Podcasts about inductive automation

Learn how these manufacturers eliminated hours of wasted time by unifying data from fragmented systems using MQTT Sparkplug, with Toyota leveraging Inductive Automation's Ignition platform and MTNA deploying Opto22's groovRIO, and both proving the value of their low-cost approach before scaling enterprise-wide.

Shawn meets up with Travis Cox of Inductive Automation to learn about the new features found in Ignition 8.3 in this episode of The Automation Show. For any links related to this episode, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. Watch The Automation Show from The Automation Blog: Listen to The Automation Show on The Automation Blog: The Automation Show, Season 2 Episode 37 Show Notes: Special thanks to Travis for coming on the show, and to Inductive Automation for sponsoring this episode so we could release it ad free! To learn more about Ignition, please see the below links: What’s New in Ignition 8.3 Download Ignition 8.3 Ignition User Manual 8.3 Documentation Learn Ignition and earn a free credential   Schedule an Ignition demo Travis’ first appearance back in episode TAP 124 Read the transcript on The Automation Blog: (automatically generated) Shawn Tierney (Host): coming later Vendors: Would you like your product featured on the Podcast, Show or Blog? If you would, please contact me at: https://theautomationblog.com/contact Until next time, Peace ✌️ If you enjoyed this content, please give it a Like, and consider Sharing a link to it as that is the best way for us to grow our audience, which in turn allows us to produce more content

In this conversation recorded at the Ignition Community Conference, Vlad, Dave, and their guest David Grussenmeyer from Inductive Automation explore one of the most important and inspiring stories in the world of industrial automation education. David leads the Educational Engagement Program at Inductive Automation and has spent the last several years building a global network of universities, colleges, students, and integrators who are working together to bridge the gap between academic theory and real world industrial skills. This episode provides a detailed look at how the Student Buildathon was created, how it works, why it matters, and what it means for the future of the controls and automation workforce.The discussion goes far beyond the event itself. David explains how the industry's needs for engineering talent have shifted, why many academic institutions struggle to keep pace with modern automation technologies, and how Inductive Automation is supporting both professors and students to meaningfully upgrade the curriculum. The episode also explores the importance of industry partnerships, the challenge of faculty bandwidth, the value of internships and academic co op programs, and the realities of teaching automation in an evolving landscape of legacy systems, modern platforms, and everything in between.Listeners will gain insight into how universities can adopt Ignition, how integrators can help shape the workforce pipeline, how students can develop real industry skills before graduating, and how modern industrial technology can be taught effectively without overwhelming educators. Vlad and Dave also share their own perspectives from years of integration work and reflect on how different their own educational experiences would have been if programs like this had existed earlier. This episode is educational, practical, and inspiring for anyone working in automation, industrial education, system integration, or workforce development.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Ignition Community Conference and the Student Buildathon01:25 How the Educational Engagement Program at Inductive Automation was created03:22 The origin story behind the Student Buildathon concept05:16 How the seventy two hour challenge works for student competitors06:44 Requirements for student teams and how the selection process works08:49 Why universities struggle to adopt new technology and how industry partnerships help10:41 How integrator involvement accelerated program adoption across universities12:28 The gap between academic theory and real industry practice14:01 Building a complete lab curriculum for professors using Ignition17:24 Why students should learn both modern and legacy industrial systems18:20 Feedback from professors teaching Ignition for the first time20:59 Understanding the different educator profiles and adoption journeys23:15 How Inductive Automation built the five lab training series for schools25:17 The future of the educational program including internships and co op models27:39 Why academic co op programs are powerful for building real engineering experience29:26 How to join the Student Buildathon or the Educational Engagement ProgramVlad RomanovVlad is the founder of Joltek, co host of the Manufacturing Hub podcast, and a long time controls and manufacturing systems engineer with deep experience in SCADA, MES, data architecture, and plant digital transformation. Vlad creates practical industrial education content across YouTube, LinkedIn, and SolisPLC, and works directly with manufacturers on modernization, integration, and performance improvement initiatives. Learn more at https://www.joltek.com/Dave GriffithDave is a systems integration expert, strategist, and consultant with many years of hands on work in automation, SCADA, robotics, and digital manufacturing. Dave is the co host of Manufacturing Hub and advises companies on the intersection of technical systems, operational strategy, and workforce development.David GrussenmeyerDavid Grussenmeyer is the Educational Engagement Program Manager at Inductive Automation. He leads global initiatives to support universities, colleges, faculty members, and students in adopting Ignition for hands on learning. His work has expanded the program from zero to more than three hundred academic institutions worldwide. David also created the Student Buildathon, a seventy two hour Ignition competition designed to push students to think creatively, develop real industrial projects, and gain practical skills that prepare them for careers in controls, industrial software, and automation.Learn more about the program at https://inductiveautomation.comEducational inquiries can be sent to edengagement@inductiveautomation.comReferenced Resources from the EpisodeInductive Automation Educational Engagement Programhttps://inductiveautomation.com/community/educationInductive Universityhttps://inductiveuniversity.com

An early essay by Karl Marx writing at the beginning of the industrial revolution argued that humans who were formerly craftspeople were now just cogs in the industrial machine alienated from the products they made and their work.   Today's podcast is sponsored by Inductive Automation, makers of Ignition — the world's most versatile industrial automation platform for connecting data, systems, and people. With the new Ignition 8.3 release, you can easily manage time-series and event data, quickly create custom graphics with onboard drawing tools, and centralize control using Ignition's new gateway interface with global search and deep link launching. Providing additional support for Git, containers, and private data protection to go along with its unlimited licensing, Ignition 8.3 takes industrial operations to the next level. Download Ignition for free.   The Irish poet/philosopher John O'Donohue discussed in Anam Cara the dignity of work and that work should benefit workers and communities as well as owners and managers.   Lean guru Keven Meyer noted in his book Simple Leader that respect for people is a pillar of Lean. When you hire someone, you are getting more than a pair of hands—you are getting a brain and experience, as well. You should make use of them.   Articles about a worker shortage due to Boomer retirements have been a staple of trade magazine editorial ever since I became an editor in 1998. Some twenty-seven years later, those articles and news releases keep coming.   I learned about a new product from Derek Crager, Founder & CEO of Practical AI for onboarding and mentoring new employees. There is irony here, in that Crager touts himself as developer of an award-winning training program at Amazon—yes, the place that thinks it can replace its workers with robots. But, we will go beyond that thought for now.   His solution? Just-in-time guidance—the right step at the exact moment of need, while hands are on the task. When a technician can ask and do in the same breath, training becomes throughput. That's the difference between teaching a concept and multiplying your best expert across every line and shift.   He called on his experience at Amazon to develop something called Pocket Mentor: A Phone Call to Your Best Expert. This is a hands-free, eyes-free mentor your team reaches by phone, anytime, on the floor or in the field. No app. No Wi-Fi. No passwords. Just tap & say, “Talk me through it” — and we will.   Check out TheManufacturingConnection.com for more thoughts.

Why pursue AI? As a tool to help entrepreneurs add value to their companies. The appropriate roll out entails organizing small "pirate ships" empowered to experiment and implement with a budget and air cover. Many concerns about AI's impact on employment and organization are over blown. History shows that new technology winds up creating more jobs than it destroys. This podcast is sponsored by Inductive Automation.

ICC 2025 was a clear level up for the Ignition community. In this conversation Vlad and Dave share on the ground insights from a week of packed sessions, vendor showcases, and ProveIt demonstrations that brought working integrations to life. They unpack why the move to a larger venue created more chances for deep technical conversations, how the community benefited from hands on demos that connected to a shared data backbone, and what record attendance means for the growth of modern SCADA and manufacturing data platforms. The episode then shifts into a focused discussion with Travis Cox from Inductive Automation on the launch of Ignition 8.3 and what it unlocks for builders who care about reliability, scale, and speed.We discuss how 8.3's configuration in the file system and the expanded REST API enable real version control and DevOps workflows in day to day projects. We explore practical AI opportunities through MCP servers that can safely expose context and operational data to large language models, with an emphasis on operator augmentation, faster troubleshooting, and responsible guardrails. We connect the dots between OT networking fundamentals and secure architectures by highlighting the growing need for segmentation, deterministic traffic, and resilient data movement. Throughout the episode we keep the focus on what matters in plants today clear outcomes for uptime, quality, and delivery rather than hype.Whether you are an engineer, integrator, or an operations leader, this episode gives you an actionable snapshot of where Ignition and the broader ecosystem are heading. You will hear what the community is building, which 8.3 features are worth testing first, how ProveIt style showcases help end users evaluate technologies, and why investing in networking skills remains one of the highest ROI moves for manufacturers.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and ICC traditions with stickers and community shoutouts01:25 What to expect today and why this episode includes a sit down with Travis02:30 First impressions of ICC 2025 tracks vendor hall and ProveIt showcases05:55 New Sacramento venue experience and why more space improved conversations07:25 Walk up tickets record attendance and what that signals about growth08:45 Why hands on ProveIt demos mattered for real integrations and learning12:05 Ignition 8.3 launch and what we will cover in more depth later this month13:25 AI themes across sessions and realistic use cases for builders and operators16:20 Why OT networking education is now a must have skill set18:05 DataOps and DevOps directions in Ignition 8.3 and what to trial first23:10 Travis Cox joins with ICC takeaways and how community scale changes the game28:35 Ignition 8.3 highlights configuration in files REST API and version control workflowsAbout the hostsVlad Romanov manufacturing modernization and data strategy consultant co host of Manufacturing Hub and founder of JoltekLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanovJoltek https://www.joltek.comDave Griffith operations and digital transformation consultant co host of Manufacturing HubLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith23Website https://dave-griffith.comGuestTravis Cox Chief Evangelist at Inductive AutomationLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviscox-automationInductive Automation https://inductiveautomation.comEpisode references and resourcesIgnition 8.3 What is new https://inductiveautomation.com/ignition/whatsnewIgnition User Manual 8.3 docs and upgrade guidance https://www.docs.inductiveautomation.comDownload Ignition free trial https://inductiveautomation.com/downloadsInductive University free Ignition training https://inductiveuniversity.comICC 2025 recap https://inductiveautomation.com/blog/icc-2025-recap-we-really-did-level-up-this-yearControl Global highlights from ICC 2025 https://www.controlglobal.com/industry-news/news/55321625/highlights-from-inductive-automations-2025-icc-build-a-thon-and-award-winnersProveIt Conference official site https://www.proveitconference.comProveIt at ICC background https://inductiveautomation.com/blog/proveit-showcases-are-coming-to-icc-2025Books and learning mentioned or implied in the discussionNetworking and cybersecurity training via Inductive University https://inductiveuniversity.comIgnition 8.3 videos and feature overviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qds7RI9-hxgConnect with Manufacturing HubApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-hub/id1546805573Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1gE6glbxdYIfG6KUeOCz22Call to actionIf you attended ICC this year or tested Ignition 8.3 in your environment, share your lessons in the comments. Tell us which features you want us to deep dive next and what ProveIt demonstrations helped you make decisions in your own stack. Subscribe for weekly conversations with practitioners who build real systems in real factories.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword in manufacturing. The pace of adoption has been incredible, yet the reality is far more complex than flashy headlines suggest. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith welcome back Tom Hechtman, founder of Sepasoft, to explore how AI is actually being deployed on the plant floor, what barriers remain, and whether we are truly transforming manufacturing or simply tinkering at the edges.Tom brings decades of experience building MES solutions for manufacturers around the globe. From his early days in the Midwest working with Rockwell Automation technology to launching Sepasoft's Ignition MES modules and now leading the development of Sepa IQ, Tom has been at the forefront of data, analytics, and system integration. His insights bridge the gap between hype and practice, helping us understand where AI creates real ROI, where it still falls short, and how to build the foundations for success.Throughout the conversation we dive into the challenges of quality improvement, predictive maintenance, scheduling optimization, and contextualizing plant data. We discuss the importance of trust in both data and AI-generated outputs, the economics of running LLMs and machine learning models, and why cybersecurity and data governance cannot be an afterthought. Drawing on the recent MIT study that revealed only 5 percent of AI projects make a measurable P&L impact, Tom helps us unpack what manufacturers need to do differently if they want to avoid being part of the 95 percent that fail.We also get an update on Sepa IQ and how customers are using it to connect plant floor data, structure it for AI and analytics, and prepare for advanced scheduling and predictive tools. From lessons learned working with early adopters to practical advice on starting small, Tom makes it clear that manufacturing AI is a journey that requires technical expertise, domain knowledge, and cultural change.Whether you are an executive evaluating AI investments, a controls engineer curious about new tools, or a plant manager wondering how to get real results, this episode delivers a balanced, practical, and in-depth perspective on the future of AI in manufacturing.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and AI in every manufacturing conversation 03:00 Tom Hechtman background and the origins of Sepasoft 05:00 MES modules, batch processing, and the evolution of Sepa IQ 08:00 Defining manufacturing AI and the role of plant floor data 13:00 Quality improvement and predictive analytics opportunities 20:00 Foundational challenges with legacy systems and data collection 24:00 Insights from the MIT study on AI adoption and ROI 32:00 Training data, context windows, and the economics of LLMs 44:00 Sepa IQ customer feedback and scheduling optimization 50:00 Trust, hallucinations, and cybersecurity considerations 59:00 ICC announcements, demos, and proof of concept program 1:03:00 Predictions for AI in manufacturing and career adviceReferences mentioned in the episode MIT study on AI in business: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/how-to-get-ai-to-pay-off Sepasoft Blog on AI and manufacturing: https://sepasoft.com/blog/ The One Thing by Gary Keller: https://www.the1thing.com/About the guest Tom Hechtman is the founder of Sepasoft, a leading provider of MES modules for the Ignition platform by Inductive Automation. With decades of experience in manufacturing, integration, and software development, Tom has helped companies worldwide improve efficiency, quality, and data visibility. Learn more at https://sepasoft.com/ and connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-hechtman-32b6b66/About the hosts Vlad Romanov is the founder of Joltek, a consulting and integration firm focused on helping manufacturers modernize systems, bridge IT and OT, and drive digital transformation. Learn more at https://www.joltek.com/ and connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/Dave Griffith is an industrial automation consultant and co-host of Manufacturing Hub. He works with manufacturers and integrators to identify opportunities, manage digital projects, and build future-ready operations. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith/If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe to Manufacturing Hub for more weekly discussions with industry leaders about automation, digital transformation, and the evolving world of manufacturing.

