Automationtechies.com e-News

Our guest article this week, Introduction to Virtual LANs, is written by George Thomas of Contemporary Controls. George introduces the concept of Virtual LANs and how they can be used to separate industrial automation systems from IT systems. You can check out George's article below in the Featured Article section.

We added a couple of new training items to our site this week. The first is a Hazardous Area Instrumentation Training CD described immediately following this introduction. The second is a Measurement Technology Seminar offered by Endress+Hauser.

Good News! In the last week, a number of Automation Product Manufacturers have announced increases sales for last quarter as compared to 2003 corresponding quarter, including National Instruments, Rockwell Automation, ABB, Schneider Electric and Cognex. Check out the news section for these positive announcements along with the latest new product announcements. And as usual, I've included any new job postings that have been added to our site in the last week.

On to the good stuff...Enjoy the rest of this e-news!

Rick Zabel

Hazardous Area Instrumentation Training CD

In cooperation with Abisham Software, Automationtechies.com is offering this comprehensive CD-based training course which covers all the aspects of instrumentation and automation systems used in hazardous (classified) locations. For more information, or to purchase the CD online please see the following page:

http://www.automation.com/store/pid10438.php

Featured Article

Introduction to Virtual LANs

A local area network (LAN) is a private network usually confined to one plant. Virtual LANs (VLANs) allow a single physical LAN to be partitioned into several smaller logical LANs. VLANs limit the broadcast domain, improve security and performance and are ideal for separating industrial automation systems from information technology systems.

Read full article by George Thomas of Contemporary Controls

Other articles and white papers on various automation topics

Other application stories using various automation products

Automation & Process Control News

News Headlines - Automation, Process Control & Instrumentation News

Hear all about it! We publish industry news on our site as soon as we hear about it. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events. Here are news headlines since our last e-news. Use the following links to read the complete news release:

Product News Headlines:

ABB Introduces BACnet As A Loadable Option On New Variable Frequency Drive For HVAC, ACH550 Series 4/27/04

McObject Releases Embedded Web Server for Intelligent, Connected Devices 4/27/04

Weidmuller Connection System Introduces A New Generation of Terminal Blocks 4/26/04

Rockwell Automation Launches the Industry’s Most Extensive Line of Modular, On-Machine I/O Modules 4/26/04

ASI Announces 3 New High Density IEC Terminal Block Product Lines 4/26/04

Honeywell Introduces New Full Line Catalog Of Sensotec Sensors 4/23/04

Schneeberger To Exhibit New Line Of Minimodules And Multi-Axis Positioning Systems At Semiconwest 2004 4/23/04

Remstar’s CubeStar Automated High-density Storage System Provides Up To 50% More Capacity 4/23/04

Rockwell Automation Expands Armor I/O Family With Rugged, IP67Rated Blocks 4/22/04

K-TEK Introduces the MS50, a Low Cost Float Level Switch 4/22/04

RuggedCom Releases RuggedVue™ Network Visualization Software 4/21/04

Advantech Automation Releases ADAM-5510/KW PC-Based Controller with IEC-61131-3 Standard Programming Languages 4/21/04

Mosaic Industries Releases New Operator Interface for Its Tiny QCard^TM Single Board Computer 4/21/04

Banner Engineering Introduces Its iSelect™ Photoelectrics Sensor Selection Tool 4/21/04

Company News Headlines:

National Instruments Reports First Quarter Revenue Up 26 Percent 4/27/04

Rockwell Automation Reports Second Quarter Earnings of 41 Cents per Share 4/27/04

National Instruments VP of Technology and Corporate Development, Mihir Ravel, Announces Departure to Pursue Global R&D and Education Challenges 4/27/04

NI to Host 10th Annual Worldwide NIWeek Virtual Instrumentation Conference 4/26/04

Growth Everywhere! Is the Dominant Theme of ABB's U.S. Low-Voltage Drives National Sales Meeting 4/23/04

Oxford Sensor Speeds Up Development of New Sensor Technology with €600,000 Investment 4/23/04

Rockwell Automation Creates Leading-Edge Center for Integrated Condition Monitoring 4/22/04

IMC-2004, 19th International Maintenance Conference set for Dec. 5-8 in Naples, FL 4/22/04

