Industry News, Trends and Technology, and Standards Updates

Implementing CIM300

Posted by Brent Forsgren on Oct 26, 2017 11:34:00 AM

I have fond memories as a kid spending Saturdays working on the family cars with my dad. We would dive in to taking things apart and putting them back together again. Whatever the problem was we could figure it out and fix it. With cars from the 1960s and 1970s, there wasn’t too much risk with this approach to car repair. Today, I still like to do my own car repairs when I can. But cars nowadays are far more complicated and compact. I have learned that I can’t just jump in and wing it with any hope of getting it done right or in a timely manner. My experience has taught me to rely on the experience of others, learn from their lessons and save myself from late nights asking, “what have I gotten myself into?”

Cimetrix CIM300TM tool kit out of the box has already implemented a lot of the GEM 300 work for you. Notice I said “a lot” and not “all” of the work for you. To complete your GEM 300 application, your software will have to integrate with CIM300. The GEM 300 standards can be quite complex and some of the scenarios have intricate details. CIM300 provides a rich set of APIs and callbacks to help you implement a compliant GEM 300 solution. The key to success is knowing how to use the APIs and callbacks for the different GEM 300 scenarios.

The SEMI E87 Carrier Id Status state model, pictured below, is just one of many state models defined in the GEM 300 standards.

Carrier ID Status State Model for CIM300Figure 1 CARRIER ID STATUS STATE MODEL

There are several transitions in this state model and intricate conditions that determine which transition should be triggered. CIM300 supports this state model, but it requires interaction with your application to know which transition to make in the state model. In my experience, most people handle the happy path scenarios correctly, whether they're “winging it” or had formal training. However, I have rarely seen people handle the error scenarios correctly, without training on GEM 300 and CIM300. While understandable, error scenarios are often hard to follow and the implementation differences are subtle. The risk of doing it wrong in the software will execute the wrong transition in the state model, which in turn sends the incorrect event to the GEM host. The wrong event could really mess things up for the host. In both the happy path and error scenarios, the CIM300 API to call is the same:

CMSLib::CCxE87CMS::CarrierAtPort

However, how you specify the parameters to the call, it is different for each scenario. The differences in how you call the API will trigger different transitions in the state model. Our documentation for this one API call alone is longer than this entire blog post. That is how important it is to get it right. In addition to our product documentation, Cimetrix also provides CIM300 training and sample applications illustrating how to use our products.

I strongly recommend taking advantage of our CIM300 training. Training is the best first step to integrating CIM300 with your tool application. Training is typically a week long and provides an overview of the GEM 300 standards as well as hands-on experience using CIM300. The goal for Cimetrix in training is that by the end of the week-long training, clients have completed an implementation of a GEM 300 happy path scenario. That is, you receive hands-on experience using CIM300 to implement carrier verification (SEMI E87), creating and running a process job (SEMI E40) and control job (SEMI E94), tracking substrates (SEMI E90), and tracking equipment performance (SEMI E116).

Make sure you also leverage the sample applications that accompany CIM300. The sample applications provided with CIM300 give a jumpstart on integrating CIM300 with your own application. You can use the sample application as a reference for how to use our APIs and callbacks, copy/paste portions of the code into your own code, or use our application as a starting point for your own software. If you’re like me, you like having working source code you can refer to for concrete examples of how to do things and to see how things should work together.

If you dive right in and start implementing CIM300 without training or mentoring from an expert, you may find yourself spending a lot of late nights asking yourself, “what have I gotten myself into?” A little training goes a long way in simplifying the implementation!

Find out more about CIM300 or request a Technical Product Overview and/or Product Demo today!

Request CIM300 Resources

Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Products, GEM300

Meet the Team: Alan Weber, Vice President, New Product Innovations

Posted by Cimetrix on Oct 5, 2017 1:20:00 PM

Cimetrix-Alan_Weber_copy.jpgJoin us as we meet the Leadership Team of Cimetrix in our “Meet the Team” series.

