Real Time Automation's John Rinaldi Accepted into Forbes Technology Council; Champions Scalable, Open Smart Manufacturing

Industrial networking expert and author joins invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives.

PEWAUKEE, Wis., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Real Time Automation (RTA), a global leader in industrial networking solutions, today announced that John Rinaldi, Founder and Chief Strategist of Creating Industrial connectivity products, has been accepted into the Forbes Technology Council.

John was selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a proven track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, recognized technical leadership, and substantial personal and professional achievements in industrial automation and communication technologies.

As a pioneer in industrial networking, John has authored six industry-standard books—including Industrial Ethernet, Modbus, and OPC UA: The Everyman's Guide—along with more than 100 articles on industrial communications. Through his leadership at RTA, he has dedicated decades to simplifying plant-floor connectivity, eliminating proprietary vendor lock-in, and helping manufacturers of all sizes modernize legacy systems into connected, smart operations.

"We are pleased to welcome John Rinaldi into the community," said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes the Forbes Technology Council. "The Forbes Councils' mission is to bring together recognized leaders in their industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and achieve a greater impact on the business world."

As an accepted member of the Council, John will collaborate with senior technology leaders in a private forum and work with a professional editorial team to share expert thought leadership via original business articles on Forbes.com. His contributions will focus on data modeling, industrial AI prerequisites, interoperability, and practical digital transformation strategies for discrete and process manufacturing.

"I am honored to join the Forbes Technology Council," said John S. Rinaldi. "True digital transformation and industrial AI cannot succeed without addressing the real challenge on the factory floor: standardizing and contextualizing data at the edge. I look forward to collaborating with fellow technology executives and contributing practical, reality-grounded insights on how manufacturers can build reliable, scalable architectures."

About Real Time Automation

Headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Real Time Automation (RTA) has been delivering industrial connectivity solutions since 1989. RTA specializes in making industrial networking simple, reliable, and accessible through protocol gateways, embedded software, and expert consultation. Backed by its commitment to world-class customer support and tailored solutions, RTA helps manufacturers and OEMs worldwide move vital operational data seamlessly across legacy and modern automation ecosystems. For more information, visit rtautomation.com.

About Forbes Councils 

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Technology Council, visit forbestechcouncil.com.

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SOURCE Real Time Automation