Recently, we have become a member of the International Control Systems Integrators Association (CSIA), making us the first Chilean company - and currently the only one in South America - to form part of this select group of global technology specialists.
As well as this being a recognition of the work we have done over the years, SAUT Automatización values the wide networking possibilities that participating in this organization offers. It is also a step forward as we look to international expansion.
According to the CSIA's director for Latin America, Carolina Casas, Chile had not been on her radar of Latin American integrators in recent years. "It was challenging to get Chilean companies into the association. We drew up a plan, made contacts in Chile with several companies, and SAUT was the first one to become affiliated," she said..
There are two main benefits of being part of the association, according to the executive. First of all, each member company can be contacted from abroad by another affiliate or client to execute projects locally. In addition, that member company can offer its own products and services in other markets through the CSIA contact platform.
Casas said that, when choosing its affiliates, it looks for companies that are interested in getting certified and adopting best management practices in the area where they operate. "That helps them to establish and operate stronger companies," she said.
Víctor Alcafuz, Operations Manager of SAUT Automatización, agrees on the importance of getting certified and implementing management practices adding that the company has already been validated under European and North American standards, such as EN 61439, EN 60204 and UL508A.
"What prompted us to become affiliated with the CSIA was that it supports us in our efforts to sell our products and services abroad while on the other hand giving us a tool that acts as a kind of integrators guide for potential clients," he said. Alcafuz added that, although they have only been CSIA members for two months, they are already seeing very positive results. "We have benefited from very effective, direct and real networking," he said.