In this episode of the Energy Tech Podcast, hosts Jeff Perry and Mike Flores sit down with Paola Paz of Automated Dynamics (ADC) to explore the theme “Factory to the Field: The Next Generation of Industrial Automation.”

Paola shares her journey from sales into applications engineering, where she has become a hands-on problem solver helping customers bridge the gap between legacy equipment and modern automation solutions. From automotive plants in San Antonio to oil & gas operations and emerging data centers, she explains how ADC’s portfolio — including Red Lion, Banner, Pulse, HMS, and Turck — delivers real-world value across industries.

Key topics include:

• The role of applications engineers as “secret weapons” on the factory floor

• How generational mindsets shape adoption of new technology

• Legacy equipment challenges and the risks of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”

• Bridging the IT/OT divide with modern networking and protocols

• The role of edge devices, predictive maintenance, and data logging in industrial transformation

• How AI, cybersecurity, and digital convergence are reshaping the future of automation

If you work in manufacturing, oil & gas, energy, or data centers, this conversation offers insight into real challenges and practical solutions for taking industrial automation to the next level.

https://www.adcreps.com/

https://www.bannerengineering.com/us/en/products/connectivity-technology/snap-signal.html

00:00 – Introductions & Welcome

02:42 – Meet Paola Paz (Automated Dynamics, ADC)

04:48 – Career Journey: From Sales to Applications Engineering

07:42 – The Role of an Applications Engineer (hands-on problem solving)

10:30 – What ADC Represents: Red Lion, Banner, Pulse, HMS, Turck

12:27 – Serving Automotive, Manufacturing, and Oil & Gas

15:05 – Legacy Equipment Challenges in Industrial Automation

17:05 – Generational Mindsets in Controls Engineering

19:34 – Why Critical Assets Stay on Old Technology

22:11 – Safety Risks and Preventative Maintenance

23:46 – Emerging Tech: Banner Snap Signal & Data Centers

26:27 – Power, Connectivity, and Edge Data in Modern Facilities

29:37 – IT vs OT: Bridging the Gap

33:44 – Network Challenges, Protocols, and Training Engineers

36:12 – Convergence, AI, and the Future of Industrial Automation

39:33 – AI Adoption Barriers in Manufacturing

42:58 – Closing Thoughts & Future Episodes with Paola Paz