Wondering how to implement MQTT with groov EPIC? Follow along with this series, starting with basic string publishing.

Ever since ‘00, when the next year rolls around I think, “Welcome to the future!” Every year it feels much truer, and how could 2020 be any less? (UPDATE: 🤦) I’m excited about what we have planned for you this year. Among other things, we’re upping our commitment to MQTT in a big way. Stay tuned for announcements on that in the coming months.

For the moment, though, I want to address the current feature set groov EPIC offers for MQTT, the lightweight pub-sub communication protocol for IoT. With so many ways to do it—via groov Manage, Node-RED, or Ignition Edge—you may be wondering which, if any, is right for your application. In this series, I’m going to look at different scenarios where you might want to use MQTT, then show you how to get started.

Topics: Node-RED, MQTT, EPIC, groov EPIC, groov Manage, MQTT implementation

Watch these new groov EPIC videos for tips on using your Modbus TCP devices with groov View, PAC Control, Node-RED, and Inductive Automation's Ignition software.

Opto 22 engineer Ben Orchard is back in the Opto 22 studio with several new video lessons on communicating to Modbus TCP devices with a groov EPIC processor.

For each lesson, Ben is using a groov EPIC Learning Center (GRV-EPIC-LC) along with a Modbus SATEC P130 power meter, which is measuring the voltage and frequency of the mains power in our studio. 

Topics: Modbus, PAC Control, Node-RED, groov View, groov EPIC, groov EPIC Learning Center, Ignition

groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about.

(Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!)

Topics: Firmware, EPIC, groov View, groov EPIC

The end of 2019 is quickly approaching, and the Opto 22 team is once again preparing for the holidays.

As we look back on 2019, it was another EPIC year that included exciting new features and changes for the groov EPIC system. Here's a recap of some of the highlights and our upcoming holiday schedule.

Topics: groov EPIC, holiday hours, holiday schedule

This newly released video walks you through using a serial to USB converter with your groov EPIC PR1 controller.

In our latest video, Applications Engineer Ben Orchard is back to give you step-by-step instructions for reading serial data via the EPIC's USB port with a RS-232 to USB converter.

Topics: Training, serial, groov EPIC, groov EPIC Learning Center

Opto 22 speaks up for open-source software.

For this month’s IoT feature in Design World magazine, Opto 22 had the chance to weigh in on the value that open-source software brings to industrial automation.

Some key points for the industry:

• Open source is everywhere in the enterprise and consumer sectors, powering innovation in products, services, and projects we all know.
• Open source changes the economic model for industry, freeing engineers and end users from the trap of vendor
  lock-in.
• Open source accelerates innovation and offers key technologies that empower IIoT growth.

Topics: Node-RED, groov EPIC, Linux, open source software

Three more companies join the OptoPartner program to give you cutting-edge IIoT product solutions.

Do you need help integrating, installing, or updating your Opto 22 system? An OptoPartner can help. OptoPartners have a proven track record of working with Opto 22 industrial control products (like the groov EPIC system).

And if you need help on an industrial internet of things (IIoT) project, contact one of our IoT OptoPartners.

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

If you are using PAC Control with either SNAP PACs or groov EPIC, please be aware of an urgent bug fix related to how the control engine configures PID loops.

The issue affects:

• SNAP PAC firmware R10.0a - R10.0f: It is advised you update to SNAP PAC firmware R10.0h immediately.
• groov EPIC (all versions): We recommend you update to groov EPIC R1.4.4.

If you are using PID loops, check your strategy after updating to make sure everything works as you expect. 

Topics: Updates, Firmware, PAC Control, groov EPIC, snap pac

The latest SNAP PAC firmware release is now available for the SNAP PAC system.

If you are using any of the following SNAP PAC system controllers or brains, you'll want to take a look at the new R10.0h update: 

• SNAP PAC S-series
• SNAP PAC R-series
• SoftPAC
• SNAP PAC SB brains
• SNAP PAC EB brains
• G4EB2 brains

Topics: Firmware, PAC Manager, snap pac

Opto 22 is once again partnering with Inductive Automation for a free all-day seminar in downtown Chicago on November 19, 2019:
Digital Transformation Made Easy with Ignition and MQTT: Learn how Combining IT & OT Empowers Innovation Within Your Enterprise

Topics: MQTT, Ignition Edge, groov EPIC, Ignition, Discovery Day