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By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com The convergence of IT and OT is one of the more fascinating trends that has spawned many discussions throughout the industrial space., but does it sound the death knell for Manufacturing Execution Systems?

By Bill Lydon, Automation.com Cisco Live 2016 afforded the opportunity to discuss the necessity of IT/OT convergence in an IIoT environment with World Wide Technology's Don Rogers.

By Harold Schaevitz, Alliance Sensors Group The second article, of a three part series, examines the strengths and weaknesses of industrial position-sensing technologies, and presents a comparison chart of their specification parameters together with a brief explanation of what those specifications mean

By Bill Lydon, Automation.com The event, a follow-on to the successful 1st End User Industry Day event in June, provided the opportunity for more users to learn about and consider joining the new open process control standards initiative.

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com Cyber protection is certainly a major issue for industry, but a comprehensive security protection program needs to focus on the physical and personnel aspects of protection and detection as well.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Automated Guided Vehicles (AVG) served as an enabling technology for a pharmaceutical manufacturer to achieve Stage By Component (SBC) – the delivery of every component required in the production process, "when I need it and where I need it."

By Bill Lydon, Editor Industry 4.0 is the change from rigid, preconceived, hierarchical production systems to dynamic, flexible, self-configuring and self-optimizing, integrated and intelligent networked systems and processes. NAMUR’s Process Sensor 4.0 Roadmap is an example of the industry rising to meet the challenge.

By Bill Lydon, Editor The industrial Ethernet protocols for automation were designed long before serious discussions about the IoT and IIoT. Existing industrial networks will need to transform before users can fully experience the benefits of IIoT implementations. This article highlights my observations related to this transformation.

Hannover Messe is always an exciting and informative event which showcases products and innovations from around the world. This year, the theme is Integrated Industry and the United States will be the Partner Country. President Obama will be on hand to open and tour the fair with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

By Bill Lydon, Editor IoT is pushing functionality to the cloud and into edge devices. Many automation suppliers emphasize how important IoT technologies are for manufacturing to remain competitive. These suppliers are far up the hype curve and very low on implementing IoT technologies in products. Specifically, most automation suppliers are not embedding IoT technology in controllers and sensors.

“Freespace Robotics addresses key industry challenges—modularity, system interoperability and rapid deployment." -Gary Cash, SVP and GM of Matthews Automation Solutions.

TDK’s subsidiary, Tronics Microsystems, expands into vibration sensor solutions.

Predictive maintenance, driven by routine vibration measurements, plays a crucial role in extending the life of rotating machinery.

Nefab has opened a new 150,000 sq. ft. Southeast Hub to expand production and enhance regional service.

Every machine, line and logistics system across manufacturing sites continuously generates data, but much of that information never translates into action.

IFCO, a global leader in reusable packaging solutions for fresh food, has opened its newest service center in Mesquite, near Dallas, Texas.

RF-based wireless power technologies have emerged as a revolutionary alternative, offering sustainable and operationally efficient solutions.

Global semiconductor equipment billings increased 24% year-over-year to US$33.07 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

Piping and instrumentation diagrams need regular reviews, thorough documentation and standardization of symbols through ANSI/ISA-5.1. Here’s why.

Control charts enable users to monitor process stability to help them achieve quality, reduce costs and increase production efficiency.