Whither MySQL and Java

by | Jan 25, 2010 | Automation

I posed a question Jan 8 “You all should learn SQL” and got a bunch of interesting responses. Most of the “major” systems and software companies are using Microsoft SQL Server, I would guess. Oracle has been making a play into the manufacturing space…again. (I first heard about SQL and got an intro around 1988 from Oracle, I believe.) Well, Oracle’s acquisition of Sun finally received European approval. Sebastian Rupley of GigaOM has a post centered on a memo from Jonathan Schwartz, Sun CEO. Sun acquired the open-source SQL database competitor to Oracle–MySQL. It also developed and released (at least parts) to open source the programming language/platform Java. So, the question is–what will happen to MySQL and Java? Can Oracle put up with open source? What will all the companies that based low cost products (like Inductive Automation whose Steve Hechtman was the source of my question a couple of weeks ago) do? This is a serious question. Oracle’s Larry Ellison is not known for benevolance and being a nice guy. The first “owners” of MySQL are trying to get it back.

This is something we’ll have to watch carefully.

Catching up on a lot of good tips

by | Jan 25, 2010 | Automation

I went to Chicago last week and that destroyed my productivity. We’re busy getting out the February issue of Automation World. Saved a whole bunch of useful sites to suggest. Next is a bunch of automation news I’ve saved in my @blog folder in Entourage (Outlook for Mac).

Guy Kawasaki talks about Twelves Resolutions on How to be a Mensch. These are excellent ideas for incorporating into your life. Couple of them are be a talent hunter, give something you don’t pay for (no, that doesn’t mean steal it), spend more time in the “beginners mind,” and be happy for others.

Michael Hyatt gives Eight Leadership Lessons from Martin Luther King Jr (OK, his day was last week, but I’m behind). These are also good thoughts.

Marketing thinker Seth Godin had a couple of really good posts lately. Here’s one on competition that should get you thinking. This one is especially timely give the recent bitter school levy fight in Sidney not to mention the bitterness of our current American national politics, The False Solace of Vilification.

The Emerson bloggers have been busy. Here’s Jim Cahill with advanced valve diagnostics. And Greg McMillan with an essay on Virtual Plants.

Garr Reynolds talks about the presentation, but the content is also worthwhile–how to live better longer happier.

And to complete my reading for the week–a couple of items from my favorite Lean blog, Evolving Excellence. The Lesson of Teddy Bears and The Culmination is … Poof.

Well, not exactly. Check out these pictures from Mars. Way cool. And–PackML has a wiki.

I’m driving to Chicago again tomorrow for a big internal meeting plus a meeting with Yokogawa that was changed from face-to-face to a Web/telephone conference. Followed by a meeting with Beckhoff Automation on Wednesday where they want to discuss a new initiative.

 

 

Ethernet Field Device Network from CC Link

by | Jan 20, 2010 | Automation, Technology

I’m in Chicago this week for a series of meetings. The triggering event was a visit from Chuck Lukasik and John Wozniak of the CC-Link Partner Association. What a great meeting. I love a deep dive into networking technology. And..from people who don’t try to mis-characterize the competition. And also people who can take my challenging comments and answer them. Sure keeps me from going to sleep in meetings.

CC-Link has released a controller-level network based on Ethernet. They just announced a device-level network also based on Ethernet.

Now–a cautionary word. When I say “Ethernet”, what do you think? Wrong. In common usage, we say Ethernet when we mean Ethernet plus the entire TCP/IP protocol suite including http, ftp, snmp, smtp, cip and the like. But Ethernet really only applies to the physical layer. So, CC-Link IE Field Network is Ethernet at the physical layer (Cat 5e, RJ-45 connectors and the rest), but the protocols and ASICs are all developed specifically for CC-Link. This is not proprietary–CC-Link is just as “open” a standard as are EtherNet/IP, EtherCat, Ethernet PowerLink and Profibus/Profinet. And the use of custom ASICs (chips) is not unique to CC-Link, either. EtherCat, Ethernet PowerLink and Profinet IRT all use them. I’ve also heard that EtherNet/IP uses (or will use) one for a motion control option.

CC-Link IE (for industrial Ethernet) Field Network is a spec-killer. It blazes at 1 gigabit/sec. Since the network uses custom firmware, network design, implementation and use becomes faster and easier. As they like to say, “It requires no IT knowledge.” For the electrician (technician) installing this network, it is similar to, but easier than, a device network. Essentially just plug it in. The configuration tool is easier than SNMP. It can be daisy-chain (they call it line), star or ring–or a combination. It is deterministic, yet simultaneously transmits control, log and diagnostic data.

It makes no pretense to “standard” Ethernet–as are basic Profinet and EtherNet/IP. However, it is specifically designed for manufacturing networks and targeted at control engineers and technicians. Mitsubishi, an automation supplier very strong in Japan and strong in China, is the systems supplier behind this network. So, third party suppliers have been lining up support since everyone wants to penetrate the China market. While not strong in North America, it is growing and putting pressure on Rockwell Automation (primary automation supporter) and EtherNet/IP.

The next few years should be very interesting regarding the automation networking landscape. (No, I’m not “prognosticating” a winner.)

why join a professional organization

by | Jan 19, 2010 | Operations Management

I am a member of several professional organizations–ISA (International Society of Automation), SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers), and IEEE Computer Society. Every year or so when I send in dues, I ponder the value I get for the money. Especially since I’m not a practicing engineer or manufacturer. I guess I want to be informed and connected.

What I really would like to know from this international audience of readers of this blog is–what value do you get from membership? Or, what value would you LIKE to get from membership? ISA now explicitly claims to be international. What value (or not) would you get from being part of an international society rather than national or local? Please comment so that others can play off the ideas. Thanks.

Follow this blog

Get a weekly email of all new posts.