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

Tech Support Resources Cheat Sheet

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 19, 2025 7:10:38 AM

Need help outside of business hours? Bookmark or save this blog post for easy access to documents and resources that can assist you if you need help with product questions or troubleshooting. 

One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! The dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help you during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).

But what if you need assistance outside of business hours?

Several resources available on our website, accessible 24/7, can answer your questions, explain the details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of the most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses regularly.

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Topics: groov EPIC, groov RIO, Opto 22 product support

Introducing Mayfield Scientific: Your new OptoPartner

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 19, 2025 7:06:36 AM

Opto 22's growing network of system integrators now includes Mayfield Scientific—an experienced IIoT solution provider.

Do you need help integrating, installing, or updating your Opto 22 system? Or implementing an Internet of Things project? An OptoPartner can help.

Opto 22 IoT Certified OptoPartners bring the skills and experience to realize your Internet of Things goals. These partners know both automation systems and IT systems. 

Get to know IoT Certified Mayfield Scientific, learn what projects they can help with, and what regions they service.

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Topics: IIoT, groov EPIC, Ignition, system integrator, OptoPartner

Real-world Results at the Edge

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 12, 2025 7:41:42 AM

Curious how others are solving industrial control and automation challenges similar to yours? Recent case studies show you how.

Whether it’s incompatible systems, saving costs and improving operations, or dealing with end-of-life products, application stories from customers in your field or other industries can give you ideas for solutions. 

Take a look at the most recent case studies in the Opto 22 case study library—we’ve added quite a few over the past year. You can read each story on the web page or download it as a PDF document.

Here are a few case study highlights, so you can see how customers worldwide are solving current industrial automation challenges.

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Topics: Case studies, groov EPIC, groov RIO

Update ready for your PAC Project Software Suite

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 4, 2025 11:45:32 AM

Take advantage of new features, fixes, and improvements in this latest release of the PAC Project software suite, R10.6.

Whether you use Opto 22's basic or professional version of the PAC Project Software Suite, you'll want to hear about some new features and enhancements just added in the latest release.

Let's review the highlights and see what changes you can expect in PAC Control, PAC Manager, and PAC Display.

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Topics: PAC Project, PAC Control, PAC Manager, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, OptoDataLink

Meet the future of mining

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 4, 2025 11:43:06 AM

Don't miss the chance to see live demos of groov EPIC and RIO working with Ignition to solve application challenges in the mining industry.

Here's another event to consider adding to your 2026 trade show and conference schedule—especially if you are in the Western United States: MINEXCHANGE.

This annual event takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 22-25, 2026. Get all the expo details and see where you'll find Opto 22.

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Topics: Events & conferences, groov EPIC, Ignition, groov RIO

How to create a scalable digital infrastructure

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 29, 2025 10:23:50 AM

New Automation World article explains how a tier-one automotive supplier connected legacy injection molding machines for less than $1,000 per machine without writing a single line of code or replacing PLCs.

In case you missed this year's Ignition Community Conference, David Greenfield (Automation World Editor-in-Chief) provides an excellent recap of a "machine monitoring" session in his latest article.

Hear key takeaways from Dan White's presentation on cost-effective ways to get data from your brownfield devices and transform legacy manufacturing to smart machine monitoring.

Then see first-hand how Moriroku Technology North America (MTNA) implemented these machine monitoring tips to elevate their operations. 

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Topics: Case studies, Automation World, Ignition, Ignition Community Conference, groov RIO, machine monitoring

Surety Automation is ready to help with your next project

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 29, 2025 9:43:18 AM

Meet the newest OptoPartner who is ready to design, implement, and maintain your industrial control application.

The OptoPartner program gives you access to companies with expertise and application experience working with all Opto 22 product lines, including groov EPIC and groov RIO.

Surety Automation is the latest company to achieve success with groov product solutions and has received the IoT Certification from Opto 22.

Learn more about their company philosophy and how they can help with your next project.

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Topics: groov EPIC, Ignition, system integrator, OptoPartner, groov RIO, system integration

Machine monitoring made easy

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 22, 2025 8:23:41 AM

New animated video shows how machine monitoring helps your systems run more smoothly.

In a factory setting, automation enhances speed and productivity. But, machine breakdowns can lead to significant downtime costs.

This is where machine monitoring plays an important role. Watch this new video for a fun explanation of what machine monitoring is, how to implement it, and how it can improve your processes without interrupting them.

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Topics: Videos, groov EPIC, groov RIO, smart manufacturing, machine monitoring

Learn how to create SSL/TLS certificates with groov devices

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 22, 2025 8:15:42 AM

This cybersecurity video series demonstrates key product features to keep your systems safe.

Have you visited the Opto 22 video library lately? Along with product overviews and how-to videos, you'll find several developer videos. 

If you've been wanting to know more about all the cybersecurity features that come with groov EPIC and groov RIO, then you'll want to see this video series that covers using self-signed certificates with your groov devices.

The goal is to ensure both trusted and encrypted connections—another way groov products deliver cybersecurity right out of the box. Watch and learn.

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Topics: groov EPIC, cybersecurity, certificate, groov RIO

New case study: Safe water through modern automation

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 15, 2025 7:02:29 AM

See how a simple plan using new technology in a rugged environment provided control and visibility over all operations.

When local leaders in Northern Ecuador commissioned a new regional water treatment plant to supply clean water to 300,000 people across five municipalities, the contractor recognized that modern SCADA and automation were essential for managing the water treatment operations. 

How did system integrator Next Control overcome the geographical challenges, locked hardware platforms, and software licensing costs to make it happen?

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Topics: Case studies, Water & wastewater, groov EPIC, groov RIO, SCADA

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