Keep Things Simple to Create Great Automation HMI Designs for Your Applications
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Keep Things Simple to Create Great Automation HMI Designs for Your Applications

Human-machine interface (HMI) design standards vary and evolve, but end users always appreciate simplicity and clarity. Bill Dehner, a Technical Marketing Manager at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the February 2020 Applied Automation supplement of Plant Engineering titled Configure Intuitive HMI Screens to Simplify Automation, detailing some HMI configuration best practices. Here’s a summary, click…
CLICK PLC and C-more Integral for Emergency Ventilator
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CLICK PLC and C-more Integral for Emergency Ventilator

Using readily available AutomationDirect parts, an Auburn University team converted a CPAP machine to a high-functioning emergency ventilator in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the threat of ventilator shortages during the COVID-19 crisis, various organizations called on developers to build “emergency ventilators”. A team at Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering went…
Water Utility Improves Operations with Standardized Automation
Application StoriesCommunicationsHMIIndustryPLCProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Water Utility Improves Operations with Standardized Automation

See how a water utility standardized around AutomationDirect products to improve operations while saving time and money. A team of operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel at Helix Water District in San Diego, CA has retrofitted and constructed many sites using automation hardware and best practices based on AutomationDirect products. David Reagan wrote an article with…
Creating Secure Remote Connections Using the Cloud
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Creating Secure Remote Connections Using the Cloud

Cloud technologies enable remote connectivity for industrial applications, but can introduce issues unless built from the ground up with cybersecurity in mind. Jonathan Griffith, product manager for Industrial Communications & Power Supplies at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the November 2019 issue of Control Engineering titled Secure Remote Connections with Cloud Technologies. Here’s a summary,…
Remote Access |White Paper
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Remote Access |White Paper

There are three router-based methods for establishing remote access to industrial systems via a PC or mobile device—with each providing a different level of security, required implementation effort and integrated features. In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, remote mobile access is a necessity for many industrial applications. There are several ways of implementing this…
Lightweight Automation Options
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Lightweight Automation Options

Some automation applications don’t need a full-blown control system, and today’s lightweight devices can offer targeted and economical options. Bill Dehner, a Technical Marketing Manager at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the September 2019 issue of Industrial Equipment News titled Lightweight Automation Options. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the full text….
Selecting HMI Remote Access Options
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Selecting HMI Remote Access Options

There are two leading methods exist for establishing mobile HMI connectivity, with one providing more cybersecurity. Jonathan Griffith, product manager for Industrial Communications & Power Supplies at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the September 2019 issue of Control Engineering titled Selecting HMI Remote Access Options. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the…
StrideLinx Platform Security |White Paper
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StrideLinx Platform Security |White Paper

Today’s machines/systems are more connected than ever before with many utilizing cloud networks for remote access. Cloud networks come with inherent security risks and the StrideLinx platform goes above and beyond to ensure data security. This whitepaper outlines StrideLinx’s approach to security for the StrideLinx Cloud platform and the associated router. StrideLinx’s security strategy is…
What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Hosted VPNs?
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What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Hosted VPNs?

Jonathan Griffith, Product Manager, Industrial Communications & Power Supplies at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for Machine Design April 2018 titled What’s the Difference Between Traditional and Hosted VPNs? Griffith points out that connecting programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human machine interfaces (HMIs) and other automation system components to the industrial internet of things (IIoT) for remote…
Machine Automation Basics
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Machine Automation Basics

Automation systems must integrate multiple power and control subsystems and components into a coherent whole. Read on to learn more about machine automation basics. Chip McDaniel, who works in technical marketing for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the Mar/Apr 2019  issue of InTech magazine titled Machine Automation Basics. In the article, he first lays out…