OptoBlog

Janice Colmer

Janice has worked at Opto 22 for nearly 20 years and is part of the marketing team that strives to share new and relevant content with the automation industry. She enjoys books, camping, country music, and spending time with family and friends.
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Recent Posts

Top 10 Videos of 2024

Posted by Janice Colmer on Dec 10, 2024 1:28:56 PM

Check out the popular topics and most-watched videos of the year on OptoVideo—Opto 22's YouTube channel.

Do you find yourself on YouTube when looking for tips or advice on projects? Whether it be for personal hobbies or your job, chances are you've gone down a YouTube video rabbit hole—and gotten some great advice.

For the past several years, programmers, engineers, technicians, and other industrial automation professionals have gotten help from the video content created by Opto 22 developers and engineers. Are you one of the almost 30,000 OptoVideo subscribers? They, along with other YouTube users, have contributed to the over 3 million video views the Opto channel has received so far.

So what videos have proved to be most valuable this year? Let's take a look at Opto 22's Top 10 Videos of 2024.

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Topics: Videos, Node-RED, groov View, Factory Training, Anniversary

Turn legacy equipment into data gold

Posted by Janice Colmer on Dec 4, 2024 9:44:52 AM

Tune in to this month's IntegrateLive! virtual workshop to see how groov RIO can help you get actionable insights from legacy equipment in record time.

Legacy equipment has earned its place in your operations—built to last, reliable as ever, and still getting the job done. But for all its dependability, these systems often have one glaring flaw: they’re data blind.

You can’t manage what you can’t measure, and with legacy systems, it’s like trying to navigate with a compass in a GPS world. They generate valuable data, but getting it out and putting it to use? That’s another story. Adding sensors, upgrading infrastructure, or even attempting to connect these systems to modern data platforms often comes with prohibitive costs, long timelines, and significant operational disruption.

Join Benson Hougland from Opto 22 and Graeme Welton from Flow Software in the latest IntegrateLive! Virtual Workshop (Dec. 18 at 11 am EST) as they tackle adding data acquisition, machine monitoring, history, and trending capabilities to unconnected legacy equipment for immediate ROI.

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Topics: groov RIO, IntegrateLive!, virtual workshop

Learn the language of modern manufacturing

Posted by Janice Colmer on Dec 4, 2024 9:34:54 AM

Make plans to attend ProveIt!—a first-of-its-kind conference that aims to prove to manufacturers the viability of IIoT solutions.

ProveIt! is where industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts converge to explore the latest advancements in digital transformation and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies through education and application.
 
How is this event different? Vendors have to show more than flashy sales & marketing... they have to PROVE IT! 

Opto 22 is a proud sponsor, exhibitor, and participant in the first ProveIt! event, hosted by 4.0 Solutions. This conference is tailored for manufacturers, Can you join us for this ground-breaking event in Dallas, February 18-20, 2025?

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Topics: Events & conferences, IIoT, industrial automation, digital transformation, IIoT System Architecture, manufacturing

Your new year's resolution: become an edge controller expert

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 20, 2024 11:31:09 AM

2025 offers you a chance for hands-on edge controller instruction & tips for choosing the best programming options for your control applications.

In-person training sessions at Opto 22 headquarters help you expand your skill set and find easier ways to meet your application challenges. The 2025 groov EPIC Premium Factory Training class schedule has been announced, so don't miss your chance to get first pick of the class dates you'd like to attend.

Learn system components and configuration, networking capabilities, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and communication methods that you can apply to your own industrial automation application. You might just build a complete solution before you leave! And now is the time to reserve your spot.

See what this week's groov EPIC training experience was like, then register to join us for the next class! We've also included a short video to give you a preview of what you can expect.

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Topics: Training, groov EPIC, Factory Training

Top 10 takeaways from ICC 2024

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 13, 2024 8:50:57 AM

Flexware Innovation hosts a discussion with Ignition Community members as they reflect on this year's Ignition Community Conference.

