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

CODESYS Users Unite

Posted by Janice Colmer on Sep 24, 2019 3:23:49 PM

We hope to see you at one of three CODESYS Users Conferences Opto 22 will be attending and exhibiting at in October.

You might recall one of our EPIC announcements earlier this year was adding more programming options to groov EPIC. One of those programming options is the CODESYS Development System to create IEC 61131-3 compliant control programs. You can choose among Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text, and Sequential Function Charts. And you can expand functionality even more using products from the CODESYS Store.

Whether you're new to CODESYS or have developed with it for a long time, the first annual CODESYS Users Conference North America is an event you won't want to miss. And Opto will be there.

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Topics: CODESYS, IEC 61131-3, groov EPIC

New tech tip videos help you configure your groov EPIC

Posted by Janice Colmer on Sep 18, 2019 7:57:47 AM

Two new videos just added to the OptoU groov EPIC training series to help you with system configuration options.

Have you visited training.opto22.com lately? The OptoU groov EPIC training series continues to expand with videos that provide technical tips for getting the most out of your groov EPIC system.

Here are two recently added videos you might've missed.

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Topics: Training, groov EPIC, OptoU

Making the switch: SNAP PAC to groov EPIC

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 28, 2019 8:46:20 AM

New technical note helps current SNAP PAC users decide if, when, and how to migrate to the new groov EPIC system.

Opto 22 customers have been relying on the SNAP PAC system for their controls and automation applications for over 10 years. But now you keep hearing about the new technology of the groov EPIC system. How is it different? Should you make the switch? What would be the benefits of upgrading, and what issues would arise from making the change?

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Topics: I/O, PAC Display, groov View, groov EPIC, snap pac

New EPIC firmware 1.4: VPN Client, Network Diagnostics, and more

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 22, 2019 9:05:00 AM

Firmware update 1.4.0 is now available for the groov EPIC processor, GRV-EPIC-PR1.

Our engineering team released an exciting new update for groov EPIC this week. Here are some of the highlights.

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Topics: Node-RED, Ignition Edge, CODESYS, groov EPIC, software, serial module, OpenVPN

How to activate your groov EPIC (video)

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 22, 2019 9:03:00 AM

Ready to start using your new GRV-EPIC-PR1, the groov EPIC Edge Programmable Industrial Controller? An EPIC can do so much more than a traditional controller.

But first, you'll need to activate it. Once you've activated, you can:

  • Get future software and firmware updates
  • Receive automatic notifications about updates
  • Build and use web-based HMIs with groov View (the visualization software)
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Topics: Ignition Edge, CODESYS, groov View, groov EPIC, ssh

Calling all Linux and IIoT developers...

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 14, 2019 8:33:58 AM

The Embedded Linux Conference North America is happening in San Diego,
August 19 -23, 2019.

Join us at the premier vendor-neutral conference for developers, the Embedded Linux Conference, combined with the Open Source Summit.

You'll collaborate with other developers, attend technical training sessions, and learn about the latest innovations in Linux and the industrial IoT from over 800 technical experts who are focused on developing open IoT solutions. Both software and firmware developers are encouraged to attend.

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Topics: IIoT, software, Linux, open source software

Recognize your trusted automation suppliers

Posted by Janice Colmer on Aug 12, 2019 8:00:00 AM

Last chance to get your votes in for the annual Automation World Leadership in Automation survey.

Every year as part of their Leadership in Automation program, Automation World magazine asks its readers—that's youto choose their go-to suppliers. These are the automation equipment manufacturers that automation engineers trust the most. 

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Topics: IIoT, Automation World, industrial automation

Start EPIC communication to your serial devices

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 30, 2019 10:56:51 AM

Learn how to set up, install, and communicate using a groov EPIC serial I/O module.

Many industrial automation applications require communication between the controller and multiple serial devices. The GRV-CSERI-4 module provides four independent and isolated serial ports for this purpose. Each port is software configurable to communicate with RS-232 or RS-485 (half duplex or full duplex) serial devices.

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Topics: PAC Control, I/O modules, groov EPIC, I/O, serial module

A discussion of open-source software and SCADA

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 25, 2019 8:30:00 AM

An Automation World podcast poses the question, "Is open-source software a good choice for SCADA?"

A new podcast series, Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered, addresses questions submitted exclusively by its readers and subscribers. Opto 22's Benson Hougland and Terry Orchard recently sat down with Automation World's Editor-in-Chief, David Greenfield, to provide some insight on this open source and SCADA discussion.

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Topics: IIoT, MQTT, groov EPIC, cybersecurity, Linux, open source software

I/O module quality indicator LED sheds light on system status

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jul 22, 2019 10:21:08 AM

New video workshop takes a closer look at the LED quality indicator on groov EPIC I/O modules.

Are you seeing a yellow light on one of your groov EPIC I/O modules? This means that one or more of its values is outside of the expected range. Opto 22 applications engineer Ben Orchard explains why this is important and how to use this feature in a video that's just been added to the groov EPIC hardware playlist.

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Topics: PAC Control, I/O modules, groov EPIC

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