Although we may think of Middle Eastern countries as being oil-rich, that description doesn't always apply. The country of Jordan, for example, has typically imported 96% of its energy from neighboring countries.

But Jordan has plenty of sun, and the government is committed to investing heavily in renewable energy. 

Topics: Energy management, Case studies, groov, Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, Integrators, mobile, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2017-02-01

We're all hearing about drones these days, from hobby use to military use to delivering things you buy on Amazon. Getting a bird's eye view of the world has long been a human fantasy, and now it's a reality.

Topics: optonews, OptoNews 2017-02-01

Presented by ATX West and Design News in Anaheim, California, the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Summit is coming up next week, February 7-9, 2017. 

The conference offers three days of Industrial IoT strategy, automation solutions, and smart technology training.

Topics: optonews, Events & conferences, OptoNews 2017-02-01

So you know .NET—or Modbus—or Python—or HART. Can you use those development tools and protocols (or many others) with Opto 22 products?

You'll find the answer in our new technical note, Communication Tools & Protocols for Opto 22 Products. 

Topics: Process control, Internet of Things, Tips, IoT, optonews, PACs, Integrators, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2017-02-01

You never feel like you know enough about security.

And security issues and recommendations are constantly changing, as the bad guys try to hack in and the good guys try to keep them out. 

Here are a couple of new blog posts on this important subject, both by Opto 22's Matt Newton, who has years of experience in both automation and IT (information technology). 

Topics: Internet of Things, PLCs, IoT, optonews, PACs, Security, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2017-01-18

We've recently released PAC Project version R9.5003, with enhancements for PAC Display and SoftPAC, plus bug fixes.

In PAC Display Pro, we've improved response time for URL windows and URL controls by reducing the number of web page reloads they use.

Topics: Updates, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2017-01-18

We're honored to be chosen by Automation World readers as a preferred supplier!

Every year as part of their Leadership in Automation Program, Automation World asks their readers—that's you—to choose their go-to suppliers. These are the automation equipment manufacturers that automation engineers most trust. 

Topics: groov, optonews, PACs, I/O, mobile, IIoT, Data acquisition, OptoNews 2017-01-18

For this tech tip we go to a recent blog post that takes a good look at the basic tools you need if you're a technician, an electrician, or a maker.

From oscilloscope to pliers to power supplies, these are the tools we find essential.

Get suggestions on what quality you need, what features to look for, and where to buy them, new or used.

Topics: Electronics, Tips, optonews, OptoNews 2017-01-18

Celebrate the New Year with a blast!

And then keep on using your Raspberry Pi for industrial I/O prototyping and projects. All you need is your Pi and power supply, plus our Digital Industrial I/O Starter Kit for Raspberry Pi. Just $99 (shipping included in the U.S.A.)—a $215 value. 

Topics: optonews, New products, I/O, OptoNews 2017-01-04, Raspberry Pi

New release adds Data Store device

With the new Data Store device in groov R3.3, you can put data into groov from anywhere—like a database, another device or system—and monitor or change it in your mobile operator interface. 

• For example, your company’s SQL database could place production or maintenance data into a groov Data Store for managers or technicians to see in their interface. 

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Updates, IoT, optonews, API, REST API, REST, mobile, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2017-01-04