Alan Weber is currently the Vice President, New Product Innovations for Cimetrix. Previously he served on the Board of Directors for eight years before joining the company as a full-time employee in 2011. He has been a part of the semiconductor and manufacturing automation industries for over 40 years. He spent eight of those years as a Program Manager for SEMATECH, 18 as an Engineering Manager at Texas Instruments, and nearly 10 years as President of his own company, Alan Weber & Associates, Inc. Weber holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Rice University.  

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What brought you to Cimetrix originally?

I first met Bob Reback in the early 90s when he was working at Thesis, one of the leading semiconductor automation software companies at the time, and I was at Sematech, the research consortium tasked with charting a collaborative path to success for domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry. We were both at one of the early Advanced Process Control conferences, and as we talked, it was clear we shared not just a few interesting days in Dallas, but compatible visions for our respective organizations, basic value systems, and a genuine enthusiasm for working in this domain. We stayed in touch thereafter, crossing paths a few times over the next decade. When Bob took over the reins at Cimetrix and needed to re-populate the Board of Directors with industry expertise, he thought of me… and in 2002 I joined the Board.

Eight years later, after getting to know the entire management and technical team, we all agreed that working inside the company would be an ideal match, and I joined Dave Faulkner’s Marketing department.

What's your favorite thing about working here?

One aspect of the job here I especially enjoy is having a broad set of long-range objectives and the freedom to pursue them as I see fit. This works well both for me and Cimetrix because the current job requirements and my skills and experience are very well aligned.

What do you think makes a great VP of New Product Innovation?

A large part of this role requires an understanding of the technology and market trends that affect our industry, so it’s important to have sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to see the big picture and spot these trends. International experience is also key, since the industries we serve are increasingly global.

Do you have a favorite quote/saying? Why?

I have favorite sayings for lots of situations, but I suppose the one that’s universally applicable is “Live every day.” This helps me find joy and gratitude in almost everything I do.

How do you deal with challenges that come up in your work life?

I first step back and ask myself the question “What’s the best use of my time right now?” and see if the answer helps me decide what to do next to address a particular challenge.

If that doesn’t work, I ask another question: “What’s the absolute worst thing that could happen in this situation, and what impact would that have?” Then I assess the likelihood of this actually happening… which is usually very small. From this perspective, the fear of imagined negative consequences evaporates, and I can focus on the problem objectively without the emotional distractions.

If that still doesn’t work, I ask myself “How would Mac have handled this?” He was my mentor for many of the years I worked at Texas Instruments, and never seemed to get ruffled by any challenge that would arise… and there were plenty of examples to draw from.

What do you like to do in your free time?

First of all, I don’t believe there is such a thing as “free time.” We all get the same 24 hours a day to work with, and they are all equally valuable! That being said, I enjoy a variety of activities outside the office.

My wife of 40 years, Kathy Allen-Weber, and I enjoy travelling together, whether it’s visiting family in Texas, friends across the U.S. and Europe, or ticking global destinations off of our “bucket list.”

Music has been a big part of my life since I was very young. I sing and play guitar on the worship team at our church, perform with local choral groups whenever possible, and still play the flute from time to time. Kathy and I also like many genres of classical music, and are especially fond of opera.

I also like being outdoors, and Utah’s climate and scenery are ideal for this. I also still play a little tennis, and have recently taken up pickleball!

What's the best thing that's happened to you in your time working at Cimetrix?

One of the best things that happened to us over the last five years was the move to Utah. Both being Texas natives, Kathy and I weren't sure how quickly Utah would feel like home, and were pleasantly surprised to find it was almost immediate. Moreover, moving from a big city (Austin) to a small town environment was like taking a 30-year step back in time—a refreshing transition at this point in our lives.

 

 

Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Meet Our Team

Meet the Team Series: Dave Faulkner, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Posted by Cimetrix on Sep 27, 2017 11:09:00 AM

Cimetrix-Dave_Faulkner_copy.jpgJoin us as we meet the Leadership Team of Cimetrix in our “Meet the Team” series.

