The first step toward reducing your energy spend is to analyze your utility bill.

In my previous blog post, “Why Consider Energy Monitoring” I proposed that acquiring data was essential to any project targeted at reducing an organization's energy spend. I also touched on how the electric utility bill for industrial users can be complex.

If you are considering monitoring your energy and power, a good first step would be to get a hold of and understand that bill. I thought I would analyze and share my thoughts on Opto 22’s bill, as it is probably very similar to the one for your industrial or commercial facility.

The Eclipse Foundation recently announced the Sparkplug international standard achievement.

Sparkplug, the MQTT specification that enhances the way your Opto 22 groov systems communicate and operate, has achieved the ISO/IEC 20237:2023 International Standard Status. It’s a significant milestone in the IIoT world, particularly for Opto 22 and our users. As you know, Opto 22 adopted Sparkplug years ago because of its reliability, efficiency, and plug-and-play functionality in modern IIoT architectures. It’s nice to see the rest of the industry accepting and adopting this groundbreaking tech.

Watch how Opto 22's Terry Orchard is designing and spreading some EPIC holiday cheer this season.

As we near the end of 2023, the Opto 22 team would like to extend our warmest wishes and gratitude to all our customers, and dedicated OptoPartners and distributors for making it a successful year. We thank you for your continued business and support. 

From the Opto headquarters in Temecula, California, USA, to all our customers and partners worldwide, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. But, we'd like to give you a token of our appreciation on a slightly smaller EPIC scale. Watch and see what our busy technical content creator, Terry Orchard, has been cooking up for the holidays.

Take your groov View HMI to the next level!

Are you building HMI screens to use with your groov EPIC (GRV-EPIC-PR1 or GRV-EPIC-PR2) or groov Server for Windows (GROOV-SVR-WIN-BASE)? We can help! We've just debuted a new section of the Opto 22 website where you can find all your SVGs, PNGs, GIFs, product images, and logos in one convenient location.

Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers

OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works.

In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it.

Learn advanced design techniques for groov View in the latest groov workshop video.

Opto 22's Paul Hardt shows you ways to make your groov View operator interface even better—with a basic layout structure, a grid for lining up HMI elements, and layered gadgets. With browser-based groov View, you can easily build an HMI to see and interact with exactly what you need. groov View is included with groov EPIC and groov Server for Windows. 

Recently, Paul showed you the groov View Quick Start Guide, outlining 3 simple steps to an HMI. This time he takes a deeper dive into what you can do with the more advanced features of the design tool.

Watch: Advanced HMI Design Techniques with groov View.

Learn and experiment with your own updated groov EPIC Learning Center 2

The new groov EPIC Learning Center 2 is in production now—and it includes even more features and capabilities than the original! See what's included in the new GRV-EPIC-LC2, and be ready to take on your industrial automation and IIoT applications.

A complete package of fully functioning EPIC hardware and software, the groov EPIC Learning Center is designed as an integral part of our free OptoU Online Training at training.opto22.com.

So what's new this time around?

Learn the different options available to you for free product support from Opto 22.

You deserve support that's as reliable and efficient as the automation solutions you implement. At Opto 22, we stand by this principle by offering you free, unlimited technical support, a token of our gratitude for your business and trust. Unlike other automation companies that charge a fee for support, we ensure that you have access to expert help in any form you need it, at no extra cost—because your success is our success. Here's how we make good on that promise.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Manufacturing Hub Network podcast for an in-depth discussion on industrial cybersecurity.

Still learning the best ways to keep your industrial control systems secure and ready to defend against cyber attacks? October was ICS Cybersecurity month, and the hosts from the Manufacturing Hub Network podcast focused on it all month long.

Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith welcomed back Opto 22's Benson Hougland to the podcast to wrap up their security series.

Join us for the SPS event in Nuremberg.

Here's another opportunity to see live groov EPIC and groov RIO product demos in Europe!

Opto 22 returns to Nuremberg this year for the annual SPS (Smart Production Solutions) event, taking place
November 14-16, 2023.

The SPS - Smart Production Solutions exhibition covers the entire spectrum of smart and digital automation, and its focus is on practical solutions for your specific business area.