Working in systems integration often means putting on many hats. Sometimes you can just fulfill your normal duties of designing, building, and commissioning a controls/automation system.

But then other times you find yourself thrown into the mix as the sales estimator—asked to come up with a budgetary number for a project—or you’re deemed the “IT” person for a project.

Being designated the “IT” person can be a difficult road to navigate. Often you’re not truly an admin on any given network, but you’re asked to perform the duties of an admin.

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, IoT, Integrators, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Data acquisition, MQTT, EPIC

With over 25 years of experience in industrial controls and automation and a focus on the future, Merlin CSI offers valuable expertise and the vision to help with your applications. We're pleased to add them to our growing list of IoT Certified OptoPartners. 

Topics: Process control, groov, Internet of Things, IoT, PACs, Integrators, I/O, PID loop control, Node-RED, Data acquisition

Would you like to know more about the new groov EPIC system?

Now you can, on your own schedule.

• Learn how to simplify your automation and IIoT projects.
• See how to improve security and performance, with minimal reliance on IT personnel.

Topics: Webinars, groov, Internet of Things, IoT, Machine builder, OEM, New products, Integrators, Security, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Data acquisition, EPIC

If you'd like to see the new groov EPIC system in action—or talk with us about any automation project—here are two opportunities coming up soon.

Topics: Process control, Discrete control, groov, Events & conferences, Integrators, EPIC

Opto 22's groov EPIC^® system starts shipping on May 18.

You can start ordering now!

Pre-orders will ship first, and based on early feedback from several EPIC Roadshows, this new system will be in high demand. Customers are excited about the built-in features of groov EPIC, not only for IIoT applications but for all automation and data acquisition applications.

Here are just a few of these features:

Topics: Process control, Discrete control, groov, Internet of Things, PLCs, Remote monitoring, IoT, Machine builder, New products, Integrators, I/O, PAC Control, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Node-RED, Data acquisition, MQTT, Ignition Edge, EPIC

If you ship Opto 22 products (or products containing Opto 22 parts) to countries within the European Union, you need to know about our changes to the Declarations of Conformity required for shipments.

We've recently heard about possible problems with shipments of industrial hardware to the European Union. EU Customs officials are more stringently enforcing requirements for Declarations of Conformity (DoCs) documents on these shipments.

To prevent delays in Customs, we recommend you use the new CE DoCs we have created for shipments to EU countries.

Topics: Machine builder, OEM, Integrators, compliance

In part 1 we met two communication models for computers on a network: request-response and publish-subscribe. Now let's take a look at when you might want to use each, and why.

Request-response: proven and reliable

In a request-response architecture, each client opens a direct connection to each server, because the client requests data directly from the server.

In automation, typically clients are PCs and servers are PLCs or PACs. So each PC opens a direct connection to each PLC or PAC from which it needs data. 

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, IoT, Machine builder, OEM, Integrators, Networking, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Data acquisition, MQTT, Ignition Edge, EPIC

You've been asking for more details about our brand-new groov EPIC^® system for the IIoT and automation, and here they are! 

We just published a part numbers list and the first several data sheets, with preliminary descriptions, specs, wiring diagrams, and dimensions. So take a look and start planning the system you want. 

Topics: Process control, Discrete control, groov, Internet of Things, PLCs, Remote monitoring, IoT, Machine builder, PACs, OEM, New products, Integrators, I/O, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Data acquisition, EPIC

When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. 

And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work.

Topics: Energy management, Process control, Food & beverage, Discrete control, groov, Internet of Things, PLCs, Remote monitoring, Water & wastewater, IoT, Machine builder, PACs, OEM, New products, Integrators, I/O, PAC Project, Building management, Oil & gas, PAC Control, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Node-RED, Data acquisition, MQTT, Ignition Edge, EPIC

You've shown a lot of interest in our blog posts this last year—thank you. We hope they answer some of your questions and help make your automation projects easier.

So to round out the year, take a look and see if you missed any of these popular posts. 

Predictive maintenance on a compressor. We'd all like to get a better handle on equipment maintenance, to reduce unnecessary expense, maximize efficiency, and avoid outages.

See how a simple internet of things project could provide real value for your company.

Topics: Case studies, Food & beverage, groov, Internet of Things, IoT, Integrators, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Ignition Edge