Dear %%if(%%firstname%% is empty,"Colleague",%%firstname%%)%%:
Here is this week's issue of the Automation.com e-Newsletter...
News Archive | Suppliers | Integrators | Product Showcase | Resources | Jobs | Classifieds
In this Issue
Sponsored by AutomationDirect
From One Techie to Another:
Enhance Communications, Manage Data and Automate with PDAs
Featured Presentation:
What is a Programmable Automation Controller (PAC)?
Featured Training
CAP Learning System
Featured Application Tool
Automation & Communication Solutions Catalog
Featured Products:
Safety Switches
Intelligent Vision Cameras
World-Beam Series Sensors
Fieldbus and Ethernet I/O Solutions
Now Available
Enhance Communications, Manage Data and Automate with PDAs
There are a number of devices on the market today that allow you to make phone calls, check e-mail and browse the internet. Some of these devices now operate under Windows Mobile and allow you to use familiar applications like Internet Explorer, Outlook, Word and Excel. Sounds pretty cool, huh? Well, now add an auto synch feature that automatically synchronizes your contacts, calendar and e-mails whenever it's within data transfer range of your computer. Now you're talking efficiency!
I personally don't have one of these devices yet, but you can bet I will by the end of the week. I know a few people who have rushed to their nearest wireless provider outlet to get the Cingular 8215 Pocket PC or something similar. I've avoided these types of devices until now because I just didn't see the value or ease of use. As I expected, technology has improved and I've succumb to the pressure.
Many automation software suppliers, including Citect and InduSoft, are also offering their HMI/SCADA software in versions that run on Windows CE and Windows Mobile technology. And, Inductive Automation now offers a web-based HMI with unlimited, zero-cost clients. Users can access machine data, view/acknowledge alarms and otherwise interface with equipment from anywhere. What I don't know is how many users are currently using PDAs to interface with their machines or processes. It might be a small number now, but I suspect use will increase quickly.
There are dedicated web sites specifically designed for use with PDAs, like www.google.com/pda, www.mapquest.com/pda and hundreds more, I'm sure. Of course, I was interested to see what Automation.com looked like on a PDA. Some of the site is readable, but it sure isn't pretty. We'll have to work on that.
Send me your feedback. I'd like to know if you own and use a Pocket PC, Smartphone or PDA. Are you using a PDA to interface with your machine or process? Do you check e-mail or surf the web frequently with your PDA? Would you like to see a PDA version of Automation.com? Wouldn't it be nice to have access to instant information while you're out of the office or traveling? Of course, sometimes it's good to be "disconnected".
To more easily collect your feedback, I've set up an informal poll on the site at:
http://www.automation.com/sitepages/pid2345.php
Or, you can just send me a message using the hyperlink with my name below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Enjoy the rest of this eNews!
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Automation.com
What is a Programmable Automation Controller (PAC)?
The ARC Advisory Group is generally recognized as the originator of the term "Programmable Automation Controller" (PAC). It was first coined in 2001 as a way to help automation hardware users better define their application needs and to give automation hardware vendors a term to more clearly communicate the capabilities of their products. Recently many vendors have begun classifying their newest or high-end systems as PACs, while others have come to use the term interchangeably with the term PLC. Despite these inconsistencies, PACs have a definite feature set, and their similarities to PLCs are as numerous as their differences.
Watch Flash Presentation by Opto 22
This industry-specific web site allows you to search the latest NEW automation, control and instrumentation products by product category, supplier, release date and keyword.
Each product description allows you to contact suppliers directly for more information or a quote.
Hear all about it...industry news is published on our site daily. Here are the latest news headlines for your review...use the following links to read the full article. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events.
