What is MQTT, and Why Does it Matter?

What is MQTT, and Why Does it Matter?

 

In the world of Internet of Things (IoT) the main currency is messages. Even as you read this hundreds of thousands of devices are sending status reports, receiving orders (like “turn up the heat”, “measure the room humidity” etc.), storing data from other devices or doing numerous other tasks that make our lives easier. And they all need to exchange information, as without connectivity, their usefulness is immensely reduced.

 

Predicting the Future

Predicting the Future

 

In November, the UK Government announced that 2018 would be the Year of Engineering. This coupled with the launch of the Government’s Industrial Strategy and Made Smarter Review has signalled a major vote of confidence in the sector as it pledges to help make the UK a world leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution by 2030.

 

 

CSIA: Proven Better Performance

CSIA: Proven Better Performance

 

CSIA Certified Integrators have the right tools to run their businesses at the highest level, when they are certified in the CSIA’s Best Practices. Well-run, professional control system integration companies benefit clients and automation vendors, impacting every manufacturing industry. The white paper demonstrates this by linking business performance data to CSIA Certification.

 

 

Phoenix Contact: Easy, Flexible Marking for Decentralized Manufacturing

Phoenix Contact: Easy, Flexible Marking for Decentralized Manufacturing

 

Clear and consistent marking is becoming increasingly important across all industries – and more and more businesses are opted to implement this. Because manufacturing is becoming increasing decentralized, marking systems must be able to move with it. Phoenix Contact’s new portable, hand-held marking devices optimize labeling on-site.

 

 

Rittal Offers New IoT Interface for Climate Control Solutions

Rittal Offers New IoT Interface for Climate Control Solutions

 

Industry 4.0 scenarios such as Predictive Maintenance are based on the provision of data and networked communication. For this to happen, IoT-compatible devices equipped with the necessary communication options are required. With its new IoT interface, Rittal is now laying the foundation for the optimal integration of cooling units and chillers in Industry 4.0 applications.

 

 

Liam Lawrence: Perspective of a Control Systems MASc Student

Liam Lawrence: Perspective of a Control Systems MASc Student

 

Changes are coming hard and fast to the control and automation sectors, obligating a rise in knowledgeable and experienced engineers and integrators. Education is the path to ensuring the technological advances continue and are properly implemented and as such Panel Builder & Systems Integrator turned to a control systems student at the University of Waterloo.

 

 

Early Use of SCADA

Early Use of SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology is nothing new to automation and control experts today, who are used to implementing the system using modern technology, but it wasn’t always so. Early integrators faced a variety of challenges, most prominent among them the lack of computing power, particularly with mobile equipment (laptops, tablets, smartphones) that weren’t available in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

 

 

Why Robust Industrial Control System Security is Essential to Your Business

Why Robust Industrial Control System Security is Essential to Your Business

 

Automation is the name of the game for today’s manufacturers and operators of critical infrastructure. The global market for industrial control and factory automation is expected to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4 percent between 2017 and 2023, from its current value of USD 145 billion.

 

 

The Rise of System Integration

The Rise of System Integration

 

System Integration has a strong foothold and is a key driver of advanced technology that is increasingly focused on cost saving coupled with higher production rates. However, the evolution of system integration was slow, and does not necessarily meet the exact standards we think of today when we hear the term or consider the type of work system integrators do.