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Author Profile
Bill Lydon
208 Results Found
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FeatureEnvisioning the Future: Ignition Community Conference 2020
The Inductive Automation Ignition Community Conference 2020 (ICC2020) has become an important event for automation professionals, and this year’s virtual event due to the pandemic was no exception. -
FeatureIndustrial Automation in the Maker Era: Raspberry Pi Industrial Edge Platform
Sfera Labs has a vision to provide innovative technology bridging the best of the Maker World with the industrial automation market with the introduction of the Iono Pi Max. -
FeatureEdge Computing: Chip Delivers High Performance Artificial Intelligence
The Hailo-8TM inference chip expands the number of industrial Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications possible for a wide range of industrial applications including optimization of production, processes, track & trace, logistics, quality, machine functions, and predictive maintenance by eliminating inherent limitations of server and cloud solutions with processing at the edge. -
FeaturePandemic Accelerates Manufacturing Digitalization
Attending the AVEVA World Digital Virtual Press Roundtable provided thoughts and insights about the impacts of the pandemic and recovery. -
FeatureAVEVA Roundtable Insights: Digitalization Reenergizing Industry
AVEVA hosted a virtual roundtable panel discussion Aug. 26, 2020 with key people from the world’s largest oil & gas organizations to understand how technology is reenergizing industry. -
FeatureRockwell Automation Advances Digital Edge Architecture with ASEM Acquisition
“Seamlessly connecting all levels of a business and turning raw data into powerful insights happens when devices are integrated and data is standardized. No one vendor can do this alone," said Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO Blake Moret. -
FeatureROKLive DX Strategists Conference: Manufacturing Digitalization Keys to Success
Retired Procter & Gamble VP Tony Saldana highlights the opportunities successful digitalization offers and outlines the skills, actions and mindsets manufacturing companies need to thrive during the pandemic and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era. -
FeatureOPC Foundation Empowers Sensor-to-Cloud Digitalization
OPC Days 2020, a virtual event held June 22- 25, provided the latest information about OPC UA (Open Platform Communications United Architecture), the protocol-agnostic framework for the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 initiatives. -
FeatureEra of Empowerment for Automation Professionals
Automation professionals are critical to successfully selecting and applying these technologies and guiding management to maximize their productivity. This role will continue and expand, as more companies look to make informed productive technological investments and implementation decisions to yield profitable results. -
FeatureOpen Standards Mean More Options for Industrial Automation
By Bill Lydon Open system options continue to emerge from nontraditional suppliers and standards groups, and this is a trend that I expect will accelerate and enable multivendor interoperability at all levels of the system architecture. -
FeatureWired and Wireless Networks Advance in Power
Both wired and wireless networks have been undergoing a significant evolution during the past decade, enabling greater opportunities to those who leverage the advancements in the next one. -
FeatureEnhanced Integration Drives Need for Enhanced Cybersecurity
There is an increasing recognition that an integrated cybersecurity approach is required for an entire manufacturing and production company. Many manufacturing companies are realizing with the integration of IT, OT, automation and other functions that designating one leader responsible for all cybersecurity for the company is most effective. -
FeaturePushing Plant Computing to the Edge and to the Cloud Factories
By Bill Lydon Time synchronization and accelerate the continued integration of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) groups. This trend has been facilitating changes in organizational structures, and the creation, in many cases, of integrated IT/OT groups. -
FeatureThe Growing Impact of the Cobot Revolution
By Bill Lydon Accelerating the application of collaborative types of robots is the integration of vision systems with artificial intelligence, and this integration is enabling a range of new applications. -
FeatureDigital Transformation Leads to Integrated Factories
By Bill Lydon, Implementing Digital Twin concepts is quickly becoming fundamental for organizations achieve real-time integrated manufacturing. -
FeatureContinued Evolution for Process Automation
By Bill Lydon The Process Automation industry has been heavily impacted by the influx of new technologies and, as we enter the next decade, several organizations are providing roadmaps in order to help process automation companies enable the best practices to leverage these technologies and drive competitiveness and productivity forward. -
FeatureWorldwide Blossoming of Country-Centric Open Manufacturing Initiatives
By Bill Lydon The impact of open manufacturing initiatives continues to be a worldwide affair. These initiatives continue to grow as industry recognizes the need to modernize and the Industry 4.0 movement (called “Industrie 4.0” in Germany, its country of origin) continues to accelerate. -
FeatureDigitalization Driving Manufacturing to New Heights
By Bill Lydon Manufacturing and production companies are realizing digitalization requires structure, organizational changes, and integration of information technology (IT), operations technology (OT) and automation technology. -