Dave Faulkner joined Cimetrix in August 1996 and serves as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to Cimetrix, Faulkner was employed from 1986 to 1996 as the Manager of PLC Marketing, Manager of Automotive Operations, and District Sales Manager for GE Fanuc Automation, a global supplier of factory automation computer equipment specializing in programmable logic controllers, factory software, and computer numerical controls. He earned a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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What brought you to Cimetrix originally?

I worked for GE for 18 years and was constantly moving to new locations and new jobs.  It was a fabulous education in business and large company dynamics.  I had the chance to work in every major industry focused on automation.  Especially interesting was the car manufacturing industry.  It was also the time when Jack Welch ran GE so I learned from his leadership styles.  But big companies are hard to impact, cause change and make your own way.  When I turned 40 it was time for a change. A GE friend introduced me to Bob Reback and then next thing I knew my family was moving to Utah to join a small company on a journey to introduce PC based control for robotics. I was interested in this same topic at GE, so it was right up my alley. 

What's your favorite thing about working here?

I get the chance to work with companies and people all over the world.  Learning to do business in Europe, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and across the U.S. brings new challenges and fantastic people.  Every country/place is unique and I love trying to understand the motivations and customs of business in each country.  The more I know, the more I realize I don’t know. We have fabulous employees in each of these locations and learning from them is inspirational.  In addition to our international set of customers, think of the international make-up in our company.  We have employees from China, Vietnam, Japan, Russia, India, Korea, France, and even Texas.  At Cimetrix, we can learn so much about the world.

What do you think makes a great account manager and salesperson?

I think this has to do with walking in our customer’s shoes, not selling them something.  Most of our customers have been our business partners and friends for 10 years or longer.  As an account manager, you have to understand how to make your customers successful both professionally and personally.  The revenue comes to us with this attitude.  While the account manager may lead the charge, this thinking permeates the company which is why we have so many long-term customers.  Heck, we have customers that come join us as employees!

Do you have a favorite quote / saying? Why?

I don’t, but I do search out a new quote every day.  It makes me think.  It makes me laugh.  Once a month, I find one that really hits home and I send it off to family and friends.  Einstein had some good ones.

How do you deal with challenges that come up in your work life?

I actually like a good crisis.  It stops you in your tracks and makes you think about how you got there.  What process needs work, why did I make an error, and how can I remain calm and think through the options.  Don’t let emotions take control, do the right thing, and do it quickly. Easy to say, hard to do.  Challenges are such learning experiences.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m somewhat of a speed demon.  I like to do things that involve speed.  Full speed on ice hockey skates, snow skiing in and out of bounds, full bore across the wake on a slalom ski, corners on my motorcycle, and my right foot might be a bit heavy in the car.  Those are my adrenalin outlets. My calming time will find me in a national park, on a river with a fly rod, enjoying a cup of strong coffee in a kayak, or being a plumber or tiler.  What can I learn next?

What's the best thing that's happened to you in your time working at Cimetrix?

Being part of building a great company.  We have something really special here at Cimetrix.  It took a lot of work by our whole team over the last 25 years.  Being part of that will be with me forever.  And the best is yet to come. Priceless.

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Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Meet Our Team

Meet the Team Series: Bill Grey, Distinguished Software Engineer

Posted by Cimetrix on Sep 7, 2017 2:04:08 PM

Cimetrix-Bill_Grey_copy.jpgJoin us as we meet the Leadership Team of Cimetrix in our “Meet the Team” series.

Bill Grey holds the title of Distinguished Software Engineer at Cimetrix. He joined Cimetrix in 1999 and has filled multiple roles since that time. Grey has been developing software for more than 25 years in a variety of industries including Philips Broadcast Television Systems, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and the U.S. Geological Survey. He specializes in Windows software development, Scrum/Agile development, software architecture, software processes, and the software life cycle.

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What Brought you to Cimetrix originally?

I had been working at Philips Electronics  when they shut down their division in Salt Lake City. Cimetrix was looking for a programmer to bring Windows programming into Cimetrix and I was able to fulfill that role

What's your favorite thing about working here?

Basically the people. The Cimetrix team is respectful, intelligent, honest and hardworking. As a group they follow the Cimetrix values and everyone is always willing to help each other.

What do you think makes a great software engineer?

