You've heard about our Opto 22 SNAP PAC programmable automation controllers with their built-in RESTful API (application program interface).

The REST API gives you secure access to all the I/O point and variable data in the PAC.

Topics: Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, PACs, REST API, RESTful server, REST, OptoNews 2016-10-12, IIoT

The PAC Control command "Send Communication Handle Command" is a flexible and useful command to know.  

It sends a command that accomplishes a specific purpose for the type of communication handle you're using. For example, you might use it with a File or FTP comm handle to work with files on a SNAP PAC controller. 

Topics: Tips, optonews, PAC Control, OptoNews 2016-10-12

Vista Irrigation District, near San Diego in Southern California, is no stranger to change. 

For nearly 100 years the district has provided reliable water to farm and residential customers—through population growth, drought years, and changes in land use.

Topics: Case studies, Videos, Water & wastewater, optonews, Integrators, OptoNews 2016-09-28

Do you use Opto iPAC or Opto aPAC on your phone or tablet to commission and troubleshoot Opto 22 systems? With these mobile apps, you can:

• Automatically discover Opto 22 systems on your network
• Change point status or variable values from your phone, wirelessly
• Create watch lists to monitor

Topics: Updates, Machine builder, optonews, PACs, OEM, Integrators, I/O, mobile, OptoNews 2016-09-28

Join us in Utrecht, Netherlands, next week and explore the World of Technology & Science (WOTS) Exhibition. This is the technological venue for everyone in the industrial, science, and healthcare fields.

OptoDistributor Mulder-Hardenberg will welcome you there at stand 10F051 and demonstrate: 

Topics: groov, Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, PACs, Events & conferences, API, REST API, RESTful server, REST, OptoNews 2016-09-28

OptoForum member tohox recently posted a question about using PID control loops on a SNAP-PAC-R1 rack-mounted controller.

The issue? A really long dead loop time. 

"The time delta between the moment the strategy opens a given loop's valve [and] starts the pump+furnace and the moment a temperature increase is measured can sometimes be on the order of an hour," tohox notes.

Topics: Energy management, Tips, optonews, PACs, I/O, Building management, Modbus, PID loop control, OptoNews 2016-09-28

What is the Internet of Things (IoT) and what is it good for?

Is anybody actually using it yet for real applications?

Here's a page of resources to answer some of your questions: The Internet of Things.

Topics: Energy management, Videos, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, IoT, optonews, OptoNews 2016-09-14

When you buy a new SNAP I/O module today, you may find that the printing on it looks a little different from ones you already have.

Don't be concerned; there's no difference in how the module functions.

Topics: optonews, I/O, OptoNews 2016-09-14

We're looking forward to seeing you at one of these shows!

Learn about the newest technology in factory, process, and building automation, and take advantage of networking and business development opportunities.

Topics: Process control, Discrete control, groov, Remote monitoring, IoT, optonews, PACs, Events & conferences, I/O, OptoNews 2016-09-14

A proportional integral derivative (PID) control loop monitors an input or process variable, compares the variable’s current value to a desired value (a setpoint), and calculates an output to keep the value very close to the setpoint.

Topics: Process control, Updates, Tips, optonews, PAC Project, Building management, OptoNews 2016-09-14