The major mid-February winter storm that hit Texas left more than 4.5 million people without power for days on end. Nearly every county in Texas was covered up in ice and snow, and at least 57 people tragically lost their lives as a result of the storm’s devastating effects. An unwinterized power grid worsened an…
While now on the backend of the COVID-19 pandemic, industries have had to change how they do things because of it. A main change is adopting mobile automation technology into everyday practice. But this trend shows no signs of stopping. In fact, there’s a high likelihood that these types of technologies will be around well…
Complete operation efficiency can be one of the most challenging goals for any manager to accomplish, especially in today’s world. Meeting new technological challenges, optimizing systems, and addressing outdated technologies as you defend against cyber attacks is no small task. IIoT technologies are becoming increasingly demanding, and it can be hard for companies to fill…
In the market for control panels but not sure where to start? You’re definitely not alone. Many know they need control panels to stay competitive—but that’s the extent of their knowledge on the subject. We’ve talked about how important the right automation partner is before. We’re bringing it back up for your benefit. It’s imperative…
In business, planning for what comes next is essential—but it’s definitely one of those things more easily said than done. There’s a trio of aspects necessary for planning to happen: vision, experience, and expert input, whether in-house or outsourced. Plenty of companies have vision—and many among that number have experience, at least when it comes…
The growth of digital transformation—the movement of systems to interconnection with IIoT technologies—can be felt along almost every touch point in the production life cycle. For producers, this shift is only going to continue, with a “full steam ahead” move toward smart manufacturing. The right partners make all the difference in ensuring the switch is…
The shockwaves felt from the COVID-19 pandemic have left uncertainty in the air—and shelves bare. While it’s an extreme case, panic buying left its imprint on the supply chain, leaving those behind the scenes scrambling to satisfy demand. The period of panic consumerism born from COVID-19 helped underscore the need for a supply chain safety…
When talking about technology, fast-paced change is the name of the game. SCADA is no different. For decades, SCADA has been a critical piece of many automation systems, with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) only increasing SCADA’s potential value and impact in the automation field. But the increased inclusion of IIoT gives both returns…
Look in almost any automated factory today and you’re bound to see machinery running on PLCs (programmable logic controllers). Their rugged durability has made them prime assets on production floors. Another contender, microcontrollers, carry very similar functionality to PLCs—and also have their uses. But while this small, single-chip computing device has an edge on PLCs…
Sometimes it can seem like operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) live on two separate planets, especially where data retrieval is concerned. But as Industry 4.0 develops, a business’s continued success is tied to how well both OT and IT staff can access data essential for decision-making and efficient plant procedures. SCADA may provide…