AutomationDirect has a long history of providing high quality industrial automation technology at affordable prices through the convenience of e-commerce. But their company is not just an online catalog retailer of controllers, HMIs, components, instrumentation, wiring solutions, and the like. The AutomationDirect website
provides a resource for engineers, offering product comparisons, training, technical support, system integration services, application stories, cybersecurity recommendations, and more. Much of this information is captured in the company newsletter, which provides product updates and helpful technology tips. But, as a service-oriented organization, AutomationDirect is always finding new ways to deliver additional value to its customers.
For example, in June 2004, the newsletters evolved into a quarterly magazine called Automation NOTEBOOK. You can see a mockup of the original cover below, including the tagline: “Your guide to practical products, technologies, and applications,” a fitting description that stands the test of time. NOTEBOOK eventually moved to a digital-only format. Now, in celebration of a significant milestone, we are relaunching the print magazine 20 years—almost to the date—after the inaugural print issue was first published. The mission is still the same, but we are approaching the next generation of NOTEBOOK with in-depth reporting on the
issues that matter the most to you. In this “refreshed” print edition, AutomationDirect cybersecurity manager Tim Wheeler explores zero-trust defense for securing industrial control system architectures. Turn to page 10 to read about the emerging threats, the evolving cybersecurity frameworks, and best practices that will keep the bad actors at bay. A second feature by contributing writer Kristin Lewotsky takes us through the evolution of the human machine interface (HMI). Pulled from multiple interviews with subject matter experts, Lewotsky has crafted an insightful article that outlines the current — and future — elements
of HMI functionality and the impact on operations. Turn to page 16 to learn more. Coincidentally, HMI was a key story in the June 2004 issue of NOTEBOOK, as well, so it will be interesting to seehow two decades have changed this vital technology!
In addition, you’ll find application articles on motion control and I/O, a customer story from Dickerson Custom Trucks on how the big rig custom shop uses PLCs and HMIs to control specialty lighting, and another article on the brilliant use of AutomationDirect products for artistic expression (see Adversity Inspires Kinetic Art Automation, page 6). Of course, there’s much more to explore here, so please take some time to read the latest issue and tell us what you think. We welcome your feedback and story suggestions for the fall issue, which is due out in November!