FeaturePTC LiveWorx on Moving Digitalization from Vision to Reality
The multi-session live event, recorded and available on demand for those who missed it, described how digitalization is a competitive imperative for manufacturing and production companies that want to thrive and survive. -
FeatureLeveraging the Digitalization Toolbox to Distance Workers in the COVID-19 Era
By Bill Lydon Running a manufacturing plant in the COVID-19 pandemic era means distancing coworkers and minimizing their interactions. Fortunately, there are a range of industrial automation solutions available that can help organizations achieve these new goals while also being consistent with digitalization investments to improve productivity. -
FeatureInnovative Engineering Solutions Contribute to COVID-19 Medical Protection
By Bill Lydon Many organizations in the manufacturing industry have shifted assets in order to innovate and produce solutions that are contributing to the protection of medical personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight. In this article, we highlight two of these innovative engineering solutions that are keeping these crucial personnel safe -
FeatureThe Missing ‘Industry 4.0/Digitalization’ Link – Open Programming Standard Conformance & Certification
By Bill Lydon Achieving the benefits of digitalization requires organizations to leverage Industry 4.0 and IoT (Internet of Things) concepts, technology, and architecture with open standards. -
FeatureODVA General Meeting Focuses on Industrial Digitalization
By Bill Lydon More than 120 industry professionals from more than 50 companies attended to focus on supporting industrial digitalization through the association’s device connectivity technologies, which include the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and the network adaptations of CIP: EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet and CompoNet. -
FeatureHannover Preview 2020: Digitalization and Mobility Reach Higher Importance in COVID-19 Environment
By Bill Lydon While the April Hannover Messe event is cancelled, industrial companies remain focused on digital transformation techniques, methods and ideas. -
NewsODVA 2020 General Meeting Focuses on Industrial Digitalization
By Bill Lydon, Automation.com One of the last automation events to occur before the coronavirus shut down business gatherings around the world was the ODVA 20th Annual Meeting of Members in Palm Harbor, Florida, USA on March 5, 2020. More than 120 industry professionals attended to focus on supporting industrial digitalization through the association’s device connectivity technologies, which include the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and the network adaptations of CIP: EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet and CompoNet. -
NewsNew FDT Architecture Delivers Manufacturing Digitalization Platform
By Bill Lydon, Automation.com One of the last automation events to occur before the coronavirus shut down business gatherings around the world was the ODVA 20th Annual Meeting of Members in Palm Harbor, Florida, USA on March 5, 2020. More than 120 industry professionals attended to focus on supporting industrial digitalization through the association’s device connectivity technologies, which include the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and the network adaptations of CIP: EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet and CompoNet. -
Feature2019 PAR Insights from the Annual Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable and Survey
By Bill Lydon The current state of pharma manufacturing maturity and the future of automation in the sector were important topics at the annual Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable (PAR) held October 2019 at a Novo Nordisk facility. -
News2019 PAR Insights: Automation Workforce Development Trends
Members of the annual Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable (PAR) held October 2019 reflect on workforce skills, training, certification and development. -
FeatureARC 2020 Conference Wrap-up: How IT/OT Integration Helps to Accomplish Digitalization
By Bill Lydon Focused on the theme, Driving Digital Transformation in Industry and Cities, the February 3-6 event had over 800 attendees from 20 countries representing more than 300 companies, along with many breakout sessions and workshops. -
FeatureGrowing Problem with Counterfeit Electrical Products
Counterfeit electrical products are a growing problem that can have serious consequences. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports fiscal year 2008 seizures totaled more than $272.7 million in counterfeit and pirated goods, a 38 percent increase in domestic value over fiscal year 2007. In the category of Top Safety and Security Commodities for fiscal year 2009, electrical products moved from 5th to 2nd position just behind pharmaceuticals. -
NewsNew Gigabyte Industrial Ethernet Open Protocol - CC-Link IE
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) announced the release of the open architecture gigabit (GB) CC-Link IE Field Network. I recently met with two members of CLPA Americas to get an update on the latest CC-Link IE standard. -
NewsProduct Spotlight: Micro DCS - Small to Midrange Process Control
The Freelance system combines easy engineering with open system architecture. ABB describes Freelance as a small footprint DCS for small to medium sized plants in the process industry and for applications requiring DCS functionality in a compact system with intuitive and efficient engineering tools. -
FeatureWorld Economic Forum 2020 - Fourth Industrial Revolution or Evolution?
