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By Bill Lydon, Editor Some industrial automation vendors and computer technology providers are offering cloud services that include historians, analytics, and complete MES (Manufacturing Execution System). These services offer a new way to improve operations by applying more computing power. Another important trend is leveraging new, more powerful controllers within the secure automation system environment. Should you be using one or the other, or both?

By Bill Lydon, Editor The OPC Foundation Information Revolution 2014 Conference was held at Microsoft's Redmond Campus on August 4-7, 2014. The conference featured industry experts who both presented and learned more about OPC Unified Architecture. This article summarizes the highlights from the conference.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Cybersecurity has been and will continue to be a major topic within the industrial automation market. With the wide range of cybersecurity implications come a wide range of technical solutions. Many vendors have introduced managed security services to help manufacturers protect systems and mitigate threats. Here are my thoughts on the topic.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Exxon is improving the execution of automation projects. They are challenging automation suppliers to develop products that make installation, operations, and maintenance more efficient. Here's a summary of Exxon's initiative.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Cyber-attacks of automation systems are increasing while the industry is broadening the attack surface with more IP-based Ethernet networks. The need to integrate information from controllers with business systems and the implementation of cyber security defenses are working against each other.

By Bill Lydon, Editor At the 2013 Rockwell Automation Fair, Cisco described how their routers are becoming distributed embedded computer devices, intended to process and react to information from devices and sensors at the edge of the network. Could your next automation controller be embedded in an Ethernet switch?

By Bill Lydon, Editor Big data has been a hot topic in the IT world for a few years and now industrial automation vendors are talking about this as well. I attended The Big Data Conference on October 22 – 23, 2013 in Chicago to learn more.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Cyber security is now becoming a hot topic with users and vendors of industrial automation systems. Brigadier General Rudolf Peksens fears a cyber-Pearl Harbor. The big question is, "Will companies make cyber security investments without legal enforcement?"

By Bill Lydon, Editor The time has come for a new acronym. The new high level of communications and computing at end devices is opening the possibilities for holistic and adaptive automation with the goal of increasing efficiency. This is a logical evolution in step with the “Internet of Things” trend and will lead to more responsive and efficient production.

Generative AI offers a significantly better interface to complex data under the right conditions.

Edge computing supports Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing and digital transformation.

Scalability, cost savings, real-time data insights and more are benefits of cloud computing.

The evolution of HMI/SCADA technologies demonstrates the need for advanced and scalable capabilities for applications of any size.

Knowledge is power, and when it comes to SCADA, this is the power to fundamentally improve every aspect of your production.

Ethernet-APL is set to redefine industrial connectivity, unlocking increased bandwidth and seamless connectivity to drive advancements in control, monitoring and asset management for the smart factories of tomorrow.

Advancements in AI are proving to have powerful potential for improving industrial cybersecurity operations.

The key to successfully implementing analytics is to design with intention by selecting seamlessly integrated technologies for increased data mobility.

Using new technologies like AI, cloud computing, and 3D vision, machine vision will likely play an expanded role in augmented reality maintenance, predictive analytics and more.

Rust is a programming language that is designed with a unique ability to combine high performance with exceptional safety.

AIC OT-X is a powerful new embedded IoT OS that can be run on x86 platforms as an OT and IoT integrated gateway.