- New Ethernet-Based Devices from NI Offer Expansion I/O for Any PC or PAC
- NI Expands Industrial Offering with Isolated PCI Data Acquisition, Motion Boards
- Brady Introduces New BradySoft™ Label Design Software for Product ID and Tracking 3/21/06
- SIXNET Introduces First Truly Industrial 5-port Managed Switch 3/21/06
- ProSoft Technology Releases the New ProLinx 7000 Application Server 3/21/06
- Banner's High-Powered IP67-Rated Spot Lights Deliver Bright, Off-Axis Illumination for Vision Inspections 3/21/06
- CimQuest INGEAR Announces Runtime Free Visual Studio .NET Drivers for Allen-Bradley PLC’s 3/21/06
- AXIOMTEK Launches a Cost-effective Industrial Automation Controller with 15” TFT LCD 3/21/06
- Wonderware Releases New Web-Based Performance Management Software 3/21/06
- New NI CANopen Library Extends Industrial Connectivity for LabVIEW
- Wonderware Announces Adoption of ArchestrA Technology Has Doubled 3/21/06
- Ice Qube, Inc. Now Offering Your Choice of Air Flow 3/21/06
- Moxa Introduces IMC-21 Entry-level Ethernet/Fiber Optic Media Converter 3/20/06
- ASI Introduces I/O Screw Terminal Breakout Modules for Compumotor Controllers 3/20/06
- AD Products Introduces NOSHOK Dry & Liquid Filled Pressure Gauges 3/20/06
- Technosoft Introduces Family of Intelligent, Universal Drives 3/20/06
- InduSoft Web Studio v6.1 SP1 HMI/SCADA Software Runs on Everything 3/20/06
- InduSoft’s Import Tool Brings Legacy PanelMate® Applications into the 21st Century 3/20/06
- MTS’ MC420 Level Sensor Provides Fast Delivery and Simplified Installation 3/20/06
- Sealevel Systems, Inc. Announces Rugged, Fanless Industrial Computer With Powerful I/O Expansion 3/20/06
- InduSoft’s Lab Certification Tests Show InduSoft Web Studio HMI/SCADA Software Is Compatible with Many Embedded Computers 3/20/06
- EMX Introduces SP44 Solar Panel for P-44 Thru-beam Photoelectric Sensor/Transmitter 3/20/06
- GracePort® Convenience Interfaces with GFCI Receptacles Will Now Ship with Inside-Outlet™ Utility Receptacle 3/17/06
- Westermo Introduces Unique Ethernet Switch For Industrial Process Applications 3/16/06
- HEIDENHAIN’s New Compact Contouring Control Offers More for Less 3/16/06
- Zero-Max Roh’lix® Linear Actuators Convert Rotary Motion Into Precise Linear Motion 3/16/06
- STI's New Sockets with LED Indicators Enhance Force Guided Relay Operation 3/16/06
- Amphenol Introduces The Best in Industrial Ethernet Switch Technologies For Harsh Environments 3/16/06
- IXXAT Introduces SAE J1939 Extension for the canAnalyser Development, Maintenance and Service Tool 3/16/06
- Siemens Scalance W Offers Unique Wireless LAN Solution 3/15/06
- Advantech Launches 8-Channel Analog Input Module 3/15/06
- TURCK Announces Line of 4-Wire D-Coded Ethernet Products 3/15/06
- ELAU Introduces New Servomotor Family Optimized for Packaging Machinery 3/15/06
- Matrikon's New Solution Revolutionizes How Control System Alarms are Managed in Process Industries 3/15/06
- ProSoft Technology Introduces PROFIBUS DP High Speed Wireless Communication Gateways 3/15/06
- Wonderware Offers Single-Node Systems Built on ArchestrA Technology for OEM and VAR Markets 3/15/06
- Emerson Announces First MultiVariable Fieldbus Transmitter with Fully Compensated Mass Flow 3/15/06
- TopView® v5.7 Adds Operations and Calculations to OPC-DA Process Alarming and Notification 3/15/06
- Phoenix Contact's New VALVETRAB Compact Surge Protector Saves Space and Provides Installation Flexibility 3/15/06
- Danaher Motion to Focus on System Control at Hannover Fair 2006 3/15/06
- Adept Releases New Adept Viper s1300; Newest Addition to the Adept Viper 6-Axis Family Enables Extended Reach and Higher Payload 3/15/06
- Contek Introduces PID Tuning Tool Based on Years of Offshore Experience 3/15/06
- PC Enclosures, Inc. Provides Innovative and Unique Computer Protection System 3/15/06
- Acrosser Introduces World's First EPIC Single Board Computer with On-Board AMD 3/15/06
- Ice Qube, Inc. Announces New Edition to Filtered Fan Systems 3/15/06
- Advantech Launches New Online Technical Chat Service 3/21/06
- ISA EXPO 2006 to Feature World's Leading Expert on Industrial Safety 3/21/06
- Fluke Adds Learning Module on Thermography to its Education Partnership Program 3/20/06
