Automation.com e-News - August 16, 2006

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August 16, 2006 - Volume VII, Issue 32
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In this Issue	Sponsored by Endress+Hauser
From One Techie to Another: RSS Feeds Provide New Information ASAP Featured Article: The Invensys/Foxboro Culture – Took a lickin’ & kept on tickin’ Product & Company News Featured Catalog/CD eAutomation Solutions Guide 2006 Featured Event WonderWorld 2006 Global Conference Series Featured Products: SNAP PAC Controllers Nexa Building Automation Solution Industrial Fanless PC New Job Opportunities New Auctions & Classifieds Dilbert Pick of the Week	New E-direct Catalog Now Available To shop for low-cost sensors and transmitters for process automation, simply request a free E-direct catalog available either printed, or on CD-ROM. Both versions contain the same products found in the on-line shop. There is also a brand new E-direct on-line shop now live with new capabilities. And on-line buyers also have a chance to win a shopping spree at Amazon.com. To browse the new shop, request a catalog, or enter the giveaway, Click Here.
From One Techie to Another
RSS Feeds Provide New Information ASAP Have you seen this or a similar icon on web sites, but never really known what it was? RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication”. In other words, RSS allows web sites to make their most recent content (such as news, articles, job opportunities) available publicly in a common XML format to anyone who subscribes. All you need to view content is a news aggregator or RSS reader, which is a program (browser-based or standalone) that displays, manages and checks for updates on a list of feeds. And "ASAP", in this case, stands for “As Soon As Published”. So as soon as the information gets published on a web site, it gets pushed out to subscribers via those RSS feeds. RSS is a powerful tool for not only online publishers, but also for the users. A number of web site publishers are using RSS feeds to push information out to their audience. The problem is there seems to be a “disconnect” between publishers and users. Most users are not familiar with RSS and are not taking the time to figure out how to use it. The reason for this article is to help you, the user, understand the value of RSS feeds (and how easily they work) so you can take advantage of timely information from multiple sources. With RSS feeds you can now stay informed without having to manually visit each of your favorite web sites to find the latest news and information. Just look for the icon and drag it to your RSS reader’s address bar. The RSS acronym may sometimes be replaced with “XML”, or the icon may be a different color, but the functionality is the same. Many popular news sites, like CNN, are supporting RSS feeds. In actuality, many of the search engines (Google and Yahoo!) and other online news resources are using RSS technology to push information out to users. Consequently, over 50 million users are already on the receiving end of RSS technology and are not aware of it. Automation.com just implemented RSS feeds associated with our web site content. Now you can get the latest automation news, products, articles and jobs sent to you as soon as they are published on Automation.com. We have set up unique feeds (listed below) for specific information published on our site. Simply drag the corresponding RSS icon to your news aggregator (RSS reader) or copy the link and paste it in your reader. A list of popular readers are listed below. To subscribe to each unique feed, you'll need to drag each RSS icon to your reader. Search engines like Google and Yahoo! even allow you to personalize a home page with content of interest. To bring these feeds into your personalized home page, simply click on the corresponding Google or Yahoo! icon below. News & Product Headlines: http://www.automation.com/rss/?news_headlines Featured Articles: http://www.automation.com/rss/?featured_articles Featured Products: http://www.automation.com/rss/?featured_products New Job Opportunities: http://www.automation.com/rss/?new_jobs There are a number of aggregators available on the Internet, including offerings by Google and Yahoo!. Some are browser-based and others you can download for free or at a minimal cost. For your reference, here is a list of some popular news readers/aggregators. Google My Yahoo! Newsgator Feeddemon Newzcrawler Amphetadesk Sharpreader Active Refresh For more information about RSS or the RSS feeds that we offer, please visit our RSS Feed page. Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel Vice President, Editor-in-chief
Featured Article	Sponsored by B&B Electronics
The Invensys/Foxboro Culture – Took a lickin’ & kept on tickin’ Just six years ago Invensys was one of the top industrial companies, with annual revenues of about $ 14B and comparable market-cap. But, after several unwise acquisitions the stock declined drastically and many of the best-performing companies in the group were sold off to stay financially afloat. Here’s a review of how the corporate culture not only survived, but thrived. This is a must-read article for everyone in automation. Read full article by Jim Pinto. This article is No. 7 in a Series of Articles on Corporate Cultures. Other articles by Jim Pinto More articles and white papers More application stories	TRIPLE ISOLATION: Protect Your Data Equipment from Surge Disasters NEW! I-linx RS-232/422/485 and fiber converters boast superior isolation for rugged industrial applications. Isolated data ports. 10-48VDC operation. 2000V I/O, 10-48V isolated power supply. DIN cases. CE approved. Pending: UL Cl1 Div2; CSA. B&B Electronics: Your Serial and Data Communication Experts. Click here for more information and a Free B&B Electronics Catalog.
