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

Ready for LoRaWAN?

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jun 20, 2023 1:21:10 PM

IntegrateLive! is back with a virtual workshop that involves LoRaWAN and groov EPIC.

On July 19, 2023, at 8:00 am PDT, the IntegrateLive! team rolls up their sleeves for another hands-on project.

This IntegrateLive! Virtual Workshop will be led by Sarah Sonnier and Jessica Williams from SiteSync, as well as Benson Hougland from Opto 22. They'll focus on using a groov EPIC and the SiteSync MultiTech gateway to set up a full LoRaWAN network stack. (LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide area networking protocol built on top of the LoRa radio modulation technique.)

The setup will include LoRaWAN Network Server, Join Server, and Application Server. Register to attend.

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Topics: Webinars, groov EPIC, IntegrateLive!, LoRaWAN

StrataVu brings an EPIC solution to oil and gas projects

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jun 13, 2023 10:56:35 AM

New Opto 22 technology partner Strata Innovative Solutions announces StrataVu: software that empowers programmers of all levels.

Looking for an affordable way to manage and automate your well pads?

Opto 22 is excited to announce we've partnered with another leader in digital transformation and the oil and gas industry: Strata Innovative Solutions.

The Strata engineering teams bring a deep understanding of the process, agile engineering, and systems integration that speeds efficiencies and reduces costs. Strata’s advanced capabilities offer customers unique advantages with edge-to-cloud solutions that transform data into actionable information and deliver it at scale to the people who need it—anytime and anywhere—while keeping cybersecurity at the forefront.

Which is why their latest software offering, StrataVu, fits perfectly with the out-of-the-box cybersecure, industrial edge controller groov EPIC.

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Topics: Oil & gas, IIoT, groov EPIC, edge computing, digital transformation, Technology Partners

MAC Automation is ready for your projects

Posted by Janice Colmer on Jun 7, 2023 6:30:00 AM

Welcome MAC Engineering & Automation as an IoT Certified OptoPartner.

Looking to get started with an Internet of Things (IoT) project or application? MAC Engineering & Automation can help. They just received IoT certification from Opto 22 engineers based on their success in applications using groov EPIC and RIO.

Opto 22's Southeast Regional Manager, Dan White, recently worked with the team from MAC and shared:

"MAC Automation's expertise in designing and implementing complex industrial automation solutions makes them a perfect fit as an OptoPartner. With a deep knowledge of control systems, robotics, and process optimization, MAC Automation can collaborate with Opto 22 to deliver more innovative solutions."

Hear from MAC Automation on how they can help you with your next project.

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Topics: IIoT, groov EPIC, OptoPartner, edge computing, groov RIO, SCADA

Another groov EPIC factory training in the books

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 24, 2023 9:17:51 AM

Opto 22 headquarters welcomed students to the May 2023 groov EPIC Premium Factory Training class.

The value of in-person, instructor-led training at the Opto 22 factory and headquarters is evident after working with another great class of Opto students this week—all eager to become groov EPIC experts. And kudos, once again, to the team of Opto trainers who devote their time to developing a class curriculum that is beneficial for all levels of engineering and types of applications.

This month, students made the trip to California from Texas, Oklahoma, Utah and even Canada to attend and spend 4 days immersed in the groov EPIC system—learning all its features, capabilities, and programming options.

If you haven't attended training yet, we hope you can join us at one of our upcoming classes.

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Topics: Training, groov EPIC, Factory Training

True North Solutions brings oil & gas experience to OptoPartner program

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 24, 2023 8:56:19 AM

Welcome True North Solutions as the newest OptoPartner in Opto 22's system integrator network.

The OptoPartner program is growing rapidly in 2023, and we're pleased to announce we just added another new member: True North Solutions. With headquarters based in both Colorado. USA and Alberta, Canada, they offer a wide range of services that includes IIoT solutions, cybersecurity, industrial telecom, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering.

