by Gary Mintchell | Feb 18, 2013 | Events, Operations Management, Software
Inductive Automation announced at the ARC Forum Press Conference that it will launch the Ignition Module Marketplace, which it touts as the first community-based software module store in its industry, on March 4, 2013.
It has probably been almost 10 years ago that I first met Steve Hechtman, founder and CEO of Inductive Automation. He sounded the same as many entrepreneurs I meet who have developed something disruptive that is going to revolutionize the industry. Well, ten years is a lot of staying power and the company used the ARC Forum as a launch pad toward greater visibility in the market (something I’ve done once or twice myself). His team is definitely building a platform and business model worth watching.
Ignition by Inductive Automation is a modular software platform on which companies in a wide variety of industries can customize to their specific HMI, SCADA or MES requirements. At the new Ignition Module Marketplace, Ignition users can add increased functionality to their installed platform by downloading, trying and buying any module. Modules can be purchased separately, and range from small plug-ins to full vertical software solutions.
In addition to modules developed by Inductive Automation, the community-based online store will offer modules developed and made available by Ignition users. The ability to share modules with other Ignition users around the world opens up many new possibilities and removes the proprietary boundaries which often lock users into repeatedly buying from the same software vendor.
According to the company, the launch of the industrial automation software industry’s first community-based module store is the latest in a series of “firsts” for Inductive Automation. Since its founding 10 years ago, the company has released the first database-centric HMI / SCADA software solution, the first HMI / SCADA software built entirely on Java, the first 100% cross-platform HMI / SCADA software, and the first HMI / SCADA solution built on a totally unified platform.
“Inductive Automation has consistently achieved firsts in the industrial automation industry by bringing the latest technologies to our field. The Ignition Module Marketplace represents a major step forward for HMI / SCADA software. The ability to instantly buy modules and share modules with the simplicity of an ‘app store’ experience will be revolutionary for our users,” said Hechtman.
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 18, 2013 | Events
I was way too busy during the Forum to post anything. Then I spent Friday catching up on life.
Overall, Forum attendance was on a par with others. I think more and more it has become hard for users to get travel permission to attend forums and conferences. It’s always a shame. Professionals can absorb tons of ideas to make their companies better–but those short-sighted bean counters are always suspicious (or jealous).
Following will be a series of announcements from the press conference marathon and a few observations.
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 13, 2013 | Events
I am in Orlando attending my 16th ARC Advisory Group World Manufacturing Forum. Seems to be around the same attendance as usual. Lots of enthusiasm and energy this year. I’m connecting with many people as I explore the next stage of my professional career.
Later today when I get a break, I’ll finish reporting on the press conferences that were held Monday. Invensys Operations Management, Yokogawa, Inductive Automation, Schneider Electric and the Telecommunications Industry Association along with OPC Foundation all had announcements.
I guess the biggest things right now would be the breakout of Inductive Automation from the small, rebel company in the HMI/SCADA and MES space (cloud based, different sales model) to a larger visibility and Schneider Electric showing some automation and control products. The past few years it has emphasized the power side of the company.
I’m digesting a lot of information right now. And very shortly I hope to be digesting some breakfast. Then more later when I get a break.
If you are down here, catch the social media panel on Thursday at 8:30. I’m on it representing media. Jon DiPietro will be giving a presentation on the Doppler Effect of social media — sort of the idea that things change very quickly in that space and many people just don’t keep up.
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 2, 2013 | Events
My free time to devote to updating and publicizing this blog has dwindled significantly over the past couple of years. So, the number of posts per week have also declined. Yet I still have a few thousand loyal readers (thank you all). I’m taking steps to re-orient my life and reclaim some time.
A more vibrant version of this long-running publication is coming next week–or at least updated more frequently.
More on this later. Meanwhile, I’m heading to the ARC Forum in Orlando Feb. 11 – 14. If you are there, be sure to look me up. And watch for reports and updates of the sessions and news. Regardless of the sessions–and I know that Andy Chatha works hard to bring the best he can–this is still the one single venue where you can mingle with a wide cross-section of industry professionals. The hallway and reception conversations are among the industry’s best.
As I work on freshening up the site and content, please let me know either in the comments or by email what you’d like to see–or not.
by Gary Mintchell | Nov 7, 2012 | Automation, Events
The talk around Rockwell Automation Fair events so far this week point to the dominant trend of Internet, Ethernet, open standards, virtualization and the cloud. These technologies are impacting the way we do manufacturing and automation and will continue to have far-reaching impacts. I have written a longer report at Automation World.
Think about the possibilities that come with abstracting applications from hardware that result from virtualization. This can drastically lower the cost of software while supporting mobile and remote personnel. Not to mention virtualization and the cloud enhancing collaboration among employees and partners.
While discussing all the Ethernet, the thought struck me about the different ways Rockwell and Siemens approach the topic. Rockwell talks much more about integrating real-time information to the enterprise through MOM applications. Siemens much more about integrating design and programming. Although each company does both applications.
Keith Nosbusch revealed his passion for manufacturing and for invigorating manufacturing in America again during our private interview. He has lent his prestige and some resources toward Smart Manufacturing and a broad effort to influence government policy. I can’t say enough about how important this is to our country (and actually every country). I appreciate his commitment.
by Gary Mintchell | Nov 6, 2012 | Events, Process Control
I continue to be impressed at the growth of the Rockwell Automation process business. A walk down the hallway at break time between technical sessions is slowed by the many people and the buzz of conversation and energy. Check out my news report of the event.
Many of you know that I have distant roots to Rockwell’s process efforts. In one of my many “past lives” I sold Rockwell products. I attended an early process control class for the PLC5 and (I think) Control View. Interestingly, yesterday I saw Steve Ryan, who was leading the process initiative at the time. He’s now President of M+W Automation, an EPC. But we talked about those early roots.
Keith Nosbusch and his team made significant investments in the business. On my recent trip to Cleveland, I was shown its lab for testing process and instrumentation systems. It took a long time for the business to brew, but once the executive team realized the business potential, they jumped on it.
Rockwell announced reduced earnings in Q4 yesterday, but in private conversations I was told that EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) sales were actually up in the quarter and the process business contributed to that growth. Very interesting.
The picture is of Som Chakraborti, director of the process business, taken with my new iPhone 5. My apologies to Som. I didn’t realize that I sat on the wrong side of the room making the lighting impossible.