Product Announcements & Company News
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. Product Announcements: NI announces 12 new Isolated Multifunction Devices for data acquisition 8/15/06 Bosche-Rexroth motion controller lowers costs for packaging machinery 8/15/06 New junction box from Turck lets DC sensors be used in AC applications 8/15/06 National Instruments releases Integrated PXI Chassis and Controller for $999 USD 8/15/06 National Instruments Introduces PXI Express Modules and Controllers 8/15/06 Ethernet Direct Industrial Ethernet switch goes Gigabit 8/15/06 PC Enclosures introduces low cost, high-end industrial computer enclosure 8/15/06 ASI releases high current terminal blocks 8/15/06 NI Founders Outline the Future of Graphical System Design at 12th Annual NIWeek 8/15/06 Viola Systems software offers wireless backup routing, redundancy and VPN 8/15/06 MGE introduces Enterprise Power Manager Software 8/15/06 Sterilization system from Diversified Technologies produces no chemicals, heat or byproducts 8/15/06 Rockwell Automation introduces online reporting and analytics tool 8/14/06 ISA releases second edition of "Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge" 8/14/06 Yokogawa enhances STARDOM control system 8/11/06 New subminiature background suppression photoelectric sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs 8/11/06 Hollow Motors available from Empire Magnetics 8/11/06 AXIOMTEK announces embedded SBC that supports VIA V4 processor 8/11/06 Ormec's motion & logic controller eliminates need for PLC 8/10/06 Woodhead announces Block I/O System with PROFIBUS 8/10/06 Rockwell Automation puts I/O close to welding applications 8/10/06 Faster, sharper touchscreens from Exor Electronic R&D 8/10/06 Single-Turn hollow-shaft servo motor feedback system from SICK STEGMANN INC. for stand-alone applications 8/10/06 Haydon Switch Anti-Backlash Nut eliminates leadscrew clearance problems 8/10/06 SIXNET introduces IP67 Ethernet ring switch 8/9/06 Midwest Motion's new 24 Volt DC Gearmotor develops 539 in--lb of torque with failsafe brake 8/9/06 Advantech launches new Industrial PC with Celeron 400 MHz Processor 8/9/06 Updated control platform for automated guided vehicles from Danaher Motion 8/9/06 Acrosser launches new Intel Pentium M Embedded Systems for rugged environments 8/9/06 Intermec's SmartSystems™ integrated into Radley Data Collection Software 8/9/06 Miniature suction cups from Anver suit small robotic applications 8/9/06 Company & Organization News: Cognex hosts free machine vision seminars, starting in August 8/15/06 Flowsense hires Baynes as Project Manager & Estimator 8/15/06 WBF announces plans for 2007 North American Conference 8/14/06 Allied Electronics and Panduit Sign Distribution Agreement 8/14/06 MGE sees growth from globalization strategies 8/14/06 Wonderware's WonderWorld 2006 Global Conference Series starts Sept 27 8/11/06 2007 Hannover Fair to cover IT-based Services in the Digital Factory 8/11/06 End users to benefit from Wireless Standards Committee Work 8/10/06 GarrettCom acquires DYMEC to increase network offerings for power utilities 8/10/06 Phoenix Contact joins ODVA’s CIP Conformity Club 8/10/06 Keithley sponsors Weblog for Semiconductor testing 8/10/06 Bosch-Rexroth president comments on a sales strategy for the 21st Century 8/10/06 Ship2Save joins EPCglobal Canada's Strategic Advisory Council 8/9/06 Application News: Honeywell wins bid from Qatar shell for gas-to-liquids facilities 8/15/06 KUKA Robotics to provide robots for large format machining cell 8/15/06 Modular building manufacturer to reduce manual processes with DEACOM ERP 8/15/06 FKI Logistex to supply material handling equipment to distribution center 8/14/06 Honeywell wins $41.4 million contract to upgrade South African power station 8/10/06
Featured Catalog/CD
