Industrial Data Rises in Prominence
ProductProgrammable Control

Industrial Data Rises in Prominence

Accessing actionable data is just as important as delivering reliable automation in some applications. Damon Purvis, PLC Product Manager at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the January 2022 issue of Control Engineering. The article is titled Getting Actionable Data from an ICS and it examines how for all types of industrial systems, accessing data is…
StrideLinx’s IEC 62443 Conformance Helps Machine Builders with Their Own IT/OT Cyber Security
CommunicationsProduct

StrideLinx’s IEC 62443 Conformance Helps Machine Builders with Their Own IT/OT Cyber Security

Applied Risk, a trusted partner in cyber security, has audited StrideLinx on the IEC 62443 security standards. By seeking compliance with the IEC 62443 standards, StrideLinx supports machine builders with getting their security in place. StrideLinx’s mission is to unburden machine builders in terms of security and offer them a helping hand in completing their…
Cybersecurity Best Practices
CommunicationsProductProgrammable Control

Cybersecurity Best Practices

Contemporary industrial cybersecurity measures require the right hardware and software technologies, but must also incorporate user best practices. Damon Purvis, PLC Product Manager at AutomationDirect, wrote an article which posted to the January 2022 publications Control Engineering and Industrial Cybersecurity Pulse. The article is titled Cybersecurity-Centered Systems and Fundamentals (also found at Cybersecurity-Centered Systems and…
Connecting AI to the OT
ApplicationApplication StoriesIssue 48 -2022Notebook IssueOpen source controlOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable Control

Connecting AI to the OT

This greenhouse automation startup shows how AutomationDirect controllers are a flexible platform for connecting cloud-based artificial intelligence to practical operations manufacturing automation. Connecting AI concepts to age-old agricultural operations using modern IoT methods is the ambitious undertaking of Kenneth Tran and his team at Koidra. The resulting “artificial intelligence of things” (AIoT) is yielding positive…
Building User-Focused Water/Wastewater Utility Systems with AutomationDirect
Application StoriesPLCProductProgrammable Control

Building User-Focused Water/Wastewater Utility Systems with AutomationDirect

Many water utilities could benefit from using robust and standardized PLC automation, instead of enduring inconsistent and difficult to troubleshoot custom control systems. While many people settle for things that are good enough, sometimes it takes relatively little extra effort to make things excellent. Dennis O’Hara experienced this many times as he progressed from getting…
Industrial Automation Mobile Access on the Rise
CommunicationsProduct

Industrial Automation Mobile Access on the Rise

Proactive risk mitigation strategies and enhanced technologies are leading more end users than ever before to adopt industrial automation mobile access. Bill Dehner, technical marketing engineer for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the November 2021 issue of Plant Engineering titled Industrial Access On the Go. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the…
Helping Automation Users Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
Application StoriesDrivesHMIOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives

Helping Automation Users Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Automation of a tabletop coffee roaster demonstrates how home automation projects can help users explore new technologies and develop their skills. Michael Hoffman, who works at Dragos and is a member of the SANS Technology Institute, wrote a success story for the October 2021 issue of Design World titled Brewing Up DIY Automation Solutions. Here’s…
Industrial Mobile Access Getting Better and Easier
CommunicationsIIoT and DataOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable Control

Industrial Mobile Access Getting Better and Easier

Users are increasingly using AutomationDirect HMI, PLC, and router technologies to provide easy and secure industrial mobile access. Bill Dehner, technical marketing engineer for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the November/December 2021 issue of Industrial Equipment News titled Evaluating Mobile Access Options. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the full text. Using…
Contemporary Controls Combined with Classic Camper Chic
Application StoriesIssue 48 -2022Notebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable Control

Contemporary Controls Combined with Classic Camper Chic

This retro-look travel trailer is custom-built using aircraft fabrication principles, and the all-electric support systems are automated and visualized using a PLC and other components from AutomationDirect. As a self-employed consultant with many years designing, building, and automation state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, Scott Sutton is a hands-on guy. So, when his family came up with the…