Ask Control Engineering
Does phishing really work?
You’re making a big deal about phishing and spear phishing. Does anybody fall for that? » more
What's the best engineering-related gift from or for an engineer?
Engineers can give good (or bad) gifts like anyone else. We want to hear about good engineering-related gifts you have given or received for various gift-giving opportunities. » more
Do I need Java or not? How do I know?
Determining what you have on your computer is a first step to greater security. Java is a case in point. » more
Automation System Integration
Create value with re-use
When you finish a project, begin working to catalog what was built, the standards used (and improved), and where and how that work could be applied in future. Not-invented-here syndrome is a common... » more
Baseline your system or else
In this Automation System Integration blog post, Anthony Baker learns that the lack of data about how a system has been operating can create a moving target after an upgrade. » more
Know your customer
Who is your customer? Can you explain in one sentence or less? What does that customer value most? Do you understand those things and are you providing that value? » more
Machine Safety
Machine Safety: For a safe machine, I’ll just install a small safety PLC
To mitigate a machine hazard, might it work to install one small safety PLC, then slave the other distributed standard PLCs to the safety PLC? Would that avoid the need for a risk assessment for the... » more
Machine Safety: Actuator controls versus machine actuators
Why is knowing the difference between a machine actuator versus an actuator control important? The hazard on a machine is what’s really important to reducing risk! Understanding two standards-based... » more
Machine Safety: Are you farming out the designing in of functional safety component requirements?
Functional safety is supposed to be designed into machine design, but is it being farmed out for others to do? Are automation suppliers truly considering farming out the design and safety... » more
Pillar to Post
Asset management using diagnostics when it really counts
There are similarities between the health of our plants and the health of our bodies. Both send us diagnostic messages if we’re willing to listen to the warnings and act on them. Video: Peter Zornio... » more
The problem of extra software
A compelling reason for getting rid of the programs that you don’t use or need. » more
Can we draw more children, especially girls, to engineering?
Some current efforts are drawing interest. Time will tell if they pay off. » more
Real World Engineering
Flying by the seat of your pants?
If you want to fly without using appropriate instrumentation, I’ll walk, thank you. The same goes for your process. » more
Exceeding expectations And/Or destined for failure
You may not realize that your control system is running beyond red line in some area, and could fail at any time. » more
A few tools for continuous improvement
An overview of techniques and programs to evaluate and improve your manufacturing. » more
Research Analyst blogs
Jasper Wireless-based operator group promotes "white SIMs" for M2M market
The cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) market is steadily moving away from fixed SIM subscriptions toward so-called “white SIMs” capable of over-the-air downloading of new subscriptions. » more
Telefonica announces the “Smart M2M Solution”
Telefonica announced its new “Smart M2M Solution”, a connection management platform that enables Telefonica to provide optimized connectivity services for M2M applications. » more
AT&T gets its AirOn over-the-air subscription management of its global M2M SIM
On 12 December 2012, AT&T announced that it would use SIM provider Giesecke & Devrient’s “AirOn” technology to enable AT&T’s global SIM for M2M and connected devices. » more
Does phishing really work?You’re making a big deal about phishing and spear phishing. Does anybody fall for that? » more
What's the best engineering-related gift from or for an engineer?Engineers can give good (or bad) gifts like anyone else. We want to hear about good engineering-related gifts you have given or received for various gift-giving opportunities. » more
Do I need Java or not? How do I know?Determining what you have on your computer is a first step to greater security. Java is a case in point. » more
Create value with re-useWhen you finish a project, begin working to catalog what was built, the standards used (and improved), and where and how that work could be applied in future. Not-invented-here syndrome is a common... » more
Baseline your system or elseIn this Automation System Integration blog post, Anthony Baker learns that the lack of data about how a system has been operating can create a moving target after an upgrade. » more
Know your customerWho is your customer? Can you explain in one sentence or less? What does that customer value most? Do you understand those things and are you providing that value? » more
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Machine Safety: For a safe machine, I’ll just install a small safety PLCTo mitigate a machine hazard, might it work to install one small safety PLC, then slave the other distributed standard PLCs to the safety PLC? Would that avoid the need for a risk assessment for the... » more
Machine Safety: Actuator controls versus machine actuatorsWhy is knowing the difference between a machine actuator versus an actuator control important? The hazard on a machine is what’s really important to reducing risk! Understanding two standards-based... » more
Machine Safety: Are you farming out the designing in of functional safety component requirements?Functional safety is supposed to be designed into machine design, but is it being farmed out for others to do? Are automation suppliers truly considering farming out the design and safety... » more
Asset management using diagnostics when it really countsThere are similarities between the health of our plants and the health of our bodies. Both send us diagnostic messages if we’re willing to listen to the warnings and act on them. Video: Peter Zornio... » more
The problem of extra softwareA compelling reason for getting rid of the programs that you don’t use or need. » more
Can we draw more children, especially girls, to engineering?Some current efforts are drawing interest. Time will tell if they pay off. » more
Flying by the seat of your pants?If you want to fly without using appropriate instrumentation, I’ll walk, thank you. The same goes for your process. » more
Exceeding expectations And/Or destined for failureYou may not realize that your control system is running beyond red line in some area, and could fail at any time. » more
A few tools for continuous improvementAn overview of techniques and programs to evaluate and improve your manufacturing. » more
Jasper Wireless-based operator group promotes "white SIMs" for M2M marketThe cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) market is steadily moving away from fixed SIM subscriptions toward so-called “white SIMs” capable of over-the-air downloading of new subscriptions. » more
Telefonica announces the “Smart M2M Solution”Telefonica announced its new “Smart M2M Solution”, a connection management platform that enables Telefonica to provide optimized connectivity services for M2M applications. » more
AT&T gets its AirOn over-the-air subscription management of its global M2M SIMOn 12 December 2012, AT&T announced that it would use SIM provider Giesecke & Devrient’s “AirOn” technology to enable AT&T’s global SIM for M2M and connected devices. » more