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  • Automation.com Weekly e-Newsletter
    January 17, 2007
    Sponsored by National Instruments In this Issue

    Test Drive Graphical System Design

    Explore LabVIEW Online Laboratory

    The LabVIEW Online Laboratory gives you the opportunity to explore the National Instruments graphical system design platform at your convenience without downloading or installing any software. This tool provides an interactive online environment with customized tutorials designed to guide you through the features you want to see.

    Explore LabVIEW Online Laboratory

     

    From One Techie to Another:
    Forms, forms go away!

    Product Announcements & News

    Featured Article:
    Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Algorithm

    Featured Evaluation Software:
    Alarm Notification and Analysis Software

    Featured Training:
    Basic Electrical Controls and Motors

    Featured Products:

  • XGA Flat Panel Monitor
  • E-Direct On-line Shop
  • New Job Opportunities

    New Auctions & Classifieds

    Dilbert Pick of the Week

    Sponsor: Schneider Electric From One Techie to Another

    Click here for more information

    Manufacturing plants worldwide are looking at ways to cut costs and increase productivity. Schneider Electric now offers a service to increase your plant line production performance, deliver ways to decrease your cycle time, and resolve your downtime issues using data from any PLC or DCS system.

    Click Here for more information

     

     

    Forms, forms go away!

    Over a year ago, you might recall that we ran a little survey asking for feedback regarding information request forms. We published the results of that survey in the September 21, 2005 issue of this e-newsletter. To summarize, a large percentage of respondents (46%) said they had no problem submitting information request forms (to get more info on a product or service). But, those who didn't want to submit the forms believed they wouldn't receive the information in a timely manner and they were afraid of being pestered by over-active sales people. Now, what about all those people who didn't respond to the survey? My guess is they don't fill out forms...period.

    Today, I'm confirming that people don't want to fill out forms. How do I know? Because we have made it very easy to submit forms on our site. We even auto-fill the form if you've submitted one in the past (provided you allow your computer to remember). The reality is that most people don't submit forms anymore. This may not be a surprise to any of you, but let me tell you, this is not what publishers and advertisers want to hear. Some advertisers (and publishers) just can't seem to get past the days of bingo cards in magazines. Some of you may not even know what a bingo card is. For those who don't know, it's a little post card that readers filled out when they wanted to receive more information on an advertisement or product. Can you believe that readers actually used to fill them out? Those days are long gone! The days of people filling out online forms are all but gone also.

    A few years ago when we first implemented information request forms, we could easily get hundreds of submissions in a matter of a few days. Today, we don't even come close to 10% of that. Since our site has become the most frequented industrial automation web site on the web, I doubt it's because we don't have enough visitors. I've banged my head against the wall trying to figure out how to get people to submit forms for more information. I've come to the conclusion that few will, but most will not.

    So much has changed in just a matter of 2-3 years. Now, spam is a major concern for everyone. Some sites have abused the system by tracking you through their site and reporting your contact information to advertisers whose information you might have only glanced at. The result is you get bombarded with calls from suppliers you probably don't even know. Beware of sites that force you to register before you can view anything. We've never forced registration or tracked your browsing. We offer a "safe surfing" environment.

    Now, we are all adults here, right? I trust that you know how to contact the suppliers if and when you need more information or if and when you are ready to buy. As a result, we will be making a change to our site to better serve you, our readers.

    As you know, we publish a ton of product information on our site. Each product page on the site will soon have a single link that you can click for more information. This link will take you to a deeper page that will give you access to the following without submitting any information:

    • Product data sheet (if available in PDF)
    • Deep link to Supplier's site with more information (if available)
    • Information request form (if you choose to use it)
    • Complete company contact information
    • Link to company profile
    • Additional photos and/or product information
    • Links to other products offered by this company

    Our ultimate goal is to make your job easier without the fear of being followed. More to come!

    Oh, and just for fun, don't forget to check out the Top 10 reasons that you know you’re an engineer put together by Bosch Rexroth.

    Enjoy the rest of this eNews!

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Editor-in-Chief

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    Sponsor: EXELE

    Try TopView for Free

    TopView® is a feature-rich and easy to use process alarming software package. TopView can monitor thousands of process points for user-configured alarm conditions with support for text and voice notification (email, pagers, cellular and land phones). Remote monitoring and acknowledgment from PC’s, Windows Mobile devices, and dial-in phones.

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    Featured Article

    Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Algorithm
    A lot of papers, articles, and guides have been written over the recent years addressing Continuous Process Improvement (CPI). However very few address methodologies related to the improvement of the process itself, that is, the processing of the metrics used to measure the effectiveness of a process. The methodology proposed in this paper can be applied to any processes i.e. manufacturing, management, software development, financial, etc.

    Read full article

    More articles and white papers
    More application stories

    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:

    Literature, Training, Events & Seminars:

    Company & Organization News:

    Application News:

    Featured Evaluation Software

    Alarm Notification and Analysis Software
    U.C.ME is OPC client alarm notification and analysis software. It connects to OPC/DDE servers, or any SCADA/HMI software that supports OPC/DDE server functionality. It uses SMS (Text messaging), Phone, Email and WAP to notify users on alarm situations. U.C.ME users may acknowledge alarms, query or change tag values using their cell phone.

    Download Evaluation Software

    Featured Training

    Basic Electrical Controls and Motors
    This 4-day course covers the basics needed to understand, troubleshoot, and maintain most machine components that exist in today’s complex industrial automation systems. The course is divided into the following nine topics and includes a detailed organized binder for easy reference.

    • Understanding 3-Phase Power and Plant Distribution
    • Electrical Switching, Timing and Control Devices
    • Instrumentation: Discrete and Sensory
    • Understanding Electrical Diagrams & Control Circuits
    • Introduction to Motor Control
    • Operations & Protection
    • Sizing the Protection of Motors & Control Circuits
    • DC Motor Control
    • AC Motor Controls
    This training course is scheduled in West Berlin, NJ. On-site courses are available by request.

    Course information, schedule and registration form
    Featured Products
    XGA Flat Panel Monitor Advantech launches a 12.1” XGA Flat Panel Monitor with 1024 x 768 resolution.
    More Information on XGA Flat Panel Monitor
    Contact Advantech for Product CD or Application Assistance
    E-direct On-line E-direct is the On-line Instrument Shop for process control instrumentation from Endress+Hauser.
    More Information on E-direct is the On-line Instrument Shop
    Contact Endress+Hauser for Product CD or Application Assistance

    Product & Supplier Search

    New Jobs

    Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:

    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:
    Dilbert Pick of the Week

    One good reason not to trust the sales guy.

     

    I hope you enjoyed this automation 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

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