By Bill Lydon, Contributing Editor Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies are disrupting the manufacturing industry, and that disruption has risen to the highest levels: a topic for discussion at the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in late January -
NewsSingle Pair Ethernet Industrial Automation Joins IoT Revolution
By Bill Lydon, Contributing Editor Attending the Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) Symposium hosted by Harting Electronics and the SPE Partner Network organization, I learned more about the 10BASE-T1 Single Pair Ethernet. SPE is an exciting development enabling seamless ethernet connectivity from sensor to enterprise, connecting the IoT universe. -
FeatureISA95 In the IoT & Digitalization Era
The ANSI/ISA95 standard, generally referred to as ISA95, is an important tool for digitalization. It provides the framework, modeling, and vendor independent common information models which can be applied in any manufacturing or process industry production architecture. -
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Inside the Rise of 5G Industrial Automation Networking
Hannover Messe 2019 created a buzz with the 5G Arena showcasing the latest 5G developments, products and solutions for the industry. 5G is starting to make the goal of wireless industrial automation a reality. Companies are already starting to deploy private 5G networks within plants and are seeing increases in performance, determinism, low latency, and reliability. -
FeatureFabtech 2019: Edge Computer Integrates Machine Work Cell Control & Automation
Siemens introduced the Sinumerik Motion Control (MC) open, industrial PC-based CNC for fabrication and metal-processing machines at Fabtech 2019. The introduction is an affirmation of the growing trend to use Edge Computer platforms to integrate all control & automation functions in a machining work cell including CNC, PLC, Drives, motors, safety and other production related functions to achieve higher levels of productivity and profits. -
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PLC Programming Preference Survey - Insights and User Comments
The PLCopen organization and Automation.com conducted a joint survey of PLC programming preferences. Here are some of the results to inform you of current trends in PLC programming and users thoughts on vendors. -
FeatureIndustry 4.0 Concepts for Discrete Manufacturing Applied to Process Automation
Industry 4.0 initially focused on discrete manufacturing, and now there is an additional focus on process automation -
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The Industrial Automation Transformation Change Agent - Inside Inductive Automation's ICC 2019 Conference
By Bill Lydon, Automation.com The 2019 Inductive Automation Ignition Community Conference was another high energy, creative, and stimulating leadership event. With the company illustrating the power of the next level of software technology and leveraging this with a new business model, Inductive Automation illuminated their progression to be more responsive to industry and customer requirements. -
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Inside the Integration at Milwaukee's New Fiserv Forum Sports & Entertainment Complex
Since its opening in August of 2018, Fiserv Forum has quickly become home to many passionate Milwaukee Bucks basketball fans. Yet, aside from the on-court product, the new entertainment and sports center in downtown Milwaukee is an integrated facility, working to enhance fan experience, comfort and safety. -
FeatureWhy Automation Professionals Need to Go Beyond the Obvious and Create Elegant Solutions
Automation professionals may well benefit from taking a chance to develop options beyond the obvious, finding elegant solutions that are superior. -
FeatureEpicor Strategy Empowers Digitalization for Small & Medium Manufacturers
While many manufacturers are aware of the benefits of digitalization, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin, in order to reap those benefits. EPICOR has put together an architecture for companies, particularly small and medium manufacturers, to implement Industry 4.0, and Internet of Things conceptsy. -
FeatureWhy Industrial Cybersecurity Needs to Start at the Top and Be Embraced by All
Organizations that invest in a cybersecurity culture are unlikely to be a cybersecurity disaster news headline. -
FeatureDoes Your Company Have Vision to Leverage Disruptive Industrial Automation Innovations?
When technology that has the potential for revolutionizing an industry emerges, typically only a few companies with vision see it as attractive and leverage it. -
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Democratizing Digitalization to Achieve Manufacturing Competitiveness at PTC LiveWorx 2019
By Bill Lydon, Automation.com While attending LiveWorx 2019, for example, it was obvious to me that that PTC has created the most open system architecture which manufacturers can use to leverage digitalization and collaboration to achieve strong competitive positions in their industries. -
FeatureInsights from 2019 3DEXPERIENCE Forum: Inside Boeing's Digital Transformation Journey using ISA-95
The digital transformation continues to flow throughout manufacturing, generating electricity among the audience at event after event. At the 2019 Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE in May, it was Boeing, and Lucia Chung, Senior Director, IT Factory Operations, who provided insights into Boeing’s digital transformation effort. -
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Tension in Industrial Automation: Open Systems and the User's Dilemma
By Bill Lydon, Automation.com Suppliers either adapt with technology, or they lose customers and die. This is true in every industry. The industrial and process automation industries will be no exception. -
Feature2019 Hannover Messe Wrap Up: The Growing Realization of Industry 4.0 & Digitalization
Illuminating the theme of ‘Integrated Industry - Industrial Intelligence, the 2019 Hannover Messe, hosted 6,500 exhibitors from 75 countries and 215,000 attendees from 95 nations. The event, which featured Sweden as the partner country, hosted over 80 forums and conferences which highlighted many new digitalization trends and technologies. -
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Can Manufacturers Compete When Trapped in Existing Automation Architectures?
Manufacturing companies are becoming more aware of the need to modernize production methods and automation to compete globally, but many still find themselves stuck in a sunk investment trap.