The most popular discussions, topics, and tips of the year from the factory-supported OptoForums.

Is it just me, or are the years flying by faster than ever?

And as if time is not going by fast enough, I’d like to say how much I'm looking forward to writing this blog at this time next year. Why? Let's just say I can't wait to see what our customers put in the groov EPIC container over the coming year!!

But right now, let's recap the EPIC year of 2024 by looking back at the top 5 most discussed and searched topics in the OptoForums.

2025 offers you a chance for hands-on edge controller instruction & tips for choosing the best programming options for your control applications.

In-person training sessions at Opto 22 headquarters help you expand your skill set and find easier ways to meet your application challenges. The 2025 groov EPIC Premium Factory Training class schedule has been announced, so don't miss your chance to get first pick of the class dates you'd like to attend.

Learn system components and configuration, networking capabilities, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and communication methods that you can apply to your own industrial automation application. You might just build a complete solution before you leave! And now is the time to reserve your spot.

See what this week's groov EPIC training experience was like, then register to join us for the next class! We've also included a short video to give you a preview of what you can expect.

Complete the groov EPIC online courses, get your certificate, and post it to LinkedIn.

As the end of 2024 is in sight, is there anything you'd like to check off your to do list? Perhaps complete more educational training for PLCs or add another certification to your professional profile or resume?

Knowledge is power, and learning more about how to use groov EPIC edge controllers for your applications is FREE at training.opto22.com. Once you’ve completed all of the courses, you can get your groov EPIC Online Training Certificate of Completion. If you'd like, you can easily post your certificate to your LinkedIn profile.

Work at your own pace as you go through the online exercises and quizzes. Most of the lessons are based on the hands-on material in the groov EPIC training course taught at Opto 22 headquarters. 

Follow these simple steps to earn your certificate.

New video provides some practical solutions to consider in the age of TCP/IP.

Looking to digitally transform your operations, but your existing machines don't support newer protocols like MQTT or OPC UA?

Don't worry, you're not alone. Legacy industrial control systems are still operating everywhere today. But don't settle or wait for them to fail. 

It's time to learn more about modern edge devices that can bridge the gap between old and new.

This new 1-minute video is a great conversation starter on the topic.

Attend an upcoming webinar hosted by Inductive Automation for some inspiration on how you can use Ignition in your projects to solve application challenges.

What takes a controls project from run-of-the-mill to showcase-worthy?  Travis Cox, Inductive Automation's Chief Technology Evangelist, is ready to show you during an upcoming webinar you don't want to miss.

Make plans to attend: The Making of World-Class Control Systems. 

Travis will be joined by current Ignition customers whose successful applications landed them a coveted spot in this year's ICC Discover Gallery. See what else this webinar has is in store...

Read how MAC Automation, an IoT Certified OptoPartner, and EnerCorp use Ignition SCADA with groov EPICs and RIOs to automate sand removal and management in oil and gas.

Handling sand in oil and gas flowback systems is both critical and challenging. Left unchecked, sand can damage equipment, leading to leaks and costly system shutdowns. Manual handling of flowback systems exposes workers to hazardous materials, heavy equipment, and high-pressure environments. 

Together, MAC Automation and EnerCorp have automated the dangerous and labor-intensive process.

Join OptoPartner Weisz Instrumentos for one of the most widely recognized events in the hydrocarbons industry.

The Expo Oil & Gas Patagonia is one of the most important events in the Argentine hydrocarbons industry, bringing together key players from across the sector. With over 150 exhibitors, the expo will showcase the latest developments in production areas. Attendees will discover new products, technologies, and ventures related to the industry.

Join Opto 22's IoT Executive, Rene Gamero, and Weisz engineering staff for live demos of groov EPIC and groov RIO products—and see the important role they are playing in oil and gas applications.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Opto 22's journey from render to reality for the demo panels built specifically for the Ignition Community Conference Build-a-Thon.

In early 2022, Benson Hougland (Opto 22 VP of Marketing and Product Strategy) called the Opto team together and said “I’ve got a great project for us, and you're going to love it...the ICC Build-a-Thon!”

Undeniably "the premier event in competitive SCADA," the ICC Build-a-Thon is the major highlight of the annual Inductive Community Conference (ICC), organized by Inductive Automation and held every year in Folsom, CA. It is a showcase and live competition for system integrators who use Ignition software, a platform for building industrial automation and control systems.

See how you can quickly, easily, and cost-effectively capture and publish live images from remote sites to the cloud via MQTT/Sparkplug.

If you couldn’t attend the Ignition Community Conference or want a closer look, here’s your chance to experience it recorded with Opto 22's groov EPIC booth cam.

With the expertise of Alex Marcy from Corso Systems and Jason Hamlin from Inframark, we captured live booth footage using an off-the-shelf, IP-based camera, Ignition Edge, its MQTT Transmission module, and Node-RED, all running on a single groov EPIC.

Check out this one-minute time lapse video.

The groov System Configurator tool debuts updated features to help you map out your automation strategy.

Calling all automation and controls engineers, technicians, system integrators—and even our own Opto engineers! Would you like to research and design systems that use both groov EPIC controllers and groov RIO edge I/O modules?

Now you can 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. The interactive groov System Configurator tool is all you need. It provides technical guidance so you can start experimenting with your system designs online. 

With beta testing complete and customer feedback implemented, it's time to try out all the new features this recently updated website tool offers.

See how everything fits together in a networked architecture, making sure your system is cohesive and ready to run smoothly.