Check out this recent episode of the Fourth Generation Podcast for an in-depth discussion on the realities of IIoT.

Are you overwhelmed with information on how to best approach your company's digital transformation? Are you turned off by all the hype? In this interview with Opto 22's Benson Hougland, Kudzai Manditereza, creator of the Industry40.tv YouTube series and host of the Fourth Generation Podcast, cuts through the hype to help listeners put these new concepts and terminology into perspective.

Topics: Videos, IoT, IIoT, edge computing, digital transformation

Industrial automation hub brings the real-world into the classroom for students

Though I have the highest regard for the university where I received my engineering degree, I felt the curriculum was more theoretical than practical. I was steeped in differential equations and engineering mathematics and didn’t actually have a design project or build anything until my senior year.

Topics: Case studies, Videos, groov EPIC, industrial automation, Ignition, system integrator, groov RIO, digital transformation, Inductive Automation

Check out G5 Consulting in the latest OptoPartner video

Are you thinking about digital transformation, Industry 4.0 or IIoT and looking for someone to help get you there? Talk to David Schultz of G5 Consulting and Engineering Services.

Topics: IIoT, Node-RED, MQTT, Sparkplug, Ignition, system integrator, digital transformation, Cirrus Link Solutions, OptoPartner video

Automated Control Concepts says every project is crafted to deliver some clear business benefit

In his new book, “The Economics of Data, Analytics and Digital Transformation”, Data Scientist Bill Schmarzo proposes an interesting theory. He writes, “If organizations want to cross the Analytics Chasm phase to become more predictive and prescriptive in their business operations, then they need to embrace an economics mindset, not a technology mindset.” This suggests to me that perhaps more important than the much talked about OT and IT gap, might be a gap that exists between these departments and the financial stakeholders in an organization.

Topics: industrial automation, system integrator, OptoPartner, digital transformation, OptoPartner video

One community makes the leap into MQTT-based utility management

Formally organized in 1834, Waterford Township is located geographically in the center of Oakland County, Michigan, USA, and is home to over 72,000 residents. It is known regionally for its 34 lakes, from which it earns its name.

However, in the public utilities industry, Waterford is known for its leadership and persistent innovation in water/wastewater management. The Department of Public Works has been featured previously in an Opto 22 case study, and a generation later, DPW is working on another landmark project.

Topics: Case studies, Water & wastewater, MQTT, groov EPIC, Ignition, digital transformation

OptoPartner video from Enginuity features IIoT based technologies

Many automation systems integrators are expanding beyond what we might consider “traditional” skill sets into technologies that may typically be the purview of IT professionals or software developers. While instrumentation, controls and SCADA obviously play a critical role in digital transformation, bridging the gap between OT and IT can require additional tools like Node-RED, REST APIs, databases, pub-sub communication protocols and Linux Shell programming chops.

Topics: IIoT, CODESYS, groov EPIC, Ignition, groov RIO, digital transformation, Inductive Automation, OptoPartner video

A common challenge of digital transformation projects and IIoT deployments is integrating and sharing data between different systems and services. Many applications become a complex set of integrations between hardware devices and software services. Even with systems based on open architecture, true interoperability can sometimes be difficult.

Topics: IIoT, groov EPIC, Ignition, groov RIO, digital transformation, Inductive Automation, Technology Partners

Martin Control Systems Inc. helps customers with common challenges

In our latest OptoPartner video, Nate Kay, Sr. Project Engineer with Martin CSI says the most common challenges faced by customers are tight schedules, plant shutdowns, budgets and working on legacy equipment. While Martin CSI offers standard control engineering services, they also have specialty areas including safety, machine vision and data collection.

Topics: Data acquisition, MQTT, Ignition Edge, Ignition, system integrator, digital transformation, OptoPartner video

For 40 years, top manufacturers in Food & Bev, CPG and Pharma have called upon Grantek to take on their most complex business and manufacturing challenges. Grantek’s team of professionals located in 17 offices across the globe deliver solutions to complex problems in Smart Manufacturing, Industrial Networking, Automation and Industrial Safety.

Topics: Remote monitoring, Integrators, IIoT, compliance, groov RIO, digital transformation, OptoPartner video

The annual Ignition Community Conference will be a free, virtual event this year.

Inductive Automation's annual Ignition Community Conference (ICC) provides unique opportunities to get expert tips from Ignition trainers, see real-world Ignition projects from other industries, and meet with industry leaders and subject-matter experts from around the world of industrial automation. As with most 2020 conferences, the show must go on but in a virtual format, and Opto 22 will be there too.

Topics: Ignition Edge, Ignition, Ignition Community Conference, groov RIO, digital transformation