A Decade in the Automation Industry:
Reflecting on 10 Years of Change
A Decade in the Automation Industry:
Reflecting on 10 Years of Change
By Rylan Pyciak, Founder and CEO, Cleveland Automation Systems
Ten years ago, Cleveland Automation Systems was just an idea and a big step into the unknown. I’d spent years on the road as a controls engineer, programming systems and troubleshooting production lines across the country. After seeing firsthand how many manufacturers struggled with outdated systems and limited support, I wanted to build something different. I wanted CAS to be an automation partner focused on reliability, human-centered design, and long-term collaboration.
What started as a small operation with a few determined clients quickly grew into something more. One of our first big wins came from a large-scale system upgrade project with an ambitious timeline, one that kept us on the road nearly 300 days that year. We delivered every upgrade on time and on budget, and that success helped shape who we are today: problem-solvers who do whatever it takes to help our customers succeed.
A decade later, CAS has grown into a trusted integration partner for manufacturers across the country. Our mission remains the same: help clients operate more efficiently, safely, and intelligently through automation.
But this milestone isn’t just about CAS. It’s also a reflection of how far the automation industry itself has come. Over the last ten years, technology, regulations, and manufacturing demands have transformed at an incredible pace, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way tell the story of that evolution.
The Automation Industry Then and Now: 10 Years of Transformation
Few industries have experienced change at the speed of automation. Looking back, the last decade has redefined how manufacturers think, build, and innovate.
How Technology Has Transformed Automation
Industrial automation has traditionally been slower to adopt new technology compared to consumer industries, but that gap has narrowed dramatically.
A decade ago, most production lines still relied on PLC platforms like Allen-Bradley RSLogix 5000 or Siemens Step 7, with limited connectivity beyond the control panel. Today, open architectures and data-friendly environments such as Codesys and Ignition by Inductive Automation have changed how integrators approach control and information systems. Control systems are becoming hardware-agnostic and allowing for flexibility in deployment.
Data that once lived in isolated machines is now shared in real-time through protocols like OPC UA and MQTT, feeding dashboards, historians, and cloud analytics platforms. Engineers increasingly use object-oriented programming structures, blurring the lines between industrial controls and traditional software development. We’ve even seen the rise of AI-assisted tools—predictive maintenance algorithms, digital twins, and machine-learning-based optimization—that help facilities prevent downtime before it happens.
It’s been incredible to witness this shift from static automation to adaptive, connected intelligence.
New Standards, Safer Workplaces
The past decade has also ushered in major changes in safety and compliance. One of the most visible has been the rise of collaborative robotics. Ten years ago, “cobots” were a novelty, something you might see at a trade show but rarely on the factory floor. Today, manufacturers like Universal Robots, Fanuc, and KUKA have made them a core part of modern production environments.
With this evolution came new regulatory frameworks. The introduction of ISO/TS 15066 and updates to ANSI/RIA R15.06 forced the industry to rethink what “safe collaboration” really means. Integrators had to design systems that allow humans and robots to share space without compromising safety, a challenge that drove innovation in sensors, vision systems, and control logic.
The broader result? A more thoughtful, proactive approach to safety. What used to be seen as a compliance checkbox is now integral to good design.
The Market Demands More Flexibility
Manufacturing demands have evolved just as dramatically. Ten years ago, it wasn’t uncommon for a machine to be built to produce a single product. Today, that level of rigidity would be unthinkable.
Modern industrial automation systems must handle multiple SKUs, product sizes, and configurations all on the same line. The combination of smart servo control, machine vision, recipe-driven systems, and quick-change tooling has made that flexibility possible.
At CAS, we’ve helped clients retrofit legacy equipment with modular controls that integrate with Industry 4.0 and IIoT infrastructures. In one instance, a customer went from two dedicated lines producing separate product variants to a single reconfigurable line capable of switching between products in under 10 minutes. That kind of adaptability isn’t just efficient, it’s essential in today’s competitive manufacturing environment.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Technology moves fast, and staying ahead requires continuous learning and adaptation. At CAS, we’ve made that part of our DNA.
Internally, we’ve invested in modernizing how we work. We’ve implemented tools like Ignition SCADA, Optix, and custom-built data dashboards to give our clients real-time visibility into project progress and performance. Our engineers are trained across multiple platforms, from Rockwell and FactoryTalk to Beckhoff TwinCAT and Omron Sysmac, ensuring we can support whatever environment our clients operate in.
But just as important as technology is education. We’ve made it our mission to help clients understand how to use their systems more effectively, whether that means teaching maintenance teams how to interpret data trends or showing plant managers how to leverage analytics to reduce downtime.
Because industrial automation isn’t just about machines. It’s about people. Our role has always been to bridge that gap, delivering systems that make operators’ lives easier, processes more intuitive, and facilities more productive.
Looking Forward: The Next Decade and Beyond
If the last ten years have been about digitization, the next ten will be about connection: connected systems, connected data, and connected decisions.
Manufacturers are increasingly relying on real-time data to measure performance, identify inefficiencies, and drive continuous improvement. That’s where CAS is headed: helping our clients harness their data and turn it into actionable insight.
Our goal remains simple: to keep providing reliable, well-thought-out industrial automation solutions that evolve alongside our clients’ needs. We’ll continue investing in technology, growing our expertise, and, above all, building partnerships based on trust and results.
When CAS began, I had two goals: to have fun and to deliver excellent customer service. Ten years later, that philosophy hasn’t changed. It’s just grown stronger.
Here’s to the next decade of automation, smarter, safer, and more connected than ever before.
Ready to Transform
Your Operations?
Let us help you achieve measurable success and drive innovation in your business.
Contact Cleveland Automation Systems™ today for a personalized consultation.
About the Author: Rylan Pyciak
Rylan Pyciak, CEO of Cleveland Automation Systems™, is a Systems and Control Engineering graduate from Case Western Reserve University. With expertise in PLCs, robotics, and industrial engineering, Rylan leads CAS in delivering innovative automation solutions. Passionate about mentoring future trades professionals, he combines technical knowledge with a commitment to fostering sustainable growth in manufacturing.