You never "know everything" because the practice changes so quickly so it's important to have perseverance and the ability to learn.

What was the most interesting technical challenge that you’ve worked on at Cimetrix?

The most interesting technical challenge was our CIM300 product. It took many iterations of the SEMI standards over several years before the standards matured enough to be widely adopted. Dealing with different interpretations of gray areas of the standards, as well as industry requirements that were “more open” than the standards specified was a real challenge.

What is the next engineering project that you want to work on?

There are two interesting engineering projects I'd like to work on. The first is Requirements Engineering. Companies must cement how requirements are defined for new products and new product features. Processes, roles and responsibilities, and even education are required for the teams tackling Requirements Engineering. As we do a better job at defining requirements, more time will have to be spent in that phase. However, in the long run, it will reduce the amount of rework done, which is one of the biggest wastes of time in technology companies.

The second project is built-in product diagnostics. Being able to build into all our products self-diagnostics and potentially self-healing, the support team would see their workload reduced and of course it enables the customer to solve any issues without having to turn to outside help.

How do you deal with challenges that come up in your work life?

I tend to tackle thing from both sides.  I like to surround my problems and make them submit.  I like to work at the highest level for a bit, until some ideas start to come out, then I'll dive all the way through the solution to the bottom levels.  Somewhere in-between is the solution waiting to surrender

What do you like to do in your free time?

My hobby is hobbies. I have way too many to list from blacksmithing to guitars to woodworking. I change so often that I am truly a man of many talents and a master of none.

What's the best thing that's happened to you in your time working at Cimetrix?

I met my wife...I think that sums it up pretty well!

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Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Meet Our Team

Meet the Team Series: David Francis, Director of Product Management

Posted by Cimetrix on Aug 30, 2017 11:21:00 AM

Cimetrix-David_Francis_copy.jpgJoin us as we meet the Leadership Team of Cimetrix in our “Meet the Team” series.

David Francis—Director of Project Management—has worked in the semiconductor industry for more than 26 years providing software and services in manufacturing automation. Prior to joining Cimetrix in 2010, Francis worked as an Engineering Manager at Applied Materials from 2007 to 2008, as both the Director of Product Engineering and the APF Product Manager at Brooks Automation from 2000 to 2007, and as the Director of Operations at Auto-Soft Corporation from 1993 to 1996. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and an MBA from the University of Utah – David Eccles School of Business.

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What brought you to Cimetrix originally?

I knew Bob Reback from back in the early days of my career. I was doing equipment integration services for Motorola in Austin, TX using the products Bob was selling. Years later I worked with Mike Thompson, who sits on the Cimetrix board, for many years when he was at AutoSimulations/Brooks Automation. Mike connected me with Bob again and it was a good fit.

What's your favorite thing about working here?

Without a doubt, it’s the people. I really love the people I work with here at Cimetrix. It also doesn’t hurt that it is a pretty exciting technology field that is enabling the manufacturing of all our new electronic gadgets.

What do you think makes a great Engineering Manager?

I think a great engineering manager is someone that can inspire developers to be creative and look for new ways to improve the products they work on while also establishing the discipline necessary to ensure consistent, high-quality products.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying? Why?

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” I think in today’s world everyone is too worried about being heard – we aren’t listening to others. Often the divide between two different viewpoints isn’t as wide as it first seems, but it takes communication and listening to get a true understanding so you can build a basis for coming together.

How do you deal with challenges that come up in your work life?

I am one who likes to talk things through. I like to get different perspectives on how problems can and should be handled.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy boating and waterskiing with my family. I also love to tinker and fix things – it’s like solving a puzzle.

What's the best thing that's happened to you in your time working at Cimetrix?

Being part of the management team working to define roles and responsibilities to position Cimetrix for healthy growth now and in the future.

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Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Meet Our Team

Cimetrix Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Posted by Cimetrix on Aug 22, 2017 12:30:00 PM

On Friday, August 18, Cimetrix held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders at our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. We were excited that sixty percent of Cimetrix shareholders were represented at the meeting. There were two proposals submitted by management and both approved, receiving over 90% of votes cast.

