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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Node-RED package video series wraps up with a closer look at groov View nodes.

If you've been following the OptoBlog, you've noticed we have a new series of Node-RED videos dedicated to explaining all the Opto 22 Node-RED packages available for your groov EPIC or RIO device. The last video in this 5-part series is now available.

Terry Orchard is back in the OptoStudio to explain groov View nodes. You'll learn about Read and Write, review how the nodes are configured, and see some examples of how they can be used.

Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. 

One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).

But what if you need assistance after hours?

Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis.

And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference!

The Opto 22 node packages for Node-RED video series continues with a focus on groov I/O nodes.

Get ready for another video that explains how and why to use the Node-RED programming tool on groov EPIC. In this new video, Terry Orchard explains the different types of groov I/O nodes, gives some examples of how to use them, and explains what makes them different from other nodes.

Before watching, you might want to review the Node-RED Package Intro and Configuration video. This  will provide some background on how the nodes were initially set up that are now being used in this latest I/O video.

Now, Terry has a flow ready to go with some examples that make it easy to follow along. Watch and learn.

The annual CSIA Executive Conference returns to New Orleans this year and takes on the challenges of a "Bold New World."

You'll find Opto 22 at the annual Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) conference. It's an opportunity for system integrators to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana for a week of networking, workshops, keynote speakers, and product demos. This year's theme, "Bold New World", tackles bold business plans for today's industrial automation industry challenges.