ICC 2025 Recap I recorded this as I was leaving Inductive Automation's Ignition Community Conference 2025 in Sacramento. The event team performed wonderfully moving ICC from the smaller Harris Center in Folsom to the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento with double the attendance. Lots of energy, many partners. The event had to be credited a success. Of course, the highlight was introduction of Ignition 8.3. This update included many long-sought additions. Note: Inductive Automation has been a long-term sponsor for my work. However, we do not have an "influencer" relationship, that is, they do not pay me for writing content. They just appreciate my work. If this information is useful, please pass along.

In this episode of Manufacturing Hub Podcast, hosts Vladimir Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Gavin Dilworth to explore the evolving world of ICS and OT cybersecurity. This is a topic that impacts every sector of manufacturing and critical infrastructure, yet many organizations still struggle with where to start, how to assess risk, and how to balance IT and OT responsibilities.Gavin brings decades of experience in automation engineering and cybersecurity, having worked across energy, oil and gas, water, and manufacturing. He shares his unique journey from being an operator and control systems engineer to becoming a specialist in OT cybersecurity. The conversation spans a wide range of issues, from asset inventory and managed switches to people, process, and technology frameworks that help organizations take the first step toward maturity.We discuss why IT and OT teams often clash and what it takes to bridge the gap. Gavin explains the realities of budgets, the challenges of compliance, and why self-reporting frameworks often fail to reflect true maturity. He also highlights the role of legislation in Europe, rising insurance premiums, and how cybersecurity assessments can influence financial and strategic decisions at the executive level.The episode provides clear insights into best practices such as building a proper asset inventory, structuring security awareness training for OT teams, and applying a risk-based approach to patch management. Gavin also outlines the importance of functional safety, process hazard analysis, and the role of frameworks like ISA/IEC 62443. For engineers, leaders, and decision makers, this conversation makes it clear that cybersecurity is not just a technology problem but a people and process challenge that requires long term discipline and investment.If you want to understand what real world OT cybersecurity looks like, what mistakes to avoid, and how to set a path toward resilience, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and upcoming ICC event 02:20 Gavin's career journey from operator to cybersecurity expert 06:00 What ICS and OT cybersecurity really mean 09:00 Managed switches, firewalls, and securing industrial devices 11:00 The importance of people, process, and technology in security programs 13:30 Asset inventories and the first practical steps in cybersecurity 17:00 Insurance, legislation, and financial implications of OT risk 23:00 The problem with self reporting and maturity frameworks 27:00 Risk based patching strategies and CVE management 31:00 Physical keys, tokens, and access control challenges 37:00 IT versus OT ownership of cybersecurity 45:00 Certifications, training, and resources for professionals 53:00 Unified Namespace and cybersecurity considerations 58:00 Predictions for the next five years in OT cybersecurity 01:02:00 Career advice for engineers and cybersecurity professionalsReferences mentioned in this episode Industrial Network Security, Eric D. Knapp (Third Edition): https://www.isa.org/products/industrial-network-security-third-edition Security PHA Review: https://www.isa.org/products/security-pha-review-for-consequence-based-cyberse Managing Cybersecurity in the Process Industries, ISA: https://www.isa.org/products/managing-cybersecurity-in-the-process-indust Industrial Cybersecurity: Efficiently secure critical infrastructure systems, Steve Mustard: https://www.isa.org/products/industrial-cybersecurity-efficiently-secure-criti Assessment Plus: https://assessmentplus.co.nz Ignition 8.3 by Inductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.comAbout the hosts Vladimir Romanov is an electrical engineer and MBA with over a decade of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation. He has worked with Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, Post Holdings, and now leads Joltek, a consulting and integration firm focused on digital transformation and modern manufacturing systems.Dave Griffith is an experienced systems integrator, consultant, and advisor in the industrial automation space. He has worked with manufacturers across multiple sectors, helping organizations align technology with business strategy.About the guest Gavin Dilworth is the founder of Assessment Plus, based in New Zealand. With a background spanning automation, controls, and cybersecurity, he helps organizations design architectures, implement policies, and build resilience in OT environments. He also mentors professionals looking to enter or advance in the ICS cybersecurity field. Connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-dilworth/

This week on Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith are joined by Kevin McClusky, Chief Technology Architect at Inductive Automation. Kevin shares his journey from computer engineering into the world of industrial automation, his early experiences as an HMI developer, and his leadership roles at Inductive Automation that shaped the direction of Ignition software.The conversation takes a deep dive into the newly released Ignition 8.3 beta, exploring the core features that matter most for end users, system integrators, and manufacturers. Kevin discusses the new Siemens driver with symbolic addressing, the internal historian powered by QuestDB, the Kafka and Event Streams module, and the new DevOps capabilities with file system storage, Git integration, and automated deployments. These capabilities are set to change how manufacturers design, deploy, and scale automation systems in real-world production environments.We also preview the Ignition Community Conference (ICC), which is moving to a larger venue this year. Kevin outlines new additions such as the Hub, the CoLab, community design challenges, and the continuation of Prove It sessions. The episode also covers the evolution of the Build-On competition, the growing integrator ecosystem, and Inductive Automation's continued focus on empowering its community through transparency and collaboration.This episode provides both a technical and strategic look at where Ignition is heading and why it matters for the future of industrial automation. If you are working on digital transformation, UNS, DevOps for OT, or enterprise-scale SCADA and MES, you will not want to miss this discussion.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and welcome with Dave, Vlad, and Kevin02:00 Kevin's background and entry into industrial software05:00 Lessons from early HMI and integrator experiences07:30 The importance of integrators in Inductive Automation's go-to-market strategy09:00 Transition into sales leadership and learnings from global customers13:00 Ignition 8.3 beta release process and development challenges18:00 Historian improvements and introduction of QuestDB21:00 The new Siemens driver and why it matters globally27:00 Use cases for multiple historians and large-scale data performance31:00 Kafka integration, Event Streams, and IT-OT convergence35:00 DevOps capabilities in Ignition including Git and deployment modes41:00 Preview of the Ignition Community Conference and new venue44:00 The Hub, CoLab, and community-driven sessions at ICC50:00 Prove It sessions and exhibitor highlights56:00 The Build-On competition and its evolution01:01:00 Predicting the future of ICC and Ignition01:03:00 Kevin's career advice for engineers and integrators01:05:00 How listeners can connect with Inductive AutomationReferences Mentioned in the EpisodeInductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.com/Ignition 8.3 Beta Release Notes: https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/release-notesQuestDB: https://questdb.io/Opto 22: https://opto22.com/HiveMQ: https://www.hivemq.com/Flow Software: https://flow-software.com/Sepasoft MES: https://sepasoft.com/Soba.ai: https://soba.ai/About the HostsVlad Romanov is an industrial automation consultant, electrical engineer, and founder of Joltek and SolisPLC. With more than a decade of experience in digital transformation and systems integration, Vlad has worked with Fortune 500 manufacturers including Procter and Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Post Holdings. He is passionate about bridging the gap between IT and OT while helping manufacturers modernize their facilities.Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/Dave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and digital transformation strategist who helps organizations navigate technology adoption in automation, data, and operations. With a background in engineering and leadership across multiple industries, Dave focuses on helping manufacturers align technology initiatives with business outcomes.Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith/About the GuestKevin McClusky is the Chief Technology Architect at Inductive Automation, where he has played a key role in shaping the growth of Ignition software over more than a decade. Kevin has led professional services, sales engineering, and product strategy, and now focuses on long-term architecture and technology direction for Inductive Automation. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and is deeply involved in guiding the Ignition community.Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmcclusky/Manufacturing Hub is a weekly podcast hosted by Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith, covering digital transformation, automation, data, robotics, and the future of manufacturing. Subscribe to stay ahead in the industry.

When I set initial editorial direction for Automation World, I was focused on exploring the Intelligent Application of Automation emphasizing the teams that made it happen. Recently I interviewed Mike Payne, co-owner and president of Hill Manufacturing. His story of using intelligent applications of technology both for the machines and for software showed how even an old-line manufacturer can be new and profitable. Sponsored by Inductive Automation at https://www.inductiveautomation.com