After the formal shareholder meeting was adjourned, Dave Faulkner, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, gave a presentation on our Cimetrix products and markets. Following Dave’s presentation, Bob Reback, President and CEO, provided his perspective on the state-of-the-company and outlook going forward. 

We appreciate all of our shareholders and are grateful to those that attended the meeting either in person or via proxy. As always, we thank our shareholders for their continued confidence and support.

Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Investor News

Meet the Team Series: Richard Howard,  Director of Technical Operations

Posted by Cimetrix on Aug 8, 2017 11:30:00 AM

Cimetrix-Richard_Howard3_copy.jpgJoin us as we meet the Leadership Team of Cimetrix in our “Meet the Team” series.

Richard Howard - Director of Technical Operations—has over 30 years of experience in both vertical and custom software development, and has been with Cimetrix since 2011. Howard previously worked for Murata Machinery USA/ICIS, Inc. as a Senior Software Engineer and Principle Software Engineer. During that period, he worked with large companies such as Honda, Fuji Film, Jet Blue, Fed Ex, Ford, Sony as well as many others involved in manufacturing and distribution. He also has been in various roles for firms developing software for credit unions, banks, insurance, leasing, home automation and medical records. He has degrees in Business and Engineering from the University of Utah and is a Professional Scrum Master.

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What brought you to Cimetrix originally?

I spent a large portion of my career working in the Automated Material Handling System industry. There is something about controlling equipment with software that I found intriguing. When I left that industry, and tried working in businesses that didn’t involve equipment control, I found myself bored and unchallenged.  When I saw an opportunity to get back with a small company that was involved with equipment control, I jumped at it. 

What's your favorite thing about working here?

The people at Cimetrix.  Our team is comprised of the best group of people I have had the privilege of working with, both professionally and personally, in my life.

Your role at Cimetrix has covered a few different areas over the years. What do you enjoy most about your current position?

Two things:  1.  I get to work with the entire organization and everyone in it. 2. The work is always challenging.  

Do you have a favorite saying? Why?

My favorite saying is one my father used to say to me through my teenage years: “No matter what you do in life, always do a good job and learn everything that you can.” I have found great wisdom in those words as I have advanced through life.

How do you deal with challenges that come up in your work life?

The only thing you really can do, address them as they arise.  If there were no challenges, what would be the point of getting out of bed in the morning?

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have several hobbies that I rotate between depending on my mood.  I like to golf and enjoy getting out as much as possible.  I like cooking, home remodeling projects, woodworking, attempting to play musical instruments and, of course, being a grandpa.

What's the best thing that's happened to you in your time working at Cimetrix? 

The best thing was joining Cimetrix.  I have enjoyed every opportunity and every challenge that I have been given.  I like to get up each morning and get to work.  Working at Cimetrix is great!

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Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Meet Our Team

Cimetrix Mid-Year Update

Posted by Robert H. Reback: President and Chief Executive Officer on Jul 11, 2017 10:04:00 AM

Cimetrix-Bob_Reback_copy.jpgYou may have noticed that there is a lot of positive news regarding the semiconductor industry and market for capital equipment. As such, we thought it would be appropriate to provide a mid-year update on Cimetrix’s performance.

We are pleased to report that Cimetrix is benefiting from a combination of the industry upcycle as well as the hard work of our employees to improve our products, build long-term relationships with our clients, and provide the highest level of support to our growing base of international clients. In addition, the benefits that Cimetrix is experiencing after going private in 2014 are higher than anticipated. As expected, the company is saving a significant amount per year in accounting, legal and consulting fees that were necessary for SEC filings, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and investor relations activities.  However, in addition to these financial benefits,  what we didn’t anticipate was the tremendous increase in focus and energy on our clients, markets and growth initiatives that has resulted, which has greatly exceeded our expectations.Cimetrix revenues for the first six months of 2017 were over $4M, up more than 40% year-over-year. Much of this increase was associated with strong increases in machine shipments from our growing client base. Cimetrix also gained over a dozen new design wins during the first half of 2017, which positions the Company for continued growth. In addition, Cimetrix introduced two new products in the first half of 2017, which have not contributed significant revenue yet, but are both gaining traction in the marketplace.