- Fluke Receives TDAP Certification from VDE 3/20/06
- Cognex Acts Against Abusive Patent Trolling 3/20/06
- Intelligent Instrumentation Acquired from Parent Company Texas Instruments 3/20/06
- Parker Electromechanical Automation Honored with Best Website Award 3/20/06
- Industry Expert Dick Morley to Serve as Formal Advisor to ISA 3/20/06
- ISA-SP84 Calls Meeting to Continue Industry-Leading Safety Standards Development 3/20/06
- LXI Consortium Joined by Geotest-Marvin Test Systems Inc. 3/20/06
- Emerson Acquires Bristol Babcock 3/17/06
- Contemporary Controls’ Blog Up and Running to Share Information on Industrial Ethernet 3/16/06
- Bristol Babcock User Groups Planned for 2006 in Various U.S. Locations 3/16/06
- PAS Adds Vice-President of Sales, Building on 2005 Success & Customer Growth 3/16/06
- ISA Releases CAP Learning System Demo 3/15/06
CAP Learning System
ISA has recently released a fully operational free online demo of its Certified Automation Professional® (CAP) Learning System. The system is a comprehensive CAP exam preparation and professional development. The program combines printed textbooks with online review and testing tools to provide automation training.
Automation & Communication Solutions Catalog
B&B Electronics’ 2006 solutions catalog includes Ethernet Serial Servers, Ethernet Infrastructure, Wireless, Industrial Modems, USB Connectivity, Data Acquisition, Serial Converters, Fiber Optics, Cards, Analog and Digital I/O, Programmable Relays, Enclosures, Terminal Blocks, Surge Protection, Temperature Controllers and more. B&B Electronics sells throughout the world with primary markets in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
ASI's new Saftey Switches are IEC/EN 60947-5-1 compliant and available with a hinge operator, slotted lever or key operated.More Information on Safety Switches
Contact ASI for Product Catalog CD or Application Assistance
PPT Vision premium intelligent cameras perform like a full-scale vision system - Free CD Inspection Builder Software.More Information on Intelligent Vision Cameras
Compact, economical Fieldbus and Ethernet I/O Solutions with cLogic control from MKS.More Information on Fieldbus and Ethernet I/O Solutions
Contact MKS Instruments for Product Literature or Application Assistance
Banner Engineering's low-cost, one-piece, self-contained World-Beam® Series Sensors available in compact world standard housing.More Information on World-Beam Series Sensors
Contact Banner for Product Catalog on CD or Application Assistance
Product & Supplier Search
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Automation Software Engineer: Richardson, TX - automationtechies 3/21/2006
- Applications / Sales Engineer: Houston, TX - CygNet Software 3/21/2006
- Technical Services Representative: South San Francisco, CA - Steven Engineering, Inc. 3/21/2006
- Director of Engineering/Quality Assurance: Pittsburgh, PA - RFM 3/21/2006
- Electrical Engineering Project Manager: Romeoville, IL - Barry-Wehmiller Design Group 3/21/2006
- Fanuc Electrical Engineer: Southern, IN - Technical Staffing Professionals LLC 3/20/2006
- Manager, Product Support: Bloomfield, CT - Baumuller Inc. 3/15/2006
- Cross Automation Field Account Manager: Greenville/Spartanburg, SC - Cross Company 3/15/2006
- Machine Controls Designer: St. Paul, MN - automationtechies 3/20/2006
- Project Manager: San Francisco, CA - automationtechies 3/20/2006
- Electrical Engineer-Manufacturing: San Antonio, TX - automationtechies 3/20/2006
- Sales Engineer, Robotics, Motion, Pneumatics: Houston (and Dallas), TX - automationtechies 3/20/2006
- Electrical/Controls Engineer: Syracuse, NY - automationtechies 3/20/2006
- Quality Engineer II: Bay Area, CA - automationtechies 3/16/2006
- Controls Engineer - Control Systems Integrator: Seattle, WA - automationtechies 3/13/2006
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
I hope you enjoyed this e-news update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rick Zabel
Vice President
Automation.com
For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit.
For automationtechies recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.