In Episode 221 of Manufacturing Hub, hosts Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down without a guest to share valuable real-world lessons on data collection, manufacturing intelligence, and implementing solutions that deliver measurable ROI. This episode wraps up the month's theme on manufacturing intelligence by tying together the insights from previous episodes and putting them into the context of real plant-floor projects.Vlad begins with an in-depth story from his time at Procter & Gamble, where he led an energy monitoring project with the ambitious goal of reducing power consumption by 20 percent. He explains the practical challenges of turning a corporate initiative into an actionable plant-level strategy, from limited baseline data to deciding between standalone meters and integrated monitoring solutions. Vlad shares the lessons learned in balancing cost, data ownership, and scalability, and why a more open solution can sometimes offer greater long-term value than proprietary systems.Dave then takes us into the world of pet food manufacturing, where millions of dollars in raw materials can be lost each year due to inaccurate batching and poor measurement practices. He walks through the process of defining the problem, setting up data collection without overhauling legacy systems, and using that information to identify overages, improve tolerances, and design remediation strategies. The conversation dives into practical engineering decisions, such as when to invest in VFDs for precision dosing, when to redesign process equipment, and how to ensure data insights lead to lasting operational changes.The discussion expands into organizational challenges, including why decision-makers often lack actionable visibility into losses, how to present findings in terms of tangible business impact, and the cultural shift required to actually use the data once it is available. Vlad and Dave also explore examples from discrete manufacturing, where OEE tracking and daily direction setting (DDS) meetings help guide capital allocation, continuous improvement initiatives, and team alignment. They share observations on why some facilities succeed with these systems while others fall back into old habits.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Episode 221 and monthly theme recap02:00 Vlad's background and approach to modernization projects04:50 Dave's background and focus on data-driven manufacturing solutions06:30 Recap of previous episodes on data collection, historians, and MTP/MCP07:30 Vlad's Procter & Gamble energy monitoring project case study13:40 Addressing power blips, capacitor banks, and ROI considerations19:10 Choosing between proprietary and open monitoring solutions23:40 Dave's pet food manufacturing story and raw material variance29:50 Methods for data collection without disrupting legacy systems34:20 Improving accuracy, process changes, and remediation strategies44:00 Organizational challenges in acting on data insights52:00 OEE, DDS meetings, and capital allocation in discrete manufacturing59:50 Predictions for the future of manufacturing intelligence and AI integrationReferences MentionedIgnition by Inductive Automation – https://inductiveautomation.com/Ignition Community Conference (ICC) – https://icc.inductiveautomation.com/Procter & Gamble – https://us.pg.com/Rockwell Automation – https://www.rockwellautomation.com/Mettler Toledo – https://www.mt.com/Badwater Ultramarathon – https://www.badwater.com/“Can't Hurt Me” by David Goggins – https://davidgoggins.com/book/About the HostsVlad Romanov works with manufacturers to modernize operations by bridging the gap between legacy systems and today's technology. He specializes in assessing current states, designing scalable architectures, and implementing solutions across control systems, SCADA, and MES infrastructures. His mission is to help plants run better from a technical and operational standpoint, whether through unlocking critical data from PLCs or leading full-scale digital transformation initiatives.Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/Dave Griffith has over 16 years of experience in automation and manufacturing, with a technical foundation in aviation and aerospace. His work spans from OEM manufacturing to food and beverage production, with a strong focus on data-driven projects that deliver ROI. Dave leads teams at Kaplan to unlock operational data, design integration strategies, and deploy solutions that improve efficiencies and reduce waste.Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith/

When a chance conversation at a beer bar introduced her to the word “SCADA,” Margarita Rosenkrans had no idea it would spark a career in industrial automation. In this episode, Courtney and Alicia chat with Margarita—Sales Engineer at Inductive Automation—about her path from graduating in the middle of a hiring freeze to thriving in both support and sales engineering roles. We cover her behind-the-scenes insights from OT SCADA CON, the culture and community at Inductive, favorite Ignition features, troubleshooting war stories, and even how she used Ignition's Maker Edition to build her wedding website. Whether you're an Ignition pro or just automation-curious, you'll enjoy this mix of career lessons, tech talk, and personal stories.Thank you to Inductive Automation for sponsoring this Episode and the recent support of OT SCADA CON - where we were lucky enough to meet Maggie in person!Find out more about the Ignition Community Conference happening Sept 16 - 18 in Sacramento CA and get your tickets to Level Up! your SCADA game.  Support the show__________________________________________________________________Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Director of Business Development at Weintek USA, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions. Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!Get in touch with us at automationladies.io!P.S. - Help our podcast grow with a 5-star podcast review if you love us!

This special episode of Unplugged is brought to you by our sponsor, Inductive Automation and marks our first-ever in-person recording.Join hosts Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes as they sit down live with Colby Clegg, CEO of Inductive Automation, for an in-depth conversation on the future of industrial automation and the evolution of the Ignition platform.Colby shares insights into the upcoming Ignition 8.3 release, a major milestone that wraps up a multi-year vision. The discussion explores powerful new features like source control, deployment modes, and event streaming, while diving into broader industry shifts like the rise of DevOps, smarter data management, and the role of AI within Ignition's future.You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the growing Ignition Community Conference (ICC) — including its move to a new venue, the introduction of ProveIT! showcases, and the company's push to foster a more connected, global community.From stories of Ignition's early days to lessons in scaling a software company, Colby offers honest reflections on leadership, innovation, and what's next for the industrial tech world.Whether you're an integrator, end-user, or automation enthusiast, this episode delivers a rare, inside look at where the industry is headed — and how the Ignition ecosystem continues to lead the way.-----This episode is proudly sponsored by Inductive Automation.Get ready for the premier event in industrial automation — the Ignition Community Conference (ICC), happening September 16–18 in Sacramento, California.ICC brings together over 1,000 industry professionals, 50 expert speakers, and 40+ exhibitors showcasing the latest in automation tech. It's your chance to dive into powerful sessions, explore real-world solutions, and connect with the brightest minds in the Ignition community.New this year:ProveIT! Showcases – Watch real Industry 4.0 challenges solved liveThe Co-Lab Rooms – Meet session speakers, sharpen your skills, and network hands-onWhether you join in person or via the livestream, ICC is your opportunity to level up, stay ahead, and be part of the future of industrial innovation.

Inductive Automation Chief Technology Evangelist Travis Cox talks with me about the newly expanded Ignition Community Conference and the beta release of Ignition 8.3. This is a major release with many usability and IT-friendly upgrades. We talk about what's new with Ignition Community Conference and the beta release of Ignition 8.3.