While Cimetrix no longer submits SEC filings, we have maintained strong internal controls and financial accounting. Our finance team was justifiably proud when a leading regional accounting firm completed its audit of our 2016 financial statements and made no audit adjustments. Cimetrix continues to operate profitably on a quarterly basis, while increasing investments in growth initiatives. For the first six months of 2017, adjusted EBITDA increased to over 15% of revenues to over $600K. All indicators show the markets Cimetrix serves should remain strong for the second half of 2017. The robust growth in revenues has enabled Cimetrix to further strengthen its cash position, balance sheet and stockholders’ equity. We continue to have no debt and now have $2.5M in cash.

Cimetrix continues to build its global brand as the leader in innovative factory automation software for equipment connectivity and control solutions by attending, presenting and exhibiting at industry tradeshows and events. These venues are a great place to meet face-to-face with clients, reinforce Cimetrix experts as industry thought leaders, and interact with many others in our chosen markets. It is exciting to participate in shows around the world as we expand our global presence.

We thank our clients for their business and trust in our products and people. We thank our employees for their dedication, hard work and quest for continuous improvement to provide the industry’s best products and services. And we also thank our shareholders for the confidence they have placed in us, as well as their patience and support.

Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Investor News

Cimetrix International, Inc., Taiwan Branch美商矽美科國際股份有限公司台灣分公司

Posted by Michael Lee; Country Manager Taiwan on Jun 14, 2017 11:30:00 AM

Michael Lee of Cimetrix announces the Taiwan Office Opening. Read now in Chinese or English.

當工廠的產品需要加入更多的功能,交期需要更迅速,工資需要提高,智慧製造提供了一個最好的解決方案。美商矽美科所提供的工廠自動化軟體,提升了聯繫工廠主機與設備控制在半導體、電子組裝、太陽能模組、發光二極體等相關的電子產業。我們在工業界領先的產品,給予客戶用較低的成本、客制化生產、迅速上市,並集中在成功實行工具控制與SEMI標準。

我很榮幸在今年二月進入美商矽美科。我們和知名的半導體廠商、印刷電路板商、設備商、機器人製造商等客戶合作,而這些公司給予我們最佳的評價。矽美科帶給他們一個極為經濟、有效率和聯繫良好的方案。我們提供了CIMConnect, EDA等產品來滿足廠商不同的需求。

Cimetrix Diagram

矽美科台灣辦公室將在5月31日開幕。我們感謝我們的客戶跟合作夥伴。我們將帶給你更方便、更熱情的服務,並展望在台灣及中國服務更多半導體、電路板和面板廠商。 

台灣銷售辦事處:

Cimetrix International, Inc., Taiwan Branch
美商矽美科國際股份有限公司台灣分公司4F., No.301,
Sec. 2, Tiding Blvd,
Taipei 114, Taiwan, R.O.C.
中華民國台灣台北市堤頂大道二段301號4樓 114

電話: +886-926395649
聯絡人:Michael Lee


When it comes to adding product functionality, shortening delivery time, or increasing wages, smart manufacturing provides the best solution. Cimetrix provides factory automation software which increases host connectivity and equipment control for semiconductor, electronics assembly, photovoltaic, LED, and related electronics industries. Our industry-leading products focus on successful implementation of tool control and SEMI connectivity standards to enable faster time-to-market, increased customization, and decreased total cost of ownership.

I was honored to join the Cimetrix team in February earlier this year. We work with major semiconductor companies, PCB manufacturers, equipment vendors, robotics specialists and more. I was happy to know that everyone I've worked with has high praise for this company.  Cimetrix can bring their customers and clients connected products that are efficient and cost-effective. Cimetrix offers a large portfolio of products such as CIMConnect, HostConnect, and EDA to meet the various needs of their customers.

blog diagram.png

The Cimetrix International, Inc., Taiwan Branch officially opened on May 31, 2017. Thanks to all our partners and customers. We hope to continue to bring you convenient and passionate service. I am looking forward to working with all our current and future customers in Taiwan and China! 

