I've been covering the evolution of food plant automation at Food Engineering from the first PLCs and total proprietary systems through gateways through open architecture to the present day when vendors claim their software systems all integrate with each other. I've also been writing about consolidation of the food manufacturing industries through acquisitions, mergers and restructuring since the "mergermania" of the late '80s.
Since the merger of Chilton and Cahners, I can better identify with readers who have survived consolidation and must integrate your process control software with new ERP and financial systems.