Shawn Tierney meets up with Paul Scott of Inductive Automation to learn all about this year’s Ignition Community Conference in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For any links related to this episode, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. Watch The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: Listen to The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: The Automation Podcast, Episode 242 Show Notes: Special thanks to Inductive Automation for sponsoring this episode so we could release it ad free on all platforms! To learn more about the Ignition Community Conference, see the below links: Ignition Community Conference Download Ignition Inductive University – Learn Ignition for free The Forum: Talk to the Ignition Community Schedule An Ignition Demo Read the transcript on The Automation Blog: (automatically generated) Shawn Tierney (Host): Hey, everybody. Thank you for tuning back in. It’s Shawn here from Insights and Automation. And in this episode of the automation podcast, I meet up with Paul Scott from Inductive Automation to learn all about the Ignition Community Conference. Now if you’re like me and you like going to these things, meeting other users and learning what’s new and coming out for the product, then I think you’ll enjoy this episode. And, you know, if you use Ignition or you’re thinking about using it, you really should consider looking into the community conference because it’s a unique once a year event that, really allows you to get a look at the not only the product, but their partners and talk to other users of the software. Now if you are interested, I’m gonna include all the top links in the description in the show notes so you’ll have them on whatever platform you’re viewing or listening on. And I also wanna thank Inductive for sponsoring this episode so it would be ad free, both the video and audio editions. So thank you very much to them because we always like it when it’s ad free. Right? With that said, let’s go ahead and jump into this week’s episode of the automation podcast and learn all about the Ignition Community Conference. I wanna welcome to the show Paul from Inductive. I’m so excited to have you guys on. This is the third appearance from somebody from Inductive on the show. And, before we start talking about the upcoming conference, which I’ve covered in years past, before we start covering that, could you introduce yourself to our audience? Paul Scott (Ignition): Sure thing. Yeah. Thanks, Shawn. Happy to be here. So, yeah, my name is Paul Scott. I joined Inductive Automation in 2013 as a tech support rep. And then I, a couple years later, switched over to an instructor role, which sort of got me into documentation, which is where I currently am right now. I oversee our technical documentation as well as, our video library, Inductive University. I like to tell people that’s my day job. The reason I’m here today, is, because of the conference. So I also help out with managing content for our annual conference, the Ignition Community Conference or ICC, as you’ll you’ll only say a whole lot. So Shawn Tierney (Host): yeah. That’s cool. And now I’ve covered it in the past. You guys do so much cool stuff, but I don’t you know, because it’s, you know, I think a lot of the audience have been to, you know, maybe more regional shows they may not be as familiar with. You know? What we find a lot in our industry is a lot of people don’t get to travel to every show. There’s so many that go on through at least just even North America, never mind the entire world. And so can you tell them a little bit about, you know, what the show is like, what there is to do if they go, and, you know, just from there, tell us about the the the conference. Paul Scott (Ignition): Sure. Yeah. I if you’ve never been to ICC before, I’d like to tell you that it’s probably a little bit different than a lot of these sort of industry, conferences you go to. So Mhmm. It’s got a lot more of a familiar vibe. It it’s well, it started actually in 2013. It was actually started the year I joined the company, but, hilariously, I joined a couple months late. So I missed the first one. It’s the only one I missed. But yeah. No. It’s, it is a a conference that has been growing over the years, and it’s kinda it has a very close knit feel to it, which is something we’ve always kind of loved. It’s a great opportunity for us to just meet members of the community and people use the software, from all different parts of the industry, all different parts of the world, and really kinda connect and share ideas. And so yeah. No. There’s I wanna say it definitely started off as just sort of like a professional sort of conference, right, where we’re talking about the software, talking about the company, what’s coming up, over the next year, and then we have, you know, community members come out and share their ideas, share their projects they worked on and stuff like that. And it has evolved quite a bit. There’s still that. There’s still this professional sort of aspect to it. But, yeah, as you could sort of alluded to earlier, there’s there’s we like to have a little bit of fun too. So, I think one of the sort of standout activities or or sessions, you’ll you’ll find at Shawn Tierney (Host): the conference is the Buildathon, which we’ve been doing for I don’t know how many years now. But it’s, yeah. So just just to give your your Paul Scott (Ignition): your viewers an idea, it’s it started off as an idea of we had two members of our company. It’s Travis Cox and Kevin McCluskey. These are two individuals that have been using the software for a long, long time. Very brilliant. They do all kinds of crazy cool stuff. They they help build customer solutions or or they did. They do they do a lot of other stuff nowadays. But, both just like wizards with the software. And so we thought, hey. Let’s put them on the stage and have them just try to, like, compete against each other. And then it, like, turned into this whole thing where we’re doing, like, on social media. It’s like, oh, team Kevin, team Travis. And there’s, like, music videos and diss tracks being thrown around. There’s, like, props. There’s costumes. And and the there’s a couple of, sort of, I guess, staples of of the session, which would be, one, there’s usually a musical act of some sort. I don’t wanna put them on the on on the hook for for this year, but, it it started the first year where there’s we had our host, Kent Mills, another another, wonderful guy who works with the company here. And, he was sort of the acting MC, for for the whole event. Right? So while Kevin and Travis are kinda building you know, I just watch people staring at a computer for, like, forty five minutes or an hour. It’s kinda boring. Right? So so Ken’s up has, like, this tall order of, like, entertaining the entire conference while that’s going on. So one of the things he did is he started singing a song and kinda got the whole crowd involved in it. And that so then that evolved to, like, oh, okay. Cool. Let’s do that again. And so we started making, like, music videos. We put together. We call it the, the IA, Inductive Automation Band. And so just a bunch of employees who have some sort of musical background, and we’ve made music videos. And it’s been kinda crazy. So that that’s kind of the spirit of of what the Build a Thon is. Right? Like and then they’re always trying new stuff and always getting kind of excited. So usually, that was one thing I recommend folks check out or maybe a reason to to kind of attend is the sort of this, like, industry conference that has this really fun, lighthearted sort of, session there. So but, yeah. No. That’s that’s is that aside from that, I mean, there’s a lot of different activities to come and check out. Something we’re doing new this year that I’m I’m actually kinda happy to talk about, is we’re so we have a new room that we’re bringing to the the venue. We’re calling it the CoLab because we like it’s short collaborative lab. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. Paul Scott (Ignition): We like work we like our wordplay. And so we’re trying to turn this room into sort of a, kind of a hands on sort of room. Right? So a lot of conferences, they’re very passive. Right? Like, you’re you’re there. You’re there to listen. You’re there to maybe converse with folks if you get a chance to, but there’s usually a lot of things to watch. Right? But, you know, we we have this conference, and it’s about software. It’s like, well, should probably do something with the software or try to get some more hands on Shawn Tierney (Host): time Paul Scott (Ignition): with it. Right? Yeah. So in the collab, we’re we have two activities planned. One is the community design challenge. And the whole point of that is we have our instruction team who who teach our classes, and they handle our certification tests and all that fun stuff. They’re they are cooking up a bunch of challenges that need to be solved in Ignition. So the idea is that they’re gonna give you a bunch of, like, very small prompts, very, very small, like Yeah. Specifications and say, hey, can you build a solution in Ignition that does x y z? And the idea is to have you do within half an hour or so. We don’t want you to sit in all day feeling like you’re building a project when you’re at a conference. Right? And, once you complete it, we’ll both check you off, and they’ll add a point to your team. And we’re gonna have everyone who participates on one of three teams. So kinda channeling the spirit of the bill a thon. I just talked to someone. Yeah. Yeah. And have the community kind of work against each other and also together, I suppose, you could say when you’re talking about within teams. And we’ll now see the winning team at the end of it. We’re gonna have a whole bunch of challenges on every day so people can come back. If they wanted, we keep kinda showing off solutions or kind of, like, challenging themselves. So, really excited. It’s the first time we’re doing it this year, but hoping it it kind of brings some very creative ideas and then see what people can show off. Right? So so that’s one of the activities. The other activity in the collab would be the huddles we’re calling them or community huddles we’re also calling them. So, think of, like, a science fair. You have a bunch of people kind of presenting thing work they’ve done. Right? And then the audience, they kinda walk around. That’s kind of the vibe we’re going for. So so the idea is to get, like, speakers who are coming to the conference, vendors that are coming, thought leaders, people who aren’t even really presenting something, but they had something really cool that they wanted to show off to the community. Right? Like, they built some really cool application that does something really neat. And then we saw it was like, oh, that’s really cool. The idea is to have them come hang out for an hour at a time. We’ll have a whole bunch of them in the same again, in the collab, and they’ll just kinda show off demo, whatever it is they worked on. If they’re speakers, they’ll just kinda be there to hang out and maybe talk about their presentation. So, you know, if, maybe you sat in on their session and maybe you couldn’t maybe you had a question you wanted to ask, but maybe you couldn’t get into it because, you know, maybe you ran out of time or whatever. Hey. You can come say hi to them afterwards. Come maybe ask a question, interact with them. Yeah. You know, kinda you have a good chance to kinda mingle and meet with a speaker. Right? So good opportunity to sort of meet people that you who are presenting ideas or doing other fun stuff at the conference. So really excited to see how that’s, gonna play out this year. So hope hope you folks will enjoy that. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. I think go ahead. I know. Paul Scott (Ignition): No. I was gonna say, I have more I can cover. I just don’t know if you want me to keep going. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. No. Let me let me stop there. So Sure. You know, for the build a thon, I remember covering it the last couple of years for the new show. And, you know, it just I thought it was just so incredible. So, you know, this is a very serious business. Industrial automation, that’s you know, I know your your stuff can be used outside of industrial automation, but industrial automation, it’s very serious. And when you’re working with custom machine builders or integrators, you actually can have some fun because you get to see the vision of what can be done with control systems and how they can take a process that was maybe costing a company money to turning it around to being profitable. And just I always like watching machines in motion, you know, whether it’s a bottling line or robot arms or palletizers, depalletizers, whatever. And, but it’s just it’s just it’s like it’s like building, one of those Goldberg machines, but that actually has a purpose that does something positive. Right? It’s not just to be, you know, a where’s the for the eyes. It’s it’s actually to be something that that changes the life and make things possible. And, you know, I get frustrated with some some older folks who are like, automation is bad as they sit there holding their smartphone, which they live on and could not be created without any automation. So but in any case, the HMI skate a part of our Ignition and other packages like it. It’s a place where we can use a lot of create creativity that we don’t usually get to use unless we’re building something for a trade show. We we get to use on the controller side and you know? And so a lot of times, you know, those of us who love using those packages, we like to be creative. I know at a conference that kinda turned into a corporate thing and then got canceled. But conference I used to go to go to back in the day, I would we would we would challenge each other to build stuff and, like, I would build video games. Right? Pong, multiplayer Pong using a client server based system and, you know, you know, the interface from Star Trek or, you know, Space Invaders inside of a SCADA package. You know, I would it was just a way to kinda let go and have fun and, you know, talk to colleagues, and I really, really miss those times. And so you guys have captured that, put it in a bottle. And I like that the Build A Thon, how you invite all your integrators to kinda take part in it. And, like, a lot of it can be pre you know, done before the show, and then, you know, you have your finalists to actually do something at the show. And if did that change, or is that still the same way? Paul Scott (Ignition): It’s still the same way. Yeah. Shawn Tierney (Host): Okay. Yeah. I think that’s so smart because it gets the whole community involved, but, you know, there’s not time for everybody to do that at the show. But with the with the collabs, I can definitely see even end users and OEMs and other people getting involved where they may not be an authorized integrator, but they they they are, you know, passionate about the product, and they wanna they wanna show off, or just have fun and and see if they can they can build anything in the time allotted. So I think your guys are really capturing the spirit and and innovation, ingenuity of your users and keeping that community. You said that the the the event seems like, very friendly, like, very familiar. It’s probably because you, you know, you have good customers and they keep coming back, and they keep learning, and you’re responsive to their request. We used to follow your your releases every or your point releases and what you would add, and you guys are very responsive to feedback. Again, we all know from the product side, you can’t add every request that somebody has. Sometime just like when you program in a POC, sometimes they’re like, well, can you just have it go from there to there? That sounds so easy. It’s like, none of the equipment can actually move from there to there, so that’s impossible. Right? So, I really love what you guys are doing with that. I wish more people on an issue would do that. I just think it’s and I remember times in the past where I was involved with things like that. It was just so much fun, but also that camaraderie you have and and, you know, just everybody’s working together to make the product better and find new uses for the product innovate in a ways innovative ways to use it. So, it’s pretty exciting, and I appreciate you going over that stuff for you. Now before we go any further, we should probably I should probably have you tell us where it is in the date because, the last thing I wanna do is wait till the end to say that because sometimes people, they don’t get to finish the podcast. They get to work. They have to pause it. Maybe they won’t come back. So can you share with us the, the date and where it’s located? Paul Scott (Ignition): Absolutely. Yeah. So the conference opens, Tuesday, September 16. K. In the last three days. Right? So we’ll go all the way to Thursday. And the venue is gonna be the Safe Credit Union, which is in Sacramento, California. This is actually pretty notable year for us because this is the first time where we we’ve gone to that venue, actually. The the conference has always been in Folsom, California in the Harris Center, which is a fantastic, location, but it’s, it’s one of those things where the conference has just been growing year after year after year. It’s like, alright. We gotta we gotta try to find somewhere a little bit larger to go. So really excited. Really excited for it. Shawn Tierney (Host): That’s awesome. So we’ve covered those parts of the conference. Are there other things we should talk about? Like, are there any pre camp, people coming in to do talks, or is there any, like, hands on training? Or what else are you guys doing at this conference? Paul Scott (Ignition): Sure. Yeah. So there’s gonna be a large number of talks, which I’m really excited about. Something we’ve introduced in the past and I encourage people to participate with this year is, this table talks activity, which is if you’ve ever heard of what a non conference is, it’s kind of our sort of telling of it. But it’s basically an opportunity for attendees to sort of suggest topics that they wanna talk about and try to have, like, a targeted group discussion. So the idea is that, you know, people suggest ideas. Hey. I wanna talk about x y z. I wanna talk about, you know, UNS or, you know, whatever. Right? Mhmm. We’ll put that up on a schedule, and then attendees will say, oh, okay. I can go talk about that at this time. And then it’s lightly moderated. Basically, we have someone in the room to kinda, like, start things off, but then the idea is to back off and then and it’s becoming kind of discussion. People can kinda go wherever they want fit. In the past, that has been sort of the source of inspiration for future sessions that have Okay. Have have come up at the conference. Right? So so I highly recommend people come check that out. Aside from that, we’re also collaborating with the private conference that actually happened earlier this year. I don’t know if you’re if you’re reserved familiar with it, but I’ll just do, like, a very quick overview. So yeah. No. It’s it’s the the main sort of, the interesting thing about Pruvit is that they ask their vendors to basically prove that their solutions work, which is where the name Pruvit kinda comes from. So, yeah, they they basically create a this entire conference where they create a virtual factory, they call it. So they have, you know, namespaces and all kind of data points that all the vendors are supposed to connect to, and they’re supposed to, like, build a solution that works with that virtual factory, and then they demonstrate how it solves, you know, modern solutions or modern or modern problems, how it solves those. Right? So that that’s kind of the fun thing is, like, it’s not just the vendor going on stage and say, hey. Buy my product. It’s like, okay. Cool. But what did it do? Like, what did you do with it? That that’s the that’s the main thing. So we’re partnering with them this year, to basically kinda take over our old exhibitor showcases, and they’re kinda running it with their style. We’re really excited to see what they do with it and kinda how they, you know, sort of force the the these these solutions to kinda, like, adhere to some standard. So I’m gonna come check out a couple of those talks. Right? They’re gonna be, you know, presentation style so you can kinda see what’s going on. But the idea is people will kinda show off their solutions. And and, yeah, you get to see how they how they’re supposed to work in a real Shawn Tierney (Host): kinda, I say real world setting, but, obviously, it’s virtual, but you get the idea. So, yeah, I’d say that’s another exciting thing to come check out. Yeah. Now I know I wasn’t able I’m not able to get out there, just because of the timing. But your company did say, well, Shawn, we’ll give you a virtual pass so you can share what you learn with the audience, and I appreciate that. Thank you. Could you describe that, though? So I’ve never been to your conference virtually. So, could you describe to our audience what that and there may be people here on the East Coast or down south who won’t be able to get out to the West Coast, for the show. What what is the virtual pass? Paul Scott (Ignition): Sure. Yeah. So, you know, I’m I’m trying to talk about all these other fun activities that are there at the venue, but, obviously, those those are kinda like side, you know, sides to the main event, which would be all of our sessions, all all of the, all the talks we’re gonna give you. Right? So the virtual pass would would really I like to check out the streams that we’re gonna do. Right? So you’ll be able to see these sessions play out the entire conference schedule, play out live. It also gives you access to recordings of them. So say for example, you know, talk comes up at a certain time, you’re busy, you got some other stuff going on, that’s fine. You can always sign back into the platform later on and check out the recording much sooner than, the videos are normally publicly available. Normally, we make all of our conference content, like, the recordings available the following year just because we do some cleanup, with them before we start them on our website. So so, yeah, it’s just a great opportunity to be able to check out all of the sessions. And I’d say, you know, that’s that’s definitely one of the main or really the one of the few gripes I ever kinda hear about the conference is that there’s too much to do. Like, there’s too many talks going on, so people can’t do everything, which is true for a lot of conferences. You know what I mean? I got I’m gonna do it in so many places. So, yeah, the that pass is a great way to make sure you’re able to to to see all the different talks. So Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. I think that that is there’s always it’s, you could spend hours at some of these conferences prior to the conferences trying to map out the perfect the perfect. And then it gets blown up when you see somebody in the hallway in between sessions, and you’re like, I’m gonna miss what I you know, my main thing. But, anyways yeah. Yeah. So no. That’s good. That’s very good. And, so if anybody if especially if you’re using the product or looking at using the product and you really wanna get up to speed to learn more, find out what’s happening in the community, that’s a good alternative. And if the boss won’t let you out of work, at least you can catch the replays afterwards and, which is which is great, you know, and you still can feel like you’re you came up to speed, you know, without having to take a flight out there, which it would be better that, like, obviously, to do everything in person. But, sometimes, especially end users, they just it’s hard to get out of the plant. You know? And I shouldn’t say just that. End users, oh, yeah. It’s integrated. It can be it can be difficult to to travel halfway across the country and, you know, get that approved. But, hopefully hopefully, you’ll have a lot of people from the East Coast representing representing us. And, in any case so it just sounds like a great time. Sounds like a fun time. It’s coming up quick, so the people interested should try to sign up soon. What else do should we talk about about the conference? Paul Scott (Ignition): Well, you know, you you mentioned a little bit earlier, about sort of, the creativity of folks in this space. You you kinda Yeah. You kinda talk about making video games and stuff like that in in different systems. It’s kinda funny you mentioned that because one of the other activities we have is our we call it our SCADA arcade. So this Really? Yeah. So this this started off as, like, a project in our tech support division as sort of, like, a product knowledge development program where it’s like, hey. Make a video game in Ignition. Right? Which which is a little challenging because it’s not you know, it doesn’t have a lot of tools you’d find in, like, a modern, like, game engine. But, like, you know, that’s that’s engineers do great with with challenges like that, right, which is, I think, kinda to your point. So, yeah, we’re so, you know, in the past, we’ve basically brought these games that our support engineers have worked on just so people can check it out. This year, we’re returning to a larger room. We’re gonna try to have some some physical games there too so people can kinda play around and check it out. But, yeah, so that’s making a return. That that ended up being kind of a fan favorite, that that came out there. And then, I would also say, something else we’re doing this year is, we’re creating a room called The Hub. So one of the things we found it’s kind of funny running a a conference. This is something I didn’t really realize, but, there’s just a lot going on. And it turns out a lot of the attendees might wanna actually chat with someone. Shawn Tierney (Host): From Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Paul Scott (Ignition): And, it’s really hard when, like, you know, a good chunk of of your company is also running around, like, helping, facilitate the, the the conference. So we decided, alright. Let’s make a little room where we’re just gonna have people from different teams, you know, so, like, our support division or sales engineering, stuff like that. If you wanted to go talk to them or ask some questions. We’ll even have our product managers from software engineering. So if you wanted to, like, you know, mention, like, pinpoints or suggestions for ideas, there will be people there that you can kinda just chat and say hi. So, definitely recommend checking that out too. Just it’s a good way to kind of interact with the company. And I think that’s something that maybe a lot of your audience, a lot of attendees maybe don’t really realize that the conference is kind of a selfish thing for us because it’s a good opportunity for us to, like, talk to the folks that use the conference. That ends up being a huge draw for us. We we have a really strong community around the software. Right? And we we feel very blessed with it, you know, because there’s a lot of organizations out there that, you know, people have some not so nice things to say about the company for one reason or another. Right? But it it seems like we have some some really true true fans. So the conference is a is a fantastic time for us to really make sure we’re still connected to those folks where we’re still interacting. Like, you you sort of commented a little bit about us, like, reaching out to our community and interact with them. And so this is that’s really where that’s really why we’re here doing it every year is just we just like chatting with people and and throwing a little party where you can come and tell us what they’re working on. And and, it it it it it honestly, it motivates a lot of folks at the company. It also is a great introduction for a lot of folks because it’s maybe one of the things that’s a little less obvious, but maybe maybe once you think about it, it makes sense, is that, you know, we we’re a software company, which I know that seems kinda weird for me to say. But we’re we’re definitely, like, kind of we’re sort of like a step removed from the people that are using the software. Right? Like, we’re kind of a step at least a step or two away from from integration companies. Right? So the conference is a great way to say, hey. Come talk to these end users. Come talk to these integrators. See what they do with our software. Yeah. Right? Because that’s something that’s a little bit harder to capture, on their own at at IA. So we we like to make sure we’re talking with community members and sort of exposing them to, hey. Here’s what our users are doing. Here here’s here’s how the product actually gets used. So Yeah. That’s that’s a huge hugely important thing or aspect of the conference, I should say. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. I mean, I think, over the years, one of the one of the bad trends we’ve seen, I think we’re all signed to realize this. You know, they say twenty twenty is hindsight is twenty twenty, is that, you’re not as you’re not as efficient or you can be super efficient when you’re conversing with people, when you’re talking to people, when you’re, in even in person. Right? That’s even better. And a lot of people, because of everything we’ve been through, doing everything remote or but you don’t you don’t get to see the inflections. You don’t get to understand. You know? And when you’re when you’re not not at a conference, you don’t usually have the time to really get into things on a deeper level. So there’s a lot of advantages. I know I’ve been doing this for thirty five years. I still learn new things talking to my students and talking to the vendors that come on. I’m learning stuff every day. And, if I just sat, read a book, and just sat and film videos, I would there must be so much I would never have learned. And because every every every human being is not all unique, but they’re in unique situations. And so for a vendor like yourself, Indefinitely see, you know, a conference like this, your customers are bringing you things that you’ve never thought of a certain way because you’ve never been in that situation. So it’s huge that you guys are doing this. Again, I recommend all vendors do something like this, but, I’m glad you guys are doing it. And, and I think that’s probably why you have a very loyal customer base. And, I, you know, I just wanna throw out there one thing too. Anybody who who is not a gamer, they do make, I actually built my own arcade machine, and they do make USB to arcade controls. So don’t poo poo it. You can actually take your favorite software package to make pong. Right? Anybody can do that, and, you can wire it to real arcade controls very simply and easily through, through a USB blob, block. So and it’s a lot of fun a lot of fun to do that too. So in any case, with that and, again, we know your your there’s a maker version of your software. We covered that in our first episode. And, so, you know, people can play with it if they want after hours and learn it as well. But in any case, so I’m looking forward to it already, even though I’m only gonna be attending virtually. Is there anything else we should cover in this episode about the conference itself or the company? Paul Scott (Ignition): Yeah. I I like to tell folks. I mean, there’s a lot to check out, and I’m obviously very I have some bias, and I’m very excited about a lot of things going on there. But, you know, if you can only, like, check out a few things, I’d I’d I would like to just kinda point out that we do have our two other keynotes that that we we have. So we have our main keynote and our technical keynote. And those are always usually very forward facing, forward thinking. So we kinda, like, talk a little bit about, you know, changes of the company, where the company is going, as well as the software. Right? Which which I think is what ends up pulling a lot of folks. Right? So it’s a it’s a conference for a piece of software. You figure go figure the the talk where we we we we we explore the future of the software ends up being the most popular one. So yeah. if, you know, end up not being able to attend, that’s totally okay. Maybe we’ll catch it in future use. But, yeah, once those recordings available, always recommend folks maybe check out those keynotes just because it can kind of kind of give you a little bit of insight of what we’re trying to do and where we’re going. So, but, yeah, no. I hope hope to continue to grow. Hope hope maybe we can get you out here on these times. I know, obviously, scheduling’s the the challenge, but love to love to have you come out, Shawn, sometime for sure. Shawn Tierney (Host): Yeah. I know I would enjoy. I know it would be a blast. And and I just wanna say out to the audience too, they do a great job of putting the point releases up like I’ve covered in my shows. And and really, they do a good and they do a lot of tongue and cheek with it too, which just makes it fun to read as well. But you can always see, and they they in those even in their regular point releases, they’re talking about things they wanna do, things that were customer suggestions, things they’re working on. So just kudos to the company for being so forward and transparent and really putting their customers first. And, yeah, I just I just was always impressed with those things. And, Paul, I just wanna thank you for coming on. What I’ll do is just so the audience knows, we’re gonna fill the, description with the important links so that you can either get your in person pass or you can get your virtual pass and, any other important links we think need to be in there so you guys don’t have to go search in the web or click, and they’ll be right there in the, description. I do wanna thank Inductive for making this episode ad free. We really appreciate it. So all that they’ve they’ve covered our cost to edit the episode and publish it so you guys are are enjoying it. So, Paul, thank your company for that, and, and, thank you for coming on the show. I really appreciate it. Paul Scott (Ignition): Yeah. Thanks for having me, Shawn. This is Shawn Tierney (Host): a lot of fun. Well, I hope you enjoyed that episode, and I wanna thank Paul for coming on the show and bringing us up to speed on the Ignition Community Conference. Really appreciate him coming on and sharing all those stories and all that information. And I wanna thank Inductive too for sponsoring the episode so we could bring you the audio and video completely ad free. That said, don’t forget all the links are in the description. And if you do use or are thinking about using, Ignition, then definitely consider going. I also was given a free pass to attend the virtual event, so I’ll try to get you guys reporting on that as the event is ongoing. Now with all that said, I do wanna thank you all for tuning back in this week. Please share the podcast with other people. It really helps us find new vendors to come on the show or maybe new product managers at existing vendors that we haven’t really hooked up with. So I really appreciate when you guys share the show out there. Let the vendors know you’re watching and listening. Or if you’re a vendor, let your colleagues know that it’s worth coming on the show because you get in front of this great audience. And with that said, I wanna wish you, my great audience, good health and happiness. And until next time, my friends, peace. Until next time, Peace ✌️  If you enjoyed this content, please give it a Like, and consider Sharing a link to it as that is the best way for us to grow our audience, which in turn allows us to produce more content