Schneider Electric Transfers Copyright in Modbus Protocol to Modbus-IDA 4/21/04

WAGO Offers Free Industrial Ethernet Control Seminar 4/21/04

GE Fanuc Announces Flexible Motion Control Workshop Schedule 4/21/04

WAGO Introduces New Western Regional Sales Manager 4/21/04

Matrikon Announces Lower than Expected Second Quarter Results 4/21/04

Cognex Corporation Announces Dramatic Increases in Bookings, Revenues and Profits 4/21/04

Schneider Electric Reports First-Quarter 2004 Sales Up a Strong 14.1% 4/20/04

Application News Headlines:

Honeywell Will Install Automation Solution for Hungary's Largest Oil and Gas Company 4/27/04

These are just a few of the news items published on our website. Our Automation News section provides you up-to-date news of what is happening with product and services suppliers in the industry. Users can search for releases by company or by date. View Daily News Headlines Here. Send your automation news releases to press@automationtechies.com. Please provide press releases in electronic format (pictures can be provided in .JPG or .GIF format).

Application Tools, Guides, Demos & Literature

Automation & Drives Interactive CD Catalog
The interactive catalog of Siemens Automation and Drives Business (CA01) gives you information on more than 80,000 products and systems used for industrial automation and control. This intuitive directory provides overview, application, design, technical, and ordering information on a wide range of product categories, including:

Automation Systems
Communication Networks
Safety Systems
Drive Technology
Process Automation
Controlgear and Low Voltage Switchgear
etc.

Request your Siemens electronic catalog today!

Other available application tools.

Other available demo software.

Other available product catalogs.

Product Showcase

AirborneDirect™ Ethernet enables plug-and-play wireless LAN connectivity using 10BaseT Ethernet port.

More Information on AirborneDirect Ethernet

WebDock DataPort makes PLC data collection and viewing easy and affordable.

More Information on WebDock DataPort

ASI's broad range of compact din-rail mounted modular switching DC Power Supplies.

More Information on ASI DC Power Supplies

Featured Products for April

Browse Products by Category

Find a Manufacturer/Supplier

New Job Opportunities

New Jobs Posted on Automationtechies.com

Here's a list of new job opportunities posted on Automationtechies.com since our last newsletter:

To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.

Resources & Training

Training Courses / Seminars

Browse for training courses, seminars, web-seminars and workshops offered by various training organizations, product manufacturers and suppliers in industrial automation, process control and instrumentation. For information on specific training courses and seminars, please use the following links:

IndustryDeck

IndustryDeck is an electronic card deck offered by Next Communications introducing some of the latest new products for your automation and process control applications.

Check out the latest issue.

Trade Magazine Subscriptions

As a valued Automationtechies.com member, we would like to extend the opportunity to receive leading industry publications.

Browse from the list of titles and be sure to check back often for new titles.

Automation Auctions

New eBay Listings

eBay hosts over 4000 auctions for industrial automation and control products. From PLCs to sensors and from motor controls to robotics...Now you can browse new, used and surplus automation and control products right from Automationtechies.com. We added a new page in the "Classifieds" section of our web site called eBay Listings.

Use the links below to browse auctions and classified ads by product category:

On a Humorous Note...

Rick's Dilbert Comic Pick

'Maybe it's time to find a new job?'

Automationtechies' Services

Automationtechies.com Advertising Opportunities - Generate leads and promote your company and products with one of the fastest growing industrial automation and control communities on the web. Review our Media Kit or Contact Rick Zabel.

Article & White Paper Publication - To have your industry-related articles or white papers published on Automationtechies.com, please Contact Rick Zabel for more information.

News Release Publication - To have your company or product news published on Automationtechies.com, please send your press releases to press@automationtechies.com.

Job Posting - Post your job openings on Automationtechies.com and find out why we're the industry's preferred resource for posting automation, process control and instrumentation job opportunities. Post Your Job.

Direct-hire Recruiting - Our industry experts will seek out and pre-screen the top performers. If your resources are limited or if time is a factor, we'll find the talent you need. Contact Alan Carty today for more information at 1-877-300-6792 or Send a message

Contract Recruiting, Employer of Record Services - Need engineers, programmers, or technicians, but can't hire full-time employees? Consider contract employees! Let us handle your administrative headaches including Employer of Record, payroll, and other functions. Find a Contract Employee

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I hope you enjoyed this e-news update!

Rick Zabel

Vice President

Automationtechies.com

6455 City West Parkway

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

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