I am not an engineer, but I work with engineers every day. I am a communications manager at a company that supplies AdvancedTCA, MicroTCA and AMC solutions to OEMs and also just happens to be a founding participant and current active member company of CP-TA.

So what’s the connection? Why am I involved in CP-TA? Being part of a stable ecosystem that not only supports, but drives interoperability for COTS components based on open standards has its advantages for both the active member and the company sponsor.

CP-TA has really made great progress since its inception. It has "slain the dragons” of ATCA, MTCA and AMC interoperability to the point today where open standards are accepted and are the basis of these robust technologies.

But CP-TA’s work is not done. There are new challenges on the horizon that require renewed focus and innovation on platform interoperability. Emphasis on energy efficiency and new software models due to server virtualization are two areas that come immediately to mind. Tackling these complex issues will require renewed focus within CP-TA and collaboration with SAF, PICMG, SCOPE and other industry organizations to see it through.

My point is – no one, not a design engineer, team or technology company, has to go it alone. Being connected through CP-TA offers opportunities to the engineer to network with other “akin minds” while helping solve problems that are larger than any single company.  To the member company, CP-TA provides a place to share its voice and provide industry leadership in ways that just aren’t practical in isolation.

Keep in mind, any connection is only as strong as one makes it, so get involved! Sign up, join a committee, write a blog or paper, weigh in with your opinion. Be visible. Make a difference. Communicate. During these tough economic times, there is no such thing as too many friends, too many helpful resources or too many good connections.