RajB KNRao Conference Director, Birmingham Polytechnic Condition Monitoring and Diagnostic Engineering Management (COMADEM) is a relatively new field that has already made its mark in a wide range of industries. But all the signs are that even more will be required of researchers in the field over the next decade, for COMADEM directly addresses a whole range of issues that are likely to become increasingly important to companies as competitiveness increases along with the uncertainties resulting from rapid technological change. Already for example, businesses are having to scrutinize the economics of plant and machinery in greater detail than ever before; reliability is becoming a crucial factor as the costs of unscheduled breakdowns rise and there is increasing pressure on companies to demonstrate and assure improved health and safety conditions, especially in light of the growing number of catastrophic accidents that have occured throughout the world. Because it offers solutions to these and similar problems, COMADEM is now gaining an international reputation as a problem-solving, user-friendly and financially beneficial multi-discipline with immense potential. Many people at the senior management level are now convinced that COMADEM has much to offer and are wasting no time in reaping maximum benefit from the latest developments. The fact that the first UK informal seminar on COMADEM - COMADEM 88 - proved to be a great success and had a truly international flavour reflected this growing interest in the new field.