Contact Us:
Cimetrix International, Inc., Taiwan Branch
4F., No. 301,
Sec. 2, Tiding Blvd,
Taipei 114, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Phone: +886-926395649
Contact: Michael Lee

Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Global Services, Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0

Meet the Team Series: Jodi Juretich, CFO

Posted by Cimetrix on Jun 8, 2017 11:45:00 AM

JCimetrix-Jodi_Juretich_copy.jpgoin us as we meet the Leadership Team of Cimetrix in the second post in our “Meet the Team” series.

Jodi Juretich joined Cimetrix in May 2007 and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in November 2008. She has over 15 years of experience in executive accounting management for private high-growth companies and 10 years of public accounting experience. Prior to joining Cimetrix, Jodi was Vice President of Finance for two venture funded private companies, General Manager for a subsidiary of Monster.com, and an Accounting Manager with a division of The Times Mirror Company (Los Angeles Times). She has played key roles in raising venture capital in start-up organizations and led Cimetrix in implementing and managing the new Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements. Jodi earned a bachelor's in Business Management from Westminster College. Juretich grew up in Titusville, Fl., where her father worked for NASA, but has been living in Utah for almost 20 years. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Utah Foster Care Foundation.

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What brought you to Cimetrix originally?

I moved to Salt Lake City in 1996 and I celebrated my 10-year anniversary with Cimetrix this year. It’s an interesting story of how I got connected with Cimetrix and proof that networking works! A local CFO consulting firm had my resume which they passed on to a local CPA firm, which happened to be Cimetrix’s CPA firm at the time. They passed my resume on to Cimetrix and the rest is history. I was attracted to Cimetrix because it was a small company and had strong leadership with heart and passion.

What's your favorite thing about working at Cimetrix?

Most definitely the people, without a doubt. Cimetrix’s core values include Integrity, defined as “Upholding the Highest Ethical Standards in Everything We do”. I could not work for a company where bad behavior or unethical practices were tolerated.

What do you think makes a good CFO?

A good CFO must be suspicious of everything and can’t be bamboozled by anyone, no matter the circumstances. I am responsible for making sure the books are clean, people are doing what they say they are doing and we are making decisions based on increasing shareholder value and not personal or “alternative” agendas.  I am proud to say that we have our financials audited by independent third-party auditors each year and this year, we did not have any audit adjustments. My peers in the finance world know that’s no simple accomplishment. I have an incredible accounting team and they are committed to maintaining solid internal controls to prove there is no monkey-business going on.

CFOs at smaller and mid-size companies often wear a lot of different hats, tell us about your experience with that.

I have worked for small companies for most my career and have had similar experiences at all: You must be agile as a CFO of a small company because there are not layers of people to delegate responsibilities to. You must recognize your own capacity in terms of work load and technical expertise and know when to ask for help. Establishing good relationships with third-party professionals as well as your own network is vital. No one knows everything and you must be prepared to call on those relationships when necessary.

Do you have a favorite quote?

“If you say you can, you will, if you say you can’t, you won’t.” I continue to be amazed at what we, as human beings, are capable of. During the mortgage crisis when businesses were closing right and left, including many of our clients, Cimetrix survived. A business must have grit to survive hard times and Cimetrix has lots of grit.

How do you deal with challenges that come up in your work life?

I like to reflect on the Basic Principles, which I learned from a wonderful employer a long time ago.  

    • Focus on the situation, issue, or behavior, not on the person.
    • Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of others.
    • Maintain constructive relationships.
    • Take the initiative to make things better.
    • Lead by example.
    • Think beyond the moment.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Since 2012, I’ve been competing in triathlons, completing 3 half Ironman’s and 2 full Ironman’s in the last 4 years. This year, I am committed to relaxing a little more, taking a few more vacations with my husband and son and work in my garden.

What's the best thing that's happened to you in your time working at Cimetrix?

The best thing that’s happened to me at Cimetrix is the professional growth, feeling that I make a difference and friendships made. Cimetrix is a great place to work.  

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Topics: Doing Business with Cimetrix, Cimetrix Company Culture, Meet Our Team