AI has generated more hype and obfuscation than all the words from ChatGPT. OK, maybe I exaggerate, but the amount of scare talk is endless. I try to take a more rational and down-to-earth look at the issue from the point-of-view of manufacturers. I argue that AI now and in the future should be viewed as a tool that will help humans work better and more productively. I use an example from an interview with Mike Payne, co-owner and president, of Hill Manufacturing--a production machine shop operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mike was introduced to me by Hexagon. This podcast is sponsored by the Ignition Community Conference by Inductive Automation.

Vladimir Romanov joins Phil Seboa to break down what it truly takes to shift legacy manufacturing systems into modern, data-driven operations. Bringing stories from the plant floor and insight from his time at ProveIt, Vlad reflects on the messy reality of automation upgrades, extracting meaningful data, and managing challenging change on both technical and human fronts. The episode. brought to you by our friends at Inductive Automation, goes beyond software hype, revealing the tough questions around ROI, assessing what to modernize, how to contextualize process data, and why education and buy-in matter more than the flashiest technology. Expect candid anecdotes, actionable strategies for bridging OT and IT, and a thought-provoking look at what actually works when pushing the boundaries of industrial automation.About Our Episode Sponsor: Inductive Automation:By cross-pollinating IT with SCADA technologies, Inductive Automation created Ignition software, the first universal industrial application platform with unlimited potential. Ignition empowers industrial organizations to swiftly turn great ideas into reality by removing technological and economic obstacles.Ignition brings affordable Digital Transformation to your industrial operations. For the low cost of one server license, you can connect all your devices, collect more data than ever, create an unlimited number of tags, and add as many users as you need — no extra charges or hidden fees. Plus, the Ignition Designer helps you build any custom application and instantly web-deploy it to any industrial display or mobile device.Try Ignition today with a free 2-hour trial that you can reset an unlimited number of times.Download Ignition Free Trial at: ⁠ ⁠https://go.industrysagemedia.com/ignition⁠Visit Inductive Automation: ⁠⁠https://www.inductiveautomation.com⁠-------Connect with Vladimir on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/About Industry Sage Media:Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

Kevin McClusky, chief technology architect at Inductive Automation, explains why and how IT technologies such as containers, DevOps, application management and MQTT are impacting industrial operations technologies.

Welcome back to a special Thursday edition of Manufacturing Hub!In this episode, we dive deep into one of the standout presentations from the Prove It conference — featuring Travis Cox from Inductive Automation and Arlen Nipper from Cirrus Link Solutions.