Opto 22's Northwest Regional Manager, Bruce Campbell, has been working with True North Solutions and shared:

"True North Solutions is an important new integration partner for Opto 22. They have a long history in automation in the Oil and Gas industry in Colorado and Western Canada, two areas that have been big adopters of Opto 22's groov EPIC control system. Their expertise in designing and implementing turnkey control systems will help us deliver complete solutions to customers."

Learn more about their experience and expertise.

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Topics: CODESYS, groov EPIC, OptoPartner, groov RIO

groov system configurator debuts new features

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 17, 2023 10:29:27 AM

Try out the beta version of the online system configurator to start designing your groov EPIC and RIO control systems together.

Have you tried out previous versions of the groov EPIC Configurator or groov RIO Explorer tools on our website? Customers, integrators, and our own Opto engineers regularly use these interactive resources for technical guidance.

Now the two groov configurators have been combined into one detailed online design system. Instead of planning your EPIC and RIO systems separately, you can plan them together. Configure groov EPICs (including processors, licenses, power supplies, I/O modules, and chassis), groov RIOs (all three types), and groov software in a complete system.

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Topics: groov EPIC, groov RIO, interactive demo

Using security certificates with Opto 22 Node-RED packages

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 17, 2023 10:22:24 AM

New video shows how to access data no matter where your Node-RED server is running.

The Node-RED how-to video series continues with some tips on using certificates. Recent videos in the series covered why you should run Node-RED on groov devices, and how to install and configure Opto 22 Node-RED packages for PAC Control, groov I/O and groov View.

Now Terry Orchard is back at the demo desk to show you how to use both self-signed and Certificate Authority certificates to help move data between groov RIO and EPIC, no matter where your Node-RED server is running.

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Topics: Videos, Node-RED, groov EPIC, developer

Case Study: Clearing Harmful Algal Blooms

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 11, 2023 11:32:14 AM

AECOM, Ecosa, ENGraphted, and Opto 22 team up for a new solution to a complex environmental problem.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes, rivers, and oceans are an increasingly severe problem worldwide. HABs can produce toxins that harm humans, kill fish, smother aquatic life, and destroy tourist economies. 

If you were headed to Florida as a tourist in 2016 or 2018, you would have witnessed this devastation. Due to massive algae blooms, Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency and closed beaches on both coasts. The invasive, toxic blue-green algae choked many freshwater lakes, rivers, and residential waterways as well.

Faced with the ugly, slimy, stinky water, not just tourists but residents and business owners who did not have the ability to leave the area were stuck. The toxic slime threatened human health and devastated tourism-related businesses, as dead fish and aquatic life piled up along the shorelines.

Available solutions for HABs weren't ideal, so Dan Levy of AECOM put together a team to develop a new process for removing the algae. Read about the process, how they developed efficient algae harvesters, and what the harvested biomass is used for in this new case study.

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Topics: Case studies, groov View, groov EPIC

A different approach to digital evolution

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 11, 2023 11:27:17 AM

New OptoPartner Axiom Manufacturing Systems focuses on helping small and midmarket manufacturers achieve digital transformation.

With proven IoT expertise in the manufacturing sector, Axiom Manufacturing Systems can give you practical help with digital technology. Their Opto 22 IoT Certified partnership comes as a result of several recent applications utilizing both groov EPIC and groov RIO, most notably the Indiana Energy Insights project discussed in one of our previous blog posts. 

See their application experience and the solutions they offer by visiting the Axiom partner page.

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Topics: IIoT, groov EPIC, OptoPartner, groov RIO, digital transformation, manufacturing

Building Operations Simplified

Posted by Janice Colmer on May 4, 2023 1:41:29 PM

Meet new OptoPartner True Data Ops—dedicated to continuous equipment monitoring with the help of groov RIO.

We are pleased to announce another new member joining the OptoPartner program this month: True Data Ops—providing IoT solutions for predictive maintenance, asset management, energy monitoring, and more.

TDO took an immediate interest in the groov RIO product line to help them deliver the data access you need to make important financial and operational decisions.

Read about their application experience and signature projects.

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Topics: IIoT, OptoPartner, groov RIO

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