eAutomation Solutions Guide 2006 The new eAutomation Solutions Catalog (Vol.26) is dedicated to bringing you all-inclusive coverage of the Industrial Automation Group's most updated solutions and products. In order to align with our product segment strategy, eAutomation Solutions introduces a full range of products incorporated in the following four product divisions: Industrial HMI Platforms, Industrial I/O, Industrial Communications, and eAutomation. In this issue there are over 436 pages of content, covering Advantech & Industrial Automation Group introductions, solution forums, new product highlights, and detailed product specifications. Click here to request your Solutions Catalog/CD
Featured Event
WonderWorld 2006 Global Conference Series Wonderware announced the topics and dates for the WonderWorld 2006 global conference series, which will begin in September. The conferences, which are underwritten in part by Microsoft Corp., will be held in 19 locations throughout the U.S. and in Latin America, Europe and Asia, and focus on operational excellence for manufacturers and facilities. WonderWorld 2006 conferences are designed to provide executives, information technology professionals, operations management and engineering personnel with vital information on how their companies can optimize their plant and enterprise operations. Attendees will learn how to achieve maximum efficiency and increased performance throughout the enterprise with the use of best industry practices and Wonderware's wide variety of information and automation software solutions. Click here for more information on WonderWorld 2006
Featured Products
For about $1000, Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers offer dual Ethernet with programming and HMI software for control, monitoring, data acquisition. More Information on SNAP PAC Controllers Contact Opto 22 for a Brochure or Application Assistance
Improve tenant service and reduce costs for centralized control and monitoring of facilities. More Information on Nexa Building Automation Solution Contact Citect for Free CitectSCADA Trial or Application Assistance
Advantech's UNO-3062L is an industrial fanless PC with a Celeron processor, two PCI extensions, and one internal CF slot. More Information on Advantech's UNO-3062L Contact Advantech for Product Guide or Application Assistance
Product & Supplier Search Other Featured Products for August Find Products by Category Find Manufacturers & Suppliers
New Jobs
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com: Project Manager: Bristol, PA - Data Systems Analysts 8/14/2006 Controls Engineer: Alameda, CA - Abbott 8/11/2006 Process Engineer II: Alameda, CA - Abbott Diabetes Care 8/08/2006 Senior Process Engineer/Automation: Alameda, CA - Abbott Diabetes Care 8/08/2006 Electrical / Automation Technician: Western Suburb, MN - automationtechies 8/15/2006 Electromechanical Designer / Team Leader: Fort Wayne, IN - automationtechies 8/15/2006 Sales Engineer - Controls Systems Integration: Minneapolis Area, MN - automationtechies 8/15/2006 Senior Engineer: Phoenix, AZ - automationtechies 8/15/2006 Controls Engineer: Milwaukee, WI - automationtechies 8/10/2006 Engineering Manager: St. Paul, MN - automationtechies 8/9/2006 Business Development Manager: Napa, CA - automationtechies 8/1/2006 To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
New Auctions & Classifieds
eBay hosts over 8000 auctions for industrial automation, control and instrumentation products. From PLCs to sensors, from motor controls to robotics...Use the links below to browse the latest new, used and surplus automation products by category: Control Systems & PLCs Drives & Motion Control Fieldbus, DeviceNet, Ethernet Instrumentation Operator Interface Panels Power Supply, Circuit Breakers Relays, Timers, Counters Robotics Sensors Switches Temperature Controllers Valves & Flow Controls Wiring, Connections & Cables Other
Dilbert Pick of the Week
The grass isn’t always greener. Or, is it?
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, Editor-in-chief Automation.com View our Privacy Policy 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.