In this special episode brought to you by Inductive Automation, hosts Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes welcome back Arlen Nipper, a pioneer in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) and co-inventor of MQTT. Arlen takes us on a deep dive into the latest advancements from Cirrus Link with a special focus and Unified Namespace (UNS) demo.Discover how the UNS concept is transforming data management in industrial systems by providing a structured and scalable way to organize and access data. Arlen walks us through the new enhancements to the Cirrus Link portfolio, including the MQTT engine's ability to generate a more organized UNS view and the advantages of leveraging Ignition for seamless application development.Join us as Arlen showcases the power of the UNS, from edge nodes to cloud databases, and reveals how these new tools empower industries to achieve digital transformation effortlessly. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or an industry expert, this episode offers invaluable insights into the world of IoT and the future of industrial automation.**This episode is best experienced by watching the video podcast version or watching the video episode over on YouTube.**Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q4eXXy1Fm1s-----About Our Episode Sponsor: Inductive Automation:By cross-pollinating IT with SCADA technologies, Inductive Automation created Ignition software, the first universal industrial application platform with unlimited potential. Ignition empowers industrial organizations to swiftly turn great ideas into reality by removing technological and economic obstacles.Ignition brings affordable Digital Transformation to your industrial operations. For the low cost of one server license, you can connect all your devices, collect more data than ever, create an unlimited number of tags, and add as many users as you need — no extra charges or hidden fees. Plus, the Ignition Designer helps you build any custom application and instantly web-deploy it to any industrial display or mobile device.Try Ignition today with a free 2-hour trial that you can reset an unlimited number of times.Download Ignition Free Trial at: ⁠https://go.industrysagemedia.com/ignition⁠Visit Inductive Automation: ⁠https://www.inductiveautomation.com⁠---------------Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/Connect with Arlen on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlen-nipper-42281057/About Industry Sage Media:Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

What does it take to move from automation hype to practical, scalable solutions on the factory floor?In this deep-dive episode of Manufacturing Hub, recorded live at the ProveIt Conference, we're joined by Benson Hougland, Vice President at Opto 22—a company that has been quietly shaping the future of industrial automation for over 50 years.Benson walks us through the journey of Opto 22: from its roots as the birthplace of the solid-state relay to becoming a leader in edge-native control platforms with the groov EPIC and groov RIO product lines. More importantly, he reveals how Opto 22 is tackling two of the most critical challenges in modern manufacturing: democratizing OT data and cybersecurity at the edge.We cover:✅ Who Opto 22 really is and what they set out to "prove" at the ProveIt Conference✅ The role of the Unified Namespace (UNS) in enabling real-time industrial data architecture✅ How Opto's platforms help solve the "dark asset" problem in brownfield facilities✅ Cybersecurity by design—not just bolted on later✅ Why the controller of the future is more like a smartphone than a flip phone✅ Running containers on the edge: what this unlocks for OT teams✅ Long-term partnerships with companies like Inductive Automation and why that matters✅ How Opto 22 systems remain IT-friendly, OT-usable, and fully made in the USA✅ Their collaboration with the State of Indiana to bring energy-focused digital transformation to SMB manufacturers✅ Lessons from past moonshots—like cellular control systems with Nokia that were ahead of their time✅ What's next: ML at the edge, scalable architectures, and more accessible solutions for plants without big digital teamsThroughout the conversation, Benson emphasizes a philosophy that will resonate with anyone trying to lead transformation in manufacturing: start small, solve a real problem, and scale with purpose. Whether you're tackling legacy infrastructure, looking to secure your OT layer, or just trying to make sense of the noise in the automation space, this episode will leave you with tangible ideas and a clear-eyed view of what's possible.

In this episode brought to you by Inductive Automation, Phil Seboa sits down with Vice President of Opto22, Benson Hoagland. Benson brings his 30 years of experience in industrial automation and IoT to discuss the benefits of Ignition by Inductive Automation along with his intriguing journey into the world of automation and IoT. They also discuss the growth of home automation, the importance of interoperability, and their experiences from the recent ProveIt conference.About Inductive Automation:By cross-pollinating IT with SCADA technologies, Inductive Automation created Ignition software, the first universal industrial application platform with unlimited potential. Ignition empowers industrial organizations to swiftly turn great ideas into reality by removing technological and economic obstacles.Ignition brings affordable Digital Transformation to your industrial operations. For the low cost of one server license, you can connect all your devices, collect more data than ever, create an unlimited number of tags, and add as many users as you need — no extra charges or hidden fees. Plus, the Ignition Designer helps you build any custom application and instantly web-deploy it to any industrial display or mobile device.Try Ignition today with a free 2-hour trial that you can reset an unlimited number of times.Learn More and Download Ignition Free Trial at: https://go.industrysagemedia.com/ignitionVisit Inductive Automation: https://www.inductiveautomation.com------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Benson on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhougland/Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/Connect with Ed on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/-------------------------------------------------------------------About Industry Sage Media:Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

Shawn Tierney meets up with Kyle Van Eenennaam of Inductive Automation to learn how to use Ignition in this episode of The Automation Podcast. Note: As this episode was not sponsored, the video edition is only available to our members on The Automation Blog and on YouTube. For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. Watch The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: Note: As mentioned above, this episode was not sponsored so the video edition is a “member only” perk. The below audio edition (also available on major podcasting platforms) is available to the public and supported by ads. To learn more about our membership/supporter options and benefits, click here. Listen to The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: The Automation Podcast, Episode 235 Show Notes: Special thanks to Kyle for coming on the show, and to our members for making this episode possible! To learn more about becoming a member, click here. Until next time, Peace ✌️  If you enjoyed this content, please give it a Like, and consider Sharing a link to it as that is the best way for us to grow our audience, which in turn allows us to produce more content

In this special episode of Manufacturing Hub, Dave Griffith and Vlad Romanov take a deep dive into the upcoming ProveIt Conference, happening next week in Dallas. This event, spearheaded by Walker Reynolds and Zack Scriven, brings together industry leaders, solution providers, and systems integrators to showcase their capabilities in Unified Namespace (UNS), edge computing, and industrial data operations.What We Cover in This Episode:ProveIt Conference Overview: What to expect, key themes, and why this event is unique in the industrial automation space.Infrastructure & Cloud Providers: Dell and Google Cloud—how they are powering the event and their roles in modern manufacturing architectures.Legacy & Next-Gen Providers: Siemens, AVEVA, Inductive Automation, Tatsoft—what they bring to the table and how they compare.Industrial DataOps Players: Litmus Automation, HiveMQ, and HiByte—the backbone of data transformation and connectivity in modern factories.Systems Integrators & Real-World Applications: The unique opportunity for SIs to showcase full-stack solutions and how they help bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern architectures.Key Challenges & Questions: The complexity of multi-vendor integration, data normalization, and real-time orchestration—what are the biggest technical and strategic hurdles?Why You Should ListenGet insider insights before the event kicks off.Understand the latest trends in industrial automation, MQTT, UNS, and edge computing.Discover what solutions and innovations will shape the future of manufacturing connectivity.Learn how end-users and systems integrators are approaching digital transformation in factories today.Join the Conversation!If you're attending ProveIt, let us know! Reach out to Dave or Vlad to connect at the conference. Follow Manufacturing Hub on LinkedIn, YouTube, and all podcast platforms to stay updated with live event coverage and post-show insights.

Welcome to Manufacturing Hub, where we dive deep into the world of industrial automation, software, and digital transformation. In this episode, hosts Dave and Vlad are joined by Zach Scriven, an industrial automation expert, digital transformation evangelist, and a key player in the development of Prove It, a groundbreaking industry conference.This conversation explores a range of topics, from Zach's personal journey in industrial automation and SCADA integration to his pioneering work in digital transformation education. We discuss Unified Namespace (UNS)—a powerful framework for structuring and scaling industrial data—and its role in breaking down silos and creating scalable, interoperable architectures.Key Topics Discussed:✅ Zach Scriven's Background: His journey from SCADA integration in the water industry to co-founding 4.0 Solutions and IoT University.✅ Unified Namespace (UNS): What it is, why it matters, and how it enables scalable industrial data architectures.✅ Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: The need for a clear strategy, the challenges of data silos, and the shift toward IT-OT convergence.✅ Edge Computing & Industrial Data Platforms: How Ignition, MQTT, Litmus Edge, HighByte, and HiveMQ are changing the landscape of industrial automation.✅ Challenges in Legacy Industrial Systems: How companies with aging infrastructure can begin their digital transformation journey.✅ The Future of Industrial Conferences – Prove It: Why traditional conferences fail to deliver value and how Prove It is disrupting the model by requiring vendors to "prove" their solutions in a real-world simulated environment.References & Companies Mentioned:

In this action-packed episode, our hosts kick off with exciting news about the upcoming Prove It Conference in Dallas and then welcome Kyle—a rising talent in the industrial automation space—to share his unique journey and insights.Episode HighlightsGetting Started in Automation:Kyle recounts his transition from studying technology information management at UC Santa Cruz to diving headfirst into the world of SCADA, HMI design, and industrial automation with Inductive Automation. His early days involved a steep learning curve with hands-on training through Inductive University, showcasing the importance of real-world problem solving right from the start.Training & Onboarding Best Practices:Discover how the industry's hallmark training—ranging from the foundational core class to advanced database, scripting, and Perspective modules—is structured. Kyle explains how the approach has evolved from a “trial by fire” to a more measured, project-based learning that emphasizes understanding not just the tool, but also the underlying processes and terminology.Specialization & Career Growth:The conversation delves into the importance of role definition in automation teams. Whether you're focused solely on HMI development or handling the complexities of tag management and PLC integration, learn why narrowing your expertise can be a game changer for career advancement.Troubleshooting Methodologies:Kyle breaks down his company's four-phase troubleshooting cycle—discovery, identification, isolation, and resolution—which not only streamlines problem-solving but also ensures effective communication among support teams. This systematic approach is vital for resolving issues quickly in high-stakes industrial environments.The Future of Industrial Training:Looking ahead, the discussion touches on emerging trends such as integrating AI (including ChatGPT) and augmented reality tools like Apple Vision Pro into training programs. The hope is that these advancements will democratize learning in automation—from high school workshops to specialized professional training—bridging the gap between theory and real-world application.Real-World Advice & Recommendations:Along with career tips—like taking full advantage of free trials and not shying away from challenging projects—the episode also offers cultural recommendations, including movie nods (think Netflix's “Carry On” for a SCADA twist) and a must-read book, Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide by Larry Mandelberger, which dives into the human and organizational aspects of business success.Tune in for a conversation that's as much about technical mastery as it is about the evolving landscape of industrial automation education. Whether you're a newcomer eager to learn or a seasoned pro looking for fresh insights, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive in the rapidly changing world of manufacturing and automation.******Connect with UsVlad RomanovDave GriffithManufacturing HubSolisPLCJoltek

In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, recorded live at ICC 2023, hosts Dave and Vlad welcome back James Burnand, CEO of 4IR Solutions, to discuss IT-OT convergence, the role of 4IR Solutions in the Ignition Community, and key takeaways from Ignition 8.3.4IR Solutions and IT-OT Convergence4IR Solutions is a Solutions Partner within the Ignition Community, focusing on OT as a Service to help manufacturers manage patching, security, and system monitoring—common pain points for system integrators. Ignition has evolved from a SCADA tool to a data-centric platform that facilitates enterprise-wide connectivity.James explains that IT and OT have historically operated in silos, but the adoption of Docker and Kubernetes in industrial environments is breaking these barriers. Traditional OT systems prioritize stability and uptime, while IT is focused on scalability and security. The challenge is implementing modern IT principles in an OT-friendly way.Key Features of Ignition 8.3The Ignition 8.3 update introduces file-based gateway configurations, making automation and scaling more efficient for system integrators. New drawing tools and event streams enhance real-time data visualization and workflow automation. Additionally, Helm charts offer enterprises a better way to manage large-scale deployments.Bridging the IT-OT DivideJames highlights the organizational challenges of IT-OT convergence, noting that many manufacturers lack dedicated IT-OT professionals. 4IR Solutions often serves as a mediator between IT and OT teams, helping ensure security, compliance, and operational stability while enabling modernization efforts.Takeaways from ICC 2023James praises ICC's community-driven atmosphere, where integrators, end users, and Inductive Automation's leadership openly share knowledge. The collaborative nature of the conference allows for real-time feedback, which directly influences Ignition's ongoing development.Looking Ahead4IR Solutions is leveraging Ignition 8.3 to improve automation, reduce costs, and enhance scalability for its customers. As IT-OT integration continues to evolve, manufacturers must embrace flexibility, security, and data-driven decision-making to stay competitive.References from the Episode4IR Solutions (James Burnand, CEO)Ignition by Inductive Automation (SCADA, MES, Unified Namespace)Docker & Kubernetes in Industrial AutomationHelm Charts & Enterprise Deployment StrategiesIT-OT Convergence & Security in OT EnvironmentsThis version keeps the depth while making it easier to read. Let me know if you need further refinements.******Connect with UsVlad RomanovDave GriffithManufacturing HubSolisPLCJoltek

