If you've heard much about the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), you may have heard the terms OT and IT.

What do those terms mean? And why do we hear that OT and IT are "converging"?

Let's take a look.

Topics: Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, OptoNews 2016-04-13

Opto 22 knows solid-state relays (SSRs) very, very well. We’ve been manufacturing our optically isolated, epoxy-filled SSRs for more than 40 years, and over that time have gained quite a bit of practical knowledge and experience about using SSRs in applications.

SSRs have replaced electromechanical relays (EMRs) in many applications, thanks to their advantages:

• long service life
• low noise generation
• compact size
• no moving parts
• total absence of arcing

Topics: Tips, SSRs

Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance:

• E1/E2 brain board firmware
• groov Admin update for the groov Box 

Topics: groov, Updates, optonews, Migration, Firmware, OptoNews 2016-03-30

Several products you use or may need have just completed UL testing and are now UL recognized. You'll see them sporting the official UL logo.

The following have all been recently UL approved. 

Topics: optonews, PACs, Integrators, I/O, OptoNews 2016-03-30

Way back in 1883, the Frick Company started manufacturing refrigeration compressors. During the next 100 years they became well known for a variety of reliable refrigeration system components.

By the 1980s Frick began automating their systems with Opto 22 products, and they began to notice a new need in the industry: custom system design and integration.

Topics: Case studies, Process control, Food & beverage, Machine builder, optonews, OEM, Migration, Integrators, Building management, OptoNews 2016-03-30

Some recent Opto 22 products, like the SNAP-UDC-HDB breakout board and the 8-channel SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module, use new spring clamps for wiring field devices.

These spring clamps are faster for wiring and take up less space than the screw type, so they're a real advantage.

They may be a little tricky till you get used to them, though.

Topics: Videos, Tips, optonews, I/O, OptoNews 2016-03-30

Just released: groov R3.1a!

You'll want this new release. It's a big one, with security updates, bug fixes, and lots of new features.

Especially if you like images or want to customize the look of your groov mobile operator interface, this update is for you. You can see many of the new features in action in the new groov graphics video.

Here's a summary of major new features in groov R3.1a. For more information, see the groov App Readme. And stay tuned to OptoNews, as we'll explore some of the new features in depth in later posts.

Topics: groov, Updates, Remote monitoring, Machine builder, optonews, OptoNews 2016-03-16

Interested in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers, but not sure how they're programmed or what our automation software is like?

You can find out now with the PAC Project Demo.

This free download includes everything you need to experiment with Opto 22's PAC Project automation software suite:

Topics: Process control, Remote monitoring, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-03-16

Plan now to attend The Automation Conference & Expo this May in Chicago, Illinois—and save $100 on the cost of admission with your Opto 22 VIP code (see below).

The Conference focuses on the process industries, discrete manufacturing, and packaging, and this year it includes over two dozen educational sessions on:

Topics: Internet of Things, IoT, Machine builder, optonews, PACs, OEM, Events & conferences, Integrators, OptoNews 2016-03-16

"I always recommend that customers configure the PAC Display Event Log to be logged to file," says Bill Steffens, our Product Support Lead.

"If you have an issue, it can be very helpful to track the events in the Event Log over time."

By default, PAC Display shows events only in the Event Log window. But when you reload PAC Display or choose Save and Load Runtime, for example, the Event Log window starts over again; it doesn't retain any previous information. 

Topics: Tips, optonews, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-03-16