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

New year, new options for MQTT

Posted by Janice Colmer on Dec 23, 2020 12:58:03 PM

Join HiveMQ and Opto 22 for an introduction to MQTT Sparkplug: Plug 'n Play Interoperability for IIoT.

You might recognize HiveMQ as one of the world's leading educators on MQTT. The enterprise-class HiveMQ MQTT broker has been helping companies like BMW, Daimler, Moen, and Acer connect devices to the Internet securely and scalably since 2012. It has made them one of the fastest growing companies in Germany. Opto 22 recently partnered with HiveMQ to demonstrate the power of MQTT/Sparkplug B on products like groov RIO for an upcoming webinar.

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Topics: MQTT, groov RIO, webinar

2020 Holiday Greetings and End-of-year Schedule

Posted by Janice Colmer on Dec 16, 2020 11:06:29 AM

The end of 2020 is quickly approaching, and for many it's probably a welcome relief. 

As we reflect on an unusual year, we want to convey our deepest appreciation to all our customers, distributors, partners, and loyal Opto users. We are grateful for your support and commitment to Opto 22 products. Despite the challenges of 2020, we're dedicated to serving you.

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Topics: groov EPIC, holiday hours, holiday schedule, groov RIO

Webinar: Innovative solutions with MQTT and Ignition 8

Posted by Janice Colmer on Dec 7, 2020 2:58:26 PM

Join Cirrus Link Solutions and Opto 22 for a new webinar highlighting advanced features of MQTT and Ignition 8.

You'll want to add this important webinar to your December events schedule. Arlen Nipper, co-inventor of MQTT and CTO of Cirrus Link Solutions, will once again be hosting an informative virtual event showcasing the latest features of MQTT and Ignition 8 software (the latest release from Inductive Automation). Opto 22's Benson Hougland will also be hosting and providing live product demonstrations of this new technology.

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Topics: Webinars, IIoT, MQTT, groov EPIC, Ignition

Your MQTT questions answered

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 23, 2020 8:31:41 AM

New resource page gives you one place to find everything you need to know about getting started with MQTT.

You might have heard MQTT mentioned in a previous OptoBlog series, or have seen it included in our groov EPIC and groov RIO product features, and perhaps you've watched a few videos about it in the Opto Video Library. But, do you still have questions? You're not alone. Engineers and automation professionals want to be educated on this popular IoT protocol, and we're here to help.

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Topics: MQTT, groov EPIC, groov RIO

Your guide to networking groov products

Posted by Janice Colmer on Nov 9, 2020 11:12:41 AM

Updated technical guide provides instructions for setting up communications between your Opto 22 groov products and your systems and equipment.

Are you using one or more of Opto 22's groov products? Our documentation team has just updated the "Guide to Networking groov Products" to help you securely monitor, control, and move data between your automation equipment and computer networks, including the internet. 

Networking can be a complex subject, and connecting both operation technology (OT) and information technology (IT) can bring up some security concerns. We're here to simplify that process.

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Topics: groov, Networking, Node-RED, MQTT, Ignition Edge, groov server for windows, groov EPIC, groov RIO

Create your groov EPIC and RIO drawings with Lucidchart

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 22, 2020 1:50:10 PM

New website resources include libraries of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) of groov EPIC and groov RIO products for use in Lucidchart.

A recent blog post sharing our Microsoft® Visio Stencil libraries proved to be very a popular and useful tool for our Opto 22 followers. So, we've added more website resources and options for helping you with your Opto 22 drawings and diagrams. 

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Topics: groov EPIC, HMI, groov RIO, Lucidchart

OptoPartner program going strong

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 22, 2020 1:48:30 PM

Welcome two more integration companies with groov EPIC and RIO expertise to the OptoPartner program.

It's always exciting to see how Opto 22 products are used in field applications and our growing list of OptoPartners gives customers even more options for finding their ideal product solution. OptoPartners are experienced and skilled in using our industrial control products and are qualified to help with integrating, installing, and maintaining Opto 22 systems.

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Topics: Integrators, groov EPIC, groov Manage, system integrator, OptoPartner, groov RIO

New videos help you start programming with groov RIO and Node-RED

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 14, 2020 2:00:26 PM

Opto 22's Node-RED expert Terry Orchard shares a new series of videos for developers to help get the most out of your groov RIO.

Our Node-RED videos continue to be one of the most watched series on our website and YouTube channel. Included in both groov EPIC and groov RIO, Node-RED is an open-source software program used to wire together devices, databases, cloud applications, and APIs (application program interfaces) with simple logic flows. It's growing in popularity, and engineers, programmers, and developers are hungry to learn more. 

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Topics: Videos, Node-RED, groov RIO

New guide to using MQTT/Sparkplug B

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 13, 2020 1:56:42 PM

Waiting to dip your toe into the MQTT pool? Jump into this new user guide, and get started with MQTT and Sparkplug B on your Opto 22 groov products.

If you're already an OptoBlog subscriber, chances are you've become familiar with the MQTT protocol. We understand it can be a little daunting to take the leap into a new approach, though, so we expanded and revised our popular four-part MQTT blog series to create a complete guidebook for lightning fast MQTT publication on Opto 22's groov EPIC and RIO.

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Topics: IIoT, Node-RED, MQTT, Ignition Edge, groov EPIC, groov Manage, groov RIO

groov RIO is in the running for the 2021 Engineers' Choice Awards

Posted by Janice Colmer on Oct 8, 2020 9:35:08 AM

groov RIO has been announced as a finalist for Control Engineering magazine's annual awards program.

It's that time of year again! Control Engineering just revealed their line up of new products that represent some of this year's best innovations in control, instrumentation and automation.  Products fall under 29 different categories ranging from hardware, IIoT, machine control, and motion control, to network integration, power, process control, safety and software.

We're pleased to announce that Opto 22's groov RIO has been named a finalist in the I/O Systems category. Now it's up to engineering and automation professionals like yourself to cast your votes to determine the 2021 winners.

VOTE NOW

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Topics: Awards and recognition, groov RIO

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