Did you attend ICC 2024 in person? Or were you able to livestream the 3 days of action-packed learning about Ignition software? The Opto 22 team shared some highlights from this year's event and a behind-the-scenes perspective on how the famous ICC Build-a-Thon panels were designed.

Now you have another opportunity to review the most significant Ignition product announcements and hear how Ignition could be the missing piece needed in your industrial applications.

Tune in to the upcoming webinar hosted by Flexware Innovation: Top 10 Takeaways from ICC 2024.

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Topics: Events & conferences, Ignition, Ignition Community Conference, webinar, Cirrus Link Solutions

Are you battling protocol compatibility on the plant floor?

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 6, 2024 9:12:18 AM

New video provides some practical solutions to consider in the age of TCP/IP.

Looking to digitally transform your operations, but your existing machines don't support newer protocols like MQTT or OPC UA?

Don't worry, you're not alone. Legacy industrial control systems are still operating everywhere today. But don't settle or wait for them to fail. 

It's time to learn more about modern edge devices that can bridge the gap between old and new.

This new 1-minute video is a great conversation starter on the topic.

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Topics: Videos, MQTT, groov EPIC, edge computing, groov RIO, OPC UA

Reimagining road safety

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 6, 2024 9:09:06 AM

OptoPartner eBiZolution teams up with local authorities in the Philippines to enhance traffic monitoring systems with groov RIO.

With the rapid growth of vehicles on the road, local authorities in the Philippines faced an increasingly demanding responsibility to keep the roads safe. To address this challenge, they worked with eBiZolution, a leading systems integrator and certified Opto 22 OptoPartner in the Philippines, to create the Motor Vehicle Registration and Enforcement System (MVRES).

In this new case study, find out how eBiZolution leveraged the versatile groov RIO to build a system that enhanced traffic monitoring and improved vehicle safety across the archipelago.

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Topics: Case studies, OptoPartner, groov RIO

Boosting Productivity with Scalable Monitoring

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 30, 2024 11:21:22 AM

See how Costa Farms optimized large-scale operations with live production data from groov RIO edge I/O.

Accelerated growth in any industry can result in gaps in production tracking as a business experiences growing pains. Is your machinery interacting with other systems to produce meaningful data? 

Costa Farms had to face this obstacle as it shifted its focus toward optimizing operational efficiency to keep up with large-scale production needs.

See how groov RIO edge I/O came to the rescue in this new case study.

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Topics: Case studies, Node-RED, groov RIO

The IIoT has never been easier

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 30, 2024 11:17:00 AM

New podcast discusses key takeaways and benefits from using open source technology.

Are you thinking about investing in IIoT but don't know where to start? It used to sound like a futuristic concept, but industrial internet of things technologies are here and you don't want to be left behind.

IIoT protocols like MQTT and Sparkplug are becoming more popular for good reason—and an important part of Opto 22's groov EPIC and groov RIO product lines.

Tune in to this new podcast, Unplugged: An IIoT Podcast for a better understanding of the role MQTT, TCP/IP, and VPN play in the IIoT. 

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Topics: IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, MQTT, Sparkplug, podcast, open source

Learn more about innovating with Ignition

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 23, 2024 8:48:46 AM

Attend an upcoming webinar hosted by Inductive Automation for some inspiration on how you can use Ignition in your projects to solve application challenges.

What takes a controls project from run-of-the-mill to showcase-worthy?  Travis Cox, Inductive Automation's Chief Technology Evangelist, is ready to show you during an upcoming webinar you don't want to miss.

Make plans to attend: The Making of World-Class Control Systems

Travis will be joined by current Ignition customers whose successful applications landed them a coveted spot in this year's ICC Discover Gallery. See what else this webinar has is in store...

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Topics: Webinars, OptoNews 2015-12-02, groov EPIC, Ignition, OptoPartner, groov RIO, Inductive Automation, SCADA

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