Welcome back to Manufacturing Hub. In this episode, we sit down with Kent Melville, Director of Sales Engineering at Inductive Automation, to explore career growth, sales engineering, and the evolving landscape of industrial automation.Kent shares his fascinating journey, starting as a computer science graduate with a background in web development, ERP systems, and industrial automation before making his way into Inductive Automation. He takes us through the challenges and opportunities he encountered as he transitioned from technical roles into sales engineering, growing from one of the first hires in his division to leading a 30-plus-person team today.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeKent explains the role of a sales engineer and how it differs from traditional technical sales. He breaks down how sales engineers bridge technical expertise and customer engagement, ensuring that solutions meet real-world manufacturing challenges. He also discusses the growth of Inductive Automation, the company culture that has fueled his success, and how the Ignition platform has shaped the industrial automation industry.Another key topic in this discussion is the Ignition Community Conference (ICC), which has become a central event for the Ignition ecosystem. Kent shares how the Build-a-Thon, a live competition where integrators showcase their automation skills, became a major attraction and why it highlights the true power of rapid development with Ignition.Insights on Future Industry TrendsKent provides his perspective on where the industry is heading, especially in terms of IT-OT convergence. He discusses how containerization and DevOps principles are making their way into manufacturing and why version control and structured deployments will become the norm. He also shares insights on how Ignition's flexibility enables organizations to modernize their operations and prepare for the future.Career Lessons and Key TakeawaysThis episode is filled with valuable career advice for engineers and professionals looking to move into sales or leadership roles. Kent emphasizes the importance of working for a company that aligns with your goals rather than constantly chasing small pay increases. He discusses the need for clear communication, initiative, and the ability to adapt to different work styles.For those considering a transition from technical roles to sales engineering, Kent breaks down the key skills required, the training process, and how Inductive Automation prepares its team members for success. He also highlights the importance of building a reputation within an organization, taking on new challenges, and creating opportunities through proactive engagement.Behind-the-Scenes Stories and Fun MomentsBeyond the technical and career discussions, Kent shares some of the most entertaining moments from his time at Inductive Automation. He talks about how an impromptu on-stage rap performance during an Ignition product launch unexpectedly boosted his visibility within the company. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Inductive Automation uses its own software for internal processes, from CRM and training to office automation.Who Should Watch This Episode?This conversation is ideal for industrial professionals looking to understand the role of sales engineering, engineers considering a move into customer-facing roles, and manufacturing leaders exploring Ignition's capabilities. It also offers practical career insights for anyone looking to grow within their organization and stand out in the industry.If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments. Make sure to like, subscribe, and follow Manufacturing Hub for weekly conversations on manufacturing, automation, and technology.******Connect with UsVlad RomanovDave GriffithManufacturing HubSolisPLCJoltekReferences1. Inductive Automation & Ignition SCADAInductive Automation - Official Websitehttps://inductiveautomation.com/Ignition SCADA - Overview & Featureshttps://inductiveautomation.com/scada/Download Ignition (Free Trial & Maker Edition for Personal Use)https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/Ignition Exchange (Free Industrial Automation Templates & Modules)https://inductiveautomation.com/exchange/Ignition Community Conference (ICC) – Annual Conferencehttps://inductiveautomation.com/resources/icc/Inductive Automation's YouTube Channel (Webinars, Case Studies, Training)https://www.youtube.com/@InductiveAutomation2. Sales Engineering & Career DevelopmentThe Sales Engineer Handbook: A Guide to Sales Engineering & Technical Sales (Patrick Pissang)https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Engineer-Handbook-Technical-Engineering/dp/3982171402Mastering Technical Sales: The Sales Engineer's Handbook (John Care, Aron Bohlig)https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Technical-Sales-Engineers-Handbook/dp/1608324262Harvard Business Review - What Makes a Great Sales Engineer?https://hbr.org/2019/04/what-makes-a-great-sales-engineerLinkedIn Sales Engineering Community – Discussions, Networking, and Career Advicehttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/8948750/3. IT-OT Convergence & Industrial Automation TrendsISA (International Society of Automation) – IT-OT Convergence Resourceshttps://www.isa.org/topics/it-ot-convergenceIndustrial DevOps and Containerization in Manufacturing (Inductive Automation Blog)https://inductiveautomation.com/resources/article/modernizing-scada-with-devops/Understanding Unified Namespace (UNS) and MQTT for Industrial Automationhttps://cirrus-link.com/what-is-unified-namespace/ISA-95 Standard – Best Practices for IT and OT Integrationhttps://www.isa.org/standards-and-publications/isa-standards/isa-954. Home Automation & Ignition for Personal UseIgnition Maker Edition (Free Version for Personal & Home Automation Projects)https://inductiveautomation.com/ignition/maker-edition/Home Automation with Ignition - Community Projects & Discussionshttps://forum.inductiveautomation.com/tags/home-automationTravis Cox on Using Ignition for Smart Home Automation (Podcast)https://www.theautomatorpodcast.com/episodes/travis-cox-home-automation-ignition5. Kent Melville & Inductive Automation SocialsKent Melville on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kentmelville/Inductive Automation on LinkedIn

This podcast is sponsored by Inductive Automation. Two topics dominated my inbox this year--and will probably continue to do so. These are AI Large Language Models and Cybersecurity. 

In this in-depth conversation, Jason Waits, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Inductive Automation, provides a comprehensive exploration of Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity. With decades of experience securing critical infrastructure and navigating the complexities of Operational Technology (OT) environments, Jason offers actionable insights into the current state and future of cybersecurity in industrial sectors like manufacturing, energy, and water treatment.The discussion begins with an overview of what makes ICS cybersecurity distinct from traditional IT security. Jason explains how OT systems prioritize availability and safety, presenting unique challenges compared to the confidentiality-driven focus of IT. The conversation highlights key vulnerabilities in ICS environments, such as legacy systems that lack modern security features, poorly designed protocols without encryption, and the risks posed by IT/OT convergence.Jason dives into common attack vectors, including social engineering (phishing), lateral movement from IT to OT networks, and physical access breaches. He explores real-world case studies like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, the Oldsmar water treatment plant hack, and the Stuxnet worm, illustrating how these vulnerabilities have been exploited and the lessons they offer for building stronger defenses.The video also emphasizes the critical role of compliance and standards, such as ISA/IEC 62443, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and CIS Controls. Jason underscores the difference between compliance and real security, advocating for a "security first, compliance second" philosophy to ensure that organizations focus on mitigating actual risks rather than merely checking regulatory boxes.As the conversation unfolds, Jason discusses the role of vendors and OEMs in securing ICS environments, detailing how Inductive Automation uses proactive measures like Pwn2Own competitions, bug bounty programs, and detailed security hardening guides to improve the security of their products. He highlights the importance of collaboration between vendors and customers to address challenges like long equipment lifecycles and the growing adoption of cloud services.Emerging technologies also take center stage, with Jason exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming threat detection and response, while also enabling more sophisticated attacks like personalized phishing and adaptive malware. He addresses the implications of IT/OT convergence, emphasizing the need for collaboration between traditionally siloed teams and the importance of building shared security frameworks.For organizations looking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, Jason offers practical steps, starting with foundational measures like asset management and configuration baselines. He explains how leveraging free resources, such as CIS Benchmarks, and creating a roadmap for cybersecurity maturity can help organizations of all sizes navigate these challenges, even with limited budgets.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and Overview of ICS Cybersecurity3:15 – Meet Jason Waits: Background and Journey to CISO6:45 – What Is ICS Cybersecurity? Key Differences Between IT and OT10:30 – The Importance of Availability and Safety in OT Systems13:50 – Challenges of Legacy Systems and Long Equipment Lifecycles17:20 – Attack Vectors: Social Engineering, Lateral Movement, and Physical Access20:10 – Case Studies: Colonial Pipeline, Oldsmar Water Treatment Plant, and Stuxnet25:35 – Compliance vs. Security: Jason's “Security First, Compliance Second” Philosophy30:00 – The Role of Vendors and OEMs in Cybersecurity34:45 – Inductive Automation's Approach: Pwn2Own, Bug Bounties, and Security Hardening Guides40:00 – Emerging Technologies: AI in Threat Detection and the Risks of Sophisticated Phishing45:10 – The Growing Adoption of Cloud in ICS and Its Implications50:00 – IT/OT Convergence: Opportunities and Challenges55:15 – Practical Steps for Organizations: Asset Management and Roadmaps1:00:10 – Building a Security Culture: Collaboration Between IT and OT Teams1:05:30 – Future Outlook: Increasing Regulations, Ransomware Risks, and Innovation1:10:00 – Using Cybersecurity as a Competitive Advantage1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts: The Need for Continuous Learning and Proactive ActionAbout Manufacturing Hub:Manufacturing Hub Network is an educational show hosted by two longtime industrial practitioners Dave Griffith and Vladimir Romanov. Together they try to answer big questions in the industry while having fun conversations with other interesting people. Come join us weekly! ******Connect with UsVlad RomanovDave GriffithManufacturing HubSolisPLCJoltek

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Colby Clegg, CEO of Inductive Automation, to discuss the much-anticipated release of Ignition 8.3 and its transformative impact on industrial automation. From new capabilities like Perspective Offline Mode to powerful enhancements in data integration and source control, Colby shares how 8.3 builds upon Ignition's mission to be the most modern, user-friendly SCADA and HMI platform.Colby delves into the origins of Inductive Automation, highlighting the journey from a small integration tool to a global, open-platform solution that enables seamless IT-OT integration across diverse industries. He addresses the challenges of creating a platform flexible enough for applications in food & beverage, oil & gas, data centers, and even emerging fields like vertical farming—all while maintaining ease of use and cost-effectiveness.We also cover the unique culture at Inductive Automation, the importance of Inductive University and its open, collaborative approach, as well as the dynamic community surrounding the annual ICC event. If you're an integrator, engineer, or simply curious about the future of industrial technology, this episode offers a rare look inside the innovations shaping our connected world.Keywords:Ignition 8.3, Inductive Automation, Industrial Automation, SCADA, IT-OT Convergence, Industrial IoT, Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Perspective Module, Colby Clegg, Ignition Platform, Data IntegrationReferences:Inductive University: https://inductiveuniversity.com/Ignition 8.3 Release Notes: https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/releasenotes/8.1.33-SNAPSHOTPerspective Drawing Editor Discussion: https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/perspective-drawing-editor-in-8-3-not-in-8-1/64911Version Control and Future Versions of Ignition: https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/version-control-and-future-versions-of-ignition-8-3/74578Inductive Automation Blog on Ignition 8.1.38: https://inductiveautomation.com/blog/ignition-8138-gateway-network-diagram-updates-leased-license-session-flexibility-gateway-encryption-keysInductive Automation Training Resources: https://training.inductiveautomation.com/Inductive Automation Training Classes & Certification: https://inductiveautomation.com/training/classes-and-certificationInductive Automation Previews Upcoming Ignition 8.3 Release: https://inductiveautomation.com/news/inductive-automation-previews-upcoming-ignition-83-release-announces-2024-ignition-firebrand-award-w******Connect with UsVlad RomanovDave GriffithManufacturing HubSolisPLCJoltek

Challenging existing norms and community are the keys to navigating the ever-evolving realm of industrial automation Join us in addressing the changing landscape of remote work, the intricate gender dynamics, and the urgent demand for inventive solutions to the engineering skill gap in the industrial automation sector.Through humor and reflections, Christine Lee and Mara Pillott from Inductive Automation shine a light on the vital role of mentorship, role models, inclusive cultures, and strong training programs, exploring transformative paths into automation engineering. Huge thank you to Inductive Automation for sponsoring this episode! Support the show__________________________________________________________________Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions. Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!Get in touch with us at automationladies.io!P.S. - Help our podcast grow with a 5-star podcast review if you love us! Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio | Music by ...

