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

Meet your new OptoDistributor in Australia

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 12, 2024 12:20:15 PM

Binford Tech delivers state-of-the-art engineering innovations for your digital transformation projects.

Good news for those of you in Australia: Binford Tech is now your official Opto 22 distributor! Whether you need a replacement part, information and training on the groov EPIC and groov RIO product lines, or help migrating legacy industrial systems to Industry 4.0 standards, Binford Tech is ready to help you.

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Topics: IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, groov EPIC, industrial automation, groov RIO, digital transformation, OptoChannel

Think beyond the traditional PLC

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 6, 2024 12:06:03 PM

The latest episode of The Automation Podcast walks you through a product demo that shows you what's possible with today's edge controllers.

If your applications are starting to require more than just the traditional PLC, here's an opportunity to get an "under the hood" look at the groov EPIC (Edge Programmable Industrial Controller) and groov RIO edge I/O. 

Opto 22's Director of Technical Marketing, Dan White, was recently asked to be a guest on The Automation Podcast. This podcast is one of the many resources hosted by Shawn Tierney on the Automation Blog website, along with his weekly Automation news show on LinkedIn.

Shawn knows his audience well and asks the questions that you want answered about new technologies and how they are used in the industrial automation space. Dan is eager to teach and help you make informed decisions about how to solve your automation problems.

In just under an hour, you'll get a better understanding of how groov EPIC and RIO give you new tools for your projects. Watch and learn.

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Topics: groov EPIC, industrial automation, podcast, groov RIO

New video: Find your ideal industrial automation manufacturer

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 5, 2024 1:53:29 PM

Looking for an innovative source to help with your application challenges?

What's on your list of requirements when selecting a supplier? How about 50 years of reliable products made in the U.S.A., multiple technologies for your digital transformation, and free product support and training?

That's the Opto 22 difference, and our engineering and sales teams are ready to help you with your projects.

Discover what makes Opto 22 different in this new, one-minute video.

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Topics: Videos, SSRs, groov EPIC, snap pac, groov RIO, Opto 22 product support

Reserve your seat for groov EPIC training

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 31, 2024 12:38:26 PM

Don't miss your 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. We only have a few classes left this year and seats are filling up fast! 

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.

Hear what this month's students had to say about their groov EPIC training experience. Then register to join us for the next class!

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Topics: Training, groov EPIC, Factory Training

Watch: Happy Anniversary Opto 22!

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 22, 2024 10:17:05 AM

Check out our fun, new video featuring our five-decade journey to see what products started it all and how far technology has come.

What's important to you in an industrial automation supplier? We often hear about reliability, innovation, and long-term support being at the top of that list. Rest assured, Opto 22's product philosophy incorporates all those ideals. 

You can feel secure in your product designs and confident in a manufacturer who is here to help support and achieve all your long-term project goals. 

Whether you’re looking for a product to take you to the next level of control and data communications, want a reliable automation system proven over many years, or just need another SSR to accompany that dusty, guaranteed-for-life one in some dark enclosure, Opto 22 is the place to come. 

This new video is a fun look back on how we got here. Please join us in celebrating 50 years of our company and product philosophy. We're glad you're along for the ride.

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Topics: Videos, Opto 22 product support, product philosophy, product design, Anniversary

OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 16, 2024 9:39:26 AM

Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs).

What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations?

Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.

In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions.

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Topics: Case studies, OEM, PAC Control, groov EPIC, sdk

Break Through with Opto 22 at ICC 2024

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 15, 2024 12:41:59 PM

The annual Ignition Community Conference is your opportunity to see how Ignition software can provide new, innovative solutions for your projects and industrial applications.

The exciting tradition continues as Inductive Automation recently announced the dates and theme of this year's Ignition Community Conference. We invite you to attend the 2024 Ignition Community Conference taking place September 17 - 19th in Folsom, California, and experience your own "A-ha!" moment. 

Meet industry thought leaders, see innovative Ignition use cases, and learn from Ignition experts. And of course, meet with Opto 22 engineers and see live demos of groov EPIC and groov RIO working together with Ignition.

This year's "Breakthrough" theme is focused on three categories designed to educate about Ignition software:

  • Keynote speakers, exhibitor presentations, and table talks
  • Product announcements revealing software version updates and exciting new features
  • Discover Gallery with videos and project demonstrations of real-world Ignition application scenarios from a variety of industries, from all over the world

This event has sold out the last few years, so get your tickets now! Attend in person or with a livestream pass.

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Topics: Events & conferences, groov EPIC, Ignition, Ignition Community Conference, groov RIO, Inductive Automation, energy monitoring

Case Study: Varland Plating Upgrades 30-Year-Old Legacy System

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 8, 2024 2:26:33 PM

How do you go from serial comms to serious SCADA without downtime or compromise?

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Varland Plating has provided high quality, precision barrel-plated finishes to their customers since 1946. Varland manually performed plating operations until the early 1990s. Then automated systems improved turnaround times and product quality. More recently, the company saw the advanced capabilities of Opto 22's groov products—smaller equipment footprint, Ethernet, data visibility, and more—and entered a new era of industrial automation.

In this case study, find out how Varland Plating was able to bring a 30-year-old automation system into the future without downtime or compromising their SCADA goals.

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Topics: Case studies, groov EPIC, serial module, Ignition

Webinar Recording: Assembling the Puzzle Pieces of Digital Transformation

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 8, 2024 1:45:20 PM

Learn how all the pieces of digital transformation come together to add another level of data connectivity and security to your projects.

Did you attend last month's Digital Transformation webinar? The discussion revolved around data, connectivity, and cybersecurity, so you can improve your industrial processes. In case you missed it or would like to watch it again, here's your chance!
 
Webinar host Inductive Automation released the recording of the complete presentation so you can watch on demand. Opto 22 joins fellow Inductive Automation Solution Partners for a step-by-step demonstration of how to build a scalable system for SCADA, MES, IIoT, and Digital Transformation.
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Topics: Webinars, groov EPIC, Ignition, groov RIO, digital transformation, Inductive Automation

Learn about the world of SCADA

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jun 24, 2024 2:35:42 PM

Join Opto 22 and several industry experts at the first annual OT SCADA CON event in Houston.

Dive into the world of operational technology and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems with industry experts and fellow enthusiasts. Opto 22 is a proud sponsor of a first-of-its-kind SCADA event taking place in Houston July 25–26, 2024: OT SCADA CON.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to expand your knowledge and grow your professional network. It promises to be the perfect chance to connect, learn, and network in person.

OT SCADA CON is for controls people, maintenance staff, technicians, and sales professionals to learn all about operational technology and the world of SCADA.

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Topics: Events & conferences, groov EPIC, industrial automation, groov RIO, SCADA, OT data

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