Are you struggling to get your systems on the network with your IT department? Here are some insights on designing a cybersecure controls system that an IT department will know and trust.

The simple action of picking up your cell (mobile) phone and making a call belies the enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to get the protocols and encryption standards approved—so that each phone can connect to the cellular network securely.

If we homemade our own cell phones, it's understandable that the network provider would (and should) quickly become “the department of no,” not allowing us to connect to their network. Many things could go wrong, and they would soon be on the hook for any issues our device might cause.

It really is no different from when we show up at the factory with an Ethernet-enabled PLC and ask our IT department to connect it to the factory network.

They don’t know anything about the PLC! And they have lots of questions...

Add industry trade events to your schedule this year for more learning opportunities and ways to make your 2025 projects successful.

Looking for educational conferences and seminars to attend this year? Ready to find an advanced solution for your industrial automation application? Start with Opto 22's 2025 event schedule and see if groov EPIC and groov RIO product demos are coming to a venue near you.

First stops will be in Orlando, Dallas, St. Petersburg, and Detroit. For most of these events, we'll be working alongside our technology partner, Inductive Automation. Come see groov product demos in person and in collaboration with Ignition software. 

Get registration and agenda details on upcoming shows, and we hope to see you on the road with us in 2025!

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.