Welcome to a special episode of Manufacturing Hub, where your hosts Dave and Vlad come together live from a rare in-person setting to give you an exciting preview of the upcoming Ignition Community Conference (ICC). Known as one of the most anticipated industrial automation events, the ICC brings together industry experts, partners, and innovators to explore the latest in SCADA software and Ignition by Inductive Automation.ICC Preview: What to ExpectIn this episode, we offer an in-depth discussion on what attendees can expect at ICC, including key highlights like the launch of Ignition 8.3, an update poised to revolutionize data handling in industrial automation. From advancements in time-series databases to new software and hardware solutions, Vlad and Dave discuss how Ignition is evolving to meet the demands of modern industries, such as the integration of machine learning models, AI, and data processing innovations.Vlad, attending his first ICC, shares his excitement and expectations, particularly about learning more from hardware and software partners that support and augment the Ignition ecosystem. With over 20 partners in attendance, including Phoenix Contact and Moxa, Vlad is eager to explore how these partnerships are shaping the future of automation.Networking & RelationshipsA significant part of ICC is networking, and as both hosts highlight, the relationships formed during the conference are invaluable. Whether you're meeting the developers behind cutting-edge solutions or connecting with strategic partners, ICC provides a unique opportunity to build technical and business networks that drive faster and more efficient solutions for end customers. Vlad emphasizes the importance of these interactions, as they allow engineers to bypass traditional sales channels and directly access the expertise of product creators—ensuring more timely and effective project outcomes.Industry Leaders and Special GuestsThis episode also teases the appearance of industry leaders and past podcast guests who will be at ICC, such as Francisco from Inductive Automation Australia and Benson Hougland from Opto 22. Dave reflects on how the conference has evolved over the years, recounting his experiences from previous ICCs, including the launch of Ignition 8.0, and how he looks forward to reconnecting with old friends and peers.Additionally, the conversation dives into key sessions and demos that will focus on real-world applications of Ignition, particularly in SCADA and MES, showcasing solutions that address the ever-changing needs of industrial enterprises.Special Live Shows from ICCThroughout the conference, Manufacturing Hub will be hosting several live sessions covering major announcements, product releases, and expert insights directly from the event. If you're attending ICC, make sure to catch Vlad and Dave during the lunchtime sessions, where they will be discussing topics such as international perspectives on automation and the growth of the Ignition community across continents.Whether you're an Ignition veteran or new to the platform, this episode is packed with valuable insights and previews of what's to come at ICC 2023. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn about the future of industrial automation, the latest software and hardware partnerships, and how you can leverage these tools to stay ahead in the industry.Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and interviews as Vlad and Dave bring you exclusive content from the ICC floor in the coming days!******Connect with UsVlad RomanovDave GriffithManufacturing HubSolisPLC#automation #manufacturing #robotics #ai

If you know us ladies, you know we love to network, both in-person and online, especially through social media.  Join us, as we delve into the wonders and the transformations of social media with Susan Wilson from Inductive Automation. Sparked by her husband's career as a toolmaker machinist, hear how Susan discovered a passion for digital strategy, taking on a unique role that focuses exclusively on social media in a traditionally broad marketing field. We also take a nostalgic trip back with Susan to the early days of social media, revisiting platforms like MySpace, and explore how social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube are assisting to drive successful business results in the industrial automation industry!   Huge thank you to Inductive Automation for sponsoring this episode! Support the show__________________________________________________________________Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions. Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!Get in touch with us at automationladies.io!P.S. - Help our podcast grow with a 5-star podcast review if you love us! Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio | Music by ...

Nikki & Ali, sit down with Vinny Endres, owner of Bitmasked Automation & a trailblazer in dairy farm automation. Vinny shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming a diesel mechanic, then discovering his passion for electrical engineering & automation. He shares his unique perspective integrating robotic technologies in dairy farming, the potential of teleoperation, the promise of autonomous milling systems, & reconfiguring traditional farming processes to be more automation-friendly.Huge thank you to Inductive Automation for sponsoring this episode!Support the show__________________________________________________________________Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions. Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!Get in touch with us at automationladies.io!P.S. - Help our podcast grow with a 5-star podcast review if you love us! Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio | Music by ...

Join hosts Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes in this episode of Unplugged: An IIoT Podcast as they dive into the dynamic realms of industrial and home automation with Travis Cox, an expert in ignition and a leading voice in Industry 4.0. With 20 years of experience at Inductive Automation, Travis shares his journey, insights, and the educational potential of automation. From the foundation of Inductive Automation to the latest trends in IoT, AI, and cloud technologies, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities in the automation landscape. Ideal for tech enthusiasts, students, and professionals aiming to stay ahead in the automation field. This episode is brought to you by Industry Sage Media. 00:28 Meet Travis Cox: Ignition Expert 01:14 Travis Cox's Journey with Inductive Automation 05:44 Innovations and Data Organization in Industrial Automation 07:01 Educational Outreach and University Collaborations 11:46 Early Days and Trade Show Strategies 20:32 Home Automation: Travis's Personal Projects 25:40 Digital Initiatives and Practical Applications 26:09 Comparing Home Automation Products 26:27 Contributions to Ignition Exchange and Open Source 29:24 Future of Automation and Technological Evolutions 33:04 Strategies for Adopting New IIoT Technologies 36:27 Success Stories in Modernizing Processes 42:54 Tips for Digital Transformation Adoption 45:49 Importance of UI/UX in SCADA Systems 48:26 Future Trends: Unified Namespace and Data Lakes 51:53 Final Thoughts and Industry Insights Connect with Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviscox-automation/ Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/ Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/ About Industry Sage Media: Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry. Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

In this week's episode, Nikki and Ali chat with Technical Sales Executive at Inductive Automation, Phil Seboa.They discuss the importance of IT and OT, his journey from electrician  into the IT-centric world of automation, the impact of Ignition software, and some tips for content creation.Support the Show.Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, and Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam Follow us on Linkedin for live videos, demos, and other contentMusic by Samuel JanesAudio Editing by Laura MarsilioLeave us an audio message or get in touch at automationladies.io

In our latest episode of Detection at Scale, Jason Waits, CISO at Inductive Automation, shares insights learned in his journey from network administration to cybersecurity and the importance of SCADA systems.  He dives into the value of automation, ML, and AI in security operations, highlighting the need for asking the right questions for efficient data analysis. Jason also discusses building a security team with a focus on detection and response, leveraging automation for faster investigations.  Topics discussed: The role of SCADA systems in various industries and the importance of security in OT environments. The challenges and strategies in building a security program for scale, focusing on automation and infrastructure as code. The impact of IT-OT convergence on security issues and the need for enhanced controls and monitoring in interconnected systems. Embracing automation in security operations, including detection engineering and automating response actions for efficiency and scalability. Utilizing enrichment techniques for contextual data analysis and the significance of data sources for effective security investigations. The use of ML and AI in security operations, particularly in natural language querying and data analysis for actionable insights. Jason's advice on building a successful security team, emphasizing automation, staying informed on industry trends, and fostering collaboration with engineering teams. Resources Mentioned:  Jason Waits on LinkedIn Inductive Automation website  Detection Engineering Weekly newsletter

Gary discusses the current state of the automation and control market. Why it seems to be a stable market and why the media in the market are shrinking. He riffs from Seth Godin blog  The Drift to Normal. As an organization grows in scale, the idiosyncrasy and distinctiveness that was originally informed by the taste of the founders moves toward the mean. Over time, things get more average. I have arranged a special deal with energy drink makers Magic Mind. Listeners can visit https://www.magicmind.com/garym and get up to 56% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code GARYM20. After 10 days, you can still get 20% off for one time purchases and subscriptions.  My sponsor is Inductive Automation. Check out their flagship product Ignition and the Cloud and Edge editions. If you would like to get a message out to about 200,000 people, you, too, could be a sponsor. Reply to this email to find out more about sponsorship opportunities.

I've seen successes of industry standards. I've also seen industrial standards struggle to break through the logjam of large companies drive to lock customers into their ecosystem. What is the latest of OPAF and what is the meaning of Schneider Electric's announcement of a product built with with Red Hat and IBM and development of a new computer communication standard? I have arranged a special deal with energy drink makers Magic Mind. Listeners can visit https://www.magicmind.com/garym and get up to 56% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code GARYM20. After 10 days, you can still get 20% off for one time purchases and subscriptions. That's magicmind.com/garym with the code GARYM20. This podcast is sponsored by Inductive Automation. https://www.inductiveautomation.com

Find out the difference between traditional and high-performance HMI screen styles, as well as which type manufacturers tend to use most and how difficult it is to switch from one version to another in this episode featuring Travis Cox of Inductive Automation.

Travis Cox | Chief Technology Evangelist @ Inductive AutomationMy passion is helping companies solve challenges using Ignition and modern technologies. I have been in the automation industry for 18 years. Through that time as a Co-Director of Sales Engineering for Inductive Automation, I have seen numerous successful launches of HMI/SCADA and IIoT projects across many diverse industries. I have worked with companies to help build robust and scalable architectures, apply best practices, integrate solutions, leverage edge and cloud computing, and learn how to fully utilize the Ignition platform.Inductive Automation started out as a group of Systems Integrators looking for a better product.Join us as we talk with Travis about the journey from integration to product and the last 20+ years of the journey. Along the way, IA has been able to work with a number of leading integration companies and OEMs. We'll ask Travis what will be in store for the next 20 years of integration.Are you a Home Automation fan? Stay tuned for some bonus conversations as to what we can do to put technology into the hands of people sooner. Connect with Us Travis Cox Vlad Romanov Dave Griffith Manufacturing Hub SolisPLC #manufacturing #automation #industry40 #digitaltransformation #ignition

In this new segment of How'd You Get Here, Kevin McClusky chats with Arnell J.  Ignacio to discuss Kevin's professional journey. They talk about Kevin's early experiences at Inductive Automation to where he currently is now. Kevin also shares insight of the early days at Inductive Automation, what makes IA such a unique place, his journey at Inductive Automation, and much more. We also get a peek into Kevin's interests and what he is excited about.

In this new installment of How'd You Get Here, Paul Scott sits down with Arnell J. Ignacio to take a trip back in time to explore Paul's professional journey. They talk about Paul's early experiences at Inductive Automation to where he currently is now. Paul also shares insight about what it is like to work at Inductive Automation, what makes IA such a unique place, her journey at Inductive Automation, and much more. We also get a peek into Paul's interests and what he sees for the future.

Rafey Shahid from Qanare Engineering joins Don Pearson to talk about the influence  that Inductive Automation and Ignition has on his career. Rafey shares his early days of integration, how he found Ignition and its impact on his business, and the relationships he has developed over the years. Rafey and Don also discuss the challenges and opportunities Rafey has faced and what the future looks like for Qanare Engineering.

It's maybe the most dangerous thing that we can do. Online.We're going from a couple of configurations to data rolling through a dashboard!Join Dave and Vlad as Francisco Carrión helps us build an energy monitoring solution.We'll start out by saying that the technology stack is not the most important part of this build. We're using tools that we know - but you could just as easily swap in different hardware or use a platform that you currently own.

Peggie Wever joins Arnell J. Ignacio to talk about her professional journey at Inductive Automation. In this discussion, they explore Peggie's experiences from the early days all the way to her current role. Peggie also shares insight about what it is like to work at Inductive Automation, what makes IA such a unique place, her journey at Inductive Automation, and much more. We also get a peek into Peggie's interests and what she sees for the future.

Jason Waits talks with Arnell J. Ignacio about his professional journey at Inductive Automation. In this discussion, they explore Jason's experiences from the early days all the way to his current role as Chief Information Security Officer. Jason also shares what it is like to work at Inductive Automation, what makes IA such a unique place, his journey to becoming the Chief Information Security Officer, and much more. We also get a peak into Jason's interests and what he sees for the future.

Kathy Applebaum joins Arnell J. Ignacio to talk about her professional journey at Inductive Automation. In this discussion, they explore Kathy's experiences from the early days all the way to her current role as Software Engineering Department Manager. Kathy also shares insight about what it is like to work at Inductive Automation, what makes IA such a unique place, her unusual journey to becoming Software Engineering Department Manager, and much more. We also get a peak into Kathy's diverse interests and what she envisions for the future.