modern manufacturing. As companies push ahead with AI, digital transformation, robotics and smarter automation, integrators are the ones connecting systems, software and operations to make those investments actually work.

Meyer shares how the role of the system integrator is evolving beyond traditional controls work into data-centric, networked and AI-aligned solutions. She also discusses the biggest trends shaping the market right now, including workforce shortages, brownfield upgrades, cybersecurity demands and the growing opportunities in data centers, semiconductors and defense.

The conversation also looks at the value CSIA brings to the integration community, why collaboration remains so important in a competitive market and what attendees can expect from the 2026 CSIA Conference in Baltimore.

• (00:00:00) - System Integrators: Driving the Future of Manufacturing
• (00:07:01) - Meet Adrienne Meyer: New CEO of CSIA
• (00:09:50) - The Role of CSIA and System Integrators
• (00:17:47) - Current Trends and Opportunities in System Integration
• (00:22:34) - Upcoming CSIA Conference Highlights
• (00:25:41) - Navigating Change in System Integration
• (00:30:02) - Addressing Workforce Shortages and AI Adoption
• (00:31:49) - Technological Opportunities and Disruptions
• (00:35:58) - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions